MarylandSB 06472026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System and State Police Retirement System - Line-of-Duty Catastrophic Injury Disability

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

100% pay for catastrophic police injuries

Beginning July 1, 2027, the Board must grant accidental disability retirement to LEOPS members when the medical board certifies total incapacity that is likely permanent and that the member should retire, under the law’s duty‑related standards. For catastrophic line‑of‑duty cases, the benefit equals two parts: an annuity equal to the actuarial value of your contributions, plus a pension equal to 100% of your average final pay. These rules apply only to on‑duty accidents on or after July 1, 2027.

Disability retirement for police in DROP

Beginning July 1, 2027, State Police and law enforcement officers who are in DROP can apply for duty‑related disability retirement. The medical board must find you totally unable to perform duty, that it is likely permanent, and that you should retire. You must meet one of two tests: line‑of‑duty total incapacity without willful negligence, or total and permanent inability to do substantial gainful work from an on‑duty accident at a definite time and place, without willful negligence. You must file for your DROP balance, sign the required DROP waiver, and apply to retire on disability. After the Board accepts your application, it pays the DROP balance and starts your allowance, using your average final pay set on your application’s effective date. These rules apply only to accidents on or after July 1, 2027.

Limits and checks on 100% disability pay

Beginning July 1, 2027, if you receive the new 100% catastrophic disability benefit, you face limits. If you work for a participating employer or do any substantial gainful work, your benefit drops to the lower subsection (C) amount and you permanently lose the 100% benefit. You generally cannot collect this new benefit and the older accidental disability benefit at the same time. Each year you must give the State Retirement Agency your federal tax return and other required documents; if you do not after notice, the Agency can suspend your benefit and restart it once you provide the paperwork. These rules apply only to accidents on or after July 1, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jack Bailey
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 182 • No: 0

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 137 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/19/2026