In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commission” means the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission. “Department” means the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. “Law enforcement agency” means a governmental police force, sheriff’s office, or security force or law enforcement organization of the State, a county, or a municipal corporation that by statute, ordinance, or common law is authorized to enforce the general criminal laws of the State. “Law enforcement agency” does not include members of the Maryland National Guard who: are under the control and jurisdiction of the Military Department; are assigned to the military property designated as the Martin State Airport; and are charged with exercising police powers in and for the Martin State Airport. “Motorcycle profiling” means the arbitrary use of the fact that an individual rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle–related clothing or paraphernalia as a factor in deciding to stop, question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search the individual or vehicle. “Police officer” means an individual who: is authorized to enforce the general criminal laws of the State; and is a member of one of the following law enforcement agencies: the Department of State Police; the Police Department of Baltimore City; the police department, bureau, or force of a county; the police department, bureau, or force of a municipal corporation; the Maryland Transit Administration police force; the Maryland Transportation Authority Police; the police forces of the University System of Maryland; the police force of Morgan State University; the office of the sheriff of a county; the police forces of the Department of Natural Resources; the police force of the Maryland Capitol Police of the Department of General Services; the police force of a State, county, or municipal corporation if the special police officers are appointed under Subtitle 3 of this title; the Housing Authority of Baltimore City Police Force; the Baltimore City School Police Force; the Crofton Police Department; the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Police Force; the Ocean Pines Police Department; the police force of the Baltimore City Community College; the police force of the Hagerstown Community College; the Warrant Apprehension Unit of the Intelligence and Investigative Division in the Department; the police force of the Anne Arundel Community College; or the police department of the Johns Hopkins University established in accordance with Title 24, Subtitle 12 of the Education Article. “Police officer” includes: a member of the Field Enforcement Bureau of the Comptroller’s Office; a member of the Field Enforcement Division of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission; the State Fire Marshal or a deputy State fire marshal; an investigator of the Intelligence and Investigative Division of the Department; a Montgomery County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2–208.1 of the Criminal Procedure Article; an Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2–208.2 of the Criminal Procedure Article; a Prince George’s County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2–208.3 of the Criminal Procedure Article; a Worcester County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2–208.4 of the Criminal Procedure Article; a City of Hagerstown fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2–208.5 of the Criminal Procedure Article; and a Howard County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2–208.6 of the Criminal Procedure Article. “Police officer” does not include: an individual who serves as a police officer only because the individual occupies another office or position; a sheriff, the Secretary of State Police, a commissioner of police, a deputy or assistant commissioner of police, a chief of police, a deputy or assistant chief of police, or another individual with an equivalent title who is appointed or employed by a government to exercise equivalent supervisory authority; or a member of the Maryland National Guard who: is under the control and jurisdiction of the Military Department; is assigned to the military property designated as the Martin State Airport; and is charged with exercising police powers in and for the Martin State Airport. “SWAT team” means an agency–designated unit of law enforcement officers who are selected, trained, and equipped to work as a coordinated team to resolve critical incidents that are so hazardous, complex, or unusual that they may exceed the capabilities of first responders or investigative units.

There is a Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, which is an independent commission that functions in the Department.

The Commission consists of the following members: the President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association; the President of the Maryland Sheriffs Association; the Attorney General of the State; the Secretary of State Police; the agent in charge of the Baltimore office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; one member representing the Maryland State Lodge of Fraternal Order of Police; one member representing the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association; the Chair of the Maryland Municipal League Police Executive Association; the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City; the President of the Police Chiefs’ Association of Prince George’s County; a civilian representative from the Wor–Wic Program Advisory Committee – Criminal Justice; and the following individuals, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate: three police officers, representing different geographic areas of the State; one civilian with expertise in community policing who does not have relationships to law enforcement; one civilian with expertise in policing standards who does not have relationships to law enforcement; one civilian with expertise in mental health who does not have relationships to law enforcement; and three citizens of the State who represent different geographic areas of the State and do not have relationships to law enforcement. The term of an appointed member is 3 years. The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commission on October 1, 2016. At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the remainder of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. Except for the appointed members, a member of the Commission may serve personally at a Commission meeting or may designate a representative from the member’s unit, agency, or association who may act at any meeting to the same effect as if the member were personally present.

The Commission annually shall elect a chair and vice chair from among its members.

A majority of the Commission is a quorum. The Commission shall meet in the State at the times that it or its chairman determines. A member of the Commission: may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. The Commission shall: maintain minutes of its meetings and any other records that it considers necessary; and provide information, on request, regarding the budget, activities, and programs of the Commission.

With the approval of the Governor, the Commission shall appoint an executive director. The executive director shall perform general administrative and training management functions. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the Commission. The Commission shall appoint a deputy director and any other employees that the Commission considers necessary to perform general administrative and training management functions. The deputy director and other employees appointed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission. In accordance with the State budget, the Commission may set the compensation of: the executive director and the deputy director; and a Commission employee in a position that: is unique to the Commission; requires specific skills or experience to perform the duties of the position; and does not require the employee to perform functions that are comparable to functions performed in other units of the Executive Branch of State government. The Secretary of Budget and Management, in consultation with the Commission, shall determine the positions for which the Commission may set compensation under subsection (c) of this section.

In this section, “Fund” means the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission Fund. There is a Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding for activities and training by the Commission. The Department shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: revenue distributed to the Fund under § 7–301 of the Courts Article; money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; interest earnings of the Fund; and any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Fund may be used only to provide funding to the Commission. For fiscal years 2024 and 2025 only, the Fund may be used to support police and correctional training activities of the Commission. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. Money distributed from the Fund shall be used to supplement, but not supplant, any other funding for the Commission. The Fund shall be subject to audit by the Legislative Auditor as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.

The Commission has the following powers and duties: to establish standards for the approval and continuation of approval of schools that conduct police entrance–level and in–service training courses required by the Commission, including State, regional, county, and municipal training schools; to approve and issue certificates of approval to police training schools; to inspect police training schools; to revoke, for cause, the approval or certificate of approval issued to a police training school; to establish the following for police training schools: curriculum; minimum courses of study; attendance requirements; eligibility requirements; equipment and facilities; standards of operation; and minimum qualifications for instructors; to require, for entrance–level police training and at least every 3 years for in–service level police training conducted by the State and each county and municipal police training school, that the curriculum and minimum courses of study include special training in, attention to, and study of the application and enforcement of: the criminal laws concerning rape and sexual offenses, including the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and related evidentiary procedures; the criminal laws concerning human trafficking, including services and support available to victims and the rights and appropriate treatment of victims; the criminal laws concerning hate crimes, including the recognition of, response to, and reporting of incidents required to be reported under § 2–307 of this article; the criminal laws concerning stalking as they pertain to electronic surveillance or tracking, including services available to victims, related prevention methods for victims, and how victims may request additional assistance to identify and preserve digital evidence; the contact with and treatment of victims of crimes and delinquent acts; the notices, services, support, and rights available to victims and victims’ representatives under State law; and the notification of victims of identity fraud and related crimes of their rights under federal law; to certify and issue appropriate certificates to qualified instructors for police training schools authorized by the Commission to offer police training programs; to verify that police officers have satisfactorily completed training programs and issue diplomas to those police officers; to conduct and operate police training schools authorized by the Commission to offer police training programs; to make a continuous study of entrance–level and in–service training methods and procedures; to consult with and accept the cooperation of any recognized federal, State, or municipal law enforcement agency or educational institution; to consult and cooperate with universities, colleges, and institutions in the State to develop specialized courses of study for police officers in police science and police administration; to consult and cooperate with other agencies and units of the State concerned with police training; to develop, with the cooperation of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a uniform missing person report form to be available for use by each law enforcement agency of the State on or before October 1, 2008; to require, for entrance–level police training and annually for in–service level police training conducted by the State and each county and municipal police training school, that the curriculum and minimum courses of study include, for police officers who are issued an electronic control device by a law enforcement agency, special training in the proper use of electronic control devices, as defined in § 4–109 of the Criminal Law Article, consistent with established law enforcement standards and federal and State constitutional provisions; to require, for entrance–level police training and, as determined by the Commission, for in–service level training conducted by the State and each county and municipal police training school, that the curriculum and minimum courses of study include, consistent with established law enforcement standards and federal and State constitutional provisions: training in lifesaving techniques, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); training in the proper level and use of force as set forth in the Maryland Use of Force Statute under § 3–524 of this title; training regarding sensitivity to cultural and gender diversity; training regarding individuals with physical and psychiatric disabilities; and training regarding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia, and autism, including training for: locating an individual who is wandering, eloping, or otherwise missing; searching near bodies of water; sensory–aware approaches; reunification; documentation; and interagency coordination; to require, for entrance–level police training and at least every 2 years for in–service level police training conducted by the State and each county and municipal police training school, that the curriculum and minimum courses of study include special training in, attention to, and study of the application of antidiscrimination and use of force de–escalation training; to develop, with the cooperation of the Office of the Attorney General, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, and the Federal Trade Commission, a uniform identity fraud reporting form that: makes transmitted data available on or before October 1, 2011, for use by each law enforcement agency of State and local government; and may authorize the data to be transmitted to the Consumer Sentinel program in the Federal Trade Commission; to adopt and recommend a set of best practices and standards for use of force; to evaluate and modernize recruitment standards and practices of law enforcement agencies to increase diversity within those law enforcement agencies and develop strategies for recruiting women and African American, Hispanic or Latino, and other minority candidates; to develop standards for the mandatory psychological consultation with a law enforcement officer who was actively involved in an incident when another person was seriously injured or killed as a result of an accident or a shooting or has returned from combat deployment; to require: a statement condemning motorcycle profiling to be included in existing written policies regarding other profiling; and for entrance–level police training and for in–service level training conducted by the State and each county and municipal police training school, that the curriculum and minimum courses of study include, consistent with established law enforcement standards and federal and State constitutional provisions, training related to motorcycle profiling in conjunction with existing training regarding other profiling; to perform any other act, including adopting regulations, that is necessary or appropriate to carry out the powers and duties of the Commission under this subtitle; and to consult and cooperate with commanders of SWAT teams to develop standards for training and deployment of SWAT teams and of law enforcement officers who are not members of a SWAT team who conduct no–knock warrant service in the State based on best practices in the State and nationwide. The Commission shall develop a system by which law enforcement agencies report to the Commission each serious officer–involved incident each year, including for each incident: the number of officers involved by race, ethnicity, and sex; the number of officers disciplined by race, ethnicity, and sex; and the type of discipline administered to each officer, by the officer’s race, ethnicity, and sex. The Commission shall annually summarize the information submitted by law enforcement agencies and: post the summary, excluding the names of officers and other involved parties, on a website maintained by the Commission; and submit the summary to the General Assembly, as provided in § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. In consultation with the Maryland Department of Health, the Commission shall establish a confidential hotline that is available for police officers and other law enforcement personnel to contact and speak with a trained peer law enforcement officer or a mental health professional who may provide initial counseling advice and confidential referral to appropriate services. The Commission shall: establish a Police Complaint Mediation Program to which a law enforcement agency may refer a nonviolent complaint made against a police officer out of the standard complaint process; refer a complaint referred to the Program to voluntary mediation conducted by an independent mediation service; and adopt regulations to implement the Program, including criteria concerning eligibility for referral of complaints. The Commission shall develop best practices for the establishment and implementation of a community policing program in each jurisdiction. The Commission shall develop a system by which each local law enforcement agency annually files a detailed description of the law enforcement agency’s community policing program. The Commission shall annually: review each community policing program filed in accordance with § 3–517 of this title; and provide each agency with any comments that the Commission has to improve the agency’s community policing program. The Commission shall develop a uniform citizen complaint process to be followed by each law enforcement agency. The uniform complaint process shall: be simple; require that a complainant be informed of the final disposition of the complainant’s complaint and any discipline imposed as a result; and be posted on the websites of the Commission and each law enforcement agency. The Commission shall develop and administer: a training program on matters relating to police procedures for individuals who intend to qualify to participate as a member of a trial board or administrative charging committee under Subtitle 1 of this title; and a training program on matters relating to police training and standards for citizens who are appointed to serve as members of the Commission. The Commission shall distribute the victim’s representation notification form developed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy under § 12–206.1(e) of the Transportation Article to each law enforcement agency in the State. The Commission, in consultation with the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, shall develop and maintain a uniform, statewide training and certification curriculum to ensure use of best practices in investigating compliance with court orders to surrender regulated firearms, rifles, and shotguns under § 6–234 of the Criminal Procedure Article. The Commission, in consultation with the Anne Arundel County Police Academy, shall develop and maintain a uniform statewide training and certification curriculum that includes role–playing exercises to ensure the use of best practices in the issuance of citations in lieu of arrest. The Commission shall: hold law enforcement agencies accountable for violations of the Use of Force Statute under § 3–524 of this title; and work with the Comptroller and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to ensure that State grant funding is withheld from a law enforcement agency that violates the Use of Force Statute under § 3–524 of this title. The Commission shall: develop a test and training for implicit bias, subject to the availability of implicit bias testing standards that are generally accepted by experts in the field of police psychology; require all law enforcement agencies to use the implicit bias test in the hiring process; require all new police officers to complete implicit bias testing and training; and require all incumbent police officers to undergo implicit bias testing and training on an annual basis. The Commission shall develop a uniform citizen positive community feedback process to be followed by each law enforcement agency. The uniform citizen positive community feedback process shall: be simple; and be posted on the website of the Commission and each law enforcement agency. In this subsection, “correctional facility” means a State correctional facility and a local correctional facility, as defined in § 1–101 of the Correctional Services Article. The Commission shall develop mental health wellness policies to be implemented in law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities in the State by: determining ways to promote safety and wellness at every level of a law enforcement agency and a correctional facility; incorporating into trainings stress management techniques designed by law enforcement officers and correctional officers; establishing confidential peer support programs; offering psychological programming to help officers manage stress; and utilizing measuring tools to track effectiveness. On or before January 1, 2025, and each January 1 thereafter, the Commission shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the status of the development and implementation of the policies described under paragraph (2) of this subsection and the effects of the policies. The Commission shall: annually review the report published by the Independent Investigations Division of the Office of the Attorney General under § 6–602 of the State Government Article; and make any recommendations that the Commission determines are appropriate based on its review. In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated. “Face covering” has the meaning stated in § 3–536 of this title. “Law enforcement agency” has the meaning stated in § 3–536 of this title. “Law enforcement officer” has the meaning stated in § 3–536 of this title. The Commission shall develop a uniform policy, to be used by each law enforcement agency, prohibiting the use of a face covering by a law enforcement officer in the course of duty consistent with § 3–536 of this title. The uniform policy developed under this subsection shall include language affirming: the law enforcement agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust; that the authorized use of face coverings shall be limited to specific and clearly defined circumstances; and that generalized and undifferentiated fear and apprehension about law enforcement officer safety is not sufficient to justify the use of face coverings. Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the uniform policy may allow for uses of face coverings under circumstances absolutely necessary to protect the health or safety of law enforcement officers while performing public safety functions, including the use of face coverings during inclement weather. A county, a municipality, or a law enforcement agency of the State or a political subdivision of the State may not adopt a policy, other than the uniform policy developed by the Commission, regarding the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers. In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated. “Identification” has the meaning stated in § 3–537 of this title. “Law enforcement agency” has the meaning stated in § 3–536 of this title. “Law enforcement officer” has the meaning stated in § 3–536 of this title. The Commission shall develop a uniform policy, to be used by each law enforcement agency, requiring the use of identification by a law enforcement officer in the course of duty consistent with § 3–537 of this title. The uniform policy developed under this subsection shall include language affirming the State’s interest in: promoting public safety; preventing law enforcement impersonation; and promoting transparency and accountability. The uniform policy developed under this subsection shall address: the size, placement, contrast, and legibility of identification, including requirements to ensure visibility of the identification from a reasonable distance; the way identification must be displayed on different types of uniforms, outerwear, and protective clothing, including jackets, vests, and rain gear; narrowly tailored circumstances in which identification may be temporarily obscured due to an immediate threat to law enforcement officer safety or public safety and any documentation or after–action reporting required for deviations; and training requirements for new and current law enforcement officers on the identification requirements established under § 3–537 of this title. A county, a municipality, or a law enforcement agency of the State or a political subdivision of the State may not adopt a policy, other than the uniform policy developed by the Commission, requiring the use of identification by law enforcement officers.

The Commission has the following powers and duties: to adopt regulations necessary or appropriate to carry out this subtitle; and to adopt regulations that establish and enforce standards for prior substance abuse by individuals applying for certification as a police officer.

The Commission shall certify as a police officer each individual who: satisfactorily meets the standards of the Commission; or provides the Commission with sufficient evidence that the individual has satisfactorily completed a training program in another state of equal quality and content as required by the Commission; submits to a mental health screening by a licensed mental health professional; submits to a physical agility assessment as determined by the Commission; submits to a criminal history records check in accordance with § 3–209.1 of this subtitle; and is a United States citizen; or subject to subsection (b) of this section, is a permanent legal resident of the United States and an honorably discharged veteran, provided that the individual has applied to obtain United States citizenship and the application is still pending approval. The certification of a police officer who fails to obtain United States citizenship as required by subsection (a)(5)(ii) of this section shall be terminated by the Commission. The Commission may certify as a police officer an individual who is not considered a police officer under § 3–201(f)(3) of this subtitle if the individual meets the selection and training standards of the Commission. Each certificate issued to a police officer under this subtitle remains the property of the Commission. As a condition of certification, a police officer shall submit to a mental health assessment every 2 years and an annual physical agility assessment to establish continuing fitness to carry out the officer’s assigned duties as a police officer. Prior cannabis use is not a disqualifier for certification as a police officer.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Applicant” means an individual who is seeking certification as a police officer. “Central Repository” means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. An applicant for certification as a police officer shall apply to the Central Repository for a State and national criminal history records check. As part of the application for a criminal history records check, an applicant shall submit to the Central Repository: a complete set of legible fingerprints taken on forms approved by the Director of the Central Repository and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the fee authorized under § 10–221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to Maryland criminal history records; and the processing fee required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check. In accordance with §§ 10–201 through 10–229 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the Central Repository shall forward to the Commission and the applicant a printed statement of the applicant’s criminal history record information. Information obtained from the Central Repository under this section: shall be confidential; may not be redisseminated; and may be used only for the licensing purpose authorized by this title. The subject of a criminal history records check under this section may contest the contents of the printed statement issued by the Central Repository as provided in § 10–223 of the Criminal Procedure Article. If criminal history record information is reported to the Central Repository after the date of the initial criminal history records check, the Central Repository shall provide to the Commission a revised statement of the applicant’s or certified police officer’s State criminal history record.

Employment by a business licensed as a dispensary, grower, or processor under Title 13, Subtitle 33 of the Health – General Article does not constitute involvement in the illegal distribution, production, cultivation, transportation, or sale of a controlled dangerous substance for purposes of police officer certification or recertification if the individual’s employment was not terminated for illegal or improper conduct.

The certification of a police officer automatically lapses 3 years after the date of the previous certification. If the certification of a police officer lapses, the police officer may apply for recertification immediately. The Commission may recertify a police officer after the certification of the police officer lapses.

