Maryland 2022 2022 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB633 Chaptered / Bill

Filed 05/19/2022

                     LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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Chapter 349 
(Senate Bill 633) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Public Safety – 9–1–1 Emergency Telephone System – Alterations 
 
FOR the purpose of making alterations to the 9–1–1 Emergency Telephone System in the 
State; altering the classification and compensation of 9–1–1 specialists; authorizing 
9–1–1 specialists to seek certain treatment confidentially; requiring the Maryland 
9–1–1 Board to establish certain procedures governing vacancies on the Board; 
altering the powers and duties of the Board with respect to public safety answering 
point personnel training and cybersecurity standards; requiring the Comptroller to 
submit certain updates regarding certain audits; altering the maximum amount of 
the county 9–1–1 fee that a county may impose under certain circumstances; and 
generally relating to 9–1–1 emergency telephone systems.  
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 
 Article – Public Safety 
Section 1–301, 1–302.1, 1–304.2, 1–305(c), 1–306(b)(15) and (e), 1–307, 1–309.1,  
1–310(f), and 1–311 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 
 
BY repealing 
 Article – Public Safety 
 Section 1–305(d) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 
 
BY adding to 
 Article – Public Safety 
 Section 1–305(d) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERA L ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 
 
Article – Public Safety 
 
1–301. 
 
 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 
 
 (b) “Board” means the Maryland 9–1–1 Board.  Ch. 349 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (c) “Commercial mobile radio service” or “CMRS” means mobile 
telecommunications service that is: 
 
 (1) provided for profit with the intent of receiving compensation or 
monetary gain; 
 
 (2) an interconnected, two–way voice service; and 
 
 (3) available to the public. 
 
 (d) “Commercial mobile radio service provider” or “CMRS provider” means a 
person authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to provide CMRS in the 
State. 
 
 (e) “County 9–1–1 fee” means the fee imposed by a county in accordance with § 
1–311 of this subtitle. 
 
 (f) “County plan” means a plan for a 9–1–1 system or enhanced 9–1–1 system, or 
an amendment to the plan, developed by a county or several counties together under this 
subtitle. 
 
 (g) (1) “Customer” means: 
 
 (i) the person that contracts with a home service provider for CMRS; 
or 
 
 (ii) the end user of the CMRS if the end user of the CMRS is not the 
contracting party. 
 
 (2) “Customer” does not include: 
 
 (i) a reseller of CMRS; or 
 
 (ii) a serving carrier under an arrangement to serve the customer 
outside the home service provider’s licensed service area. 
 
 (h) “Enhanced 9–1–1 system” means a 9–1–1 system that provides: 
 
 (1) automatic number identification; 
 
 (2) automatic location identification; and 
 
 (3) any other technological advancements that the Board requires. 
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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 (i) “FCC order” means an order issued by the Federal Communications 
Commission under proceedings regarding the compatibility of enhanced 9–1–1 systems and 
delivery of wireless enhanced 9–1–1 service. 
 
 (j) (1) “FIRST RESPONDER ” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE OF A STATE OR LOCAL 
PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY THAT PROVIDES EMERGE NCY RESPONSE SERVICE S. 
 
 (2) “FIRST RESPONDER ” INCLUDES: 
 
 (I) A FIREFIGHTER;  
 
 (II) A PARAMEDIC; 
 
 (III) AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN; 
 
 (IV) A RESCUE SQUAD MEMBE R; 
 
 (V) A SWORN MEMBER OF TH E OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE 
MARSHAL; 
 
 (VI) A MEMBER OF A VOLUNT EER FIRE OR RESCUE C OMPANY 
WHO IS A COVERED EMP LOYEE UNDER § 9–234 OF THE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT 
ARTICLE; 
 
 (VII) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS LICENSED OR CERTIFIE D UNDER § 
13–516 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE; AND 
 
 (VIII) A 9–1–1 SPECIALIST. 
 
 (K) “Home service provider” means the facilities–based carrier or reseller that 
contracts with a customer to provide CMRS. 
 
 [(k)] (L) “Next Generation 9–1–1 services” means an Internet Protocol  
(IP)–based system, comprised of hardware, software, data, and operational policies and 
procedures, that: 
 
 (1) provides standardized interfaces from emergency call and message 
services to support emergency communications; 
 
 (2) processes all types of requests for emergency services, including voice, 
text, data, and multimedia information; 
 
 (3) acquires and integrates additional emergency call data useful to 
routing and handling of requests for emergency services; 
  Ch. 349 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (4) delivers the emergency calls, messages, and data to the appropriate 
public safety answering point and other appropriate emergency entities; 
 
 (5) supports data or video communications needs for coordinated incident 
response and management; and 
 
 (6) provides broadband service to public safety answering points or other 
first responder entities. 
 
