SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1986.

Approved May 27, 1986.

CHAPTER 668

(Senate Bill 434)

AN ACT concerning

Domestic Violence - Warrantless Arrest

FOR the purpose of permitting a police officer under certain
circumstances to arrest a person without a warrant if the
officer has probable cause to believe the person criminally
assaulted or caused apparent injury to certain individuals
with whom the person resides or formerly resided; providing
law enforcement officers making certain warrentless arrests
are immune from civil liability under certain circumstances;
battered the person's spouse: making technical changes; and
generally relating to warrantless arrests in cases of
alleged domestic violence.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 594B

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Replacement Volume and 1985 Supplement)

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

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

594B.

(a)  A police officer may arrest without a warrant any
person who commits, or attempts to commit, any felony or
misdemeanor in the presence of, or within the view of, such
officer.

(b)  A police officer [may, when he] WHO has probable cause
to believe that a felony or misdemeanor is being committed in
[his] THE OFFICER'S presence or within [his] THE OFFICER'S view,
MAY arrest without a warrant any person whom [he] THE OFFICER may
reasonably believe to have committed such offense.

(c) A police officer may arrest a person without a warrant
if [he] THE OFFICER has probable cause to believe that a felony

HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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