SB 760 & SB 729, SB 0455 - Security Guard Requirements
Disclaimer: Laws change all the time. Do not depend on this text for accuracy. The following is not legal advice. Check with an attorney prior to making any legal decisions.
What is SB 0455
Synopsis: Maryland SB 0455 (Senate Bill 455, 2025) — Security Guard Agencies & Special Police Officers
Senate Bill 455 (SB 0455) amends Maryland’s Public Safety Article § 3–303 to expand who may apply for the appointment (commissioning) of Special Police Officers (SPOs). Specifically, the law adds Maryland-licensed Security Guard Agencies (licensed under Business Occupations & Professions Title 19, Subtitle 3) as eligible applicants, so they can seek SPO appointments to protect property owned or leased by the agency’s clients.
The enrolled chapter law is Chapter 16 (SB 455 of the 2025 Regular Session). It reflects a gubernatorial veto override on December 16, 2025, and states an effective date of October 1, 2025 in the bill text. However, the bill since the veto was overridden on December 16, 2025, according to the Maryland Constitution, the bill went into effect 30 days from the veto date.
Implementation guidance (attached Maryland State Police advisory)
The attached Maryland State Police Licensing Division advisory (LD-PLU-26-001, dated January 16, 2026) provides practical direction for agencies intending to employ and deploy SPOs under the new authority. It states that the veto was overridden on 12/16/2025, that the law allows licensed Security Guard Agencies to employ SPOs, and that it “becomes effective 01/16/2026” for Licensing Division processing purposes.
LD-PLU-26-001
Per the advisory, before any SPO applications can be approved, a Security Guard Agency must submit—and obtain approval of—an SPO designation request to the Maryland State Police Licensing Division. The request must be on agency letterhead and include: the business name and address, a lease/deed/contract for each property where the SPO will have jurisdiction, and photos of the SPO patch/uniform plus vehicle markings (if applicable).
LD-PLU-26-001 SGA's Employing S…
The advisory also emphasizes strict identity/marking rules: patches and vehicle markings must clearly say “Special Police,” and use of the Maryland State Seal or the words “State of Maryland” is prohibited by law. The designation request is submitted via email to msp.professionallicensing@maryland.gov
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LD-PLU-26-001 SGA's Employing S…
Finally, if the agency later acquires additional leases/deeds/contracts, those must be submitted to the Professional Licensing Unit before an SPO is authorized to work on the newly added property.
LD-PLU-26-001 SGA's Employing S…
Best practices reference
For operational guidance beyond the statutory change and MSP processing requirements, include a reference directing readers to MDSPOSA.com to obtain a copy of MDSPOSA’s Best Practices Memorandum (recommended for agency policy, supervision, training, documentation, and liability controls).
What is SB 760?
SB 760 (2023) was passed into law by the Maryland legislature in 2023 and was supposed to take effect June 1, 2025 (more on this later - See SB 729). The law basically established the following:
Unarmed bar security is exempt from this requirement.
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All security guards in Maryland, whether they work for a security guard company or directly for a private employer, must be licensed by the Maryland State Police licensing division. This requires completing an application, submitting fingerprints (from a LiveScan location), submitting photos, and paying $15.00 per security guard.
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All security guards are required to undergo a minimum of 12 hours of initial training and then 8 hours of in-service training every three years.
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All properties that employ security guards must carry a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance if they employ under 5 security guards total. If they employ over 5 security guards total, then they must carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
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All uses of force over that of a simple escort must be reported to the Maryland State Police licensing division.
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All armed security officers are required to have a handgun permit issued by the Maryland State Police.
You can read this law in it's entirety: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0760/?ys=2023rs
What is SB 729?
SB 729 (2024) changed several reporting requirements that apply only to medical facilities and their use of force reporting requirements. However, a major change to SB760 was the effective date. This pushed back the effective date of SB 760 to January 1, 2025 instead of June 1, 2024 as it was originally written and passed. The Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, signed this into law on May 16, 2024.
You can read about it here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0729
FAQs
I want to start a security guard or private detective company, is there any licensing that I need to get?