 [(l)] (M) “9–1–1–accessible service” means telephone service or another 
communications service that connects an individual dialing the digits 9–1–1 to an 
established public safety answering point. 
 
 [(m)] (N) (1) “9–1–1 service carrier” means a provider of CMRS or other  
9–1–1–accessible service. 
 
 (2) “9–1–1 service carrier” does not include a telephone company. 
 
 [(n)] (O) “9–1–1 specialist” means an employee of a county public safety 
answering point, or an employee working in a county public safety answering point, whose 
duties and responsibilities include: 
 
 (1) receiving and processing 9–1–1 requests for emergency services; 
 
 (2) other support functions directly related to 9–1–1 requests for 
emergency services; or 
 
 (3) dispatching law enforcement officers, fire rescue services, emergency 
medical services, and other public safety services to the scene of an emergency. 
 
 [(o)] (P) (1) “9–1–1 system” means telephone service that: 
 
 (i) meets the planning guidelines established under this subtitle; 
and 
 
 (ii) automatically connects an individual dialing the digits 9–1–1 to 
an established public safety answering point. 
 
 (2) “9–1–1 system” includes: 
 
 (i) equipment for connecting and outswitching 9–1–1 calls within a 
telephone central office; 
 
 (ii) trunking facilities from a telephone central office to a public 
safety answering point; and 
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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 (iii) equipment to connect 9–1–1 calls to the appropriate public safety 
agency. 
 
 [(p)] (Q) “9–1–1 Trust Fund” means the fund established under § 1–308 of this 
subtitle. 
 
 [(q)] (R) “Prepaid wireless E 9–1–1 fee” means the fee that is required to be 
collected by a seller from a consumer in the amount established under § 1–313 of this 
subtitle. 
 
 [(r)] (S) “Prepaid wireless telecommunications service” means a commercial 
mobile radio service that: 
 
 (1) allows a consumer to dial 9–1–1 to access the 9–1–1 system; 
 
 (2) must be paid for in advance; and 
 
 (3) is sold in predetermined units that decline with use in a known amount. 
 
 [(s)] (T) “Public safety agency” means: 
 
 (1) a functional division of a public agency that provides fire fighting, 
police, medical, or other emergency services; or 
 
 (2) a private entity that provides fire fighting, police, medical, or other 
emergency services on a voluntary basis. 
 
 [(t)] (U) “Public safety answering point” means a communications facility that: 
 
 (1) is operated on a 24–hour basis; 
 
 (2) first receives 9–1–1 requests for emergency services in a 9–1–1 service 
area; and 
 
 (3) as appropriate: 
 
 (i) dispatches public safety services directly; 
 
 (ii) transmits incident data to appropriate public safety agencies 
within the State for the dispatch of public safety services; or 
 
 (iii) transfers 9–1–1 requests for emergency services or transmits 
incident data to: 
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 1. an appropriate federal emergency communication center 
responsible for the delivery of public safety services on a federal campus or federal 
reservation; or 
 
 2. an appropriate public safety answering point located 
within or outside the State. 
 
 [(u)] (V) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Emergency Management. 
 
 [(v)] (W) “Seller” means a person that sells prepaid wireless telecommunications 
service to another person. 
 
 [(w)] (X) “State 9–1–1 fee” means the fee imposed in accordance with § 1–310 of 
this subtitle. 
 
 [(x)] (Y) “Wireless enhanced 9–1–1 service” means enhanced 9–1–1 service 
under an FCC order. 
 
1–302.1. 
 
 (a) The General Assembly finds that 9–1–1 specialists are key members of the 
team of public safety personnel responding to requests from the public for emergency 
assistance. 
 
 (b) [It is the intent of the General Assembly that jurisdictions] EACH 
JURISDICTION employing 9–1–1 specialists SHALL: 
 
 (1) appropriately classify 9–1–1 specialists AS FIRST RESPONDERS in 
recognition of the training, knowledge, and skills that 9–1–1 specialists possess and 
demonstrate in answering and handling requests for emergency assistance; and 
 
 (2) compensate 9–1–1 specialists in a manner that: 
 
 (i) reflects their membership in the team of public safety personnel 
answering and responding to requests for emergency assistance; [and] 
 
 (ii) is commensurate with the training, knowledge, and skills they 
possess; AND. 
 
