SB 621 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public Safety - State Fire Prevention Code - Trash and Recyclable Materials

SB 621 amends Maryland's State Fire Prevention Code to allow trash and recyclable materials awaiting scheduled collection to be placed in corridors and exits under specific regulations. It requires the State Fire Prevention Commission to adopt rules incorporating two specific sections (30.7.5 and 31.7.5) of the National Fire Protection Association's 2024 Life Safety Code. These changes directly affect buildings and businesses subject to the fire code, particularly regarding temporary storage of waste materials. The bill does not apply to existing installations unless deemed a public safety hazard by the Commission.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Public Safety - State Fire Prevention Code - Trash and Recyclable Materials → Third - Public Safety - State Fire Prevention Code - Trash and Recyclable Materials · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was formally adopted as an emergency measure to update fire safety regulations regarding trash and recycling. The primary change reorganizes the code structure to explicitly allow trash and recyclables awaiting collection to be placed in building corridors and exits, provided they meet specific safety standards. This update clarifies that these materials are permitted in these areas if they follow the referenced National Fire Protection Association guidelines.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on public safety and fire prevention, but the applicability of the rules was clarified to explicitly permit the storage of trash and recyclables in corridors and exits under specific conditions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new provision explicitly permitting trash and recycling materials awaiting scheduled collection to be placed in corridors and exits.

STRUCTURE

Reorganized the legislative text to insert the new trash and recycling provision before the existing emergency clause, changing the bill's flow from a simple amendment to a structured code update.

TIMELINE

Added signatures for the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Delegates, confirming the bill has passed all stages and is ready for implementation.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

41–0

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 49

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic36

30 Yea 6

83% Yea

R Republican13

11 Yea 2

84% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 67

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 24, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (117-13-12)

house of delegates

Mar 21, 2026

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (41-0-8)

senate

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors