Maryland Office of the Inspector General - Establishment (Maryland Government Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2026)

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1085*

HOUSE BILL 1085
P1 6lr2761

By: Delegate Miller
Introduced and read first time: February 10, 2026
Assigned to: Government, Labor, and Elections

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Maryland Office of the Inspector General – Establishment 2
(Maryland Government Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2026) 3

FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Office of the Inspector General; establishing 4
the State Transparency Commission to appoint and provide oversight for the 5
Inspector General of the State; providing for the qualifications, salary, and term of 6
office of the Inspector General; providing for the employment of certain staff by the 7
Inspector General; establishing provisions related to the powers and duties of the 8
Inspector General, the Chief Deputy Inspector General, and the Office; requiring 9
certain units to cooperate fully with the Inspector General in certain investigations, 10
audits, and reviews; protecting certain records prepared or obtained by the Inspector 11
General from disclosure under the Public Information Act; extending certain 12
whistleblower protections to certain State employees who make a complaint or 13
provide information to the Inspector G eneral or staff of the Office ; authorizing the 14
Governor to transfer certain positions and funds to the Office; providing certain 15
protections for employees who are transferred to the Office; and generally relating 16
to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General. 17

BY adding to 18
Article – State Government 19
Section 7.5 –101 through 7.5 –112 to be under the new title “Title 7.5. Inspector 20
General” 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 23

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 24
Article – State Personnel and Pensions 25
Section 5–305, 5–306, and 5–313 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 28

2 HOUSE BILL 1085

SECTION 1. BE IT EN ACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2

Article – State Government 3

TITLE 7.5. INSPECTOR GENERAL. 4

7.5–101. 5

(A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOL LOWING WORDS HAVE TH E MEANINGS 6
INDICATED. 7

(B) “EFFICIENCY RECONSTRUCTION REVIEW” MEANS A HOLISTIC REV IEW 8
OF A UNIT ’S ORGANIZATION AND O PERATIONS TO IDENTIF Y INEFFICIENCIES AND 9
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT. 10

(C) “INSPECTOR GENERAL” MEANS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE 11
STATE. 12

(D) “KEY PERFORMANCE INDIC ATORS” MEANS QUANTIFIABLE M ETRICS 13
DESIGNED TO MEASURE HOW EFFEC TIVELY A UNIT IS ACH IEVING OBJECTIVES 14
RELATED TO EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY. 15

(E) “OFFICE” MEANS THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR 16
GENERAL. 17

(F) “TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION” MEANS THE STATE TRANSPARENCY 18
COMMISSION. 19

(G) “UNIT” MEANS AN AGENCY OR A UNIT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF 20
STATE GOVERNMENT. 21

7.5–102. 22

(A) THERE IS A STATE TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION. 23

(B) THE TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION IS COMPOSED OF THE F OLLOWING 24
MEMBERS: 25

(1) THE GOVERNOR; 26

(2) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; AND 27

(3) THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. 28
HOUSE BILL 1085 3

(C) ALL MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION ARE REQUIR ED 1
FOR THE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS BY THE TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION. 2

(D) (1) THE TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION SHALL APPOINT THE 3
INSPECTOR GENERAL WITHOUT R EGARD TO POLITICAL A FFILIATION ON THE 4
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO MEMBERS. 5

(2) THE TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION MAY REMOVE THE INSPECTOR 6
GENERAL ON THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO MEMBERS FOR: 7

(I) MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE; 8

(II) PERSISTENT FAILURE T O PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE 9
OFFICE; OR 10

(III) CONDUCT PREJUDICIAL TO THE PROPER ADMINI STRATION 11
OF JUSTICE. 12

(E) (1) (I) IN THE EVENT THAT THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR 13
GENERAL REMAINS VACAN T FOR A PERIOD IN EX CESS OF 180 DAYS, THE 14
TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT A REPOR T, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 15
2–1257 OF TH IS A RTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE 181ST DAY AND 16
EVERY 60TH DAY THEREAFTER UNTIL THE VACANCY IS FILLED. 17

(II) FOR THE PURPOSE OF CA LCULATING TIME UNDER THIS 18
SUBSECTION, THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL BE DEEM ED VACANT 19
FOLLOWING: 20

1. THE RESIGNATION OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 21

2. THE REMOVAL OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL UNDER 22
SUBSECTION (D)(2) OF THIS SECTION; OR 23

3. THE END OF THE TERM FOR THE INSPECTOR 24
GENERAL, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CONTINUES TO 25
SERVE UNDER § 7.5–103(B)(3) OF THIS TITLE. 26

(2) THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A REVIEW OF: 27

(I) THE ONGOING EFFORTS TO APPOINT A NEW INSPECTOR 28
GENERAL; AND 29

4 HOUSE BILL 1085

(II) THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE DURING THE VACANCY. 1

7.5–103. 2

(A) THERE IS AN INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE STATE. 3

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL BE APPO INTED BY THE 4
TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION. 5

(2) THE TERM OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS 6 YEARS, BEGINNING 6
JULY 1 AFTER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 7

(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL 8
CONTINUE TO SERVE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED. 9

(C) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MUST BE PROFE SSIONALLY 10
QUALIFIED THROUGH EX PERIENCE OR EDUCATIO N IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE 11
FOLLOWING AREAS: 12

(I) AUDITING; 13

(II) FINANCIAL ANALYSIS; 14

(III) BUSINESS MANAGEMENT; 15

(IV) PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION; 16

(V) CRIMINAL JUSTICE; OR 17

(VI) LAW. 18

(2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MUST BE CERTI FIED BY THE 19
ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS GENERAL AS A CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL OR 20
SHALL OBTAIN CERTIFICATION WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER APPOINTMENT. 21

(D) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS ENTITLED TO: 22

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

(2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL AND OTHER EXPEN SES THAT ARE 24
CONNECTED WITH THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. 25

7.5–104. 26
HOUSE BILL 1085 5

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

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SUPERVISE AND DIRECT THE OFFICE. 2

(C) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ESTABLISH OFFICE SPACE THAT 3
THE STATE SHALL MAINTAIN AND EQUIP. 4

(2) FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE SHALL BE AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE 5
BUDGET. 6

7.5–105. 7

(A) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY EMPLOY A STAFF IN 8
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET. 9

(2) STAFF EMPLOYED UNDER THIS SECTION: 10

(I) SHALL: 11

1. PERFORM THE DUTIES TH AT THE INSPECTOR 12
GENERAL ASSIGNS; AND 13

2. CARRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS THAT IDENTIFY THE 14
STAFF AS EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE; 15

(II) SERVE AT THE PLEASUR E OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 16
AND 17

(III) ARE ENTITLED TO: 18

1. COMPENSATION AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET; 19
AND 20

2. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EX PENSES UNDER THE 21
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 22

(B) FROM AMONG THE EMPLOY EES ON THE STAFF , THE INSPECTOR 23
GENERAL MAY DESIGNATE ONE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL AND ONE OR 24
MORE DEPUTY INSPECTORS GENERAL. 25

7.5–106. 26

6 HOUSE BILL 1085

(A) THE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SERVE A S ACTING 1
INSPECTOR GENERAL IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS TEMPORARILY UNABLE OR 2
UNAVAILABLE TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. 3

(B) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL GIVES THE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR 4
GENERAL WRITTEN NOTICE OF A TEMPORARY INABILITY OR UNAVAILABILITY: 5

(1) THE ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SERVE O N AND AFTER 6
THE DATE THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SETS IN THE N OTICE AND UNTIL THE 7
INSPECTOR GENERAL GIVES THE ACT ING INSPECTOR GENERAL WRITTEN NOTICE 8
THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS ABLE TO CA RRY OUT THE DUTIES O F THE 9
OFFICE; AND 10

(2) THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY NOT BE DE EMED 11
VACANT. 12

7.5–107. 13

(A) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL: 14

(I) RECEIVE COMPLAINTS O F WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 15
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION IN THE UNITS; AND 16

(II) ESTABLISH A TOLL –FREE HOTLINE NUMBER AND WEBSITE 17
THROUGH WHICH ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS MAY BE FILED. 18

(2) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RECEIVES A COMPLAINT UNDER 19
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL 20
DETERMINE WHETHER THE COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. 21