If the certification of a police officer is in danger of lapsing or has lapsed because of the failure of the police officer to meet the standards of the Commission, the police officer may request a hearing before the Commission to present evidence that: the police officer’s law enforcement agency unreasonably failed to provide the police officer with the required training or assigned the police officer to special duty that prevented the police officer from completing the required training to achieve this certification; and this failure is through no fault of the police officer. On request of the police officer for a hearing under this section, the Commission shall hold a hearing. For purposes of this subsection, the Commission shall follow the procedures required for a hearing board under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights and the police officer is entitled to all of the rights provided under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. If the Commission concludes that the police officer’s law enforcement agency unreasonably failed to provide the police officer with the required training or assigned the police officer to special duty that prevented the police officer from completing the required training to achieve certification: the Commission shall stay the lapse of the certification until the police officer and the police officer’s law enforcement agency meet the training requirements of the Commission; the police officer shall be retained in the police officer’s law enforcement agency at full pay pending the completion of the training; and the Commission shall order the police officer’s law enforcement agency to pay all reasonable hearing costs and attorney’s fees incurred as a result of the action.

Subject to the hearing provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Commission may suspend or revoke the certification of a police officer if the police officer: violates or fails to meet the Commission’s standards; violates the Maryland Use of Force Statute under § 3–524 of this title; or knowingly fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of § 5–704 of the Family Law Article. The Commission shall revoke the certification of a police officer who was: convicted of a felony; convicted of perjury or another misdemeanor relating to truthfulness and veracity; or previously fired or resigned while being investigated for serious misconduct or use of excessive force. Except as otherwise provided in Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article, before the Commission takes any final action under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Commission shall give the individual against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Commission. The Commission shall give notice and hold the hearing in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. A police officer aggrieved by the findings and order of the Commission may take an appeal as allowed in §§ 10–222 and 10–223 of the State Government Article. The Commission shall create a statewide database to track police officer decertifications due to improper use of force.

The Commission may recall the certificate of a police officer if the certification of the police officer is suspended or revoked for any of the following reasons: the certificate was issued by administrative error; the certificate was obtained through misrepresentation or fraud; the police officer has been convicted of a felony; or the police officer has been convicted of a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment exceeding 1 year may be imposed.

If the certification of a police officer is revoked, the police officer may not apply for recertification until 2 years after the effective date of the revocation order. The Commission may recertify an individual as a police officer after the certification of the police officer is revoked.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Permanent appointment” means the appointment of an individual who has satisfactorily met the minimum standards of the Commission and is certified as a police officer. “Police administrator” means a police officer who has been promoted to first–line administrative duties up to but not exceeding the rank of captain. “Police supervisor” means a police officer who has been promoted to first–line supervisory duties. An individual may not be given or accept a probationary appointment or permanent appointment as a police officer, police supervisor, or police administrator unless the individual satisfactorily meets the qualifications established by the Commission. An individual who applies for a position as police officer shall: under penalty of perjury, disclose to the hiring law enforcement agency all prior instances of employment as a police officer at other law enforcement agencies; and authorize the hiring law enforcement agency to obtain the police officer’s full personnel and disciplinary record from each law enforcement agency that previously employed the police officer. The hiring law enforcement agency shall certify to the Commission that the law enforcement agency has reviewed the applicant’s disciplinary record. A probationary appointment as a police officer, police supervisor, or police administrator may be made for a period not exceeding 1 year to enable the individual seeking permanent appointment to take a training course required by this subtitle. A probationary appointee is entitled to a leave of absence with pay during the period of the training program. Prior cannabis use may not be the basis for disqualifying an applicant for a position as a police officer.

A law enforcement agency may not employ an individual as a police officer for a period not exceeding 1 year unless the individual is certified by the Commission. In this subsection, “nonfull-time police officer” means an individual who does not work in the law enforcement field at least 7 months during the calendar year. The certification requirements of subsection (a) of this section do not apply to the nonfull-time police officers of a law enforcement agency that: employs, during a calendar year, at least 70 full-time sworn police officers; and employs at least 100 nonfull-time police officers.

An individual may not serve as a police officer when the certification of the police officer has lapsed or has been suspended or revoked by the Commission.

Except as expressly provided in this subtitle, this subtitle does not limit the powers, rights, duties, or responsibilities of the government of a county or municipal corporation. This subtitle supersedes any law, ordinance, or regulation of the State, a county, or a municipal corporation that conflicts with this subtitle.