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SB 745MARYLANDSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Maryland requires police training on autism, dementia, and developmental disabilities starting October 1, 2026

Original title: Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)

Last action · May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 659Sponsors: Mike McKay and 10 others

Companion · HB 634same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Maryland law now requires entrance-level and in-service police training to cover interactions with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia, and autism, taking effect October 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Law enforcement officers across State, county, and municipal training schools must complete specialized instruction covering missing person searches, sensory-aware approaches, and interagency coordination.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

entrance-level police trainees

Trainees must complete new coursework regarding autism, dementia, and developmental disabilities as part of their standard curriculum.

Directly affected

in-service police officers

Officers may be required by the Commission to complete ongoing in-service training on the new curriculum.

Directly affected

individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia, and autism

Law enforcement interactions involving these individuals will be subject to new sensory-aware approaches and specialized protocols.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific topics must the new police training cover?

The training must cover locating missing or wandering individuals, searching near bodies of water, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination for individuals with autism, dementia, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

When does this requirement take effect?

The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

12 actions

May 26, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 659
Apr 6, 2026SenateFloor
Returned Passed
Apr 3, 2026HouseFloor
Third Reading Passed (119-0)
Apr 2, 2026HouseFloor
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
Apr 2, 2026HouseCommittee
Favorable Report by Judiciary
Mar 13, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred Judiciary

Show 6 earlier actions

Mar 12, 2026SenateFloor
Third Reading Passed (45-0)
Mar 10, 2026SenateFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Mar 10, 2026Senate
Favorable with Amendments { 983922/1 Adopted
Mar 9, 2026SenateCommittee
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
Feb 12, 2026Senate
Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroduced
First Reading Judicial Proceedings

Version history

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