The Moore-Miller Administration is Making Maryland Safer

"Pushing back on violence is about accountability and action, yes – but it’s also about prevention, coordination, and strategy."
— Governor Wes Moore

The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to creating a safer Maryland for all. The Governor took an all-of-the-above approach to crime by focusing on supporting law enforcement, building stronger communities, coordinating across governments, and investing in Maryland's youth.

In 2024, the Moore-Miller Administration is committed to continuing the efforts and furthering its reach through budget and legislative priorities that create safer communities, address mental health and substance abuse, and protect Maryland and its residents.

Budget Priorities To Create Safer Communities

$127 million

In state aid for local law enforcement agencies.

$10 million

For the new Statewide Gun Violence Prevention Center.

$35 million

For Victims of Crime Act.

$4.4 million

To expand Thrive Academy, a gun violence prevention program launched through the Governor’s Safe Summer Initiative.

$12 million

In additional funds to the Enhanced Services Continuum and Community Investment Initiative.

Budget Priorities To Address Mental Health

a record $1.4 billion

in direct state support for mental health and substance use disorder programs.

$12 million

to maintain 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.

$3 million

to establish Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) programs in counties.

Legislative Priorities to Make Maryland Safer

The Victim's Compensation Reform Act (SB 471, HB 575)

Will modernize Maryland’s victim's compensation reform program to make sure that victims of crime get the support they need to recover. It is far too difficult and takes far too long for crime victims to get the compensation they are entitled to, and this proposal would make the process more efficient, remove unnecessary barriers to receiving compensation, and allow for rapid awards for immediate needs like funeral or emergency relocation expenses. Victim’s compensation is proven to both help families in their recovery from crimes and to prevent future crimes, and strong victim’s compensation systems can make it more likely that victims of crime will be willing to testify against perpetrators of crime. This bill will have broad support from victim’s advocates and state attorneys.

The Growing Apprenticeships in Public Safety (GAPS) Act (SB 470, HB 597)

Will focus on making sure that Maryland is training and supporting highly-qualified law enforcement professionals to protect our communities. Police Departments across the state are facing challenges in hiring and retaining officers. The bill proposes both short and long-term actions to help address this problem. First, it would reform an existing apprenticeship model for public safety officials with the goal of making apprenticeships a more viable pathway to law enforcement. Second, it would require the establishment of a model policy for law enforcement officer wellness programs, in order to ensure police officers receive the support they need. Third, the bill would establish a commission to do a deep dive into policies that could help recruit, train, and retain the next generation of law enforcement officers.

The Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention (SB 475, HB 583)

A new center that will be created within the Department of Health to consolidate and better coordinate our State’s public health approach to preventing gun violence. Gun violence intervention programs were pioneered in Maryland, but there is more work to do to ensure that they are adequately funded and informed by the best available data. This new office within the Department of Health will serve as a partner to local governments, advocates, and medical professionals engaged in the work of hospital- and community-based violence intervention programs.