EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0280*
SENATE BILL 280
P1, E4, D1 5lr0617
CF HB 1060
By: Senators Simonaire, Salling, Jennings, Gallion, Mautz, and Bailey Bailey,
Smith, Waldstreicher, Sydnor, West, Muse, Folden, James, Henson, Love,
McKay, and Charles
Introduced and read first time: January 10, 2025
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings and Education, Energy, and the Environment
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: February 25, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Judicial and Public Safety for Service Members Act 2
FOR the purpose of establishing rules of interpretation related to the uniformed services; 3
altering the rule of interpretation for “veteran”; altering the application of certain 4
provisions of judicial proceedings, corrections, criminal, family, public safety, and 5
real property laws to apply to all uniformed services, rather than only the armed 6
forces; and generally relating to veterans and uniformed services. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Correctional Services 9
Section 2–109 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 14
Section 3–804, 5–642, 7–406, 8–302, and 9–501(a)(8) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 18
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 19
Section 8–101(a) and 9–501(a)(1) 20 2 SENATE BILL 280
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 2
BY adding to 3
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 4
Section 8–101(a–1) 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Criminal Law 9
Section 1–101(a) and 4–111(a)(1) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY adding to 13
Article – Criminal Law 14
Section 1–101(k) and 4–111(a)(8) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Criminal Law 19
Section 4–111(a)(8) and (b)(3) and 8–303(a) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 23
Article – Family Law 24
Section 1–101(a) 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 27
BY adding to 28
Article – Family Law 29
Section 1–101(j), (k), and (o) 30
Annotated Code of Maryland 31
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 32
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 33
Article – Family Law 34
Section 1–101(j), (k), and (l), 2–405(d), 5–525(b)(3)(i), and 9–108(a) 35
Annotated Code of Maryland 36
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 37
BY adding to 38
Article – General Provisions 39 SENATE BILL 280 3
Section 1–101.1, 1–101.2, 1–103.1, 1–114.1, 1–114.2, and 1–116 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 4
Article – General Provisions 5
Section 1–117 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 8
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
Article – Public Safety 10
Section 1–101(a), 2–418(a)(1), 13A–101(a), and 14–101(a) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 13
BY adding to 14
Article – Public Safety 15
Section 1–101(a–1), (a–2), (d–1), (f), and (g) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 18
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 19
Article – Public Safety 20
Section 1–202(a–1) and (e), 2–418(a)(2), 3–209(a)(5)(ii), 5–102(4), 5–103(2)(ii), 21
5–117.1(a)(3) and (c)(1)(iii), 5–132(b)(1)(ii), 5–133(d)(2)(iii), 5–134(c)(3), 22
5–137(b)(2), 5–203(a)(1)(ii), 5–204.1(a)(1)(iii), 5–306(a)(1)(ii) and (b)(2), 23
11–105(c), 13–205, 13–215(a), 13–503(b)(2), 13–510(b)(1), (c)(2), and (d), 24
13–601(a)(2), 13–704.1, 13–902(a), 13–904(a), 13A–101(k)(1)(i), 25
13A–506(c)(1)(i), 13A–1009(a)(3)(i), 13A–1041(b)(2), 13A–1102(b)(6), and 26
14–101(d)(2) 27
Annotated Code of Maryland 28
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 29
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 30
Article – Real Property 31
Section 8–212.1 32
Annotated Code of Maryland 33
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 34
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 35
Article – State Government 36
Section 9–901 37
Annotated Code of Maryland 38
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 39
4 SENATE BILL 280
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2
Article – Correctional Services 3
2–109. 4
(a) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 5
INDICATED. 6
(2) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 7
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
(3) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 9
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 10
(4) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 11
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 12
(B) The Secretary shall adopt regulations for the office of the Secretary. 13
[(b)] (C) (1) The Secretary shall review regulations proposed by a unit in the 14
Department. 15
(2) The Secretary may approve, disapprove, or revise regulations proposed 16
by a unit in the Department. 17
[(c)] (D) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the 18
Secretary shall adopt regulations to govern the policies and management of correctional 19
facilities in the Department in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government 20
Article. 21
(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to a guideline pertaining 22