 (III) EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM WAGE RATE REQUIRED I N § 3–413 
OF THE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ARTICLE. 
 
1–304.2. 
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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 (A) Each public safety answering point shall adopt and implement programs 
compliant with best practices on 9–1–1 acute/traumatic and chronic stress management. 
 
 (B) (1) A 9–1–1 SPECIALIST MAY , AS PART OF OCCUPATIO NAL  
WELL–BEING STANDARDS AND PRACTICES, SEEK TREATMENT FOR J OB–RELATED 
AUDIBLE OR VISUAL TR AUMA WITHOUT INFORMI NG ANYONE.  
 
 (2) EXCEPT AS OTHERWIS E PROVIDED UNDER TITLE 9, SUBTITLE 1 
OF THE COURTS ARTICLE, COMMUNICATIONS BETWE EN A 9–1–1 SPECIALIST AND A 
TREATMENT PROVIDER T HAT OCCUR IN CONNECT ION WITH THE TREATME NT OF 
JOB–RELATED AUDIBLE OR V ISUAL TRAUMA SHALL B E CONFIDENTIAL .  
 
1–305. 
 
 (c) (1) The term of a member is 4 years and begins on July 1. 
 
 (2) The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms 
provided for members of the Board on October 1, 2003. 
 
 (3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is 
appointed and qualifies. 
 
 (4) (I) If a vacancy occurs after a term has begun, the Governor shall 
appoint a successor to represent the organization or group in which the vacancy occurs. 
 
 (II) THE BOARD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND 
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT , SHALL DEVELOP AND ES TABLISH 
PROCEDURES FOR : 
 
 1. FILLING A VACANCY AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER 
THE VACANCY OCCURS ; AND 
 
 2. ENSURING CANDIDATES FOR FILLING A VACANC Y 
HAVE APPROPRIATE EXP ERTISE AND A COMMITM ENT TO IMPROVING 9–1–1 
SERVICES IN THE STATE. 
 
 (5) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the 
rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. 
 
 [(d) The Governor shall appoint a chairperson from among the Board members.] 
 
 (D) FROM AMONG ITS MEMBER S, THE BOARD SHALL ELECT A C HAIR AND 
VICE CHAIR. 
 
1–306.  Ch. 349 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (b) The Board’s responsibilities include: 
 
 (15) establishing training standards for public safety answering point 
personnel based on national best practices, including training concerning: 
 
 (I) Next Generation 9–1–1 topics; [and] 
 
 (II) individual psychological well–being and resilience; AND 
 
 (III) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (E)(2) OF THIS SECTION, IMPLICIT 
BIAS TRAINING; 
 
 (e) (1) (I) The standards established by the Board under subsection (b)(15) 
of this section shall include onboarding standards for newly hired 9–1–1 specialists and 
minimum continuing education standards for 9–1–1 specialists. 
 
 (II) THE BOARD SHALL DEVELOP C RITERIA AND APPROVE THE 
INITIAL AND ONGOING TRAINING CURRICULUM F OR THE TRAINING REQU IRED 
UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(15) OF THIS SECTION.  
 
 (2) PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERI NG POINT PERSONNEL S HALL BE 
PROVIDED THE IMPLICI T BIAS TRAINING REQU IRED UNDER SUBSECTIO N (B)(15)(III) 
OF THIS SECTION: 
 
 (I) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2024, FOR PERSONNEL HIRED 
BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT ON O R BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2022; 
 
 (II) AT THE TIME OF HIRE FOR PERSONNEL HIRED BY THE 
PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWER ING POINT AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2022; AND 
 
 (III) ON A RECURRING BASIS WITH UPDATES AS DETERMINED BY 
THE BOARD, BUT AT LEAST ONCE EV ERY 4 YEARS. 
 
 (3) (i) At least once each year, the Board shall provide for an audit of 
each public safety answering point in order to ensure that 9–1–1 specialists and other 
personnel employed by the public safety answering point have satisfied the training 
requirements established in accordance with subsection (b)(15) of this section. 
 
