Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against
Sponsor: Dylan Behler (District 30A)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 402 (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
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 establishing that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to imprisonment for up to 2 years, or a fine of up to $10,000, or both upon conviction.
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Testimony (12)
MGA witness listFAV 12Favorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Miller, Gregory | Chesapeake Search Dogs | Oral |
| FAV | Woolums, John | DGS | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Behler, Dylan | Delegate District 30A | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | consoli, angelo | FOP Lodge 89 and Maryland State Lodge | Position only |
| FAV | Volodin, Staceylobbyist | Humane World for Animals | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Jackson, Samiralobbyist | MD Police Chiefs Assoc. and MD Sheriffs Assoc. | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Fohs, Justin | Maryland State Police | Oral |
| FAV | Lewis, David | SLEOLA | Oral |
| FAV | Gill, Brian | State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Smith, Richard | Western Maryland K9 Search and Rescue | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Delegate Behler, Delegate Behlerlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Mowbray, Breanna | Individual | Written (PDF) |
Organizations on record
Registered lobbyists who testified
FAVJackson, SamiraMD Police Chiefs Assoc. and MD Sheriffs Assoc.Registered for: Critical Response Group; Dell Technologies Inc.; Empower; Forward Financing; HDR Engineering, Inc.; Maryland Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs…