BLOCKS AWAY from where George Floyd died under a Minneapolis police officer's knee almost a year ago sits a brick building with one side painted purple, decorated with sunflowers and the words, "You changed the world, George." That is not just an affectionate farewell. Since Floyd's death, numerous jurisdictions have passed measures that change how police operate, including laws requiring de-escalation, limiting the use of force and banning chokeholds. Most recently, on April 10th, Maryland's Democrat-dominated legislature overrode the veto of its Republican governor, Larry Hogan, to pass a police-reform bill. It repeals the state's Law Enforcement Bill of Rights, which afforded officers extra due-process rights for internal-misconduct investigations. Around 20 states have similar laws (Maryland's was the first), which often require that officers be informed of complaints and complainants before questioning, that they be punished within 100 days of any alleged misconduct, and that departments pay suspended officers' salary and attorneys' fees.
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