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL IMPLEME NT TECHNOLOGY 22
POWERED BY ARTIFICIA L INTELLIGENCE TO AUTOMATICALLY FLA G POTENTIAL 23
INSTANCES OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR 24
CORRUPTION WITHIN THE UNITS IN REAL TIME , INCLUDING UNUSUAL 25
TRANSACTIONS, DUPLICATE BILLING ERRORS, AND PROCUREMENT ANOMALIES. 26

(2) IF THE TECHNOLOGY IMP LEMENTED UNDER PARAG RAPH (1) OF 27
THIS SUBSECTION FLAG S A POTENTIAL INSTANCE OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 28
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL 29
DETERMINE WHETHER THE INSTANCE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. 30

(C) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL ESTABLISH: 31

HOUSE BILL 1085 7

(I) KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EACH UNIT; AND 1

(II) ANNUAL GOALS FOR EAC H UNIT TO MEET BASED ON THE 2
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS. 3

(2) IF A UNIT FAILS TO ME ET THE GOALS ESTABLISHED UN DER 4
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION FOR 2 CONSECUTIVE YEARS, THE INSPECTOR 5
GENERAL SHALL: 6

(I) CONDUCT AN EFFICIENCY RECONST RUCTION REVIEW OF 7
THE UNIT; AND 8

(II) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TRANSPARENCY 9
COMMISSION REGARDING MEASURES THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE 10
EFFICIENCY RECONSTRUCTION REVIEW’S FINDINGS. 11

(D) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DISCOVERS EVI DENCE OF CRIMINAL 12
ACTIVITY IN THE COURSE OF CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES UNDER THIS SECTION, THE 13
INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT 14
AGENCY. 15

7.5–108. 16

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL: 17

(1) MAY INVESTIGATE: 18

(I) COMPLAINTS OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, 19
ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION IN THE UNITS; AND 20

(II) POTENTIAL INSTANCES OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 21
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION FLAGGE D BY TECHNOLOGY 22
IMPLEMENTED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 23

(2) MAY CONDUCT AUDITS AND EFFICIENCY RECONSTRUCTION 24
REVIEWS OF THE UNITS; 25

(3) MAY PROCURE AND IMPL EMENT TECHNOLOGY POW ERED BY 26
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGE NCE TO FLAG POTENTIAL IN STANCES OF WASTE , 27
MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION WITHIN TH E 28
UNITS IN REAL TIME; 29

8 HOUSE BILL 1085

(4) SHALL COOPERATE WITH INVESTIGATIONS BY TH E UNITS OR 1
OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL AGEN CIES AND, IF A PRELIMINARY INV ESTIGATION OF 2
WASTE, MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION 3
ESTABLISHES A SUFFICIENT BASIS TO WARRANT REFERRAL , SHALL REFER THE 4
MATTER TO THE APPROPRIATE STATE OR FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS; AND 5

(5) IN CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES UNDER ITEMS (1) THROUGH (4) OF 6
THIS SUBSECTION , SHALL TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT A PERSON OR UNIT 7
SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE OFFICE IS NOT SUBJECT TO DUPLICATIVE 8
INVESTIGATIONS OR AUDITS. 9

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY NOT DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF 10
THE SOURCE OF A COMP LAINT OR INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER § 7.5–107 OF 11
THIS TITLE UNLESS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL: 12

(I) OBTAINS THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SOURCE; OR 13

(II) DETERMINES THAT DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTI TY OF THE 14
SOURCE IS NECESSARY AND UNAVOIDABLE DURI NG THE COURSE OF THE 15
INVESTIGATION. 16

(2) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DETERMINES THAT DISCLOSURE OF 17
THE IDENTITY OF A SO URCE IS NECESSARY AN D UNAVOIDABLE, THE INSPECTOR 18
GENERAL SHALL NOTIFY THE SOURCE IN WRITIN G AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE 19
DISCLOSURE. 20

(C) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL PERIODICALLY SHALL: 21

(1) REVIEW THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE UNITS; AND 22

(2) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE POLIC IES AND 23
PROCEDURES OF THE UNITS. 24

(D) A STATE EMPLOYEE WHO MA KES A COMPLAINT OR P ROVIDES 25
INFORMATION UNDER § 7.5–107 OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE 26
PROTECTIONS ESTABLIS HED UNDER TITLE 5, SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE 27
PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS ARTICLE. 28

