Bill > HB172

This bill, titled "Municipalities - Enforcement Officers - Body-Worn Cameras," amends existing Maryland law to allow municipal enforcement officers, defined as employees or agents authorized for code, parking, or traffic enforcement, to use body-worn cameras during their duties. This is achieved by expanding the definition of "LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER" in Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings to include these municipal officers when they are authorized to use a body-worn camera. The bill also permits municipalities to adopt ordinances or resolutions authorizing their enforcement officers to use these cameras, provided they develop and publish a policy for their issuance and use that aligns with the standards set by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission for law enforcement officers. The bill specifies conditions under which law enforcement and correctional officers can lawfully intercept oral communications with a body-worn digital recording device, including being in uniform, making reasonable efforts to follow established standards, being a party to the communication, and notifying individuals of recording as soon as practicable unless unsafe or impossible, with exceptions for individuals joining ongoing discussions. This legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0172?ys=2026RS