Agriculture - Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens in Commercial Egg Production - Prohibitions

HB 834 prohibits commercial egg producers with more than 5,000 hens from confining egg-laying hens in small cage systems (like battery cages) after a specific date, requiring them to use cage-free housing systems that provide roaming space and natural behavior enrichments. It also bans businesses from selling shell eggs or egg products derived from non-compliant farms after the same date. Small farms producing under 5,000 hens annually are exempt from these requirements. The law applies to all commercial egg production and sales within Maryland, with exceptions for medical research, veterinary care, and agricultural exhibitions.