1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Activation” means the process a correctional officer or a community supervision agent conducts to begin recording audio and video with a body-worn camera.
   2. (2) “Body-Worn Camera (BWC)” has the meaning of the body-worn digital recording device stated in Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §10-402, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   3. (3) “BWC equipment” means cameras, docking stations, system consoles, or any other accessories required for the use of the BWC.
   4. (4) “Community contact” means an interaction by a correctional officer or a community supervision agent with an individual to verify compliance with the conditions of release.
   5. (5) “Community supervision agent (agent)” means a mandated employee who supervises an individual placed on probation, or released on mandatory supervision, parole, or administrative release.

   6. (6) Correctional Officer.

      1. (a) “Correctional officer” has the meaning stated in Correctional Services Article, §8-201, Annotated Code of Maryland.

      2. (b) “Correctional officer” includes a mandated employee who is:

         1. (i) A community supervision agent; or
         2. (ii) Under the authority of the Commissioner of Correction, the Commissioner of Pretrial Detention and Services; or a managing official of a local correctional facility.

   7. (7) “Correctional unit” means a unit of State, county, or municipal government that is responsible under a statute, ordinance, or court order for the:

      1. (a) Investigation, care, custody, control, or supervision of an incarcerated individual; or
      2. (b) Investigation and supervision of an individual placed on probation, or released on parole, administrative release, or mandatory supervision release.
   8. (8) “Critical incident” means any event or situation that creates a significant risk of disruption to the security or operations of a correctional unit or a significant risk of harm to the physical or mental health, safety or well-being of an individual.
   9. (9) “Evidence management system” is a secure database utilized to store, manage, investigate, and share multiple types of digital data captured from BWCs to establish an evidentiary chain of custody.
   10. (10) “Incarcerated individual” has the meaning as defined in Correctional Services Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   11. (11) “Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA)” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §§4-101― 4-601, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   12. (12) “Qualifying event” means a situation or event where a correctional officer or agent is required to activate their body-worn camera to capture audio and video recordings.

   13. (13) “Supervised individual” means a person:

       1. (a) Sentenced to probation;
       2. (b) Released on parole or administrative release; or
       3. (c) Released on mandatory supervision.

   14. (14) “Use of force” means the physical or other form of control by mandated employees to:

       1. (a) Defend themselves or others; or
       2. (b) Restrain, subdue, or overcome resistance from or non-compliance of an individual.

Authority: Correctional Services Article, §§2-109 and 8-211; Courts of Judicial Proceedings Article, §10-402; Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: January 5, 2026 (52:26 Md. R. 1310)