[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659634,"mediaKeyId","2450223-2ccd83c265b83222ac707686f2aaaf5e","parentId",2450223,"title","Maryland State Police budget rises; DLS flags personnel drivers and consent-decree changes","audioSeconds",1759,"startMs",57490,"endMs",1816705,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2450223-2ccd83c265b83222ac707686f2aaaf5e&start=57&end=1816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2450223-2ccd83c265b83222ac707686f2aaaf5e/thumbnail_57490.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659634/Maryland/Maryland-State-Police-budget-rises-DLS-flags-personnel-drivers-and-consent-decree-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659634-daccc05a3790b8517bfd36a05b534fe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156453&Signature=hb-fzH-bz5kQRncLp4N4zMBhJBZm~BkmZ3jPLgoy0sq-V8FEvthvzlY-DecnWG6T82rtsljPLwJ86NbHim1ccN9RFOcIqGRQ1Bwx3lXD6bkd0WMmJYcnVu-2HW-vxOQNLlbq914Dazp7iLXTV5nYcfCjxMRR8LzDPaQL39rmnWDk3rmaAB~SfUnhfWtqMHc2Xa5EdWTm0yGDB7Of-~4GKkCCd4Sfuq7O6QFWH6VpmHu8CgSS5NTeCzuh1Wlt-vV6qr4M~EuEHrW8s4CWbJ1ZLJ5Z2RXiGNQBl11p8lIN6mHC0dl6mXXNTQJzjUflO1wVRah1vGuTWLPRM1QhhE-amQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Appropriations","date","2025-02-28T20:49:04.257Z","article","The Department of Legislative Services told the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee that the Maryland Department of State Police’s fiscal 2026 allowance increases by $47,400,000 to $668,900,000, and that “about 92% of that growth can be attributed to personnel salary enhancements,” DLS analyst Madeline Miller said.

The budget increase is concentrated in personnel: DLS noted personnel costs represent about 81.8% of the department’s total expenditures and the Field Operations Bureau receives the largest program share. DLS highlighted several performance measures — including increases in Part 1 property crimes and an uptick in traffic-fatality rates — that frame the department’s resource requests.

Why it matters: the spending request and the department’s planned personnel changes come as Maryland confronts higher property-crime counts and a post-pandemic rise in traffic fatalities, while the department is also implementing changes tied to a U.S. Department of Justice consent decree and Board of Public Works actions that affect recruiting tests and monetary awards.

DLS presentation and key figures

“Between fiscal 25 and 26 the department’s budget increases by 47,400,000 to 668,900,000.0,” Madeline Miller said. DLS exhibits cited a 16.6% rise in Part 1 offenses per 100,000 residents between calendar 2022 and 2023, and described traffic-fatality trends that left Maryland’s vehicle‑miles‑traveled below 2019 levels while the fatality rate rose. DLS also reported that the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s inspections increased by about 74.7% from 2020 to 2024 and that fire‑related deaths rose to 84 in 2023.

Budget details and special funds

DLS identified multiple budget adjustments: two cost-containment actions approved by the Board of Public Works in July 2024 that reduced general‑fund support for the computer forensics laboratory and shifted three emergency dispatcher positions to a special fund (the Maryland Emergency Medical Systems Operations Fund, or MEMSOF). DLS described proposed deficiency actions that would add roughly $6.4 million to field operations for insurance and reimbursable overtime, and several swaps exchanging general funds for special funds tied to MEMSOF and commercial vehicle enforcement.

DLS also noted a $1.5 million proposed increase for Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) helicopter maintenance, but warned the allowance may understate total MSPAC costs. A provision in the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFAA) discussed in the hearing would expand allowable MEMSOF uses to include MSPAC general operations; DLS said the BRFAA language does not limit the amount but the budget bill limits MEMSOF support to $5.5 million in the two years.

Cadets, vacancies and recruiting

DLS reported that the allowance adds 15 trooper cadet positions (bringing the potential total to 45 cadet positions in fiscal 2026) and includes about $1.1 million in new funding for those positions. The department had 26 trooper cadet positions in the working appropriation, 11 of which were vacant as of Dec. 31, 2024. DLS recommended eliminating the 15 new vacant positions and reducing a double-counted special‑fund appropriation tied to cadet funding.

Secretary Roland L. Butler Jr., representing the Maryland Department of State Police, said the department did not concur with some DLS reductions. Butler asked that the department keep the 15 special‑funded positions and said the cadet program helps recruit young people into law enforcement. “We’re seizing the opportunity to create our own test,” Butler added, referencing plans to move away from the current POST test after Board of Public Works approval of about $360,000 to procure new entry‑level selection tests.

Consent decree and hiring changes

DLS described a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the department’s hiring and promotional practices and said a consent decree was filed in October 2024 and provisionally approved by the U.S. District Court for Maryland in November 2024. DLS reported the decree requires the department to use lawful tests and to provide $2,750,000 in monetary awards and priority hiring for up to 25 applicants provisionally disqualified under prior procedures. Final judicial approval was scheduled for March (year referenced in the DLS analysis); Butler said the court had not yet ruled but that the department intends to implement improvements and to develop an MSP‑specific test.

Vehicle Theft Prevention Council and local enforcement

DLS reviewed grants and council spending; Butler asked that $690,724 proposed for deletion from the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council remain in the budget, saying the council funds local enforcement, clinics to support vehicle software updates and prosecution support for jurisdictions hard‑hit by thefts and carjackings.

Questions and follow-up

Committee members asked the department to provide additional detail on cadet per‑person costs, plans to fill long‑term vacancies, and the department’s implementation timeline for new entry‑level tests. DLS recommended restricting certain funds pending submission of Maryland’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR) and suggested adopting annual language tying releases to receipt of the 2024 UCR; Butler concurred with releasing withheld funds tied to the 2023 UCR submission but objected to some DLS proposed appropriation deletions.

Speakers

Madeline Miller, DLS analyst (Department of Legislative Services)
Roland L. Butler Jr., Colonel and Secretary, Maryland Department of State Police (government)
John Wilhelm, Chief Financial Officer, Maryland Department of State Police (government)
Jason Mowbray, Acting State Fire Marshal (government)
Sierra Hawkins, Deputy Fire Marshal (government)
Delegate Jazz Lewis, Chair, Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee (government)
Delegate Sonko, Subcommittee member (government)
Delegate McComas, Subcommittee member (government)
Delegate Elliot, Subcommittee member (government)

Authorities

{ \"type\":\"statute\",\"name\":\"Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964\",\"citation\":\"Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964\",\"referenced_by\":[\"dls_presentation\",\"doj_investigation\"] }

{ \"type\":\"other\",\"name\":\"Board of Public Works approvals\",\"citation\":\"Board of Public Works actions, July 2024\",\"referenced_by\":[\"budget_cost_containment\"] }

{ \"type\":\"other\",\"name\":\"Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFAA)\",\"citation\":\"BRFAA provision (fiscal) expanding MEMSOF uses)\",\"referenced_by\":[\"budget_swaps\"] }

Clarifying details

{ \"category\":\"budget_change\",\"detail\":\"Allowance increases by $47,400,000 to $668,900,000\",\"value\":47400000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":false,\"source_speaker\":\"Madeline Miller\" }

{ \"category\":\"personnel_share\",\"detail\":\"Personnel costs represent 81.8% of expenditures\",\"source_speaker\":\"Madeline Miller\" }

{ \"category\":\"cadet_positions\",\"detail\":\"Allowance includes 15 new trooper cadet positions; total cadet positions projected at 45 in fiscal 26\",\"value\":45,\"units\":\"positions\",\"source_speaker\":\"Madeline Miller\" }

{ \"category\":\"consent_decree_awards\",\"detail\":\"Monetary awards of $2,750,000 and priority hiring for up to 25 applicants required by consent decree\",\"value\":2750000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"source_speaker\":\"Madeline Miller\" }

