Public Safety - Licensed Firearms Dealers - Notification Regarding Compromising Events
Summary
Maryland enacted SB160 requiring licensed firearms dealers to notify the Secretary of State Police within 24 hours of discovering certain crimes or compromised security features. The law establishes civil penalties of up to $250 for first violations and $1,000 for subsequent violations, with potential license suspension or revocation for knowing and willful violations. The bill passed the Senate 34-11 and the House 96-33.
What changed
Maryland SB160 creates a new mandatory reporting obligation for licensed firearms dealers. Dealers must now notify the Secretary of State Police within 24 hours of discovering crimes including burglary, robbery, or theft, or compromised security features. The law introduces civil penalties of $250 for first violations and $1,000 for subsequent violations, with license suspension or revocation possible for knowing and willful non-compliance.
Affected firearms dealers must implement compliance procedures to monitor their premises for security breaches and criminal activity, establish documentation systems to track discoveries and notifications, and train staff on the 24-hour reporting requirement. Non-compliance exposes dealers to escalating financial penalties and potential loss of their license to operate in Maryland.
What to do next
- Establish internal procedures to detect and report crimes or compromised security events within 24 hours
- Notify the Secretary of State Police within 24 hours of discovering qualifying crimes or security breaches
- Maintain records demonstrating compliance with the reporting requirement
Penalties
Civil penalty up to $250 for first violation; up to $1,000 for second or subsequent violations; potential license suspension or revocation for knowing and willful violations
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB160 Passed SB160 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-13
Public Safety - Licensed Firearms Dealers - Notification Regarding Compromising Events
Requiring a certain licensed firearms dealer to notify the Secretary of State Police within 24 hours after discovering certain crimes have occurred or certain security features have been compromised; providing a civil penalty of up to $250 for a first violation of the Act and up to $1,000 for a second or subsequent violations; and providing that the license of a person who knowingly and willfully violates the Act may be suspended or revoked.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Judicial Proceedings
Action History
2026-04-06 H Third Reading Passed (96-33) 2026-04-03 H Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed 2026-04-03 H Favorable Report by Judiciary 2026-03-17 H Referred Judiciary 2026-03-13 S Third Reading Passed (34-11) 2026-03-11 S Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-03-11 S Floor Amendment {543629/1 (Senator Ready) Adopted 2026-03-11 S Favorable with Amendments {123021/1 Adopted 2026-03-11 S Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Folden) Adopted 2026-03-11 S Favorable with Amendments {123021/1 2026-03-10 S Motion Laid Over (Senator Smith) Adopted 2026-03-10 S Favorable with Amendments {123021/1 2026-03-09 S Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings 2026-01-13 S Hearing 1/21 at 11:00 a.m. 2026-01-14 S First Reading Judicial Proceedings 2025-09-24 S Pre-filed
Votes
2026-03-13 Third Reading Passed Yea: 34 Nay: 11
Committee Referrals
2026-01-14 S Judicial Proceedings 2026-03-17 H Judiciary
Amendments
2026-03-10 Favorable with Amendments 123021/1 2026-03-11 Floor Amendment 543629/1 (Senator Ready) Adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-11 Introduced 2026-03-11 Engrossed
Subjects
Public Safety Burglary Dealers Guns Notices Robbery Safety Theft Time Rules and Regulations State Police, Department of Boundaries Cameras Civil Offenses Fines Penalties and Sentences Security Alarms Video Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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