to the routine internal management of correctional facilities in the Division of Correction. 23
(3) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Secretary 24
shall adopt regulations that provide for a requirement that: 25
1. a correctional officer hired on or after October 1, 2007, for 26
employment in any unit of the Division of Correction shall be at least 21 years old; and 27
2. a correctional officer hired on or after October 1, 2008, for 28
employment in any unit of the Division of Pretrial Detention and Services or the Patuxent 29
Institution shall be at least 21 years old. 30
SENATE BILL 280 5
(ii) The regulations adopted under subparagraph (i) of this 1
paragraph shall exempt any [honorably discharged] veteran or HONORABLY 2
DISCHARGED reserve COMPONENT member of the [United States armed forces] 3
UNIFORMED SERVICES from the minimum age requirement. 4
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 5
3–804. 6
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 7
IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
[(a)] (B) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court 9
has jurisdiction under this subtitle only if the alleged CINA or child in a voluntary 10
placement is under the age of 18 years when the petition is filed. 11
(2) The court has jurisdiction under this subtitle over a former CINA: 12
(i) Whose commitment to the local department was rescinded after 13
the individual reached the age of 18 years but before the individual reached the age of 20 14
years and 6 months; and 15
(ii) Who did not exit foster care due to reunification, adoption, 16
guardianship, marriage, or [military duty] SERVICE IN THE UNIFORMED SER VICES 17
UNIFORMED SERVICES D UTY. 18
[(b)] (C) If the court obtains jurisdiction over a child, that jurisdiction continues 19
in that case until the child reaches the age of 21 years, unless the court terminates the case. 20
[(c)] (D) After the court terminates jurisdiction, a custody order issued by the 21
court in a CINA case: 22
(1) Remains in effect; and 23
(2) May be revised or superseded only by another court of competent 24
jurisdiction. 25
[(d)] (E) Notwithstanding subsection [(b)] (C) of this section, if the court enters 26
an order directing the provision of services to a child under § 3–819(c)(3) or § 27
3–823(h)(2)(vii) of this subtitle, the court retains jurisdiction to rule on any motion related 28
to the enforcement, modification, or termination of the order, for as long as the order is 29
effective. 30
5–642. 31
6 SENATE BILL 280
(a) IN THIS SECTION, “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF 1
THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
(B) A licensed funeral establishment or holder of a permit to engage in the 3
business of a crematory who acts in good faith is not civilly liable for transferring the 4
unclaimed cremated remains of a veteran or an eligible dependent of a veteran to a veterans 5
service organization for purposes of disposition as provided in § 5–803 of the Business 6
Regulation Article and § 7–406 of the Health Occupations Article. 7
[(b)] (C) A veterans service organization that acts in good faith is not civilly 8
liable for receiving the unclaimed cremated remains of a veteran or an eligible dependent 9
of a veteran for purposes of disposition as provided in § 5–803 of the Business Regulation 10
Article and § 7–406 of the Health Occupations Article. 11
7–406. 12
(a) (1) In this section, [“armed forces” means the armed forces of the United 13
States] “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 14
INDICATED. 15
(2) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STATED I N § 16
9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 17
(3) “SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 18
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 19
(b) A clerk of court shall provide without charge: 20
(1) A copy of any paper or record in the clerk’s office that is requested by a 21
former or active [armed forces] SERVICE member OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES, in 22
person, or by the United States government, if the copy is to be used in connection with a 23
claim of the FORMER OR ACTIVE SER VICE member against the United States 24
government; 25
(2) A copy of a marriage record of a former or active [armed forces] 26
SERVICE member OF THE UNIFORMED SER VICES that is requested by the FORMER OR 27
ACTIVE SERVICE member; and 28
(3) A copy of a marriage record of a former or active [armed forces] 29
SERVICE member OF THE UNIFORMED SER VICES or of a surviving spouse or child of the 30
FORMER OR ACTIVE SER VICE member that is requested, if the copy is to be used in 31
connection with a claim for a dependent or beneficiary of the FORMER OR ACTIVE 32
SERVICE member. 33
8–101. 34 SENATE BILL 280 7
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(A–1) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 2
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 3
8–302. 4
(a) In accordance with an agreement, if any, under § 8–213 of this title, a juror 5
qualification form in substantially the following form shall be provided to each prospective 6
juror: 7
Juror Qualification Form 8
Name: 9
Resident address: 10
Telephone: (home) _________ (work) _________ (cellular) _______ 11
Age: _____ Date of Birth:__________ 12
If you are over 70 years of age, do you wish to be exempted from jury services?13
_____Yes _____No 14
U.S. Citizen? _____Yes _____No 15
Able to comprehend, read, speak, and write English? _____Yes _____No 16
Highest level of education completed: 17
___ high school ___ college ___ graduate school ___ other 18
Occupation of prospective juror: __________ 19
Name of employer: ___________ 20
Occupation of spouse, if any: __________ 21
Disability preventing satisfactory jury service? _____Yes _____No 22
Do you want an accommodation under the federal Americans with Disabilities23
Act? _____Yes _____No 24
Pending charge for a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year?25
_____Yes _____No 26
8 SENATE BILL 280
Conviction of crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding 1 year and received1
a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year and not legally pardoned?2
_____Yes _____No 3
Date of Conviction __________ 4
_____Elected official of the federal Legislative Branch, as defined in 2 U.S.C. §5
30a. 6
_____Active duty member of armed forces, AS DEFINED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 7
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, exempted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 982. 8
_____ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER OF THE COMMISSIONED COR PS OF THE NATIONAL9
OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , EXEMPTED IN ACCORDAN CE10
WITH 10 U.S.C. § 982, AS MADE APPLICABLE B Y 33 U.S.C. § 307(A)(6). 11
_____Member of Maryland’s organized militia exempted in accordance with12
Public Safety Article § 13–218. 13
Prior jury service within 3 preceding years: __________ 14
Form completed by me _____ Another (name) _____ and, if another, why? 15
Under the penalties of perjury, the responses are true to the best of my knowledge 16
Signed:________________________________________________ 17
Prospective Juror 18
Individual completing form for prospective juror: 19
This form must be completed, signed, and returned to the jury commissioner within 10 days 20
after receipt. Documentation for excusal due to disability, exemption based on armed forces 21
or militia service, pardons, and/or prior jury service must be attached. 22
(b) A juror qualification form for a county may include other questions as the 23
county’s jury plan requires. 24
9–501. 25
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 26
(8) “Veteran” [means a person who served on active duty in the uniformed 27
services of the United States, other than for training, and was discharged or released under 28
conditions other than dishonorable] HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 29
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 30 SENATE BILL 280 9
Article – Criminal Law 1
1–101. 2
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(K) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 4
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 5
4–111. 6
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 7
(8) “SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 8
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 9
[(8)] (9) “Special purpose area” means: 10
(i) a location licensed to sell or dispense alcohol or cannabis for 11
on–site consumption; 12
(ii) a stadium; 13
(iii) a museum; 14
(iv) an amusement park; 15
(v) a racetrack; or 16
(vi) a video lottery facility, as defined in § 9–1A–01 of the State 17
Government Article. 18
(b) This section does not apply to: 19
(3) a SERVICE member [of the armed forces of the United States, the 20
National Guard, or the uniformed services] on duty or traveling to or from duty; 21
8–303. 22
(a) (1) In this section[, “government] THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE 23
MEANINGS INDICATED . 24
(2) “GOVERNMENT identification document” means one of the following 25
documents issued by the United States government or any state or local government: 26
10 SENATE BILL 280
[(1)] (I) a passport; 1
[(2)] (II) an immigration visa; 2
[(3)] (III) an alien registration card; 3
[(4)] (IV) an employment authorization card; 4
[(5)] (V) a birth certificate; 5
[(6)] (VI) a Social Security card; 6
[(7)] (VII) a [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES identification; 7
[(8)] (VIII) an adoption decree; 8
[(9)] (IX) a marriage license; 9
[(10)] (X) a driver’s license; or 10
[(11)] (XI) a photo identification card. 11
(3) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 12
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 13
Article – Family Law 14
1–101. 15
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 16
(J) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 17
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 18
(K) “SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 19
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 20
[(j)] (L) “State” means, except in Title 10, Subtitle 3 of this article: 21
(1) a state, commonwealth, possession, or territory of the United States; or 22
(2) the District of Columbia. 23
[(k)] (M) “Summons” includes a subpoena. 24
SENATE BILL 280 11
[(l)] (N) “Support” includes maintenance. 1
