Maryland SB360: Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against

What the bill says

An act concerning Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against FOR the purpose of repealing the prohibition against intentionally inflicting bodily harm, permanent disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit; prohibiting a person from harassing, interfering with, injuring, or killing or causing serious physical injury to an emergency response animal; and generally relating to law enforcement animals…

From the enrolled text, May 18, 2026:

AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against FOR the purpose of repealing the prohibition against intentionally inflicting bodily harm, permanent disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit; prohibiting a person from harassing, interfering with, injuring, or killing or causing serious physical injury to an emergency response animal; and generally relating to law enforcement animals. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 10-606 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Criminal Law Section 10-606.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Criminal Law 10-606. (a) (1) In this section, "sexual contact with an animal" means any act: (i) 2. contact between: A. the sex organ or anus of a person and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of an animal; or B. the sex organ or anus of an animal, and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of a person; or Ch. 401 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND 3. insertion of: A. any part of the body of a person into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal; B. any …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Shaneka Henson (D, 30) · primary sponsor
• William Smith (D)
• Jeff Waldstreicher (D, 18)
• Chris West (R, 42)
• Mike McKay (R, 1)
• Sara Love (D, 16)
• Nick Charles (D, 25)

Latest actions

1. May 12, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 401
2. April 13, 2026: Passed Enrolled
3. April 13, 2026: Third Reading Passed (46-0)
4. April 13, 2026: Senate Concurs House Amendments
5. April 13, 2026: Third Reading Passed (136-0)
6. April 10, 2026: Second Reading Passed with Amendments
7. April 10, 2026: Favorable with Amendments {563229/1 Adopted
8. April 10, 2026: Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
9. April 2, 2026: Hearing 4/02 at 2:00 p.m.
10. April 2, 2026: Hearing canceled

Votes

• Third Reading Passed (46-0) (April 13, 2026): 46 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third Reading Passed (136-0) (April 13, 2026): 136 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third Reading Passed (43-0) (March 5, 2026): 43 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB360?

SB360 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against.

What does SB360 do?

In its own words: An act concerning Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against FOR the purpose of repealing the prohibition against intentionally inflicting bodily harm, permanent disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit; prohibiting a person from harassing, interfering with, injuring, or killing or causing serious physical injury to an emergency response animal; and generally relating to law enforcement animals…

What is the status of SB360?

Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 401 (May 12, 2026).

Who sponsored SB360?

Shaneka Henson (D, 30), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB360?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0360?ys=2026RS