7.5–109. 29

(A) A UNIT SHALL COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN 30
AN INVESTIGATION , AUDIT, OR EFFICIENCY RECONS TRUCTION REVIEW THAT IS 31
CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE. 32
HOUSE BILL 1085 9

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL R ECORDS, 1
DATA, REPORTS, CONTRACTS, CORRESPONDENCE, OR OTHER DOCUMENTS O F A 2
UNIT DURING AN INVES TIGATION, AUDIT, OR EFFICIENCY RECONS TRUCTION 3
REVIEW CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE. 4

(C) IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DUTIES OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, 5
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S DESIGNEE MAY: 6

(1) SEEK AND OBTAIN SWORN TESTIMONY; 7

(2) COMPEL THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES TO BE DEPOSED BY THE 8
OFFICE; AND 9

(3) COMPEL THE PRODUCTION OF RECORDS BY ISSUING A SUBPOENA 10
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. 11

(D) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ISSUE A SUBPOENA OR SUBPOENA 12
DUCES TECUM ONLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF A JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR 13
THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE OFFICE IS LOCATED. 14

(2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHAL L SUBMIT A WRITTEN 15
APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL SOUGHT UNDE R PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 16
SUBSECTION. 17

(3) A CIRCUIT COURT SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECI SION ON AN 18
APPLICATION SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION WITHIN 72 19
HOURS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION. 20

(4) A SUBPOENA ISSUED BY T HE INSPECTOR GENERAL UNDER THIS 21
SUBSECTION MAY BE SE RVED IN THE SAME MAN NER AS A SUBPOENA IS SUED BY A 22
CIRCUIT COURT. 23

(E) IF A PERSON REFUSES TO OBEY A SUBPOENA ISSUED BY THE INSPECTOR 24
GENERAL UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, THE COURT THAT APPROVED 25
THE ISSUANCE OF THE SUBPOENA UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION MAY: 26

(1) ISSUE AN ORDER TO TH E PERSON REQUIRING T HE PERSON TO 27
APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT TO SHOW CAUSE; AND 28

(2) AFTER CONDUCTING A HEARING, GRANT APPROPRIATE RELIEF. 29

7.5–110. 30
10 HOUSE BILL 1085

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ADOPT REG ULATIONS TO CARRY OU T 1
THIS TITLE. 2

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL: 3

(1) DEVELOP AN OPERATION S MANUAL THAT CONFOR MS TO THE 4
STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS GENERAL; 5

(2) MAKE THE OPERATIONS MANUAL AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON 6
THE OFFICE’S WEBSITE; AND 7

(3) PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR THE UNITS. 8

7.5–111. 9

(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, RECORDS 10
PREPARED OR OBTAINED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN CONNECTION WITH AN 11
INVESTIGATION, AUDIT, OR EFFICIENCY RECONSTRUCTION REVIEW CONDUCTED BY 12
THE OFFICE ARE CONFIDENTI AL AND NOT SUBJECT T O DISCLOSURE UNDER T HE 13
PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT UNTIL THE FINAL R EPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OR 14
AUDIT IS ISSUED UNDER § 7.5–112(B) OF THIS TITLE. 15

(B) IF AN INDIVIDUAL REQU ESTS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE PUBLIC 16
INFORMATION ACT AND THE ONLY COPY OF THE PUBLIC RECORD HAS BEEN 17
OBTAINED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, THE CUSTODIAN OF THE PUBLIC RECORD 18
SHALL CERTIFY T HAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS IN POSSESS ION OF THE ONLY 19
COPY OF THE RECORD A ND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL ALLOW T HE 20
INDIVIDUAL TO EXAMINE AND COPY THE RECORD. 21

(C) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO DIS CLOSES A RECORD PROT ECTED FROM 22
DISCLOSURE UNDER THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND IS SUBJECT 23
TO A FINE NOT TO EXC EED $2,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT TO EXCEED 1 YEAR OR 24
BOTH. 25

7.5–112. 26

(A) (1) AT THE END OF EACH FI SCAL YEAR, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 27
SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 28
§ 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 29

(2) THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL: 30

HOUSE BILL 1085 11

(I) DESCRIBE THE BUSINES S AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1
OFFICE DURING THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR; AND 2

