Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)
Sponsor: Mike McKay (District 1)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Public SafetyStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 659 (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
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.
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Testimony (23)
MGA witness listFAV 22FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendments
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Adams, Dorinda | AARP Maryland (volunteer) | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | DeMinco, Lynne | BCRW | Position only |
| FAV | Alston, Linwood | City of New Carrollton Police Department | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Mills, Morganlobbyist | Compass Government Relations | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Cross, Dr Cashenna A | Councilwoman At-Large, Glenarden | Oral |
| FAV | Hession, Melody | Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Kocik, Jimara | HCAS | Position only |
| FAV | Bailey, Shari | Laila's Gift | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Miller Smith, Nora | League of Women Voters Maryland | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Benson, Emily | Maryland Chapter | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Bogdan, Henrylobbyist | Maryland Nonprofits | Position only |
| FAV | Peters, Meganlobbyist | Maryland Senior Citizens Action Network (MSCAN) | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Proctor, Karessa | NASW Maryland | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Kaplowitz, Richard KAP | Year | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Hessler, Thereselobbyist | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Lang, Alan | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Lawson, Reginald A. | Individual | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | McKay, Mike | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Nelson, Mary | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Seitz, April | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Senator McKay, Senator McKaylegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Position only |
| FWA | Rienzi, Rebecca | Pathfinders for Autism | Written (PDF) |
Organizations on record
BCRWFAV 1
HCASFAV 1
Laila's GiftFAV 1
Maryland ChapterFAV 1
Maryland NonprofitsFAV 1
NASW MarylandFAV 1
YearFAV 1
Registered lobbyists who testified
FAVMills, MorganCompass Government RelationsRegistered for: Alley Cat Allies; CFG Health Network; Coinbase, Inc.; Girl Scouts of Central Maryland; Horizon Foundation of Howard County, Inc., The; Maryland Association for Justice, Inc.…
FAVPeters, MeganMaryland Senior Citizens Action Network (MSCAN)Registered for: Alzheimer's Association
FAVHessler, ThereseRegistered for: City of Gaithersburg; Elevate Recovery Centers; Evolve Kids Care; Evolve Life Centers; High Roller Technologies; Laila's Gift…