 (ii) The audit described under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph 
may be conducted concurrently with an inspection of the public safety answering point in 
accordance with subsection (b)(10) of this section. 
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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 (III) 1. IF THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT THE PERSONNEL 
EMPLOYED BY A PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POI NT HAVE NOT SATISFIE D THE 
TRAINING REQUIREMENT S ESTABLISHED IN ACC ORDANCE WITH SUBSECT ION 
(B)(15) OF THIS SECTION , THE BOARD AND PUBLIC SAFE TY ANSWERING POINT 
SHALL JOINTLY DEVELO P A REMEDIATION PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION T IMELINE.  
 
 2. THE BOARD MAY IMPOSE SANC TIONS ON A PUBLIC 
SAFETY ANSWERING POI NT IF THE PUBLIC SAF ETY ANSWERING POINT F AILS TO 
COMPLY WITH A REMEDI ATION PLAN OR IMPLEM ENTATION TIMELINE DE VELOPED 
UNDER THIS SUBPARAGR APH.  
 
1–307. 
 
 (a) The Board shall submit an annual report to the Governor, the Secretary, and, 
subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Legislative Policy Committee, THE 
SENATE EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, AND 
THE HOUSE HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE. 
 
 (b) The report SUBMITTED UNDER SUBS ECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION shall 
provide the following information: 
 
 (1) for each county: 
 
 [(1)] (I) the type of 9–1–1 system currently operating in the county; 
 
 [(2)] (II) the total State 9–1–1 fee and county 9–1–1 fee charged; 
 
 [(3)]  (III) the funding formula in effect; 
 
 [(4)] (IV) any statutory or regulatory violation by the county and the 
response of the Board; AND 
 
 [(5)] (V) any efforts to establish an enhanced 9–1–1 system in the county; 
[and] 
 
 [(6)] (2) any suggested changes to this subtitle; AND 
 
 (3) FOR THE ANNUAL REPOR TS SUBMITTED IN 2022 THROUGH 2027: 
 
 (I) AN UPDATE ON THE PRO GRESS OF EACH COUNTY IN 
TRANSITIONING TO NEX T GENERATION 9–1–1 TECHNOLOGY , INCLUDING 
COMPLIANCE WITH CYBE RSECURITY STANDARDS AND MEETING GOALS OF 
INTEROPERABILITY AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATI ON SYSTEM MAPPING 
INTEGRATION;  Ch. 349 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (II) THE FOLLOWING PERSON NEL INFORMATION FOR EACH 
COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT : 
 
 1. STAFFING AND VACANCY LEVELS;  
 
 2. A SUMMARY OF THE COU NTY’S EFFORTS TO FIND , 
HIRE, AND RETAIN QUALIFIED PERSONNEL;  
 
 3. AN UPD ATE ON TRAINING OF P UBLIC SAFETY 
ANSWERING POINT PERS ONNEL UNDER § 1–306 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 
 
 4. INCIDENCE OF WORKERS ’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS BY 
PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWER ING POINT PERSONNEL ;  
 
 (III) AN UPDATE ON AUDITS CONDUCTED BY THE COMPTROLLER 
OF FEE COLLECTION AND REMIT TANCES, INCLUDING WHETHER FE ES COLLECTED 
ARE SUFFICIENT TO CO VER EACH COUNTY ’S OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR THE 9–1–1 
SYSTEM AND ANY MEASU RES RECOMMENDED OR I MPLEMENTED TO ADDRES S COST 
SHORTAGES;  
 
 (IV) ANNUAL INCIDENTS OF UNNECESSARY REQUE STS FOR 
EMERGENCY SERVICES M ADE TO 9–1–1 FOR THE PURPOSE OF D ISPATCHING AN 
UNNEEDED EMERGENCY R ESPONSE AND ANY RESU LTING BODILY HARM OR DEATH;  
 
 (V) INCIDENCE AND INTERV AL DATA RELATING TO 9–1–1 
OUTAGES OR THE ABSEN CE OF 9–1–1 SPECIALISTS TO RECEI VE REQUESTS FOR 
EMERGENCY SERVICES ; AND  
 
 (VI) AN UPDATE ON INTEGRA TION OF THE 9–1–1 SYSTEM WITH  
9–8–8 AND 2–1–1 AND THE IMPACT ON 9–1–1 OPERATIONS AND CAPAC ITY. 
 
 (C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUMM ARIZE AND ANALYZE TH E INFORMATION 
PROVIDED UNDER SUBSE CTION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION AND , SUBJECT TO § 2–1257 
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, SUBMIT TO THE SENATE EDUCATION, 
HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE HEALTH 
AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE:  
 
 (1) THE SUMMARY AND ANAL YSIS;  
 
 (2) ANY ASSOCIATED RECOM MENDATIONS TO ADDRES S ISSUES 
RAISED BY THE ANALYS IS; AND  
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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 (3) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY MEASURES IMPLEMENTED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS ISSUES RAISED BY THE ANALYSIS.  
 
