Maryland Office of the Inspector General - Establishment

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1064*

HOUSE BILL 1064
P1 6lr3235

By: Delegates Bagnall, Cullison, D. Jones, and Shetty
Introduced and read first time: February 9, 2026
Assigned to: Judiciary

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Maryland Office of the Inspector General – Establishment 2

FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Office of the Inspector General; transferring 3
the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education and the Maryland Office 4
of the Inspector General for Health to be within the Maryland Office of the Inspector 5
General; providing for the appointment, qualifications, salary, and term of office of 6
the Inspector General of the State; providing for the employment of certain staff by 7
the Inspector General; establishing provisions related to the powers and duties of 8
the Inspector General; requiring certain units to cooperate fully with the Inspector 9
General in certain investigations, audits, and reviews; protecting c ertain records 10
prepared or obtained by the Inspector General from disclosure under the Public 11
Information Act; extending certain whistleblower protections to certain State 12
employees who make a complaint or provide information to the Inspector General or 13
staff of the Office; authorizing the Governor to transfer certain positions and funds 14
to the Office; providing certain protections for employees who are transferred to the 15
Office; and generally relating to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General. 16

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
Article – Education 18
Section 9.10–102 and 9.10–103(f) 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 21

BY repealing 22
Article – Education 23
Section 9.10–104(j) 24
Annotated Code of Maryland 25
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 26

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 27
Article – Health – General 28
2 HOUSE BILL 1064

Section 2–502 and 2–502.1(f) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 3

BY adding to 4
Article – State Government 5
Section 7.5 –101 through 7.5 –111 to be under the new title “Title 7.5. Inspector 6
General” 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 9

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 10
Article – State Personnel and Pensions 11
Section 5–305, 5–306, and 5–313 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 15
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 16

Article – Education 17

9.10–102. 18

(a) There is a Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education IN THE 19
MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 20

(b) [The Office is an independent unit of the State. 21

(c)] The purpose of the Office is to provide accountability and transparency in the 22
expenditure of public funds for education in the State. 23

[(d) All expenses and operations related to the administration of the Office shall 24
be separately identified and independent of any other unit of State government.] 25

9.10–103. 26

(f) [(1)] The Inspector General is entitled to the salary provided in the State 27
budget. 28

[(2) Funding for the Office shall be as provided in the State budget.] 29

9.10–104. 30

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[(j) The Inspector General may appoint and employ professional and clerical staff, 1
including attorneys, accountants, auditors, analysts, and investigators, as appropriated in 2
the annual State budget, to conduct the work of the Office.] 3

Article – Health – General 4

2–502. 5

(a) There is a Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Health IN THE 6
MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 7

(b) [The Office is an independent unit of the State. 8

(c)] (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Office shall have access 9
to the following services of the Department: 10

(i) Information technology; 11

(ii) Budget and finance; 12

(iii) Human resources; 13

(iv) Police; 14

(v) Procurement; and 15

(vi) Support services. 16

(2) The Office shall, in consultation with the Department, develop policies 17
and adopt regulations regarding the use and confi dentiality of the services listed in 18
paragraph (1) of this subsection. 19

[(d)] (C) The Office shall: 20

(1) Maintain a physical location within the Department; and 21

(2) Develop policies and adopt regulations regarding the use and 22
confidentiality of the location of the Office. 23

2–502.1. 24

(f) [(1)] The Inspector General is entitled to the salary provided in the State 25
budget. 26

[(2) Funding for the Office shall be as provided in the State budget.] 27

4 HOUSE BILL 1064

Article – State Government 1

TITLE 7.5. INSPECTOR GENERAL. 2

7.5–101. 3

(A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOL LOWING WORDS HAVE TH E MEANINGS 4
INDICATED. 5

(B) “INSPECTOR GENERAL” MEANS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE 6
STATE. 7

(C) “OFFICE” MEANS THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR 8
GENERAL. 9

(D) “UNIT” MEANS AN AGENCY OR A UNIT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF 10
STATE GOVERNMENT. 11

7.5–102. 12

(A) THERE IS AN INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE STATE. 13

(B) (1) AN INDIVIDUAL IS ELIG IBLE TO BE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 14
ONLY IF THE INDIVIDUAL EXECUTES AN AFFIDAVIT STATING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL 15
WILL NOT ACCEPT APPOINTMENT TO, OR BE A CANDIDATE FOR, A STATE OR LOCAL 16
OFFICE: 17

(I) DURING THE PERIOD OF SERVICE AS THE INSPECTOR 18
GENERAL; AND 19

(II) FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS IMMEDIATELY AF TER THE 20
INDIVIDUAL LAST SERVES AS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 21

(2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL RENEW THE AFFIDAVIT EVERY 22
2 YEARS DURING THE PERIOD OF SERVICE. 23

