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Judiciary Committee backs bill letting licensed security guard agencies request special police appointments
Summary
The Maryland Judiciary Committee voted to give a favorable report to Senate Bill 455, which would allow entities licensed as security guard agencies to apply for appointment of special police officers to protect property owned or leased by their clients; the committee noted the bill carries a positive fiscal note.
The Maryland House Judiciary Committee voted to give a favorable report to Senate Bill 455, a measure that would expand which entities may apply for appointment of special police officers to include persons holding a valid license as a security guard agency to protect property owned or leased by their clients.
Committee leadership said the bill comes with a positive fiscal note. “It actually has a positive fiscal note which is a little bit unusual for us — we almost don't know what to do,” the committee chair said during the floor of the committee.
The measure, identified in committee discussion as Senator Riquet's bill, drew no recorded debate beyond the sponsor description and consideration of the fiscal note. After a motion for a favorable report was moved and seconded, the committee adopted the motion on a recorded voice roll-call.
Vote tally and attendance recorded by the clerk show the motion adopted, with 18 yes votes, one no vote (Moon), and one member recorded as not present (Pasteur). The committee did not discuss amendments on the floor and no additional conditions or directions were recorded.
Because the bill changes which private entities may seek appointment of special police officers, supporters and opponents in later stages of the process may focus on details such as licensing oversight, scope of authority for special police officers, and any related training or reporting requirements. Those details were not discussed on the record during this committee session.
The committee adjourned the voting on this item and proceeded to consider related measures on law enforcement liability and tort coverage for local employees.