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provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"t57.49\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good afternoon Chair Lewis and committee. My name is Madeline Miller and today I'll be presenting the DLS budget analysis for the Department of State Police.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:00:57\",\"tc_end\":\"00:01:37\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"t1676.705\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"The Maryland Department of State Police continues to expand and rely on its cadet program for future recruiting efforts...Lastly, we concur with the DLS recommendation to release the withheld funds associated with the submission of the uniform crime report.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:27:56\",\"tc_end\":\"00:28:16\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}

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","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PSA Committee Session, 2/28/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Department of Legislative Services told the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee that the Maryland Department of State Police’s fiscal 2026 allowance increases by $47.4 million to $668.9 million, with most growth tied to personnel salary enhancements.","taxTitle","Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee, Appropriations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",78566,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659620,"Subsequent Injury Fund posts modest growth; agency cites clean IT and fiscal audit",218,3872565,4091430,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2450223-2ccd83c265b83222ac707686f2aaaf5e&start=3872&end=4091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2450223-2ccd83c265b83222ac707686f2aaaf5e/thumbnail_3872565.jpg","/articles/6659620/Maryland/Subsequent-Injury-Fund-posts-modest-growth-agency-cites-clean-IT-and-fiscal-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659620-c65f344246eee8dc319e1ff42f15d7f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156453&Signature=J98EKm55XBOHLf3RNfZeP2P8mHYVzLbtSUI~QPnrC5a21g8jg064K7vpiJd3It95BFsEJTPsKrinAHRKvWWCveD9v4tSq9Viz~pQTWS-uM5VA0mIRIGe7XaxvoEmVbyyGzv2NaH3UZnYFoj6r0srsPHTIYX5MoEdAtaUhEn0KeBGGtr~a3UX02MTgL8Uda9dgl4GOI~HuEqqGvrn7P36BzRZkZaaxaesR~yWMDMCVDhzdAOakmno-8lyG5sXb7o-JdnMI7S6maUepHDyAirHfn0QYJrZjcqWbhvbBv5GQyqpooZ6ODQaQYN803cSdZkP9Gl-KmzHr6rX1Kz~ZBKvGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Subsequent Injury Fund’s fiscal 2026 budget increases about 4.8% to approximately $3.4 million, and the fund’s director told the subcommittee that the agency recently completed an IT and fiscal audit with no findings.

DLS analyst Micah Richards said about 84% of the fiscal 2026 allowance supports personnel costs and noted modest revenue and fund‑balance increases. DLS recommended concurrence with the governor’s allowance.

Director Edgar Dodd described the agency’s staff and credited employees for strong IT and fiscal controls, saying the recent audit produced no findings \"for the first time in the history of the subsequent injury fund,\" and asked the committee to act favorably on the governor’s recommendation.

Why it matters: SIF compensates injured workers whose pre‑existing conditions are worsened by a current injury; maintaining sound fiscal practices ensures the fund’s solvency and claims processing capabilities.

Speakers

Micah Richards, DLS analyst (Department of Legislative Services)
Edgar Dodd, Director, Maryland Subsequent Injury Fund (government)

Authorities

[]

Clarifying details

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proper_names:[{\"name\":\"Maryland Subsequent Injury Fund\",\"type\":\"agency\"}]

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authorities:[],

actions:[],

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community_relevance:{\"geographies\":[\"statewide\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"assessments and interest earnings\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"injured workers with pre‑existing conditions\"]},

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DLS analyst Catherine Barber told the committee that Chapter 836 of 2024 established OCO effective July 1, 2024, and that the fiscal 2026 allowance supports 13 regular positions after converting contractual employees. DLS said 90% of the proposed spending supports personnel and recommended the office specify measurable performance indicators as part of future Managing for Results submissions.

Acting Correctional Ombudsman Briley Wilson, who confirmed her recent appointment, said the office has begun visits to key facilities, purchased fuel‑efficient vehicles for staff travel and will track complaints received, complaint categories and open investigations for MFR reporting. Wilson said OCO is still finalizing metrics and intends to publish more detailed goals with the fiscal 2027 MFR submission.

Why it matters: OCO has statutory oversight of adults in Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services custody and of youth under the Department of Juvenile Services. Establishing case‑management systems and public reporting tools was a central legislative expectation for the new office.

