Maryland Office of the Inspector General - Establishment

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1449*

HOUSE BILL 1449
P1 6lr2935

By: Delegates Nawrocki, Arikan, Chisholm, Fisher, Grammer, M. Morgan, and
Szeliga
Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2026
Assigned to: Government, Labor, and Elections

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

BY adding to 17
Article – State Government 18
Section 7.5 –101 through 7.5 –112 to be under the new title “Title 7.5. Inspector 19
General” 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 22

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
Article – State Personnel and Pensions 24
Section 5–305, 5–306, and 5–313 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 27

2 HOUSE BILL 1449

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED 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) “ADVISORY BOARD” MEANS THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE 8
INSPECTOR GENERAL ADVISORY BOARD. 9

(C) “INSPECTOR GENERAL” MEANS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE 10
STATE. 11

(D) “OFFICE” MEANS THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR 12
GENERAL. 13

(E) “UNIT” MEANS AN AGENCY OR A UNIT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF 14
STATE GOVERNMENT. 15

7.5–102. 16

(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 17
ADVISORY BOARD. 18

(B) THE ADVISORY BOARD IS COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: 19

(1) THE GOVERNOR, OR THE GOVERNOR’S DESIGNEE; 20

(2) THE COMPTROLLER, OR THE COMPTROLLER’S DESIGNEE; 21

(3) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, OR THE PRESIDENT’S 22
DESIGNEE; 23

(4) THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, OR THE SPEAKER’S DESIGNEE; AND 24

(5) THREE MEMBERS WHO AR E PROFESSIONALLY QUA LIFIED 25
THROUGH EXPERIENCE O R EDUCATION IN AUDIT ING, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS , 26
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, OR LAW: 27

HOUSE BILL 1449 3

(I) ONE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; 1

(II) ONE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; AND 2

(III) ONE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. 3

(C) (1) THE GOVERNOR, THE COMPTROLLER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE 4
SENATE, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM FOR THE 5
TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS BY THE ADVISORY BOARD. 6

(2) A DESIGNEE OF A MEMBER IDENTIFIED IN PARAGR APH (1) OF 7
THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE INCLUDED FOR THE DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM. 8

(D) (1) THE ADVISORY BOARD SHALL: 9

(I) APPOINT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WITHOUT REGARD TO 10
POLITICAL AFFILIATION ON THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NOT FEWER THAN FOUR 11
MEMBERS; AND 12

(II) CONDUCT AT LEAST ONE ANNUAL MEETING TO REVIEW THE 13
PERFORMANCE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 14

(2) THE ADVISORY BOARD MAY REMOVE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 15
ON THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NOT FEWER THAN FOUR MEMBERS FOR: 16

(I) MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE; 17

(II) PERSISTENT FAILURE T O PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE 18
OFFICE; OR 19

(III) CONDUCT PREJUDICIAL TO THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION 20
OF JUSTICE. 21

(E) (1) (I) IN THE EVENT THAT THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR 22
GENERAL REMAINS VACANT FOR A PERIOD IN EXCESS OF 180 DAYS, THE ADVISORY 23
BOARD SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 24
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE 181ST DAY AND 25
EVERY 60TH DAY THEREAFTER UNTIL THE VACANCY IS FILLED. 26

(II) FOR THE PURPOSE OF CA LCULATING TIME UNDER THIS 27
SUBSECTION, THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL BE DEEM ED VACANT 28
FOLLOWING: 29

4 HOUSE BILL 1449

1. THE RESIGNATION OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 1

2. THE REMOVAL OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL UNDER 2
SUBSECTION (D)(2) OF THIS SECTION; OR 3

3. THE END OF THE TERM FOR THE INSPECTOR 4
GENERAL, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CONTINUES TO 5
SERVE UNDER § 7.5–103(B)(3) OF THIS TITLE. 6

(2) THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A REVIEW OF: 7

(I) THE ONGOING EFFORTS TO APPOINT A NEW INSPECTOR 8
GENERAL; AND 9

(II) THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE DURING THE VACANCY. 10

7.5–103. 11

(A) THERE IS AN INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE STATE. 12

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL BE APPO INTED BY THE 13
ADVISORY BOARD. 14

(2) THE TERM OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS 6 YEARS, BEGINNING 15
JULY 1 AFTER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 16

(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL 17
CONTINUE TO SERVE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED. 18

