MD SB326

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 does not apply when communications contain explicit suicide threats, threats of imminent bodily harm or death to an identifiable person, information about child or vulnerable adult abuse/neglect, or admissions of criminal conduct

Disclosure is also permitted when authorized by all participants in the communication or when ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction

Requires peer support specialists to inform participants in writing of confidentiality provisions before the initial peer support interaction; effective October 1, 2025