(3) A FAILURE TO RENEW THE AFFIDAVIT UNDER THIS SUBSECTION 24
SHALL SUBJECT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO REMOVAL FROM OFFICE UNDER THIS 25
SECTION. 26

(C) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL BE APPOINTED UNANIMOUSLY 27
BY THE GOVERNOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE STATE TREASURER, 28
SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE. 29
HOUSE BILL 1064 5

(2) THE TERM OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS 5 YEARS, BEGINNING 1
JULY 1 AFTER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 2

(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL 3
CONTINUE TO SERVE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED. 4

(4) IF A VACANCY OCCURS I N THE OFFICE, AN INTERIM INSPECTOR 5
GENERAL SHALL BE APPO INTED AS A SUCCESSOR FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 6
UNEXPIRED TERM. 7

(D) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY BE REMOVE D UNANIMOUSLY BY THE 8
GOVERNOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE STATE TREASURER FOR: 9

(1) MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE; 10

(2) PERSISTENT FAILURE TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE; 11
OR 12

(3) CONDUCT PREJUDICIAL TO THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF 13
JUSTICE. 14

(E) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL BE PROF ESSIONALLY QUALIFIED 15
THROUGH EXPERIENCE O R EDUCATION IN AT LE AST ONE OF THE FOLLO WING 16
AREAS: 17

(1) LAW; 18

(2) AUDITING; 19

(3) GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS; OR 20

(4) FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. 21

(F) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS ENTITLED TO: 22

(1) THE SALARY PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET; AND 23

(2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL AND OTHER EXPENSES UNDER THE 24
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET, 25
THAT ARE CONNECTED WITH THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. 26

7.5–103. 27
6 HOUSE BILL 1064

(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 1

(B) THE OFFICE SHALL INCLUDE: 2

(1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 3

(2) STAFF AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET; 4

(3) THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR 5
EDUCATION ESTABLISHED IN TITLE 9.10 OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE; AND 6

(4) THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR 7
HEALTH ESTABLISHED IN TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 5 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL 8
ARTICLE. 9

(C) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SUPERVISE AND DIRECT THE OFFICE. 10

(D) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ESTABLISH OFFICE SPACE THAT 11
THE STATE SHALL MAINTAIN AND EQUIP. 12

(2) FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE SHALL BE AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE 13
BUDGET. 14

7.5–104. 15

(A) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY EMPLOY A STAFF IN 16
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET. 17

(2) STAFF EMPLOYED UNDER THIS SECTION: 18

(I) SHALL: 19

1. PERFORM THE DUTIES T HAT THE INSPECTOR 20
GENERAL ASSIGNS; AND 21

2. CARRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS THAT IDENTIFY THE 22
STAFF AS EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE; 23

(II) SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 24
AND 25

(III) ARE ENTITLED TO: 26
HOUSE BILL 1064 7

1. COMPENSATION AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET; 1
AND 2

2. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EX PENSES UNDER THE 3
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 4

(B) FROM AMONG THE EMPLOYEES ON THE STAFF, THE INSPECTOR 5
GENERAL MAY DESIGNATE ONE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL AND ONE OR 6
MORE DEPUTY INSPECTORS GENERAL. 7

7.5–105. 8

(A) THE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SERVE A S ACTING 9
INSPECTOR GENERAL IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS TEMPORARILY UNA BLE OR 10
UNAVAILABLE TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. 11

(B) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL GIVES THE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR 12
GENERAL WRITTEN NOTICE OF A TEMPORARY INABILITY OR UNAVAILABILITY: 13

(1) THE ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SERVE ON AND AFTER 14
THE DATE THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SETS IN THE N OTICE AND UNTIL THE 15
INSPECTOR GENERAL GIVES THE ACT ING INSPECTOR GENERAL WRITTEN NOTICE 16
THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS ABLE TO CA RRY OUT THE DUTIES O F THE 17
OFFICE; AND 18

(2) THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY NOT BE DE EMED 19
VACANT. 20

7.5–106. 21

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL: 22

(1) RECEIVE COMPLAINTS O F WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 23
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION IN THE UNITS; AND 24

(2) ESTABLISH A TOLL –FREE HOTLINE NUMBER AND WEBSITE 25
THROUGH WHICH ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS MAY BE FILED. 26

(B) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RECEIVES A CO MPLAINT UNDER 27
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION , THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL DETERMINE 28
WHETHER THE COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. 29

8 HOUSE BILL 1064

(C) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DISCOVERS EVIDENCE O F CRIMINAL 1
ACTIVITY WHEN INVEST IGATING A COMPLAINT , THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL 2
NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. 3

7.5–107. 4

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL: 5

(1) MAY INVESTIGATE COMP LAINTS OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 6
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION IN THE UNITS; 7

