Bill > HB810

This bill requires all law enforcement agencies in Maryland to implement a Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) when responding to domestically related crimes or abuse. The LAP is defined as a multi-pronged validated tool used by law enforcement officers to assess an individual's risk of being injured or killed by an intimate partner. The protocol involves using evidence-based questions to evaluate potential danger and includes offering local resources to individuals who are at high risk. Key terms are specifically defined, including "abuse" (referencing the Family Law Article) and "domestically related crime" (from the Criminal Procedure Article). The bill mandates that every law enforcement agency develop and follow a policy that requires officers to use the LAP when investigating incidents that might involve domestic violence. The law is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving agencies time to develop and implement the required protocols. By requiring this systematic approach, the bill aims to help identify and support potential victims of domestic violence before they are seriously injured or killed.