MD HB309

Establishes confidentiality protections for peer support counseling programs serving law enforcement officers, prohibiting peer support specialists and participants from disclosing written or oral communications from peer support interactions

Defines peer support programs as those provided by law enforcement agencies or the Fraternal Order of Police that offer counseling from trained peer support specialists to officers who have experienced emotionally traumatic events in the line of duty

Confidentiality exceptions apply for explicit suicide threats, threats of imminent serious bodily harm or death to identifiable individuals, child or vulnerable adult abuse/neglect, admissions of criminal conduct, participant authorization, or court order

Requires peer support specialists to inform participants in writing of the confidentiality provisions before the initial peer support interaction

Takes effect October 1, 2025; approved by Governor Wes Moore on May 13, 2025