Public Safety - Law Enforcement Agencies - Peer Support Programs
Summary
SB326 establishes a confidentiality framework for peer support programs used by law enforcement agencies and the Fraternal Order of Police in Maryland. The bill defines “peer support program” and “peer support specialist,” and it generally prohibits disclosure of written or oral communications made during a peer support interaction. The purpose is to encourage officers to seek emotional and moral support after traumatic incidents by giving those conversations a protected, confidential setting.
The bill includes specific exceptions to confidentiality. Disclosure is permitted when the communication includes an explicit threat of suicide where disclosure is believed necessary to prevent an attempt, an explicit threat of imminent serious bodily harm or death to an identifiable person, information about child abuse or neglect or other legally reportable abuse, an admission of criminal conduct, authorization by all participants, or a court order or subpoena. Before the first peer support interaction, the specialist must provide written notice of these confidentiality rules to the participant. The act takes effect October 1, 2025.
Impact
SB326 adds new Section 3-534 to the Maryland Public Safety Article, creating a statutory confidentiality rule for law enforcement peer support programs. It affects law enforcement agencies and Fraternal Order of Police peer support services by setting standards for who may serve as a peer support specialist, what communications are protected, and when disclosure is required or allowed. The law also creates a notice obligation before services begin, and it preserves existing mandatory reporting and court-compelled disclosure requirements.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate 45-0 and the House 131-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. The lack of committee transcript material suggests there was little recorded opposition or debate, and the vote totals point to a general consensus that the measure would strengthen support resources for law enforcement officers while preserving key safety exceptions.
Contention
There is little evidence of significant contention in the available record. The main policy balance in the bill is between protecting confidentiality to encourage use of peer support services and preserving exceptions for suicide risk, threats of violence, abuse reporting, criminal admissions, and court-ordered disclosure. Any concerns would likely center on whether the confidentiality protections are broad enough to build trust without interfering with public safety or mandatory reporting obligations, but no specific opposing arguments are reflected in the provided materials.