<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<unit kind="division" number="50" name="Community Safe Spaces Act" slug="division-50" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC">
  <section number="2-557" name="Short title" law="code" slug="sec-2-557" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC_S2-557SHTI">
    <text>This Article is known as "The Community Safe Spaces Act."</text>
  </section>
  <section number="2-558" name="Purpose" law="code" slug="sec-2-558" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC_S2-558PU">
    <text>The purpose of this Act is to:</text>
    <level label="a">
      <text>uphold the County's values of equity, inclusiveness, dignity, and justice for all;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>maintain community trust by separating County services from federal immigration enforcement; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>limit the use of County property for federal immigration enforcement purposes to enhance public trust, ensure equitable access to public facilities, and preserve County resources for local governmental purposes.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="2-559" name="Definitions" law="code" slug="sec-2-559" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC_S2-559DE">
    <level label="a">
      <text>For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>County facility means a building controlled by the County that provides services to the public.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>County-owned or County-controlled property means real property owned, leased, or otherwise under the control or management authority of the County, including parking lots, garages, and vacant lots.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>Department means any executive branch County department, agency, division, or other body, or person established by authority of an order, executive order, or County Council order.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) means the federal enforcement agency responsible for enforcing civil immigration law, which may also include any entity or personnel authorized to enforce civil immigration law.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>Operations base means an area that is used to plan, coordinate, and execute civil immigration enforcement operations.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="6">
        <text>Processing location means an area that is used for activities such as the identification, intake, processing of documentation, detention, arrest, or temporary holding of individuals for the purpose of carrying out civil immigration enforcement operations.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="7">
        <text>Staging area means an area used to assemble, mobilize, deploy vehicles, equipment, materials, or personnel for carrying out civil immigration enforcement operations.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="2-560" name="ICE access in County facilities—Warrant requirement" law="code" slug="sec-2-560" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC_S2-560ICACCOFAARRE">
    <level label="a">
      <text>A County employee or contractor shall not grant an ICE officer access or assist an officer in entering any portion of a County facility that is not accessible to the general public, unless:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>there are exigent circumstances; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>the officer presents a valid warrant issued by a federal court.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>Nothing in this Section authorizes a County employee or contractor to interfere with, restrict, or impede an immigration officer when access has been denied or consent to entry has been withheld.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="2-561" name="Prohibition on use of County property for ICE enforcement" law="code" slug="sec-2-561" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC_S2-561PRUSCOPRICEN">
    <level label="a">
      <text>Any County-owned or County-controlled parking lot, garage, or vacant lot must not be used for ICE enforcement activities, including surveillance, staging, processing, detention, or vehicle storage, unless required by law or authorized by a valid judicial warrant.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>Any area or space identified under subsection (d) is not available to the general public for similar activities; in addition, federal, state, or local government entities or personnel will not receive special or enhanced access to County property for civil immigration enforcement operations.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>This section does not apply to:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>any temporary access necessary to address an immediate threat to public safety; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>publicly available areas open to the general public, where the County lacks legal authority to restrict entry.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>The County Executive shall identify all County-owned or controlled parking lots, vacant lots, or garages that either have been used or are likely to be used in the future as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for civil immigration enforcement.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>The County Executive shall ensure that all such County properties identified under subsection (d) have clear signage stating: "This property is owned or controlled by Prince George's County. It may not be used for civil immigration enforcement as a: Staging Area, Processing Location, or Operations Base."</text>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>Signage. Where applicable, the County Executive shall identify areas that are open to the general public and post signage at the entrance that states: "You do not have consent to enter for civil immigration enforcement purposes without authorization from a designated official."</text>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <text>Reporting unauthorized use. A County employee who becomes aware of the unauthorized use of County-owned or County-controlled property shall immediately report the violation to the employee's department director. A reported violation shall include as much information as possible, including time, location, and a description of what was observed. Failure to report unauthorized use of property may result in disciplinary action.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="2-562" name="Immigration enforcement guidance for County departments; signage for private use" law="code" slug="sec-2-562" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC_S2-562IMENGUCODESIPRUS">
    <level label="a">
      <text>Guidance by the County Executive. The County Executive, in consultation with the Office of Law, shall create and publish immigration enforcement guidance for County staff and contractors.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>Signage for private use. The County Executive shall develop a signage template for business owners and leaseholders to use and make it available on the County's website. The owner or lessee may choose to use the signage template to identify and lawfully restrict non-public areas in which they would prohibit activities related to civil immigration enforcement.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>Executive regulations. The County Executive may establish regulations and standards as necessary to accomplish the purposes and intent of this Act. The regulations must be at least as stringent and consistent as the provisions of this Act.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="2-563" name="Compliance with Federal law" law="code" slug="sec-2-563" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_2AD_DIV50COSASPAC_S2-563COFELA">
    <text>No provision in this Article may be interpreted as preventing a law enforcement agent from sending or receiving information from any local, state, or Federal agency regarding the citizenship or immigration status of an individual in accordance with applicable State, federal or constitutional law.</text>
  </section>
</unit>