(C) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MUST BE PROFE SSIONALLY 19
QUALIFIED THROUGH EX PERIENCE OR EDUCATIO N IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE 20
FOLLOWING AREAS: 21

(I) AUDITING; 22

(II) FINANCIAL ANALYSIS; 23

(III) BUSINESS MANAGEMENT; 24

(IV) PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION; 25

(V) CRIMINAL JUSTICE; OR 26

HOUSE BILL 1449 5

(VI) LAW. 1

(2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MUST BE CERTI FIED BY THE 2
ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS GENERAL AS A CERTIFIED INSPECTOR GENERAL OR 3
SHALL OBTAIN CERTIFICATION WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER APPOINTMENT. 4

(D) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS ENTITLED TO: 5

(1) THE SALARY PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET; AND 6

(2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL AND OTHER EXPEN SES THAT ARE 7
CONNECTED WITH THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. 8

7.5–104. 9

(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. 10

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SUPERVISE AND DIRECT THE OFFICE. 11

(C) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ESTABLISH OFFICE SPACE THAT 12
THE STATE SHALL MAINTAIN AND EQUIP. 13

(2) FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE SHALL BE AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE 14
BUDGET. 15

7.5–105. 16

(A) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY EMPLOY A STAFF IN 17
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET. 18

(2) STAFF EMPLOYED UNDER THIS SECTION: 19

(I) SHALL: 20

1. PERFORM THE DUTIES T HAT THE INSPECTOR 21
GENERAL ASSIGNS; AND 22

2. CARRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS THAT IDENTIFY THE 23
STAFF AS EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE; 24

(II) SERVE AT THE PLEASUR E OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL; 25
AND 26

6 HOUSE BILL 1449

(III) ARE ENTITLED TO: 1

1. COMPENSATION AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET; 2
AND 3

2. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EX PENSES UNDER THE 4
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 5

(B) FROM AMONG THE EMPLOY EES ON THE STAFF , THE INSPECTOR 6
GENERAL MAY DESIGNATE ONE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL AND ONE OR 7
MORE DEPUTY INSPECTORS GENERAL. 8

7.5–106. 9

(A) THE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SERVE AS A CTING 10
INSPECTOR GENERAL IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS TEMPORARILY UNABLE OR 11
UNAVAILABLE TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. 12

(B) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL GIVES THE CHIEF DEPUTY INSPECTOR 13
GENERAL WRITTEN NOTICE OF A TEMPORARY INABILITY OR UNAVAILABILITY: 14

(1) THE ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SERVE O N AND AFTER 15
THE DATE THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SETS IN THE N OTICE AND UNTIL THE 16
INSPECTOR GENERAL GIVES THE ACT ING INSPECTOR GENERAL WRITTEN NOTICE 17
THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS ABLE TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE 18
OFFICE; AND 19

(2) THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY NOT BE DE EMED 20
VACANT. 21

7.5–107. 22

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL: 23

(1) RECEIVE COMPLAINTS O F WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 24
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION IN THE UNITS; AND 25

(2) ESTABLISH A TOLL –FREE HOTLINE NUMBER AND WEBSITE 26
THROUGH WHICH ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS MAY BE FILED. 27

(B) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RECEIVES A CO MPLAINT UNDER 28
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION , THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL DETERMINE 29
WHETHER THE COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. 30
HOUSE BILL 1449 7

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

7.5–108. 4

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL: 5

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

(2) MAY CONDUCT AUDITS OF THE UNITS; 8

(3) SHALL COOPERATE WITH INVESTIGATIONS BY TH E UNITS OR 9
OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL AGEN CIES AND, IF A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF 10
WASTE, MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION 11
ESTABLISHES A SUFFIC IENT BASIS TO WARRAN T REFERRAL , SHALL REFER THE 12
MATTER TO THE APPROPRIATE STATE OR FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS; AND 13

(4) IN CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES UNDER ITEMS (1) THROUGH (3) OF 14
THIS SUBSECTION , SHALL TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT A PERSON OR UNIT 15
SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE OFFICE IS NOT SUBJECT TO DUPLICATIVE 16
INVESTIGATIONS OR AUDITS. 17

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY NOT DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF 18
THE SOURCE OF A COMPL AINT OR INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER § 7.5–107 OF 19
THIS TITLE UNLESS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL: 20