1–309.1. 
 
 (a) In consultation with the Maryland Cybersecurity Council established under § 
9–2901 of the State Government Article, the Board shall establish cybersecurity standards 
for public safety answering points based on national industry and 9–1–1 system trade 
association best practices, including standards concerning response protocols in the event 
of a cybersecurity attack on a public safety answering point. 
 
 (b) At least once each year on a date determined by the Board and in advance of 
submitting a request for or receiving any money from the 9–1–1 Trust Fund, the director 
of each public safety answering point shall examine the cybersecurity of the public safety 
answering point to determine whether the cybersecurity defenses employed by the public 
safety answering point satisfy the standards established by the Board under subsection (a) 
of this section and submit to the Board a report detailing the results of that exercise. 
 
 (c) (1) If a director of a public safety answering point fails to submit a report 
required under subsection (b) of this section, the Board may not authorize any money from 
the 9–1–1 Trust Fund to be paid to a county serviced by the public safety answering point 
until that report has been submitted. 
 
 (2) (I) IF A PUBLIC SAFETY AN SWERING POINT FAILS TO MEET THE 
CYBERSECURITY STANDA RDS ESTABLISHE D BY THIS SECTION DU RING THE ANNUAL 
EXAMINATION REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION , THE BOARD 
SHALL WORK WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWER ING POINT TO DEVELOP AN 
AGGRESSIVE, CONSENSUS REMEDIATIO N PLAN AND IMPLEMENT ATION TIMELINE . 
 
 (II) IF A PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING P OINT FAILS TO COMPLY 
WITH A REMEDIATION P LAN DEVELOPED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH , THE BOARD MAY 
REFUSE TO AUTHORIZE MONEY FROM THE 9–1–1 TRUST FUND TO BE PAID TO A 
COUNTY SERVICED BY T HE PUBLIC SAFETY ANS WERING POINT FOR ANY NEW, 
NONCYBERSEC URITY PURPOSE .  
 
1–310. 
 
 (f) (1) The Comptroller, in consultation with the Board, shall adopt 
procedures for auditing surcharge collection and remittance by telephone companies and 
CMRS providers of 9–1–1 fees collected under this section and under § 1–311 of this 
subtitle. 
 
 (2) The procedures adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be 
consistent with the audit and appeal procedures established for the sales and use tax under 
Titles 11 and 13 of the Tax – General Article.  Ch. 349 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (3) The Comptroller may issue an administrative subpoena to compel 
compliance with an audit conducted under this subsection. 
 
 (4) The Comptroller shall develop and distribute informational materials 
to telephone companies and CMRS providers regarding: 
 
 (i) proper collection and remittance of 9–1–1 fees; and 
 
 (ii) the audit procedures adopted under paragraph (1) of this 
subsection. 
 
 (5) On request of a telephone company or CMRS provider, and except as 
otherwise required by law, the information that the telephone company or CMRS provider 
reports to the Comptroller shall be confidential, privileged, and proprietary and may not be 
disclosed to any person other than the telephone company or CMRS provider. 
 
 (6) The Comptroller is entitled to an amount equal to 0.5% of the 9–1–1 
fees collected under this section to cover the expenses of conducting audits under this 
subsection. 
 
 (7) On or before December 1 each year, the Comptroller shall submit an 
annual report to the Board detailing the audits conducted during the immediately 
preceding year and the outcome of each audit. 
 
 (8) (I) BETWEEN DECEMBER 31, 2022, AND JANUARY 1, 2025, IN 
ADDITION TO THE ANNU AL REPORT REQUIRED B Y PARAGRAPH (7) OF THIS 
SUBSECTION, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL :  
 
 1. SUBMIT TO THE BOARD QUARTERLY UPDATES 
DETAILING THE AUDITS CONDUCTED IN THE IMM EDIATELY PRECEDING Q UARTER; 
AND 
 
 2. IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY T HE BOARD OF ANY 
DEFICIENCIES DETECTE D BY AN AUDIT. 
 
 (II) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, ON REQUEST OF THE BOARD, 
THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PR OVIDE QUARTERLY UPDA TES DETAILING THE AU DITS 
CONDUCTED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE WAS PROV IDED.  
 
