MarylandSB 02802025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Judicial and Public Safety for Service Members Act

Sponsored By: Bryan W. Simonaire (Republican)

Signed by Governor

State Government - Agencies, Offices, and OfficialsPublic SafetyCourts and Court Personnel - StatewideCriminal Law - ProceduresFamily LawCorrectionsReal PropertyArmed Forces -see also- Military Department; VeteransCourts -see also- AppCt; Circuit; District; Orphans'; etc.Family Law -see also- Adoption; Alimony; Annulment; etc.Federal GovernmentFormsJudgesMilitary FamiliesRules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyVeterans

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

More placement help for former foster youth

Maryland must establish an out-of-home placement program for eligible former foster youth. Their local department commitment must have ended after age 18 but before age 20 years and 6 months. They must not have left care through reunification, adoption, guardianship, marriage, or uniformed services duty. Courts can keep jurisdiction over these youth until age 21, unless ended earlier.

More public safety job paths for veterans

Maryland regulations must exempt honorably discharged reserve service members from minimum ages for covered correctional officer jobs. Veterans who are permanent legal residents can qualify for police certification while their U.S. citizenship applications are pending. Police employees who resigned to enter the uniformed services may be reappointed after returning. Reappointment is not guaranteed.

Military families can cancel service contracts

Beginning October 1, 2025, eligible service members or spouses can end covered phone, internet, television, gym, or satellite-radio contracts. Orders must require relocation for at least 90 days where the service cannot be used. They must give the provider a termination notice and a copy of the orders. Providers cannot charge penalties, fees, take deposits, or impose added costs for termination, suspension, or reinstatement. Original terms can be restored with written notice within 90 days after military service ends.

Limited rent costs after military moves

Beginning October 1, 2025, residential tenants who are active service members or their spouses get rent limits after qualifying reassignments. They must give the landlord written notice and proof. Liability includes rent and lawful charges already due, 30 days’ rent after notice, and tenant-caused damage costs. Qualifying changes include permanent station moves, temporary duty exceeding 90 days, and orders requiring on-base housing. Release from active duty after at least 180 consecutive days also qualifies.

Earlier marriage licenses for military couples

A Maryland circuit court judge can let a marriage license take effect before the usual waiting period ends. One person in the couple must be a service member. The judge must find good cause.

Free records support military benefit claims

Court clerks must give active or former service members covered court records free for claims against the U.S. government. Surviving spouses or children can get covered marriage records free for claims for a member’s dependent or beneficiary. Maryland also uses one statutory veteran definition across state benefits, rights, and privileges. The provided text does not establish whether that definition changes who qualifies.

More backgrounds qualify for military leadership

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland recognizes more backgrounds for Defense Force or organized-militia officer and warrant officer appointments. These include listed uniformed-services or reserve service, Uniformed Services University graduation, and military instruction supervised by a uniformed-services officer. Applicants must meet at least one listed qualification. General officers and colonels need prior uniformed-services or reserve service at grade O-4 or higher. Line lieutenant-colonels and majors need at least two years as uniformed-services or reserve officers.

Service members get handgun rule accommodations

Active or retired armed forces members can meet a handgun purchase, rental, or receipt criterion with valid Uniformed Services identification. Beginning October 1, 2025, uniformed services and National Guard members qualify under a service-member category for handgun-carry permits. Other handgun eligibility and permit requirements still apply. A separate criminal-law exception covers service members on duty or traveling to or from duty.

Military uniforms cannot block recreation admission

Beginning October 1, 2025, public amusement and recreation places cannot refuse covered military members admission because they wear uniforms. The protection covers officers and enlisted members of the uniformed services or an organized militia.

More funeral honor options for veterans

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland’s Adjutant General may organize a National Guard or organized-militia honor guard for a veteran’s funeral. This option applies when active-service and veterans’ organization honor guards are unavailable. An accredited veterans’ organization commander, relative, or friend must request it. It must not harm emergency readiness or a Guard member’s employment. When an active-service guard is unavailable, the Adjutant General may also request a veterans’ organization guard.

Adverse discharges bar Defense Force entry

Beginning October 1, 2025, covered adverse military discharges bar appointment or enlistment in the Maryland Defense Force. The bar covers dismissal and bad-conduct, dishonorable, or other-than-honorable discharges from listed military or naval organizations and their auxiliaries.

State troops face broader desertion rules

Beginning October 1, 2025, State-force members commit desertion by joining a covered force without fully disclosing their lack of regular separation. This applies to enlistment or appointment in the same or another State military force, or the uniformed services.

Military family deployment rules include exclusions

For the related family-law rule, deployment covers official orders for combat operations or other active service. Members must report without a family member, or their branch must classify the service as remote. Reserve annual training, inactive duty days, and drill weekends do not count. These boundaries determine when the family-law rule applies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Bryan W. Simonaire
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Jack Bailey
Republican • Senate
Nick Charles
Democratic • Senate
William G. Folden
Republican • Senate
Jason C. Gallion
Republican • Senate
Shaneka Henson
Democratic • Senate
Mary-Dulany James
Democratic • Senate
J.B. Jennings
Republican • Senate
Sara Love
Democratic • Senate
Johnny Mautz
Republican • Senate
Mike McKay
Republican • Senate
C. Anthony Muse
Democratic • Senate
Johnny Ray Salling
Republican • Senate
William C. Smith
Democratic • Senate
Charles E. Sydnor
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Waldstreicher
Democratic • Senate
Chris West
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 130 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/17/2025