(O) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 2
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 3
2–405. 4
(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a license is not 5
effective until 6 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued. 6
(2) For good cause shown, a judge of the circuit court for the county in 7
which the application is made may sign an authorization for a license to become effective 8
at a time before the waiting period expires, as stated in the authorization, if 1 of the parties 9
to be married is: 10
(i) a resident of this State; or 11
(ii) a SERVICE member [of the United States armed forces]. 12
5–525. 13
(b) (3) (i) The Administration shall establish a program of out–of–home 14
placement for former CINAs: 15
1. whose commitment to a local department was rescinded 16
after the individuals reached the age of 18 years but before the individuals reached the age 17
of 20 years and 6 months; and 18
2. who did not exit foster care due to reunification, adoption, 19
guardianship, marriage, or [military duty] SERVICE IN THE UNIFORMED SER VICES 20
UNIFORME D SERVICES DUTY . 21
9–108. 22
(a) (1) In this section[: 23
(1)], “deployment” means compliance with [military] OFFICIAL orders 24
received by a SERVICE member [of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, 25
Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, or any other Reserve component] to report for 26
combat operations or other active service for which the SERVICE member is required to 27
report unaccompanied by any family member or that is classified by the SERVICE member’s 28
branch as remote[; and]. 29
(2) [“deployment”] “DEPLOYMENT ” does not include [National Guard or 30
Reserve] RESERVE COMPONENT annual training, inactive duty days, or drill weekends. 31
12 SENATE BILL 280
Article – General Provisions 1
1–101.1. 2
“ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 3
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 4
1–101.2. 5
“ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 6
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 7
1–103.1. 8
“ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 9
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 10
1–114.1. 11
“RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 12
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 13
1–114.2. 14
“SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 15
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 16
1–116. 17
“UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 18
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 19
1–117. 20
(A) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 21
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 22
(B) With respect to any State program of benefits, rights, or privileges applicable 23
to a veteran under this Code, “veteran” includes[, if the individual is eligible under 38 24
U.S.C. § 101, a member of the commissioned corps of: 25
(1) the Public Health Service; or 26
SENATE BILL 280 13
(2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its 1
predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey] AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ME ETS THE 2
DEFINITION OF “VETERAN” UNDER § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 3
Article – Public Safety 4
1–101. 5
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 6
(A–1) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 7
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
(A–2) “ARMED FORCES” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 9
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 10
(D–1) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 11
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 12
(F) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 13
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 14
(G) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 15
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 16
1–202. 17
(a–1) For purposes of this section, an individual served in the Afghanistan or Iraq 18
conflict if the individual was a member of the uniformed services [of the United States] 19
who served in: 20
(1) Afghanistan or contiguous air space, as defined in federal regulations, 21
on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United 22
States Secretary of Defense; or 23
(2) Iraq or contiguous waters or air space, as defined in federal regulations, 24
on or after March 19, 2003, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United States 25
Secretary of Defense. 26
(e) (1) The Secretary of State shall issue a State flag to the family of a 27
firefighter, policeman, member of the [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES , sworn member 28
of the office of State Fire Marshal, or professional or volunteer emergency medical services 29
provider who is killed in the performance of duty. 30
14 SENATE BILL 280
(2) (i) Except when the deceased is a member of the [military] 1
UNIFORMED SERVICES , the flag shall be presented to the family of the deceased by the 2
State Senator of the legislative district in which the deceased resided or served. 3
(ii) When the deceased is a member of the [military] UNIFORMED 4
