Bill > SB985

This bill requires the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services to establish minimum mandatory standards for the care, custody, and conditions of individuals held in immigration detention facilities, which are defined as any facility used to house or detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations. The bill also modifies the duties of the Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards, expanding its oversight to include these immigration detention facilities alongside traditional correctional facilities. Key provisions include mandating regulations for security, safety, food services, housing, sanitation, individual rights, and record-keeping for both incarcerated individuals and civil detainees, and requiring these standards to be consistent with federal and state law. The bill also establishes a process for reporting violations, mandates annual reports from the Commission detailing compliance issues at both types of facilities, and requires facilities to certify their compliance with essential utilities, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, emergency power, and emergency operations plans by July 1, 2026, with failure to comply potentially leading to orders to cease operations. Furthermore, licensed healthcare practitioners and certified security guards are required to report violations or breaches of system security, and facilities are prohibited from retaliating against employees who report violations in good faith. The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms, including inspections, compliance plans, reprimands, audits, and potential court orders or closure orders for non-compliance, and allows the Attorney General to bring actions against private entities operating these facilities for violations.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0985?ys=2026RS