(I) OBTAINS THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SOURCE; OR 21

(II) DETERMINES THAT DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTI TY OF THE 22
SOURCE IS NECESSARY AND UNAVOIDABLE DURING T HE COURSE OF THE 23
INVESTIGATION. 24

(2) IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DETERMINES THAT DISCLOSURE OF 25
THE IDENTITY OF A SO URCE IS NECESSARY AN D UNAVOIDABLE, THE INSPECTOR 26
GENERAL SHALL NOTIFY THE SOURCE IN WRITIN G AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE 27
DISCLOSURE. 28

(C) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL PERIODICALLY SHALL: 29

(1) REVIEW THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE UNITS; AND 30
8 HOUSE BILL 1449

(2) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE POLIC IES AND 1
PROCEDURES OF THE UNITS. 2

7.5–109. 3

(A) A UNIT SHALL COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN 4
AN INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT THAT IS CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE. 5

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL HAVE AC CESS TO ALL RECORDS , 6
DATA, REPORTS, CONTRACTS, CORRESPONDENCE, OR OTHER DOCUMENTS O F A 7
UNIT DURING AN INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE. 8

(C) IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DUTIES OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, 9
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S DESIGNEE MAY: 10

(1) SEEK AND OBTAIN SWORN TESTIMONY; 11

(2) COMPEL THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES TO BE DEPOSED BY THE 12
OFFICE; AND 13

(3) COMPEL THE PRODUCTION OF RECORDS BY ISSUING A SUBPOENA 14
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. 15

(D) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ISSUE A SUBPOENA OR SUBPOENA 16
DUCES TECUM ONLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF A JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR 17
THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE OFFICE IS LOCATED. 18

(2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL SUBMIT A WRITTEN 19
APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL SOUGHT UNDE R PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 20
SUBSECTION. 21

(3) A CIRCUIT COURT SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECI SION ON AN 22
APPLICATION SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION WITHIN 72 23
HOURS AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION. 24

(4) A SUBPOENA ISSUED BY T HE INSPECTOR GENERAL UNDER THIS 25
SUBSECTION MAY BE SE RVED IN THE SAME MAN NER AS A SUBPOENA IS SUED BY A 26
CIRCUIT COURT. 27

(E) IF A PERSON REFUSES TO OBEY A SUBPOENA ISSUED BY THE INSPECTOR 28
GENERAL UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, THE COURT THAT APPROVED 29
THE ISSUANCE OF THE SUBPOENA UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION MAY: 30
HOUSE BILL 1449 9

(1) ISSUE AN ORDER TO TH E PERSON REQUIRING T HE PERSON TO 1
APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT TO SHOW CAUSE; AND 2

(2) AFTER CONDUCTING A HEARING, GRANT APPROPRIATE RELIEF. 3

7.5–110. 4

(A) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MAY ADOPT REG ULATIONS TO CARRY OU T 5
THIS TITLE. 6

(B) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL: 7

(1) DEVELOP AN OPERATION S MANUAL THAT CONFORMS TO THE 8
STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS GENERAL; 9

(2) MAKE THE OPERATIONS MANUAL AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON 10
THE OFFICE’S WEBSITE; AND 11

(3) PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR THE UNITS. 12

7.5–111. 13

(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, RECORDS 14
PREPARED OR OBTAINED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN CONNECTION WITH AN 15
INVESTIGATION OR AUD IT CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE ARE CONFIDENTI AL AND 16
NOT SUBJECT TO DISCL OSURE UNDER THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT UNTIL THE 17
FINAL REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT IS ISSUED UNDER § 7.5–112(B) OF 18
THIS TITLE. 19

(B) IF AN INDIVIDUAL REQU ESTS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE PUBLIC 20
INFORMATION ACT AND THE ONLY COPY OF THE PUBLIC RECORD HAS BEEN 21
OBTAINED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, THE CUSTODIAN OF THE PUBLIC RECORD 22
SHALL CERTIFY THAT T HE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS IN POSSESS ION OF THE ONLY 23
COPY OF THE RECORD A ND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL ALLOW T HE 24
INDIVIDUAL TO EXAMINE AND COPY THE RECORD. 25

(C) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO DIS CLOSES A RECORD PROT ECTED FROM 26
DISCLOSURE UNDER THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND IS SUBJECT 27
TO A FINE NOT TO EXC EED $2,000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT TO EXCEED 1 YEAR OR 28
BOTH. 29

7.5–112. 30
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(A) (1) AT THE END OF EACH FI SCAL YEAR, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 1
SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2
§ 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 3

