Maryland Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 972: Baltimore City - 40th Alcoholic Beverages District - Authorizations and Revisions

SB 972 authorizes Baltimore City's Board of License Commissioners to issue new Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses for four specific restaurant locations in the 40th Alcoholic Beverages District. It directly affects restaurants on: - The even side of South Carrollton Avenue (requiring a memorandum with Hollins Roundhouse Association), - The odd side of North Howard Street (with strict indoor service hours and no license transfers), - The odd side of West Baltimore Street (requiring a memorandum with Hollins Roundhouse Association), and - The even side of North Charles Street (requiring a memorandum with Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association). Key provisions include waiving minimum seating requirements for some locations, restricting service to indoor patrons only during specific hours (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and limiting alcohol offerings to patrons receiving barbering services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1326: Child Abuse and Neglect - Disclosure of Reports and Records

HB 1326 expands who can access child abuse and neglect reports in Maryland. It allows the Department of Human Services to disclose these records to school personnel (including principals and superintendents), child care facility operators, and higher education institutions when they need to investigate or take action against employees or contractors who interact with children. The bill requires safeguards to protect the identity of reporters and others whose safety could be endangered by disclosure. This directly affects schools, child care centers, and colleges by enabling them to address potential abuse concerns involving staff or contractors.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 746: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Collaborative Care Model - Cost Sharing Prohibition and Coverage Requirements

HB 746 prohibits Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance Program) and private health insurers from charging copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for services delivered under the Collaborative Care Model. This model integrates mental/behavioral health services into primary care through coordinated care, regular outcome monitoring, and specialist consultations. The law applies to all Medicaid recipients and covers services under private health insurance plans (including nonprofit health plans and health maintenance organizations) issued in Maryland, with an exception for high-deductible health plans. It takes effect January 1, 2027, ensuring no cost-sharing for these integrated care services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 999: Alcoholic Beverages - Class 9 Limited Distillery License - Alteration

HB 999 modifies Maryland's Class 9 limited distillery license rules. It allows license holders to produce, rectify, or bottle multiple brands of alcoholic beverages (instead of only one brand at a time) and removes the 31,000-gallon annual limit for manufacturing or rectifying products for other entities. This directly affects small distilleries operating under Class D or Class B retail licenses who hold a Class 9 distillery license. The bill maintains the existing 100,000-gallon annual production cap for their own products but eliminates the previous restriction on volume for other brands/entities. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 467: Maryland Child Care Credential Program - Extension of Funding

SB 467 extends annual funding for Maryland's Child Care Credential Program, directly affecting child care workers pursuing or holding approved credentials (like child development associate or administrator credentials). It revises funding requirements by mandating the Governor appropriate $4 million for fiscal year 2021, with 10% annual increases through 2024. Crucially, starting in fiscal year 2028, funding must be at least equal to the 2024 level, creating a fixed funding floor. The bill ensures ongoing support for credential holders through achievement bonuses, training reimbursements, or vouchers without altering the program's core eligibility or benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1300: African American Heritage Preservation Program and Maryland Commission for Women - Renaming and Alterations

HB 1300 updates Maryland's Commission for Women by changing how its executive director is appointed and clarifying the Commission's responsibilities. It removes the Secretary of Human Services' authority to appoint the director, stating the director will be a regular state employee (not a "special appointee") and receive standard state compensation. The bill revises the Commission's duties to focus on conducting studies, supporting programs, and advocating for policies that promote equality for women, including career development, violence prevention, and economic opportunities. These changes directly affect the Commission's operations and its executive director, effective October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 646: Public School System Contracts - Prohibited Provisions

This bill prohibits Maryland public school systems from including 10 specific contract terms in new agreements, such as clauses requiring schools to pay for others' liabilities without funding, mandating binding arbitration, or restricting the school's choice of legal counsel. If such terms are included, they are invalid from the start, and contracts must be enforced as if those terms never existed. The law applies only to contracts signed on or after July 1, 2026, leaving existing agreements unaffected. It ensures public school contracts comply with state law and protect school systems from unfair obligations.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 747: Condominiums - Unit Owner Responsibility for Damage or Destruction and Mandatory Insurance Coverage

SB 747 requires residential condominium unit owners in Maryland to maintain specific insurance coverage for their units, excluding detached units. The bill mandates policies must include at least $500,000 personal liability coverage, $25,000 loss assessment coverage, 12 months of loss-of-use coverage for alternate housing, and dwelling coverage for owner improvements (minimum $25,000 or repair costs). Condominium councils can purchase insurance for non-compliant owners and charge the premium as an assessment. Owners must provide annual proof of insurance to the council. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 521: Health Insurance - Material Changes to Provider Networks - Notification and Special Enrollment Period

SB 521 requires health insurance companies to notify patients in writing when a primary care provider or behavioral health provider is removed from their network, including the reason for termination and the right to continue seeing that provider for up to 90 days if the removal isn't due to fraud or misconduct. It mandates insurers to provide advance notice (60 days) to Maryland's Insurance Commissioner before terminating provider contracts that materially impact patient access, and to update their access plans within 5 business days after termination. This bill directly affects insured patients who rely on specific providers and health insurance carriers operating in Maryland. The key change is creating a standardized 90-day special enrollment period for affected patients to transition care, improving transparency during network changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 852: Higher Education - Scholarships for Correctional Officers

HB 852 expands Maryland's existing scholarship program to include correctional officers. It amends the Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agents Scholarship Program (now titled "Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarship Program") to allow current or future correctional officers to qualify. Eligible recipients must be Maryland residents or graduates of Maryland high schools, enrolled at an eligible institution (public university or community college), and agree to work as correctional officers for at least 5 years within 8 years of graduation. The bill does not create a new program but updates the eligibility criteria of an existing scholarship.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 865: Workgroup on the Affordability of Private Passenger Automobile Insurance – Extension and Alteration of Membership and Duties

SB 865 extends the deadline for Maryland's Workgroup on Automobile Insurance Affordability to January 1, 2027, requiring it to produce specific, data-driven legislative recommendations instead of further studies. The bill alters the workgroup's membership to add two nonprofit representatives with expertise in insurance rating practices and mandates focus on concrete solutions to reduce premiums and address geographic/racial disparities caused by factors like territorial rating. This aims to provide the legislature with actionable proposals to reform how insurance rates are set, particularly regarding rating practices that contribute to unfair cost differences across communities.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 866: Workgroup for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing - Extension

HB 866 requires Maryland's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to hire at least three specialized case managers who directly assist deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing residents. The bill amends existing law to mandate these positions, ensuring the office provides dedicated case management services to help individuals navigate support systems. It specifies that these case managers must focus on the unique needs of the three target populations, including coordination with state agencies and emergency services. This policy change formally expands the office's service capacity under Section 9-2403(b)(15) of Maryland law.