Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Expiration and Renewal Periods for Retired Law Enforcement Officer, the official text

WES MOORE, Governor                        Ch. 455

Chapter 455

                   (Senate Bill 331)

AN ACT concerning

Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Expiration and Renewal Periods for Retired
                                          Law Enforcement Officer

FOR the purpose of establishing alternative expiration and renewal periods for a handgun
         permit issued to a certain retired law enforcement officer; and generally relating to
         handgun permits.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
         Article – Public Safety
         Section 5–301(a) and (c) and 5–304(b)(1) and (d)(2)
         Annotated Code of Maryland
         (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
         Article – Public Safety
         Section 5–309
         Annotated Code of Maryland
         (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

         SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

                   Article – Public Safety

5–301.

         (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

         (c) “Permit” means a permit issued by the Secretary to carry, wear, or transport
a handgun.

5–304.

         (b) (1) Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the Secretary may
charge a nonrefundable fee payable when an application is filed for a permit.

(d) The Secretary may not charge a fee under subsection (b) of this section to:

                  (2) a retired law enforcement officer of the State or a county or municipal
corporation of the State.

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Ch. 455  2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

5–309.

        (a) Except as provided in [subsection] SUBSECTIONS (d) AND (E) of this section,
a permit expires on the last day of the holder’s birth month following 2 years after the date
the permit is issued.

        (b) [Subject] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION
AND SUBJECT to subsection (c) of this section, a permit may be renewed for successive
periods of 3 years each if, at the time of an application for renewal, the applicant possesses
the qualifications for the issuance of a permit and pays the renewal fee stated in this
subtitle.

         (c) A person who applies for a renewal of a permit is not required to be
fingerprinted unless the Secretary requires a set of the person’s fingerprints to resolve a
question of the person’s identity.

         (d) The Secretary may establish an alternative expiration date for a permit to
coincide with the expiration of a license, certification, or commission for:

                  (1) a private detective under Title 13 of the Business Occupations and
Professions Article;

                  (2) a security guard under Title 19 of the Business Occupations and
Professions Article; or

                  (3) a special police officer under § 3–306 of this article.

        (E) A PERMIT ISSUED TO A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO

RETIRED IN GOOD STANDING FROM SERVICE WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

OF THE STATE OR A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE:

                (1) EXPIRES ON THE LAST DAY OF THE HOLDER’S BIRTH MONTH
FOLLOWING 5 YEARS AFTER THE DATE THE PERMIT IS ISSUED; AND

                (2) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, MAY BE RENEWED
FOR SUCCESSIVE PERIODS OF 5 YEARS EACH IF, AT THE TIME OF AN APPLICATION
FOR RENEWAL, THE APPLICANT POSSESSES THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT.

         SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2026.

Approved by the Governor, May 12, 2026.

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