(2) MAY CONDUCT AUDITS OF THE UNITS; 8

(3) (I) SHALL COOPERATE WITH INVESTIGATIONS BY TH E UNITS 9
OR OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCIES; AND 10

(II) IF A PRELIMINARY INV ESTIGATION OF WASTE , 11
MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION ESTABLISHES A 12
SUFFICIENT BASIS TO WARRANT REFERRAL , SHALL REFER THE MATT ER TO THE 13
APPROPRIATE STATE OR FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS; AND 14

(4) IN CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES UNDER ITEMS (1) THROUGH (3) OF 15
THIS SUBSECTION , SHALL TAKE STEPS TO ENS URE THAT A PERSON OR UNIT 16
SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE OFFICE IS NOT SUBJECT TO DUPLICATIVE 17
INVESTIGATIONS OR AUDITS. 18

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY NOT DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF 19
THE SOURCE OF A COMP LAINT OR INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER § 7.5–106 OF 20
THIS TITLE UNLESS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL: 21

(I) OBTAINS THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SOURCE; OR 22

(II) DETERMINES THAT DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTI TY OF THE 23
SOURCE IS NECESSARY AND UNAVOIDABLE DURI NG THE COURSE OF THE 24
INVESTIGATION. 25

(2) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DETERMINES THAT DISCLOSURE OF 26
THE IDENTITY OF A SO URCE IS NECESSARY AN D UNAVOIDABLE, THE INSPECTOR 27
GENERAL SHALL NOTIFY THE SOURCE IN WRITIN G AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE 28
DISCLOSURE. 29

(C) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL PERIODICALLY SHALL: 30

HOUSE BILL 1064 9

(1) REVIEW THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE UNITS; AND 1

(2) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE POLIC IES AND 2
PROCEDURES OF THE UNITS. 3

7.5–108. 4

(A) A UNIT SHALL COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN 5
AN INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT THAT IS CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE. 6

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HAVE AC CESS TO ALL RECORDS , 7
DATA, REPORTS, CONTRACTS, CORRESPONDENCE, OR OTHER DOCUMENTS O F A 8
UNIT DURING AN INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE. 9

(C) IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DUTIES OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, 10
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S DESIGNEE MAY: 11

(1) SEEK AND OBTAIN SWORN TESTIMONY; 12

(2) COMPEL THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES TO BE DEPOSED BY THE 13
OFFICE; AND 14

(3) COMPEL THE PRODUCTION OF RECORDS BY ISSUING A SUBPOENA 15
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. 16

(D) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ISSUE A SUBPOENA OR SUBPOENA 17
DUCES TECUM ONLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF A JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR 18
THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE OFFICE IS LOCATED. 19

(2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SUBMIT A WRITTEN 20
APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL SOUGHT UNDE R PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 21
SUBSECTION. 22

(3) A CIRCUIT COURT SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECI SION ON AN 23
APPLICATION SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION WITHIN 72 24
HOURS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION. 25

(4) A SUBPOENA ISSUED BY T HE INSPECTOR GENERAL UNDER THIS 26
SUBSECTION MAY BE SE RVED IN THE SAME MAN NER AS A SUBPOENA IS SUED BY A 27
CIRCUIT COURT. 28

10 HOUSE BILL 1064

(E) IF A PERSON REFUSES TO OBEY A SUBPOENA ISSUED BY THE INSPECTOR 1
GENERAL UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, THE COURT THAT APPROVED 2
THE ISSUANCE OF THE SUBPOENA UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION MAY: 3

(1) ISSUE AN ORDER TO TH E PERSON REQUIRING T HE PERSON TO 4
APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT TO SHOW CAUSE; AND 5

(2) AFTER CONDUCTING A HEARING, GRANT APPROPRIATE RELIEF. 6

7.5–109. 7

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ADOPT REG ULATIONS TO CARRY OU T 8
THIS TITLE. 9

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL: 10

(1) DEVELOP AN OPERATION S MANUAL THAT CONFOR MS TO THE 11
STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS GENERAL; 12

(2) MAKE THE OPERATIONS MANUAL AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON 13
THE OFFICE’S WEBSITE; AND 14

(3) PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR THE UNITS. 15

7.5–110. 16

(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, RECORDS 17
PREPARED OR OBTAINE D BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN CONNECTION WITH AN 18
INVESTIGATION OR AUD IT CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE ARE CONFIDENTI AL AND 19
NOT SUBJECT TO DISCL OSURE UNDER THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT UNTIL THE 20
FINAL REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT IS ISSUED UNDER § 7.5–111(B) OF 21
THIS TITLE. 22

(B) IF AN INDIVIDUAL REQU ESTS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE PUBLIC 23
INFORMATION ACT AND THE ONLY COPY OF THE PUBLIC RECORD HAS BEEN 24
OBTAINED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, THE CUSTODIAN OF THE PUBLIC RECORD 25
SHALL CERTIFY THAT T HE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS IN POSSESSION OF THE ONLY 26
COPY OF THE RECORD A ND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL ALLOW T HE 27
INDIVIDUAL TO EXAMINE AND COPY THE RECORD. 28

(C) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO DIS CLOSES A RECORD PROT ECTED FROM 29
DISCLOSURE UNDER THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND IS SUBJECT 30
HOUSE BILL 1064 11

TO A FINE NOT TO EXC EED $2,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT TO EXCEED 1 YEAR OR 1
BOTH. 2

7.5–111. 3

(A) (1) AT THE END OF EACH FI SCAL YEAR, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 4
SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 5
§ 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 6

(2) THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL: 7

(I) DESCRIBE THE BUSINES S AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE 8
OFFICE DURING THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR; AND 9

(II) INCLUDE ANY RECOMMEN DATIONS REGARDING TH E 10
ACTIVITIES OF THE UN ITS THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CONSIDERS 11
APPROPRIATE. 12

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL ISSUE A FINAL REPORT ON AN 13
INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT COMPLETED BY THE OFFICE. 14

(2) THE FINAL REPORT ISSU ED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 15
SUBSECTION SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 16
§ 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 17

(3) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 18
PARAGRAPH, BEFORE RELEASING A FINAL REPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 19
SUBSECTION, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 20
THE UNIT THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT TO RESPOND 21
TO THE REPORT. 22

(II) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS NOT REQUIR ED TO PROVIDE 23
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESPONSE UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH 24
IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, 25
AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, A STATE’S ATTORNEY, OR ANY OTHER APPROPR IATE 26
PROSECUTORIAL AGENCY, DETERMINES THAT ALLO WING THE UNIT TO RES POND 27
WOULD JEOPARDIZE A PENDING OR POTENTIAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. 28

(C) A REPORT ISSUED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) OF THIS SECTION 29
SHALL BE POSTED TO THE OFFICE’S WEBSITE. 30

Article – State Personnel and Pensions 31

5–305. 32
12 HOUSE BILL 1064

Subject to the limitations of § 5 –306 of this subtitle, a supervisor, appointing 1
authority, or the head of a principal unit may not take or refuse to take any personnel 2
action as a reprisal against: 3

(1) an employee who discloses information that the employee reasonably 4
believes evidences: 5

(i) an abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, or gross waste of 6
money; 7

(ii) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or 8

(iii) a violation of law; 9

(2) an employee of the Department of Juvenile Services who discloses 10
information to the Director of Juvenile Justice Monitoring or staff of the Office of the 11
Correctional Ombudsman, including the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit relating to the 12
Unit’s duties under § 9–4014 of the State Government Article; 13

(3) an employee of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional 14
Services who discloses information to the Correctional Ombudsman or staff of the Office of 15
the Correctional Ombudsman relating to the Office’s duties under § 9 –4004 of the State 16
Government Article; or 17

(4) AN EMPLOYEE WHO MAKE S A COMPLAINT OR WHO PROVIDES 18
INFORMATION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE STATE OR STAFF OF THE 19
MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RELATING TO W ASTE, 20
MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION; 21

(5) an employee who, following a disclosure under item (1), (2), [or] (3), OR 22
(4) of this section, seeks a remedy provided under this subtitle or any other law or policy 23
governing the employee’s unit. 24

5–306. 25

Section 5–305 of this subtitle applies to a disclosure that is specifically prohibited by 26
law only if that disclosure is made exclusively to the Attorney General OR THE INSPECTOR 27
GENERAL OF THE STATE in the manner allowed in § 5–313 of this subtitle. 28

5–313. 29

(A) For purposes of this subtitle, the Attorney General shall: 30

(1) designate an assistant Attorney General to receive from applicants and 31
employees any information the disclosure of which is otherwise protected by law; 32
HOUSE BILL 1064 13

(2) investigate each allegation of illegality or impropriety; 1

(3) take appropriate legal action; and 2

(4) if the investigation concerns an allegation of illegality or impropriety in 3
the Executive Branch, submit a confidential report to the Governor that describes the 4
content of the disclosure. 5

(B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE 6
STATE SHALL: 7

(1) INVESTIGATE EACH COMPL AINT OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 8
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION MADE BY AN EMPLOYEE; AND 9

(2) TAKE APPROPRIATE LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION. 10

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Governor may transfer 11
positions and funds appropriated for positions from agencies, departments, or units of the 12
Executive Branch of State government to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General 13
established under Section 1 of this Act. 14

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all empl oyees who are 15
transferred to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General as a result of this Act shall be 16
transferred without diminution of their rights, benefits, employment, or retirement status. 17

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act sh all take effect 18
October 1, 2026. 19