SB 7
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
Senate Bill 7 (Senator Simonaire, et al.)
Judicial Proceedings
Courts - Court Dog Program - Veterans Treatment Courts
This bill renames the “Court Dog and Child Witness Program” to be the “Court Dog
Program” and expands the voluntary program to any participating circuit court or
District Court location that offers a Veterans Treatment Court program.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: Potential minimal increase in general fund expenditures for the Judiciary.
Revenues are not affected.
Local Effect: Potential minimal increase in circuit court expenditures for counties that
elect to participate in the program. Local revenues are not affected.
Small Business Effect: Minimal.
Analysis
Bill Summary: The stated purpose of expanding the program is to provide a facility dog
or therapy dog to a veteran who is participating in a Veterans Treatment Court proceeding
or related court process or meeting in the State, including (1) a status review with a judge
or magistrate; (2) a meeting with an attorney; or (3) a meeting with a probation, pretrial, or
court case manager. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) must establish
applicable procedures, as specified. Participation in the program is voluntary.
“Veteran” means a person who served on active duty in the U.S. Uniformed Services, other
than for training, and was not dishonorably discharged or released. “Veterans Treatment
Court” means a court-supervised, comprehensive, and voluntary treatment-based program
for veterans.
Current Law: The Court Dog and Child Witness Program is a voluntary program in the
circuit courts of counties that elect to participate. The program’s purpose is to provide a
facility dog or therapy dog to a child witness in any court proceeding or other related court
process, as specified. AOC must establish the procedures that a party in a court proceeding
must follow to request that a therapy dog or facility dog (along with its handler) assist a
child witness. Participating circuit courts must adhere to the procedures adopted by AOC.
“Facility dog” and “therapy dog” are defined terms. Facility dog handlers and therapy dog
handlers must meet specified training requirements.
State/Local Fiscal Effect: General fund expenditures for the Judiciary may increase
minimally to the extent that courts electing to participate in the program require funding to
implement, maintain, and publicize the program. The Judiciary advises that the primary
program costs for the two original circuit courts in the current program are administrative
and associated with the recruitment of volunteer handlers with trained therapy dogs.
Expenditures in participating counties may increase minimally if the Judiciary requires
locally funded support from the circuit courts. However, because participation by counties
is voluntary and AOC has flexibility in developing and implementing any programs, it is
assumed that any potential expenditures are minimal and do not materially impact State or
local finances.
As of 2020, seven jurisdictions in Maryland are served by operational Veterans Treatment
Courts (Anne Arundel, Dorchester, Prince George’s, Somerset, Wicomico, and
Worcester counties and Baltimore City). In fiscal 2020, 133 individuals participated in
these programs.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: HB 186 (Delegate Malone) - Judiciary.
Information Source(s): Judiciary (Administrative Office of the Courts); Department of
Public Safety and Correctional Services; Department of Veterans Affairs; Department of
Legislative Services
SB 7/ Page 2
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 22, 2021
an/jkb Third Reader - March 10, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 10, 2021
Analysis by: Tyler Allard Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 7/ Page 3


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Courts – Court Dog Therapy Program – Veterans Treatment Courts: 9-501 Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Text - Third - Courts – Court Dog Therapy Program – Veterans Treatment Courts: 9-501 Courts and Judicial Proceedings