(2) THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL: 4

(I) DESCRIBE THE BUSINES S AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE 5
OFFICE DURING THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR; AND 6

(II) INCLUDE ANY RECOMMEN DATIONS REGARDING THE 7
ACTIVITIES OF THE UN ITS THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CONSIDERS 8
APPROPRIATE. 9

(B) (1) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL ISSUE A FINAL REPORT ON AN 10
INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT COMPLETED BY THE OFFICE. 11

(2) THE FINAL REPORT ISSU ED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 12
SUBSECTION SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 13
§ 2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 14

(3) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 15
PARAGRAPH, BEFORE RELEASING A FINAL REPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 16
SUBSECTION, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 17
THE UNIT THAT WAS TH E SUBJECT OF THE INV ESTIGATION OR AUDIT TO RESPOND 18
TO THE REPORT. 19

(II) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS NOT REQUIR ED TO PROVIDE 20
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESPONSE UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH 21
IF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, 22
AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, A STATE’S ATTORNEY, OR ANY OTHER APPROPR IATE 23
PROSECUTORIAL AGENCY, DETERMINES THAT ALLO WING THE UNIT TO RES POND 24
WOULD JEOPARDIZE A PENDING OR POTENTIAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. 25

(C) A REPORT ISSUED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) OF THIS SECTION 26
SHALL BE POSTED TO THE OFFICE’S WEBSITE. 27

Article – State Personnel and Pensions 28

5–305. 29

Subject to the limitations of § 5 –306 of this subtitle, a supervisor, appointing 30
authority, or the head of a principal unit may not take or refuse to take any personnel 31
action as a reprisal against: 32
HOUSE BILL 1449 11

(1) an employee who discloses information that the employee reasonably 1
believes evidences: 2

(i) an abuse of authority, gr oss mismanagement, or gross waste of 3
money; 4

(ii) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or 5

(iii) a violation of law; 6

(2) an employee of the Department of Juvenile Services who discloses 7
information to the Director of Juven ile Justice Monitoring or staff of the Office of the 8
Correctional Ombudsman, including the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit relating to the 9
Unit’s duties under § 9–4014 of the State Government Article; 10

(3) an employee of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional 11
Services who discloses information to the Correctional Ombudsman or staff of the Office of 12
the Correctional Ombudsman relating to the Office’s duties under § 9 –4004 of the State 13
Government Article; [or] 14

(4) AN EMPLOYEE WHO MAKE S A COMPL AINT OR PROVIDES 15
INFORMATION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE STATE OR STAFF OF THE 16
MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RELATING TO W ASTE, 17
MISMANAGEMENT, MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION; OR 18

(5) an employee who, following a disclosure under item (1), (2), [or] (3), OR 19
(4) of this section, seeks a remedy provided under this subtitle or any other law or policy 20
governing the employee’s unit. 21

5–306. 22

Section 5–305 of this subtitle applies to a disclosure that is specifically prohibited by 23
law only if that disclosure is made exclusively to the Attorney General OR THE INSPECTOR 24
GENERAL OF THE STATE in the manner allowed in § 5–313 of this subtitle. 25

5–313. 26

(A) For purposes of this subtitle, the Attorney General shall: 27

(1) designate an assistant Attorney General to receive from applicants and 28
employees any information the disclosure of which is otherwise protected by law; 29

(2) investigate each allegation of illegality or impropriety; 30

(3) take appropriate legal action; and 31
12 HOUSE BILL 1449

(4) if the investigation concerns an allegation of illegality or impropriety in 1
the Executive Branch, submit a confidential report to the Governor that describes the 2
content of the disclosure. 3

(B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE 4
STATE SHALL , IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 7.5 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 5
ARTICLE: 6

(1) INVESTIGATE EACH COM PLAINT OF WASTE , MISMANAGEMENT, 7
MISCONDUCT, ABUSE, FRAUD, OR CORRUPTION MADE BY AN EMPLOYEE; AND 8

(2) TAKE APPROPRIATE LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION. 9

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Governor may transfer 10
positions and funds appropriated for the positions from agencies, departments, or units of 11
the Executive Branch of State government to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General 12
established under Section 1 of this Act. 13

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all employees who are 14
transferred to the Maryland Office of the Inspector General as a result of this Act shall be 15
transferred without diminution of their rights, benefits, employment, or retirement status. 16

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 17
October 1, 2026. 18