 (9) The Comptroller may adopt regulations necessary to carry out the 
requirements of this subsection. 
 
1–311. 
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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 (a) This section does not apply to prepaid wireless telecommunications service. 
 
 (b) In addition to the State 9–1–1 fee, the governing body of each county, by 
ordinance or resolution enacted or adopted after a public hearing, may impose a county  
9–1–1 fee to be added to all current bills rendered for switched local exchange access service 
or CMRS or other 9–1–1–accessible service in the county. 
 
 (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subject to 
paragraphs (3) through (6) of this subsection, the county 9–1–1 fee imposed by a county 
may not exceed 75 cents per month for each switched local exchange access service, CMRS, 
or other 9–1–1–accessible service provided. 
 
 (2) If revenues attributable to the county 9–1–1 fee for a fiscal year do not 
provide the revenues necessary to cover a county’s operational costs for the 9–1–1 system 
for that fiscal year, the county may, for the following fiscal year, impose a county 9–1–1 fee 
[not exceeding $1.50 per month] SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE COUNTY ’S PROJECTED 
OPERATIONAL COSTS FO R THE 9–1–1 SYSTEM FOR THE FISCA L YEAR for each switched 
local exchange access service, CMRS, or other 9–1–1–accessible service provided. 
 
 (3) Except as provided in paragraphs (4) through (6) of this subsection, if a 
service provider provisions to the same individual or person the voice channel capacity to 
make more than one simultaneous outbound call from a 9–1–1–accessible service, each 
separate outbound call voice channel capacity, regardless of the technology, shall constitute 
a separate 9–1–1–accessible service for purposes of calculating the county 9–1–1 fees due 
under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. 
 
 (4) CMRS provided to multiple devices that share a mobile telephone 
number shall be treated as a single 9–1–1–accessible service for purposes of calculating the 
county 9–1–1 fees due under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. 
 
 (5) A broadband connection not used for telephone service may not 
constitute a separate voice channel capacity for purposes of calculating the county 9–1–1 
fees due under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. 
 
 (6) (i) For a telephone service that provides, to multiple locations, 
shared simultaneous outbound voice channel capacity configured to provide local dial in 
different states or counties, the voice channel capacity to which the 9–1–1 fee due under 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection applies is only the portion of the shared voice 
channel capacity in the county identified by the service supplier’s books and records. 
 
 (ii) In determining the portion of shared capacity in the county, a 
service supplier may rely on, among other factors, a customer’s certification of the 
customer’s allocation of capacity in the county, which may be based on: 
 
 1. each end user location; 
  Ch. 349 	2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 2. the total number of end users; and 
 
 3. the number of end users at each end user location. 
 
 (7) The amount of the county 9–1–1 fees may not exceed a level necessary 
to cover the total eligible maintenance and operation costs of the county. 
 
 (d) The county 9–1–1 fee continues in effect until repealed or modified by a 
subsequent county ordinance or resolution. 
 
 (e) After imposing, repealing, or modifying a county 9–1–1 fee, the county shall 
certify the amount of the county 9–1–1 fee to: 
 
 (1) the Public Service Commission; 
 
 (2) THE BOARD; AND 
 
 (3) NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS BEFORE THE IMPL EMENTATION OF THE 
CHANGE, THE COMPTROLLER . 
 
 (f) The Public Service Commission shall direct each telephone company that 
provides service in a county that imposed a county 9–1–1 fee to add, within 60 days, the 
full amount of the county 9–1–1 fee to all current bills rendered for switched local exchange 
access service in the county. 
 
 (g) Within 60 days after a county enacts or adopts an ordinance or resolution that 
imposes, repeals, or modifies a county 9–1–1 fee, each 9–1–1 service carrier that provides 
service in the county shall add the full amount of the county 9–1–1 fee to all current bills 
rendered for CMRS or other 9–1–1–accessible service in the county. 
 
 (h) (1) Each telephone company and each 9–1–1 service carrier shall: 
 
 (i) act as a collection agent for the 9–1–1 Trust Fund with respect 
to the county 9–1–1 fee imposed by each county; 
 
 (ii) collect the money from the county 9–1–1 fee on a county basis; 
and 
 
 (iii) remit all money collected to the Comptroller on a monthly basis. 
 
 (2) The Comptroller shall deposit the money remitted in the 9–1–1 Trust 
Fund account maintained for the county that imposed the county 9–1–1 fee. 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 
October 1, 2022.  
   LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 349 
 
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Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2022.