Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against
Sponsor: Shaneka Henson (District 30)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Criminal Law - Substantive CrimesStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 401 (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 providing certain penalties for certain violations of the Act.
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Testimony (22)
MGA witness listFAV 20FavorableFWA 2Favorable with amendments
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | DeMinco, Lynne | BCRW | Position only |
| FAV | Cohen, Elliot | Baltimore City Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 3 | Position only |
| FAV | Miller, Gregory | Chesapeake Search Dogs | Oral |
| FAV | Woolums, John | DGS | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Brinkley, Calvin | FOP Lodge 89 | Position only |
| FAV | consoli, angelo | FOP Lodge 89 and Maryland State Lodge | Position only |
| FAV | Carpenter, Sherrice | Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89 | 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 | Jackson, Samiralobbyist | MD Police Chiefs Assoc. and MD Sheriffs Assoc. | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Fohs, Justin | Maryland State Police | Position only |
| FAV | Lewis, David | SLEOLA | Oral |
| FAV | Gill, Brian | State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Henson, Senator Shaneka | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Lang, Alan | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Mowbray, Breanna | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Senator Henson, Senator Hensonlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Senator Henson, Senator Hensonlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Senator Henson, Senator Hensonlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Position only |
| FWA | Gill, Brian | State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Smith, Richard | Western Maryland K9 Search and Rescue | 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…
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…