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<baltimore-city-law heading="§ (71) Commission to Restore Trust in Policing.">
  <section prefix="§" num="(71)" heading="Commission to Restore Trust in Policing.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Definitions.">
      <para num="(1)">In &lt;cite data-path="II|§(71)"&gt;this section&lt;/cite&gt; the following words have the meanings indicated.</para>
      <para num="(2)">“Commission” means the Commission to Restore Trust in Policing.</para>
      <para num="(3)">“Police Department” means the Baltimore Police Department.</para>
      <para num="(4)">“Task Force” means the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Commission established.">There is a Commission to Restore Trust in Policing.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Members.">
      <para num="(1)">The Commission consists of the following members:<para num="(i)">two individuals appointed by the President of the Senate;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">two individuals appointed by the Speaker of the House; and</para>
        <para num="(iii)">two individuals appointed by the Governor.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">Four members of the Commission shall possesses a Juris Doctor and have litigation experience.</para>
      <para num="(3)">Three members of the Commission shall be Baltimore City residents.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Chair.">The Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House shall jointly appoint and designate the Chair of the Commission.</para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Staff.">The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staff for the Commission.</para>
    <para num="(f)" heading="Compensation; Expenses.">A member of the Commission:<para num="(1)">may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but</para>
      <para num="(2)">is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(g)" heading="Duties.">The Commission shall:<para num="(1)">review the operation of the Task Force, including:<para num="(i)">the Task Force’s establishment, personnel, and oversight;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">investigations and cases handled by the Task Force;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">any federal criminal investigations and cases relating to the Task Force and its members; and</para>
        <para num="(iv)">any violations of existing departmental policies and procedures related to the conduct of the Task Force;</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">utilize various methods of investigation and information gathering, including reviewing of transcripts or other sworn testimony, collecting and analyzing documents, interviewing of witnesses through subpoena or other means, and any other reasonable means;</para>
      <para num="(3)">with consideration of the Commission’s findings and the 2017 Federal Consent Decree between Baltimore City, the Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Justice, make recommendations regarding:<para num="(i)">whether a reorganization of the Police Department is warranted and, if so, options for reorganization;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">best practices regarding the establishment and oversight of specialized units, similar to the Task Force, within law enforcement agencies;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">Ongoing State and City oversight of the Police Department;</para>
        <para num="(iv)">whether there exist any legal impediments to the Police Department effectively managing and disciplining sworn officers; and</para>
        <para num="(v)">any other matters relating to the Commission’s findings.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(h)" heading="Public information; exceptions.">
      <para num="(1)">Except as provided under the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act, the proceedings, testimony, and any other evidence before the commission are public information.</para>
      <para num="(2)">Members of the Commission and staff to the Commission may not be required to sign a confidentiality agreement to receive documents or files, including personnel files, properly subpoenaed in accordance with &lt;cite data-path="II|§(71)"&gt;this section&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(i)" heading="Hearings.">The Commission may:<para num="(1)">conduct hearings;</para>
      <para num="(2)">administer oaths and affirmations;</para>
      <para num="(3)">issue process to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence; and</para>
      <para num="(4)">require a person to testify and produce evidence.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(j)" heading="Subpoenas.">
      <para num="(1)">A subpoena may be served in the same manner as one issued by a circuit court.</para>
      <para num="(2)">The Commission may immediately report the failure of a person to obey a lawfully served subpoena to the circuit court of the county having jurisdiction.</para>
      <para num="(3)">The Commission shall provide a copy of the subpoena and proof of service to the circuit court.</para>
      <para num="(4)">After conducting a hearing at which the person who allegedly failed to comply with a subpoena has an opportunity to be heard and represented by counsel, the court may grant appropriate relief.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(k)" heading="Right to attorney.">
      <para num="(1)">A person may have an attorney present during any contact with the Commission.</para>
      <para num="(2)">The Commission shall advise a person of the right to counsel when a subpoena is served.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(l)" heading="Preliminary report.">On or before December 31, 2018, the Commission shall submit a preliminary report of its initial findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</para>
    <para num="(m)" heading="Final report.">On or before December 31, 2020, the Commission shall submit a final report of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ch. 753, Acts of 2018</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Chs. 459 and 460, Acts of 2019</annotation>
    <annotation type="Editor's Notes">
          &lt;cite data-path="II|§71"&gt;This section&lt;/cite&gt; was abrogated effective January 15, 2021, and is no longer of any force or effect. The text of this section is retained below for historical reference notwithstanding its abrogation.
          &lt;cite data-path="II|§71"&gt;This section&lt;/cite&gt; was enacted by Ch. 753, Acts of 2018, effective May 15, 2018. Section 4 of that Act made the enactment subject to a sunset clause under which the section would terminate on its own terms, with no further action by the General Assembly required. Chs. 459 and 460, Acts of 2019, amended &lt;cite data-path="II|§71|(h)"&gt;subsections (h)&lt;/cite&gt; and &lt;cite data-path="II|§71|(m)"&gt;(m)&lt;/cite&gt; of &lt;cite data-path="II|§71"&gt;this section&lt;/cite&gt; and, in the same Acts, extended that sunset period from 1 year and 8 months to 2 years and 8 months from the date of original enactment, which fixed the abrogation date above.
        </annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
