Md. Code, Local Government, Title 30

in effect

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Board” means the Board of Trustees for the Fund. (c) “Department” means the Baltimore City Police Department. (d) “Fund” means the Baltimore City Police Department Death Relief Fund.

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-102

(a) There is a Baltimore City Police Department Death Relief Fund. (b) (1) The Fund is an instrumentality of the State. (2) The Fund is the successor relief fund to any previous relief fund administered by the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City.

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-103

The Board shall administer the Fund.

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-104

(a) (1) The Board consists of the following members elected from the Department: (i) one member of the rank of major or higher; (ii) one member of the rank of deputy major; (iii) one member of the rank of lieutenant; (iv) one member of the rank of sergeant; (v) three patrol officers; and (vi) one civilian employee. (2) The Director of Fiscal Affairs Division of the Department serves as an ex officio member. (b) (1) The elected members of the Board shall be elected at large by the officers and civilian employees of the Department. (2) (i) The term of an elected member is 4 years. (ii) Elections are held every 2 years with the terms of the major or higher ranked member, sergeant, and two patrol officers ending at alternate 2–year periods with those of the deputy major, lieutenant, one patrol officer, and the civilian employee. (iii) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is elected. (3) (i) Nominations for elected members shall be submitted in writing to the secretary of the Board at least 15 days before the election. (ii) 1. Nominations for elected members shall be signed by at least 20 officers or civilian employees of the Department. 2. No more than half of the individuals signing the nomination may be from the same district or unit. (4) The nominees who correspond to the vacancies on the Board and receive the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. (5) Elections may be held concurrent with the election of members to the Personnel Service Board as provided in the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore City, 1979 Edition, § 16–12. (c) (1) A vacancy on the Board shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term from the nominees of comparable rank or status who received the next highest number of votes in descending order from the nominees actually elected during the preceding election. (2) If there is no nominee available as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board shall elect from the Department at large a member of the same rank or status to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. (d) (1) A Board member shall take an oath of office that the member will diligently and faithfully perform the duties of a member in accordance with law. (2) The oath shall be administered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, subscribed by the Board member making it, within 10 days after the Board member’s term begins, and filed in the Clerk’s office. (e) A Board member: (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Board; but (2) shall be reimbursed from the Fund for expenses. (f) (1) Each Board member is entitled to one vote. (2) Five members are a quorum. (3) The Board shall act by majority vote. (4) From among its members, the Board shall elect officers. (g) The Board may adopt rules and regulations providing for: (1) the amount of benefits; (2) the administration of the Fund; and (3) the transaction of the Board’s business. (h) (1) The legal adviser to the Department is the legal adviser to the Board. (2) On request of the Board, the legal adviser shall assist and advise the Board during the conduct of a hearing. (i) The Board may sue and be sued. (j) The Board shall adopt an official seal. (k) A Board member: (1) may be liable only for the member’s own negligence or default; and (2) is not liable for the conduct of any predecessor or cotrustee or any agent, representative, custodian, or depository selected with reasonable care.

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-105

(a) (1) If requested, the Board shall provide an opportunity for a full hearing, including the right to counsel and cross–examination for all interested parties, in a proceeding regarding any benefit provided under this title. (2) (i) Through the member presiding at a hearing, the Board may: 1. administer oaths; and 2. apply to the circuit court of any county for a subpoena for a witness. (ii) If the Board applies for a subpoena under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the circuit court shall grant the subpoena if the court finds that: 1. the evidence of the witness is necessary to provide a fair hearing; and 2. requiring attendance by the witness would not be oppressive. (b) (1) The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings. (2) The record shall be open to public inspection.

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-106

(a) (1) The Board may accept and shall credit to the Fund any gifts, devises, and bequests to be administered in accordance with this title. (2) The Board may pay from the Fund the expenses necessary to carry out this title, including: (i) organization, clerical, and office expenses; and (ii) for the conduct of its proceedings, including expenses for investigation, medical or other advice, and stenographic service. (b) (1) (i) If the balance of the Fund falls below $75,000, the Board may assess a fee not to exceed 10 cents per week on each officer and civilian employee of the Department. (ii) The fee shall be collected through payroll deductions and credited to the Fund. (iii) 1. The Board shall determine the period of time over which the fee will be collected. 2. The assessment shall end when the balance of the Fund reaches $200,000 and may only be reimposed when the balance of the Fund falls below $75,000. (2) (i) On written request of at least 10% of the total number of officers and civilian employees of the Department, the action of the Board requiring an assessment under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be submitted to a secret ballot vote of the officers and civilian employees of the Department. (ii) If a majority of the votes cast are against the assessment, the assessment may not be imposed. (3) (i) If the Fund is not replenished, the Fund shall be used until exhausted. (ii) Once the assets of the Fund have been exhausted, the Fund shall cease. (c) (1) The Board shall deposit sufficient money from the Fund in federally insured savings accounts to meet the anticipated benefit payments for each year. (2) The Board may invest the remaining assets of the Fund in any other manner the Board considers prudent. (d) (1) The Fund shall be audited from time to time by an independent certified public accountant that the Board retains. (2) On or before May 1 of each year, the Board shall publish a report for the previous calendar year that includes the fiscal transactions of the Fund and a detailed balance sheet. (3) (i) The Board shall provide copies of the report to all members of the Board by electronic mail and post copies of the report on the Department’s Intranet. (ii) The Board shall keep copies of the report on file and make the report available to any officer or civilian employee of the Department or potential beneficiary of any deceased officer or civilian employee.

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-107

(a) The Fund shall pay special death benefits, as provided in this title, for an officer or a civilian employee of the Department whose death is proximately caused by injuries sustained or by harm inflicted on the body in the course of the performance of the officer’s or employee’s duties. (b) The Fund shall pay death benefits, as provided in this title, for an active officer or a civilian employee of the Department whose death is not proximately caused by injuries sustained or by harm inflicted on the body in the course of the performance of the officer’s or employee’s duties.

Md. Code, Local Government § 30-108

(a) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection: (i) the amount of benefit payable under § 30–107(a) of this title is $10,000; and (ii) the amount of benefit payable under § 30–107(b) of this title is $500. (2) The Board may prospectively and uniformly establish by resolution an amount of benefit payable under this title that is greater than the amount specified in this subsection. (3) The benefit provided for under this title shall be in addition to all other benefits provided by law or by voluntary action of any person. (b) (1) On the death of an officer or a civilian employee of the Department, the benefit provided for under this title is payable to the following individuals: (i) the surviving spouse; (ii) if there is no surviving spouse, to the minor children, in equal shares; (iii) if there is no surviving spouse or minor children, to the dependent parents, in equal shares; or (iv) if there is no surviving spouse, minor child, or dependent parent, to any other dependents or the estate of the officer or employee. (2) Any benefit paid under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection shall: (i) not exceed the maximum benefit provided in subsection (a) of this section; and (ii) be paid in proportions determined by the Board. (3) (i) Any benefit payable to a minor shall be made to the minor’s legal guardian in the State. (ii) If a benefit is payable to a minor who does not have a legal guardian in the State, the benefit is payable on behalf of the minor to a person determined by the Board under conditions set by the Board. (4) A beneficiary’s eligibility is not affected by whether the deceased officer or civilian employee paid into the Fund. (c) The benefit provided for under this title is not subject to: (1) execution, garnishment, attachment, or any other process; and (2) assignment until the benefits are paid to the beneficiary.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatutesFetched: 10/16/2026