Maryland Bill Would End Qualified Immunity for Officers

In a hearing Monday, the House Judiciary Committee heard five police reform bills. Lawmakers are considering a handful of bills that supporters said will reimagine public safety and policing in Maryland.

At least one of the bills, the Police Qualified Immunity and Accountability Act , focuses on what's called qualified immunity, WBAL reports.

"In Maryland, officers are able to claim immunity for accountability from their actions even if these actions are reckless and endanger, harm or kill," said House Bill 1049 's sponsor, Montgomery County Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, D-District 20.

Wilkins said officers can currently claim qualified immunity, defending themselves while protected by law as a government employee. She argues that protection must go.

The bill also raises the cap for damages paid to victims and allows jurisdictions to revoke an officer's pension.