SERVICES, the flag shall be presented to the family of the deceased by the Department of 5
Veterans and Military Families. 6
2–418. 7
(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this 8
subsection, a police employee who resigns from the Department for any reason may not be 9
reappointed. 10
(2) A police employee who resigns to enter [military] service IN THE 11
UNIFORMED SERVICES may be reappointed. 12
3–209. 13
(a) The Commission shall certify as a police officer each individual who: 14
(5) (ii) subject to subsection (b) of this section, is a permanent legal 15
resident of the United States and [an honorably discharged] A veteran [of the United States 16
armed forces], provided that the individual has applied to obtain United States citizenship 17
and the application is still pending approval. 18
5–102. 19
This subtitle does not apply to: 20
(4) law enforcement personnel of any unit of the federal government, 21
members of the armed forces [of the United States] or the National Guard, or law 22
enforcement personnel of the State or any local agency in the State, while those personnel 23
or members are acting within the scope of their official duties; 24
5–103. 25
This subtitle does not affect: 26
(2) a sale, rental, transfer, or the use of a regulated firearm by a person 27
authorized or required to do so as part of the person’s duties as a member of: 28
(ii) the armed forces [of the United States], including all official 29
reserve organizations; or 30
5–117.1. 31 SENATE BILL 280 15
(a) This section does not apply to: 1
(3) a member or retired member of the armed forces [of the United States] 2
or the National Guard; or 3
(c) A person may purchase, rent, or receive a handgun only if the person: 4
(1) (iii) is an active or retired member of the armed forces [of the United 5
States] or the National Guard and possesses a valid [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES 6
identification card; or 7
5–132. 8
(b) This section does not apply to: 9
(1) the purchase, sale, or transportation of a handgun to or by a federally 10
licensed gun dealer or manufacturer that provides or services a handgun for: 11
(ii) members of the armed forces [of the United States] or the 12
National Guard; 13
5–133. 14
(d) (2) Unless a person is otherwise prohibited from possessing a regulated 15
firearm, this subsection does not apply to: 16
(iii) a member of the armed forces [of the United States] or the 17
National Guard while performing official duties; 18
5–134. 19
(c) A person is not required to complete a certified firearms safety training course 20
under subsection (b)(14) of this section if the person: 21
(3) is a member, retired member, or honorably discharged member of the 22
armed forces [of the United States] or the National Guard; 23
5–137. 24
(b) If a person purchases a regulated firearm for use within the scope of the 25
person’s official duties, the Secretary may waive the 7–day waiting period under § 5–124 of 26
this subtitle for: 27
(2) members of the armed forces [of the United States] or the National 28
Guard; or 29 16 SENATE BILL 280
5–203. 1
(a) A person may not possess a short–barreled rifle or short–barreled shotgun 2
unless: 3
(1) the person, while on official business is: 4
(ii) a member of the armed forces [of the United States] or the 5
National Guard while on duty or traveling to or from duty; 6
5–204.1. 7
(a) This section does not apply to: 8
(1) a sale, rental, or transfer: 9
(iii) involving law enforcement personnel of any unit of the federal 10
government, a member of the armed forces [of the United States], a member of the National 11
Guard, or law enforcement personnel of the State or any local agency in the State, while 12
acting in the scope of official duty; 13
5–306. 14
(a) Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a 15
permit within a reasonable time to a person who the Secretary finds: 16
(1) (ii) is a person who is a member of [the armed forces of the United 17
States, the National Guard, or] the uniformed services OR THE NATIONAL GUARD; 18
(b) An applicant for a permit is not required to complete a certified firearms 19
training course under subsection (a) of this section if the applicant: 20
(2) is a member, retired member, or honorably discharged member of the 21
armed forces [of the United States] or the National Guard; 22
11–105. 23
(c) This section does not apply to the armed forces [of the United States], the 24
National Guard, the State Guard, or officers or employees of the United States, the State, 25
or a local subdivision of the State who are authorized to handle explosives in the 26
performance of their duties. 27
13–205. 28
SENATE BILL 280 17
Subject to the provisions of this title and the regulations governing the armed forces 1
[of the United States], an individual may be enlisted in the organized militia if the 2
individual: 3
(1) is a citizen of the State or has declared an intention to become a citizen 4
of the State; 5
(2) is able–bodied; and 6
(3) has good character and temperate habits. 7
13–215. 8
(a) (1) The Adjutant General may organize a uniformed honor guard from the 9
National Guard or the organized militia to attend the burial service of a deceased veteran 10
if: 11
