Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB634: Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Requiring the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to require entrance-level and in-service police training to include certain training regarding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia, and autism.
What the bill says
An act concerning Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to require entrance-level and in-service police training to include certain training regarding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia, and autism; and generally relating to police training. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Public Safety Section 3-207(a)(16) Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to require entrance-level and in-service police training to include certain training regarding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia, and autism; and generally relating to police training. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Public Safety Section 3-207(a)(16) Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 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 - Public Safety 3-207. (a) The Commission has the following powers and duties: (16) to require, for entrance-level police training and, as determined by the Commission, for in-service level training conducted by the State and each county and municipal police training school, that the curriculum and minimum courses of study include, consistent with established law enforcement standards and federal and State constitutional provisions: (i) training in lifesaving techniques, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); (ii) training in the proper level and use of force as set forth in the Maryland Use of Force Statute under § 3-524 of this title; (iii) training regarding sensitivity to cultural and gender diversity; [and] (iv) training regarding individuals with physical, intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities; AND Ch. 658 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND …