Maryland extends handgun permit renewal periods to five years for retired law enforcement officers

Original title: Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Expiration and Renewal Periods for Retired Law Enforcement Officer

Last action · May 12, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 455Sponsors: Bill Folden and 2 others

Companion · HB 94same policy, House version

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What This Bill Does

Senate Bill 331 establishes a five-year expiration and renewal period for handgun permits issued to retired law enforcement officers who from state, county, or municipal agencies, replacing the previous two-year expiration and three-year renewal terms. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Retired police officers holding handgun permits will experience less frequent renewal paperwork and reduced administrative intervals, shifting from renewals every three years to every five years.

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

Retired law enforcement officers of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State

Their handgun permit expiration and renewal intervals are extended from shorter terms to five-year periods.

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

Who qualifies for the 5-year handgun permit expiration and renewal period?

Law enforcement officers who from a law enforcement agency of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State qualify for the 5-year periods.

Do retired officers need to be fingerprinted every time they renew their permit under this law?

No, applicants are not required to be fingerprinted upon renewal unless the requires fingerprints to resolve a question of identity.

When does this change go into effect?

The Act 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 12, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 455
Apr 10, 2026SenateFloor
Returned Passed
Apr 10, 2026HouseFloor
Third Reading Passed (128-2)
Apr 8, 2026HouseFloor
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
Apr 8, 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
Mar 10, 2026SenateFloor
Favorable Adopted
Mar 9, 2026SenateCommittee
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
Jan 28, 2026Senate
Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m.
Jan 23, 2026SenateIntroduced
First Reading Judicial Proceedings

Version history

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