Title
AN ACT CONCERNING COMMUNITY SAFE SPACES ACT - REPORTING VIOLATIONS for the purpose of broadening the scope of existing law governing reporting of certain unauthorized use of County-owned or County-controlled property, unauthorized access to nonpublic spaces of County facilities, or harmful conduct by certain individuals; requiring an online platform for submission of reports of violations; providing guidance for the contents of reports; permitting the use of the online platform by the Office of Law to assist in enforcement; and generally relating to the Community Safe Spaces Act.
Body
FOR USE BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION:
Confidential: No
Requested by: Thomas Dernoga
Assigned to: Josh Hamlin
Legislastion Type:
Need by Date: ASAP as the legislative deadlines are approaching.
Background Necessitating Legislation:
CB-006-2026 limits access to County facilities by immigration enforcement agencies. This bill was based on Montgomery County Bill No. 3-26 enacted on March 26, 2026. However, while CB-006-2026 was being drafted, the Montgomery County Council amended subsection (g) regarding reporting unauthorized use. This revision broadened the reporting from only County employees to include reporting by a “County agent, resident, or a member of the public,” and for the report to be made through an online platform.
CB-006-2026 retained the original text of Bill No. 3-26. County residents have requested that the County Council revise the relevant portion of CB-006-2026
Sample language:
https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccllims/BillDetailsPage?RecordId=2891&fullTextSearch=3-26
(g) [[Reporting unauthorized use. A County employee who becomes aware of the unauthorized use of County-owned or County-controlled property must immediately report the violation to the employee’s department director. A reported violation must include as much information as possible, including time, location, and a description of what was observed. Failure to report unauthorized use of property may result in disciplinary action.]]
Reporting a violation or misconduct. A County agent, resident, or a member of the public who witnesses any of the following incidents may file a report through an online platform designated by the Executive regarding:
(1) unauthorized use of County-owned or County-controlled property, in violation of subsection (a) of this Section;
(2) unauthorized access to nonpublic spaces of County facilities; or
(3) harmful conduct by individuals conducting immigration enforcement.
(h) A violation reported under subsection (g) should include as much information as possible, including time, location, and a description of what was observed.
(i) The violation reported through the online portal may be used by the Office of County Attorney to assist in enforcing the law and to make appropriate referrals to third parties, including other government agencies.
Special Instructions/Concerns/Time Critical Information:
Agencies or Individuals to Contact:
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Comments/Notes:
DRAFTER PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Proposer(s): Council Members Dernoga and Olson
Background
This bill will amend the County's Community Safe Spaces Act to broaden the manner of reporting certain violations from an internal reporting protocol solely for County employees to an online platform, designated by the County Executive, to accept reports from County agents, residents, or other members of the public who witness unauthorized use of County spaces or harmful conduct by individuals conducting immigration enforcement. The bill also identifies information that should be included in complaints, and provides that the reports may be used by the Office of law for enforcement purposes.
REMINDER: Attach the Legislative file document