Panel adopts amendment and advances deaths‑in‑custody reporting bill with 10‑day reporting window

Delegate Price presented HB 80 as a state implementation of deaths‑in‑custody reporting after gaps in federal reporting. The bill’s sponsor said the 2024‑25 experience showed inconsistent reporting by entities such as sheriffs, state police, regional jails and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and that better state reporting would reduce duplication and enable analysis.

A line amendment was adopted in committee to add a specific timeline: if a local or regional correctional facility fails to send the required report within 10 days, the State Board of Local and Regional Jails must notify the governor’s office; continued noncompliance would be subject to further provisions in the bill. The clerk described the exact line changes during the hearing and the panel adopted the amendment without objection.

Advocates, including survivors and David Smith of SALT, urged more transparency; a family representative and advocates cited concerns about religious considerations and timeliness of notice to families. Supporters argued the amendment created an enforcement incentive — described in the hearing as a “stick” to encourage timely reporting. Delegate Price noted that some other reports still must be filed in hours, and described the 10‑day window as “very generous,” but said the amendment addresses problem reporting entities and incentivizes compliance.

The subcommittee voted to report HB 80 as amended; the tally was reported as 5–2. Public commenters expressed support for greater transparency into deaths in custody, and advocates highlighted that clearer reporting helps families and oversight.