HB 563·MD·house
Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against
Signed into LawFiled Jan 28, 2026
Sponsor: Behler
Latest Action
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 402
Apr 6, 2026
Summary
The bill makes it illegal to harass, interfere with, injure, kill, or cause serious physical injury to animals used by law‑enforcement or emergency‑response units. Violations are treated as misdemeanors with jail time and fines that vary by the type of conduct. It also removes an existing exemption that allowed self‑defense against such animals.
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