(II) INCLUDE ANY RECOMMEN DATIONS REGARDING TH E 3
ACTIVITIES OF THE UN ITS THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CONSIDERS 4
APPROPRIATE. 5

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL ISSUE A FINAL REPORT ON AN 6
INVESTIGATION, AUDIT, OR EFFICIENCY RECONSTRUCTION REVIEW COMPLETED BY 7
THE OFFICE. 8

(2) THE FINAL REPORT ISSU ED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 9
SUBSECTION SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 10
§ 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 11

(3) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 12
PARAGRAPH, BEFORE RELEASING A FINAL REPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 13
SUBSECTION, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 14
THE UNIT THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE INVESTIGATION, AUDIT, OR EFFICIENCY 15
RECONSTRUCTION REVIEW TO RESPOND TO THE REPORT. 16

(II) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS NOT REQUIR ED TO PROVIDE 17
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESPONSE UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH 18
IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, 19
AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, A STATE’S ATTORNEY, OR ANY OTHER APPROPR IATE 20
PROSECUTORIAL AGENCY, DETERMINES THAT ALLO WING THE UNIT TO RES POND 21
WOULD JEOPARDIZE A PENDING OR POTENTIAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. 22

(C) A REPORT ISSUED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) OF THIS SECTION 23
SHALL BE POSTED TO THE OFFICE’S WEBSITE. 24

Article – State Personnel and Pensions 25

5–305. 26

Subject to the limitations of § 5–306 of this subtitle, a supervisor, appointing 27
authority, or the head of a principal unit may not take or refuse to take any personnel 28
action as a reprisal against: 29

(1) an employee who discloses information that the employee reasonably 30
believes evidences: 31

(i) an abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, or gross waste of 32
money; 33
12 HOUSE BILL 1085

(ii) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or 1

(iii) a violation of law; 2

(2) an employee of the Department of Juvenile Services who disclose s 3
information to the Director of Juvenile Justice Monitoring or staff of the Office of the 4
Correctional Ombudsman, including the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit relating to the 5
Unit’s duties under § 9–4014 of the State Government Article; 6

(3) an employ ee of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional 7
Services who discloses information to the Correctional Ombudsman or staff of the Office of 8
the Correctional Ombudsman relating to the Office’s duties under § 9 –4004 of the State 9
Government Article; [or] 10

(4) AN EMPLOYEE WHO MAKES A COMPLAINT OR PROVIDES 11
INFORMATION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE STATE OR STAFF OF THE 12
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RELATING TO WASTE, MISMANAGEMENT, 13
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION; 14

(5) an employee who, following a disclosure under item (1), (2), [or] (3), OR 15
(4) of this section, seeks a remedy provided under this subtitle or any other law or policy 16
governing the employee’s unit. 17

5–306. 18

Section 5–305 of this subtitle applies to a disclosure that is specifically prohibited by 19
law only if that disclosure is made exclusively to the Attorney General OR THE INSPECTOR 20
GENERAL OF THE STATE in the manner allowed in § 5–313 of this subtitle. 21

5–313. 22

(A) For purposes of this subtitle, the Attorney General shall: 23

(1) designate an assistant Attorney General to receive from applicants and 24
employees any information the disclosure of which is otherwise protected by law; 25

(2) investigate each allegation of illegality or impropriety; 26

(3) take appropriate legal action; and 27

(4) if the investigation concerns an allegation of illegality or impropriety in 28
the Executive Branch, submit a confidential report to the Governor that describes the 29
content of the disclosure. 30

HOUSE BILL 1085 13

(B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE 1
STATE SHALL , IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 7.5 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 2
ARTICLE: 3

(1) INVESTIGATE EACH COM PLAINT OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 4
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION MADE BY AN EMPLOYEE; AND 5

(2) TAKE APPROPRIATE LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION. 6

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Governor may transfer 7
positions and funds appropriated for the positions from agencies, departments, or units of 8
the Executive Branch of State government to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General 9
established under Section 1 of this Act. 10

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all employees who are 11
transferred to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General as a result of this Act shall be 12
transferred without diminution of their rights, benefits, employment, or retirement status. 13

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 14
October 1, 2026. 15