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Delegates propose state law-enforcement medal and annual tribute after Key Bridge collapse
Summary
HB1544 would establish the Maryland Law Enforcement Public Service Medal and mandate an annual tribute to commemorate officers and civilians who acted during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse; sponsor modified pay-grade language and added a missing officer to the list.
Following the March 26, 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Delegate Nilesh Bandari presented HB1544 to establish the Maryland Law Enforcement Public Service Medal and to require an annual memorial tribute to honor officers and victims connected with the disaster.
Bandari recounted the committee’s remembrance moments and described the medal as the state’s highest honor for law-enforcement valor — to be awarded for extraordinary acts to save lives, prevent significant crimes or respond to critical emergencies. The bill initially proposed a one-grade promotion for honorees; after stakeholder feedback the sponsor modified the language to make the promotion discretionary ("may" language) and aligned the provision with stakeholder preferences.
The sponsor also added Senior Officer William Kinsey to the list of officers acknowledged in the bill. Bandari said the annual ceremony will ensure continued public recognition of the six workers who died and of law enforcement’s rescue work during the event. Associations representing chiefs of police and service associations signaled support for the amended bill.
Members asked about including pilot(s) involved in ship navigation; Bandari said he would consider amendments to honor the commercial pilot whose actions helped avert greater loss. No recorded vote took place during the hearing.
