1. (a) In this section, “fire and explosive investigator” means an individual who:

   1. (1) is assigned full-time to the fire and explosive investigations section of the County Fire Marshal's Office; and

   2. (2)

      1. (i) has the rank of deputy fire marshal or higher; and
      2. (ii) has successfully completed a training program from a police training school approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission established under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Public Safety Article.
2. (b) This section applies only to Worcester County.

3. (c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a fire and explosive investigator has the same authority granted to the State Fire Marshal or a full-time investigative and inspection assistant of the Office of the State Fire Marshal under § 2-208 of this subtitle:

   1. (1) while operating in Worcester County; and

   2. (2) while operating outside Worcester County when:

      1. (i) the fire and explosive investigator is participating in a joint investigation with officials from another state, federal, or local law enforcement unit, at least one of which has local jurisdiction;
      2. (ii) the fire and explosive investigator is rendering assistance to another law enforcement officer;
      3. (iii) the fire and explosive investigator is acting at the request of a law enforcement officer or State law enforcement officer; or
      4. (iv) an emergency exists.

4. (d) The County Fire Marshal:

   1. (1) may limit the authority of a fire and explosive investigator under this section; and
   2. (2) shall express the limitation in a written policy.

Added by Acts 2007, c. 619, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007. Amended by Acts 2016, c. 8, § 5.