(i) the commander of an accredited veterans’ organization or a 12
relative or friend of the deceased veteran requests an honor guard to attend the burial 13
service; 14
(ii) a uniformed honor guard from the active [armed forces] 15
UNIFORMED SERVICES or veterans’ organization is not available; and 16
(iii) the Adjutant General determines that providing an honor guard 17
will not harm: 18
1. the readiness of the National Guard in the event of a State 19
or federal emergency; or 20
2. the employment of a National Guard member. 21
(2) If an honor guard from the active [armed forces] UNIFORMED 22
SERVICES is not available, the Adjutant General may request an honor guard from a 23
veterans’ organization to attend the burial service of a deceased veteran. 24
13–503. 25
(b) An individual may not be commissioned or enlisted in the Maryland Defense 26
Force if the individual: 27
(2) has been dismissed from or received a bad conduct discharge or a 28
dishonorable discharge, or any discharge other than under honorable conditions, from a 29
military or naval organization of this State or of another state, or from any of the [United 30
States armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES or its auxiliaries, or has been convicted of an 31 18 SENATE BILL 280
offense under the laws of the United States or of any state punishable by imprisonment for 1
more than 1 year, no matter what punishment was actually imposed; or 2
13–510. 3
(b) (1) Each individual commissioned or appointed as an officer or warrant 4
officer [shall] MUST be: 5
(i) an officer, warrant officer, or enlisted individual of the National 6
Guard; 7
(ii) a retired or former officer or warrant officer of the [United States 8
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard ] UNIFORMED 9
SERVICES or any auxiliary thereof; 10
(iii) an individual with prior [enlisted] service in the [United States 11
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard,] UNIFORMED 12
SERVICES or [any auxiliary thereof] A RESERVE COMPONENT ; 13
(iv) a graduate of the United States Military Academy, Naval 14
Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, [or] Air Force Academy, OR 15
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY; 16
(v) a graduate of a school, college, university, or officers’ training 17
school who received [military] instruction under the supervision of an officer of the [United 18
States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard] UNIFORMED 19
SERVICES who certified the graduate’s fitness for appointment as a commissioned officer; 20
or 21
(vi) an individual not otherwise identified in items (i) through (v) of 22
this paragraph who is specially qualified for service by achievement in any professional, 23
technical, or public service capacity or otherwise displays extraordinary qualifications for 24
commissioning as an officer of the Maryland Defense Force. 25
(c) When initially appointed, a general officer or colonel of the organized militia 26
must: 27
(2) have served in [any component or auxiliary of the United States Army, 28
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard or National Guard] THE 29
UNIFORMED SERVICES OR A RESERVE COMPONE NT with the grade of O–4 or higher. 30
(d) When initially appointed, a lieutenant–colonel or major of the line must have 31
had service as an officer for at least 2 years in [any component or auxiliary of the United 32
States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard or National 33
Guard] THE UNIFORMED SERVIC ES OR A RESERVE COMPONE NT. 34
SENATE BILL 280 19
13–601. 1
(a) (2) The Governor may grant a brevet commission to an officer of the 2
organized militia of a grade equal to the highest grade in which the officer previously served 3
in the organized militia or in the [United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, 4
Space Force, or Coast Guard] ARMED FORCES . 5
13–704.1. 6
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 7
(2) “ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMB ER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED 8
IN MILITARY SERVICE . 9
(3) “ELIGIBLE SPOUSE ” MEANS THE SPOUSE OF AN ELIGIBLE 10
SERVICE MEMBER . 11
[(2)] (4) “Military service” means: 12
(i) in the case of [a service member] AN INDIVIDUAL who is a 13
member or reserve member of the [Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or 14
Coast Guard] ARMED FORCES , full–time duty in the active military service [of the United 15
States], including: 16
1. full–time training duty; 17
2. annual training duty; and 18
3. attendance while at a school designated as a service school 19
by federal law or by the secretary of the military department concerned; 20
(ii) in the case of a resident of the State who is a member [or reserve 21
member of the Maryland National Guard, the National Guard of another state, or] OF a 22
reserve component of the [armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES , service under a call to: 23
1. active service authorized by the President of the United 24
States [or], the Secretary of Defense, OR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 25
SERVICES for a period of more than 30 days in response to a national emergency declared 26
by the President of the United States; or 27
2. active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; 28
(iii) in the case of [a service member] AN INDIVIDUAL who is a 29
commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 30
Administration, active service; or 31
20 SENATE BILL 280
(iv) any period during which [a service member] AN INDIVIDUAL is 1
absent from duty on account of sickness, wounds, leave, or other lawful cause. 2
[(3) “Military spouse” means the spouse of a service member. 3
(4) “Service member” means an individual engaged in military service.] 4
(b) This section is intended to supplement rights and protections provided in the 5
federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 501 et seq.). 6
(c) (1) In addition to the rights and protections regarding consumer 7
transactions, contracts, and service providers included in Title III of the federal 8
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 531 through 538), [a] AN ELIGIBLE 9
service member or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse may terminate a contract described in 10
paragraph (2) of this subsection at any time after the date the ELIGIBLE service member 11
receives [military] OFFICIAL orders to relocate for a period of military service of at least 12
90 days to a location where the ELIGIBLE service member would be unable to use the 13
services under the contract. 14
(2) This section applies to a contract to provide any of the following: 15
(i) telecommunication services; 16
(ii) Internet services; 17
(iii) television services; 18
(iv) athletic club or gym memberships; and 19
(v) satellite radio services. 20
(3) (i) [A] AN ELIGIBLE service member or [military] ELIGIBLE 21
spouse may terminate a contract under this section by delivering a written or electronic 22
notice of the termination and a copy of the ELIGIBLE service member’s [military] 23
OFFICIAL orders to the service provider. 24
(ii) If [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member or [military] ELIGIBLE 25
spouse terminates a contract, the service provider shall provide the ELIGIBLE service 26
member or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse with a written or electronic notice of the ELIGIBLE 27
service member’s rights posted on the Maryland National Guard’s Internet website. 28
(d) (1) If [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse 29
terminates or suspends the provision of services under this section and the ELIGIBLE 30
service member is no longer in [active] military service, the ELIGIBLE service member or 31
[military] ELIGIBLE spouse may reinstate the provision of service on the same terms and 32 SENATE BILL 280 21
conditions as originally agreed to with the service provider before the termination or 1
suspension on written notice to the provider that the ELIGIBLE service member is no longer 2
in [active] military service. 3
(2) Written notice under this subsection shall be given within 90 days after 4
termination of the ELIGIBLE service member’s [active] military service. 5
(e) [A] AN ELIGIBLE service member or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse who 6
terminates, suspends, or reinstates the provision of services under this section: 7
(1) may not be charged a penalty, fee, loss of deposit, or any other 8
additional cost because of the termination, suspension, or reinstatement; and 9
(2) is not liable for payment for any services after the effective date of the 10
termination or suspension, until the effective date of any reinstatement of services. 11
13–902. 12
(a) This section does not apply to a member of the [United States Army, Navy, 13
Air Force, Marines, Space Force, or Coast Guard] UNIFORMED SERVICES , the organized 14
militia of this State or another state, an officer of the Maryland Defense Force, or a member 15
of associations wholly composed of [soldiers] SERVICE MEMBERS , AS DEFINED IN § 16
9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, honorably discharged from the [armed 17
forces of the United States] UNIFORMED SERVICES . 18
13–904. 19
(a) A person who is the owner or who is an agent of the owner of a place of 20
amusement or recreation open to the public may not refuse admission to an officer or 21
enlisted individual of the [United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space 22
Force, or Air Force] UNIFORMED SERVICES or the organized militia of this State or of 23
another state because the officer or enlisted individual is in uniform. 24
13A–101. 25
(a) In this title, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words have 26
the meanings indicated. 27
(k) “Judge advocate” means a commissioned officer of the organized state military 28
forces who is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state: 29
(1) (i) certified or designated as a judge advocate in the Judge Advocate 30
General’s Corps of the [Army, Air Force, Navy, Space Force, or the Marine Corps] ARMED 31
FORCES or designated as a law specialist as an officer of the Coast Guard, or a reserve 32
component of one of these; or 33
22 SENATE BILL 280
13A–506. 1
(c) In the instance when a defense counsel is not a member of the bar of the 2
highest court of the state, the defense counsel shall be deemed admitted pro hac vice, 3
subject to filing a certificate with the military judge setting forth the qualifications that 4
counsel is: 5
(1) (i) a commissioned officer of the armed forces [of the United States] 6
or a component thereof; 7
13A–1009. 8
(a) A member of the State military forces is guilty of desertion if the member: 9
(3) without being regularly separated from one of the State military forces: 10
(i) enlists or accepts an appointment in the same or another one of 11
the State military forces, or in one of the [armed forces of the United States] UNIFORMED 12
SERVICES, without fully disclosing the fact that the member has not been regularly 13
separated; or 14
13A–1041. 15
(b) The substances referred to in subsection (a) of this section are: 16
(2) any substance not specified in item (1) of this subsection that is listed 17
on a schedule of controlled substances prescribed by the President for the purposes of the 18
Uniform Code of Military Justice of the armed forces [of the United States], 10 U.S.C. § 19
801 et seq.; and 20
13A–1102. 21
(b) The following persons may administer oaths necessary in the performance of 22
their duties: 23
(6) all other persons designated by regulations of the armed forces [of the 24
United States] or by statute. 25
14–101. 26
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 27
(d) (2) “Emergency management” does not include the preparation for and 28
carrying out of functions in an emergency for which [military forces] THE UNIFORMED 29
SERVICES are primarily responsible. 30
SENATE BILL 280 23
Article – Real Property 1
8–212.1. 2
(a) (1) In this section[, “change] THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE 3
MEANINGS INDICATED . 4
(2) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 5
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6
(3) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS “SERVICE MEMBER ” AS 7
DEFINED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
(4) “CHANGE of assignment” includes: 9
[(1)] (I) Permanent change of station orders; 10
[(2)] (II) Temporary duty orders for a period exceeding 90 days; 11
[(3)] (III) Orders requiring a person to move into quarters located on a 12
military installation; and 13
[(4)] (IV) A release from active duty, including: 14
[(i)] 1. Retirement; 15
[(ii)] 2. Separation or discharge under honorable conditions; and 16
[(iii)] 3. Demobilization of an activated [reservist or a member of 17
the National Guard] MEMBER OF A RESERVE COMPONENT who was serving on active 18
duty orders for at least 180 consecutive days. 19
(5) “RESERVE COM PONENT” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 20
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 21
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if [a person who is on active 22
duty with the United States military, or the person’s] AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER OR 23
THE ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ’S spouse[,] enters into a residential lease of property and 24
the [person] ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBE R subsequently receives a change of assignment, 25
before or after occupying the property, any liability of the [person, or the person’s] ACTIVE 26
SERVICE MEMBER OR THE ACTI VE SERVICE MEMBER ’S spouse, for rent under the lease 27
may not exceed: 28
(1) Any rent or lawful charges then due and payable plus 30 days’ rent after 29
written notice and proof of the change of assignment is given to the landlord; and 30 24 SENATE BILL 280
(2) The cost of repairing damage to the premises caused by an act or 1
omission of the tenant. 2
Article – State Government 3
9–901. 4
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 5
(B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 6
(C) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS: 7
(1) AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE UNIFORMED S ERVICES; OR 8
(2) SERVING IN A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNI FORMED 9
SERVICES ON ACTIVE D UTY ORDERS. 10
(D) “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 10 U.S.C. § 101. 11
[(b)] (E) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Veterans Trust. 12
[(c)] (F) “Department” means the Department of Veterans and Military 13
Families. 14
(G) “MILITARY FAMILY ” INCLUDES THE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT 15
CHILDREN OF A SER VICE MEMBER OR VETER AN RELATED BY BLOOD , MARRIAGE, OR 16
ADOPTION. 17
(H) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 18
[(d)] (I) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families. 19
(J) “SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MEMBER OF : 20
(1) THE UNIFORMED SERVIC ES; OR 21
(2) A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNIFORMED SER VICES. 22
[(e)] (K) “Trust” means the Maryland Veterans Trust. 23
(L) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 24
SENATE BILL 280 25
[(f)] (M) Except as otherwise provided [in this subtitle], “veteran” [means an 1
individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than 2
for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable] HAS 3
THE MEANING STATED IN 38 U.S.C. § 101. 4
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 5
October 1, 2025. 6
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.