DLS asked OCO to provide timelines and cost estimates for a public website and an internal case management system; Wilson said OCO and DoIT did not yet have time or cost estimates in January 2025 but hoped both would be operational by the end of fiscal 2026. DLS also recommended retaining contingency funding from the performance incentive grant fund for OCO operations as authorized in proposed fiscal 26 legislation.

Speakers

Catherine Barber, DLS analyst (Department of Legislative Services)
Briley Wilson, Acting Correctional Ombudsman (government)

Authorities

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Clarifying details

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DLS presented that the fiscal 2026 allowance totals roughly $63.4 million, of which about $49.7 million is for Charlotte Hall operations; DLS said about 95% of Charlotte Hall operating funds are for contractual services to manage the facility.

Why it matters: Charlotte Hall is Maryland’s only assisted‑living and skilled‑nursing veterans home; its occupancy, federal ratings and funding mechanism affect care delivered to veterans and the department’s requests to the legislature.

DLS findings and Charlotte Hall status

DLS analyst Yashoda Arai said special funds drop sharply in the fiscal 25 to 26 comparison because the new funding mechanism (beginning fiscal 25) channels Medicare, Medicaid and private‑pay receipts to the general fund, with the state paying the contractor through general‑fund expenditures. DLS also noted proposed fiscal 25 deficiency appropriations that reduce total appropriation by roughly $5.8 million and asked the department to explain unspent special and federal balances from prior years.

DLS reported that Charlotte Hall paused admissions from April to November 2023 for facility assessments and corrective actions and that occupancy has increased as of December 2024 but remains under capacity. DLS noted the facility’s overall star rating was 1 as of December 2024 with staffing at 3 stars and health inspections and quality measures at 1 star; DLS asked the department to describe corrective steps.

Agency response and follow‑up items

Secretary Tony Woods said the department has processed over 5,000 VA claims and awarded more than $500,000 in grants; he told the committee Charlotte Hall achieved joint accreditation and that quality measures have risen by one star, which he said indicates improvement in measures while the overall star rating remains in transition. Woods said the department has reduced vacancies across its workforce and supports the governor’s allowance.

Woods and DVMF staff also described progress on a planned new veterans home (the transcript referenced Sykesville in Carroll County and completed design and engineering work expected by June). Woods said federal VA construction funding remains constrained — a factor that led the state to remove a $63 million placeholder from a dedicated account — and that the state will complete design work and be ready to proceed if federal funding becomes available.

Committee requests

DLS recommended committee narrative requesting continued quarterly reports on Charlotte Hall’s staffing, federal ratings and progress. The committee asked the department for the exact daily resident rate and for more detail on how the department will fund any increased residents after the fiscal 25 and 26 reduced appropriations.

Speakers

Yashoda Arai, DLS analyst (Department of Legislative Services)
Tony Woods, Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (government)
Alana Charland, Director of Finance, DVMF (government)

Authorities

{\"type\":\"other\",\"name\":\"Chapter 11 and 12 of 2024\",\"citation\":\"Legislation renaming Department of Veterans and Military Families\",\"referenced_by\":[\"dls_presentation\"]}

Clarifying details

{\"category\":\"allowance\",\"detail\":\"DVMF fiscal 26 allowance approximately $63,400,000; Charlotte Hall share about $49,700,000\",\"value\":63400000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Yashoda Arai\"}

{\"category\":\"occupancy\",\"detail\":\"Admissions paused April–November 2023 for assessments; occupancy increased by Dec. 2024 but remains under capacity\",\"source_speaker\":\"Yashoda Arai\"}

proper_names:[{\"name\":\"Charlotte Hall Veterans Home\",\"type\":\"facility\"},{\"name\":\"Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families\",\"type\":\"agency\"},{\"name\":\"Sykesville\",\"type\":\"location\"}]

discussion_decision:{\"discussion_points\":[\"Funding mechanism change after new contractor (June 2023)\",\"Occupancy, star ratings and corrective actions\",\"Design work for new veterans home and federal funding constraints\"],\"directions\":[\"DVMF to provide resident daily rate and plan to fund increased residents\",\"Quarterly reporting on Charlotte Hall recommended by DLS\"],\"decisions\":[]}

