JUD Committee Session, 2/19/2026 #1

House Judiciary Committee · February 19, 2026

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HB563 — Emergency response animal protections

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13:10 → 27:35(14m 26s)

Delegate Dylan Baylor (presenter) asked the committee to favorably report HB563 to expand protections and penalties for intentional harassment, interference, injury or killing of emergency response animals (including law-enforcement K‑9s and search-and-rescue dogs). Supporters from Maryland State Police and handler witnesses described examples, training costs, and a December 2024 stadium incident where a canine was struck. Questions from delegates covered whether the bill preserves a self‑defense defense and whether penalties for shooting or killing an animal would be misdemeanors or felonies.

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A Maryland House Judiciary Committee hearing on Feb. 19 covered multiple bills including protections for emergency response animals (HB563), the Nikayla Estrada Memorial Act (HB776), notice-of-rights for parents during child-welfare investigations (HB890), expansion of the Office of the State Prosecutor (HB1030), and other bills on doxxing, deceptive interrogations of minors, charitable-immunity limits, and foster-placement licensing.

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Transcript

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