SB 631
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
Senate Bill 631 (Senator Kagan, et al.)
Judicial Proceedings Health and Government Operations
Workgroup to Study and Implement a Statewide 3-1-1 Nonemergency Telephone
System
This bill establishes the Workgroup to Study and Implement a Statewide 3-1-1
Nonemergency Telephone System. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency
(MEMA) must provide staff for the workgroup. Workgroup members may not receive
compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for expenses. By November 1, 2021, the
workgroup must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the
General Assembly. The bill takes effect June 1, 2021, and terminates June 30, 2022.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: General fund expenditures increase by $175,000 in FY 2021 only, as
discussed below. Revenues are not affected.
(in dollars) FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Revenues $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
GF Expenditure 175,000 0 0 0 0
Net Effect ($175,000) $0 $0 $0 $0
Note:() = decrease; GF = general funds; FF = federal funds; SF = special funds; - = indeterminate increase; (-) = indeterminate decrease
Local Effect: The bill is not anticipated to materially affect local operations or finances.
Small Business Effect: None.
 Analysis
Bill Summary: The workgroup must:
 review the existing 3-1-1 services provided in the State;
 review the 3-1-1 services provided in other states and jurisdictions;
 review the best practices for implementing and providing a statewide 3-1-1
nonemergency telephone system;
 identify solutions to any limitations or feasibility issues with implementing or
providing a statewide 3-1-1 nonemergency telephone system;
 study and develop a plan for implementing and providing a statewide 3-1-1
nonemergency telephone system; and
 identify the appropriate State agency to oversee a statewide 3-1-1 nonemergency
telephone system.
Current Law: According to the Federal Communications Commission, the telephone
number 3-1-1 is assigned nationwide for nonemergency police and other government
services.
County Authorization to Establish a 3-1-1 System
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) regulations authorize a
county or multicounty system in the State to establish a 3-1-1 system to reduce congestion
on the 9-1-1 system. At a minimum, a 3-1-1 system must include the following:
(1) switching or programming to direct a 3-1-1 call to a nonemergency answering position;
(2) a 3-1-1 answering position that must be capable of immediately transferring an
emergency call to a 9-1-1 answering position or an adjoining public safety answering point
(PSAP), transferring a nonemergency call to an adjoining jurisdiction or appropriate
agency, and providing an individual with a speech or hearing disability access to TTY
services or who does not speak or understand the English language access to alternative
communication services; and (3) a 3-1-1 call taker trained to handle nonemergency calls
and to transfer emergency calls to a 9-1-1 call taker.
Maryland’s 9-1-1 System and the Maryland 9-1-1 Board
The State’s 9-1-1 system operates primarily through PSAPs. PSAPs are facilities that are
generally owned and operated by local governments. 9-1-1 specialists working within
PSAPs answer, redirect, and take action on 9-1-1 calls received based on the location of
the originating 9-1-1 call. State and local governments are preparing for “next generation”
9-1-1 technology that will allow PSAPs to access not only more accurate information about
caller location but also other information that will assist emergency personnel in
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communicating with callers and responding more efficiently. Legislation has been enacted
in recent years to, among other things, increase funding for the State’s 9-1-1 system,
provide additional training and oversight for 9-1-1 specialists, and make the changes
necessary to implement the next generation system.
The Maryland 9-1-1 Board (previously known as the Emergency Number Systems Board)
within DPSCS is responsible for administering the 9-1-1 Trust Fund and overseeing the
State’s 9-1-1 system. Its responsibilities include, among other things, (1) dispersing funds
to local governments from the 9-1-1 Trust Fund; (2) reviewing and approving or
disapproving requests for reimbursement of the costs of enhancing 9-1-1 systems;
(3) ensuring the inspection of PSAPs; (4) auditing counties to ensure that 9-1-1 trust funds
are being used for authorized purposes; and (5) establishing training standards for PSAP
personnel based on national best practices and related to Next Generation 9-1-1.
2-1-1 Maryland
The three-digit number 2-1-1 is the primary information and referral telephone number for
health and human services in the State. 2-1-1 Maryland is a private, nonprofit organization
that maintains an information and referral service network that is available to Maryland
residents via telephone and Internet. 2-1-1 Maryland offers 24/7 guidance in accessing
health, crisis, and social services. The Health and Human Services Referral Board within
the Maryland Department of Health provides oversight and guidance to the 2-1-1 Maryland
system.
State Expenditures: General fund expenditures increase by $175,000 in fiscal 2021 only
for MEMA to hire a consultant to staff the workgroup and develop the required report.
MEMA advises that it cannot absorb the workgroup duties with existing staff and
resources, as the agency does not have experience or expertise with 3-1-1 telephonic
systems. As the workgroup must submit its findings within a short timeframe, the
Department of Legislative Services concurs. Even though the consultant likely does the
much of the work during fiscal 2022, it is assumed that funds to hire the consultant are
encumbered in fiscal 2021. To the extent there is a delay in hiring a consultant, costs are
incurred in fiscal 2022 instead.
Expense reimbursements for workgroup members are assumed to be minimal and
absorbable within existing budgeted resources.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
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Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Montgomery and Prince George’s counties; Department of
Public Safety and Correctional Services; Military Department; Federal Communications
Commission; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 21, 2021
rh/lgc Third Reader - March 29, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 29, 2021
Analysis by: Thomas S. Elder Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 631/ Page 4


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Public Safety – Statewide 3–1–1 Nonemergency Telephone System: 1-301 Public Safety, 14-1101 Public Safety, 14-1102 Public Safety, 14-1103 Public Safety, 14-1104 Public Safety, 14-1105 Public Safety
Text - Third - Workgroup to Study and Implement a Statewide 3-1-1 Nonemergency Telephone System: 1-301 Public Safety, 14-1101 Public Safety, 14-1102 Public Safety, 14-1103 Public Safety, 14-1104 Public Safety, 14-1105 Public Safety