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"t2215.37\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":140,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Thank you mister chair and committee members. I am Yashoda Arai and I'll be presenting the fiscal 26 budget analysis for the Department of Veterans and Military Families\",\"global_start\":2215,\"global_end\":2355,\"tc_start\":\"00:36:55.370\",\"tc_end\":\"00:39:15.370\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"t2692.105\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":140,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"For the record, I'm Tony Woods, secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families...Over the past year it has been my privilege to lead DVMF in strengthening our services for Maryland's military connected community.\",\"global_start\":2692,\"global_end\":2832,\"tc_start\":\"00:44:52.105\",\"tc_end\":\"00:47:12.105\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}

searchable_tags:[\"Charlotte Hall\",\"veterans\",\"DVMF\",\"VA construction\",\"Sykesville\"],

salience:{\"overall\":0.64,\"overall_justification\":\"State veterans' facility funding affects a vulnerable population and capital plans depend on federal VA funding\",\"impact_scope\":\"regional\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Primarily affects veterans statewide and specific facilities\",\"attention_level\":\"medium\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Operational and capital issues with ongoing committee oversight required\"},

topics:[{\"name\":\"veterans_health_and_housing\",\"justification\":\"Article centers on Charlotte Hall operations, ratings, and funding mechanics.\",\"scoring\":{\"topic_relevance\":0.98,\"depth_score\":0.72,\"opinionatedness\":0.03,\"controversy\":0.30,\"civic_salience\":0.70,\"impactfulness\":0.65,\"geo_relevance\":1.00}}],

speakers:[{\"name\":\"Yashoda Arai\",\"role_title\":\"DLS analyst\",\"affiliation_type\":\"media\",\"affiliation_name\":\"Department of Legislative Services\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:36:55\",\"transcript_line_range\":[1,1]}},{\"name\":\"Tony Woods\",\"role_title\":\"Secretary\",\"affiliation_type\":\"government\",\"affiliation_name\":\"Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:44:52\",\"transcript_line_range\":[1,1]}},{\"name\":\"Alana Charland\",\"role_title\":\"Director of Finance\",\"affiliation_type\":\"government\",\"affiliation_name\":\"Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families\",\"first_reference\":{\"timecode\":\"00:44:52\",\"transcript_line_range\":[1,1]}}],

authorities:[{\"type\":\"other\",\"name\":\"Chapter 11 and 12 of 2024\",\"citation\":\"Renaming and establishing departmental statute\",\"referenced_by\":[\"dls_presentation\"]}],

actions:[],

clarifying_details:[{\"category\":\"allowance\",\"detail\":\"Total DVMF fiscal 26 allowance approx. $63,400,000; Charlotte Hall approx. $49,700,000\",\"value\":63400000,\"units\":\"USD\",\"approximate\":true,\"source_speaker\":\"Yashoda Arai\"},{\"category\":\"star_rating\",\"detail\":\"Charlotte Hall overall star rating 1 (Dec. 2024); staffing 3 stars; health inspections and quality measures 1 star\",\"source_speaker\":\"Yashoda Arai\"}],

proper_names:[{\"name\":\"Charlotte Hall Veterans Home\",\"type\":\"facility\"},{\"name\":\"Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families\",\"type\":\"agency\"}],

community_relevance:{\"geographies\":[\"statewide\",\"Carroll County (Sykesville)\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"Medicare\",\"Medicaid\",\"private pay\",\"general fund\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"veterans\",\"spouses\",\"long‑term care residents\"]},

meeting_context:{\"engagement_level\":{\"speakers_count\":3,\"duration_minutes\":30,\"items_count\":1},\"implementation_risk\":\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2023-06-06\",\"note\":\"New management contractor onboarded at Charlotte Hall\"}]}}

,{","DLS told lawmakers the Department of Veterans and Military Families’ fiscal 2026 budget declines slightly, driven by changes to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home funding mechanisms after a new contractor began in June 2023. Agency leaders said occupancy is rising, quality measures are improving and federal VA construction funding affects a planned new","actionData","errors"]

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