Yes. You are required to be licensed by the Maryland State Police licensing division. Generally, you must have 5 prior years in law enforcement or investigations in order to become licensed. The license also requires that you carry a minimum of liability insurance. Members of MISA enjoy the assistance of other members who can help you achieve your goals. We also offer online training, networking, and much more.
More information on how to become licensed as a security guard agency can be found here: https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/ProfessionalLicenses/SecurityGuard.aspx
More information on how to become a licensed private detective agency can be found here: https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/ProfessionalLicenses/SecurityGuard.aspx
I have in house security, not a contract company, do the regulations apply to my security guards?
Yes.
I have an event coming up and I have hired personnel to provide security/an agency to provide security, do these regulations apply to me?
Yes. All of the regulations under SB760 apply to all persons who are rendering any type of security guard function, this includes "Event Staff" or any other euphemism. Moreover, if if you are hiring a contract security company, each security officer must be licensed individually and must be carrying their Maryland security clearance card with them. If not, this can be a serious liability problem.
What happens if I don't comply with the regulations or I hire unlicensed security guards or hire an agency that provides me with unlicensed security guards?
You may have a serious liability problem. Even if you have vetted your contract security agency to ensure that they are licensed and have proper insurance, you should check to see if each individual security officer has a license. If not, then you may inherit vicarious liability. If an unlicensed security guard commits an assault or other crime or has a criminal record and it is discovered, civil attorneys will go for deep pockets which means that anyone connected with an unlicensed security guard may be liable. DO NOT rely on the agency to advise you that the personnel you have on site are licensed, CHECK to make sure they have their license with them.
Does MISA provide security consulting?
No, but many of our members do. We can provide guidance on adherence to regulations and guidance on obtaining licensing.
I own a business but I employ my own security guards, do I need to get a security company license?
No. However, after January 1, 2025, all of your security guards must be licensed and trained, as seen above.
I want to become a security guard or private detective, how do I go about it?
You must apply to an agency or business that will employ you as a security guard. After January 1, 2025 you will be required to take an initial 12 hour class to become certified. You can obtain your own private detective license if you have been in law enforcement or investigations over five years. Currently, you can only obtain a security guard certification if you work for a security guard agency. As stated, this will change after January 1, 2025.
What is a Special Police Officer (SPO)?
A special police officer is a commissioned officer who works directly for the property where he/she is licensed. Special police officers are required to complete an 80-hour initial course and must go through licensing with the Maryland State Police. Special police officers have arrest powers on the private property where they are assigned. You can take the course in advance of being employed but will not be commissioned until you complete the application working for the property or security agency that has registered the property with MSP and they endorse your application.
Can I work for a security guard company and be a special police officer?
Yes, now it is authorized by SB 0455. You can be a special police officer commissioned to work AT the location that the security guard company has authorized you for THROUGH MSP clearance, but you cannot be a special police officer and work multiple locations for the security guard agency as a contract special police officer at multiple properties unless the security guard agency has multiple authorizations from MSP. In other words, you cannot be "rented out" as a special police officer to clients of a security guard company. You cannot represent yourself as a special police officer when you are off the property where you are licensed to be an SPO. Special police officers in Maryland must work directly for the or security agency as their employer, which means typically that they are W2 employees of that property.
How do I know if a security guard company is licensed? Can I hire an unlicensed security guard company?
Checking to see if a security guard company is essential because it limits your liability as a property owner. Unlicensed security guard companies are operating outside of the law and regulations therefore, any actions they may take while under your employ can constitute criminal and civil action against you as the property owner or management company.
The best way to check if a company is licensed is to ask to see their license. They should have a document issued by the Maryland State Police with a license number. Then you can write an email to msp.securityguard@maryland.gov to check to see if the license is still in force. To check on investigation agencies you can write an email to msp.privatedetective@maryland.gov.
There is a list of licensed agencies however, it is not updated regularly. To access an active list of Security Guard Agencies please CLICK HERE.
What happens if I find an unlicensed agency?