This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify that specific Maryland districting standards, such as compactness and equal population, apply only to state legislative districts and not to congressional districts. It also authorizes the General Assembly to grant the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction to review the state's congressional districting plan. Additionally, the amendment states that the Maryland Constitution does not provide its own criteria for drawing congressional district boundaries, leaving those decisions to federal laws. The measure would be put to a vote by Maryland voters in November 2026.
This bill withdraws and repeals specific sections of a previous law that proposed a constitutional amendment regarding collective bargaining for state employees. By removing these sections, the legislation effectively cancels the plan to alter the state constitution on this issue. The bill also amends the remaining part of the original act, which was contingent on the successful passage and voter ratification of the now-withdrawn constitutional proposal. This action is taken to prevent duplicate or conflicting legal measures from remaining in effect.
SB 426 modifies Maryland's Public Information Act to restrict public access to specific divorce-related records. It requires custodians to deny inspection of divorce applications, financial records submitted during proceedings, divorce settlements, and custody orders (Section 4-305.1(B)). However, it allows access to these records for the parties directly involved ("persons in interest"), their legal representatives, or individuals authorized by court order (Section 4-305.1(C)). The bill explicitly excludes final divorce decrees from public inspection (Section 4-305.1(A)). This change takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 2102 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace the current legislative redistricting process with a citizen-based Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Convention. This 188-member body would be elected by county voters every ten years to draw new state and federal district maps, subject to strict eligibility rules that bar current or aspiring elected officials, party staff, and lobbyists from serving. The General Assembly retains the power to challenge a certified map plan in court, but if no challenge is filed or the Supreme Court of Maryland upholds the plan, it automatically becomes law. Additionally, the bill mandates that every state legislative district for the House of Delegates must consist of exactly three single-member delegate districts.
SB 2102 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish an independent Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Commission, which would take over the process of drawing state legislative and congressional district maps from the General Assembly. The bill requires that all House of Delegates districts be single-member units and sets specific standards for map drawing, including prohibitions against considering political party affiliation or the residence of incumbent officeholders when creating boundaries. If the commission fails to adopt a plan or if the legislature rejects the proposed maps, the Supreme Court of Maryland would gain original jurisdiction to establish the final district plans. The legislation also mandates public hearings and transparency requirements for the redistricting process, with the constitutional changes subject to voter approval in the November 2026 general election.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify that Maryland's state redistricting rules apply only to the General Assembly, not to congressional districts. It would grant the General Assembly the power to allow the state Supreme Court to review congressional district maps and explicitly state that the state constitution provides no specific criteria for drawing those congressional lines. The amendment aims to resolve legal uncertainty by ensuring that state-level districting standards do not interfere with federal requirements for congressional representation. If approved by voters, the change would shift the legal framework for congressional maps to rely solely on federal law while leaving state legislative districts under current state rules.
This bill, titled the Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026, is designed to remove and cancel a duplicate proposed constitutional amendment regarding collective bargaining for state employees. It specifically targets Sections 2 through 4 of Chapter 156 from the 2026 Acts, withdrawing them from the legislative record and repealing their legal effect. Additionally, the bill amends Section 5 of the same chapter to clarify that certain provisions are contingent upon the successful passage and voter ratification of a related constitutional amendment in Chapter 155. By declaring itself an emergency measure, the legislation ensures these changes take effect immediately upon enactment without waiting for further procedural steps.
HB 862 requires railroad companies operating freight trains on tracks shared with passenger or commuter trains in Maryland to maintain a minimum crew of two people. This applies to most freight movement but excludes hostler service and yard operations for utility employees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per incident, with railroad companies held solely responsible for employee violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, contingent on similar legislation passing in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
HB 1151 requires the Maryland Department of Health to study whether reimbursing hospice houses for room and board services under the state's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) would save costs and improve patient outcomes. The study must quantify Medicaid savings per death from hospice care and analyze how reimbursement might reduce hospital deaths, emergency room visits, hospice readmissions, and increase hospice care duration. It specifically examines the impact of covering room and board expenses for hospice providers, as defined by existing regulations. The Department must submit findings to state legislative committees by September 30, 2026. This is a procedural study with no immediate policy change.
SB 448 authorizes Carroll County to borrow up to $27 million through general obligation bonds to fund public facilities, including water and sewer infrastructure, volunteer fire department equipment/buildings, and agricultural land preservation easements. The bonds, exempt from state and local taxes, will be repaid annually through ad valorem property taxes levied on county residents. Key provisions include flexibility for the County to set bond terms (interest rates, maturity up to 30 years) and use proceeds for specific projects outlined in a resolution. This directly affects Carroll County taxpayers through annual property tax increases and volunteer fire departments receiving direct funding for equipment and facilities.
SB 459 requires Maryland state government units to spend at least 50% of their total budget for print and digital advertising contracts directly with qualifying local news organizations. It defines "local news organizations" as entities producing original local content, employing full-time Maryland-based staff, meeting circulation or audience requirements (e.g., 33% Maryland audience for digital outlets), and disclosing ownership. The law excludes advertising for tourism promotion or employee recruitment. It applies to all state government advertising contracts starting October 1, 2026, aiming to support local journalism through government spending.
SB 898 requires Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program to reimburse applied behavior analysis (ABA) services provided by registered behavior technicians (RBTs) to Medicaid recipients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The bill prohibits the state health department from mandating a specific certification (e.g., from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) as a condition for reimbursement, except for a 150-day transition period during which RBTs must obtain certification. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with autism and RBTs who deliver ABA services under supervision of certified professionals, streamlining access to care without immediate certification barriers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies prospectively only.
