Maryland HB 778: Task Force to Study the Baltimore Police Department

Bill Text

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0778*

HOUSE BILL 778
E4 9lr2397

By: Delegate Grammer
Introduced and read first time: February 8, 2019
Assigned to: Judiciary

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Task Force to Study the Baltimore Police Department 2

FOR the purpose of establishing the Task Force to Study the Baltimore Police Department; 3
providing for the composition, chair, and staffing of the Task Force; prohibiting a 4
member of the Task Force from receiving certain compensation, but authorizing the 5
reimbursement of certain expenses; requiring the Task Force to study and make 6
findings regarding certain matters; requiring the Task Force to report its findings 7
and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a 8
certain date; providing for the termination of this Act; and generally relating to the 9
Task Force to Study the Baltimore Police Department. 10

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That: 12

(a) There is a Task Force to Study the Baltimore Police Department. 13

(b) The Task Force consists of the following members: 14

(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland who is identified as a Democrat, 15
appointed by the President of the Senate; 16

(2) one member of the Senate of Maryland who is identified as a 17
Republican, appointed by the President of the Senate; 18

(3) one member of the House of Delegates who is identified as a Democrat, 19
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 20

(4) one member of the House of Delegates who is identified as a Republican, 21
appointed by the Speaker of the House; 22

(5) one member of the Maryland Police Training and Standards 23

2 HOUSE BILL 778

Commission; 1

(6) the following members, appointed by the Speaker of the House: 2

(i) one member of the Baltimore City Council; 3

(ii) one member of the Baltimore Police Department; 4

(iii) one member of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association; 5

(iv) one member of the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association; 6

(v) one representative of the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s 7
Office; and 8

(vi) two civilian representatives from different senatorial districts; 9
and 10

(7) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 11

(i) one representative of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and 12
Prevention; and 13

(ii) one representative at large. 14

(c) The Task Force shall elect the chair of the Task Force. 15

(d) The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staff for the Task Force. 16

(e) A member of the Task Force: 17

(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 18

(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 19
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 20

(f) The Task Force shall: 21

(1) study the hiring practices of the Baltimore Police Department; and 22

(2) make findings on the reasons that the Baltimore Police Department has 23
failed to hire staff in positions where funds have already been allocated. 24

(g) On or before December 1, 2019, the Task Force shall report its findings to the 25
Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1246 of the State Government Article, the General 26
Assembly. 27

HOUSE BILL 778 3

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 1
1, 2019. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2020, this 2
Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no 3
further force and effect. 4