Ch. 695                                        1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

heard on the record; requiring that a chief certify that the chief had no ex-parte
communications concerning a certain law enforcement officer before increasing a
penalty recommended by a hearing board; requiring that a chief state good cause
for increasing a recommended penalty of a hearing board; and generally relating to
procedural requirements before a chief increases a penalty recommended by a
hearing board requiring a chief law enforcement officer to take certain steps before
increasing the recommended penalty of a hearing board in certain proceedings
relating to a law enforcement officer; and generally relating to decisions of chiefs of
law enforcement agencies concerning recommendations of punishment.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,                                                                   

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments                                                                           

Section 731(c)                                                                                                                     

Annotated Code of Maryland                                                                                         

(1992 Replacement Volume and 1993 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                                         

731.

(c) The written recommendations as to punishment are not binding upon the
chief. Within 30 days of receipt of the hearing board's recommendations, the chief shall
review the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the hearing board and then fee
THE CHIEF shall issue his A final order. The chief's final order and decision is binding
and may be appealed in accordance with this subtitle. Before the chief may increase the
recommended penalty of the, hearing board, [he] THE CHIEF personally shall review;

(1)      REVIEW the entire record of the hearing board proceedings, shall
permit:

(2)      MEET WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND PERMIT the law

enforcement officer to be heard ON THE RECORD, SHALL CERTIFY THAT THE CHIEF
HAS HAD NO EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING THE FINAL ORDER, and
shall state [the reason] GOOD CAUSE for increasing the recommended penalty;

(3)      DISCLOSE AND PROVIDE TO THE OFFICER IN WRITING AT LEAST 10
DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING ANY ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION NOT
INCLUDED IN THE HEARING BOARD RECORD ON WHICH THE DECISION TO
CONSIDER INCREASING THE PENALTY IS BASED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART: AND

(4) STATE ON THE RECORD THE SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE RELIED ON
TO SUPPORT THE INCREASE OF THE RECOMMENDED PENALTY.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1994.                                                                                                                         

Approved May 26, 1994.

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