HB 285 transfers responsibility for monitoring and security of Maryland's home detention programs from the Division of Correction to the Warrant Apprehension Unit within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. It directly affects individuals on home detention and changes agency oversight by requiring Warrant Apprehension Unit employees - instead of correctional staff - to supervise participants using electronic devices and direct contact. Key provisions include authorizing these employees to execute warrants, make arrests for program violations, and exercise police powers, while mandating they meet Maryland police training standards. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, implementing this structural shift in correctional supervision.
HB 287 modifies Maryland's lifetime sexual offender supervision requirements. It mandates lifelong supervision for individuals convicted of specific serious sexual offenses (like crimes against minors under certain age thresholds or repeat offenses), requiring conditions such as GPS tracking, restrictions near schools, mandatory treatment programs, and prohibitions on contact with minors. Violating these conditions can result in misdemeanor or felony penalties (up to 10 years in jail), with supervision continuing even after punishment. Individuals may petition for discharge after serving at least five years, subject to court review.
HB 378 creates a state income tax credit for parents or legal guardians who volunteer at their child's elementary or secondary school in Prince George's County. Eligible individuals can claim a credit of $20 per volunteer hour, up to a $500 annual maximum, based on hours verified by school administrators or county board members. The credit is refundable if it exceeds the taxpayer's state income tax liability for the year. To claim the credit, applicants must submit a form to their school's administrator (for nonpublic schools) or county board representative (for public schools), and the State Department of Education will provide the necessary application and certificate forms. This policy directly affects parents and guardians volunteering in PG County public or charter schools.
HB 418 requires all courts in Prince George’s County to provide remote audio-visual access for the public to attend bail review hearings, effective October 1, 2026. This applies unless a hearing is legally closed, confidential, or restricted by federal/state law. Judges may temporarily block specific parts of a hearing upon request from a party, witness, or attorney, but only if no overriding public interest requires disclosure. The bill directly affects Prince George’s County courts, defendants, attorneys, and the public seeking to observe bail proceedings.
HB 158 establishes a two-year pilot program within Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (MAP) to support pregnant and postpartum MAP recipients diagnosed with maternal hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy) or maternal diabetes. The program provides remote patient monitoring using FDA-approved technology (tracking blood pressure, glucose, weight) and clinical support from licensed nurses, dietitians, and diabetes specialists via participating managed care organizations. It allocates up to $600,000 for the pilot, requiring participating organizations to contract with technology vendors, train participants, and implement escalation pathways for urgent health concerns. The program aims to improve maternal and infant outcomes for high-risk participants, with findings reported to the legislature by 2028.
HB 199 updates Maryland's law to align with the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act, clarifying how property is distributed when two people die close together with no clear evidence of who died first. It establishes a 120-hour (5-day) rule: if someone cannot prove they survived another by at least 120 hours, they are deemed to have predeceased that person for inheritance purposes. The bill directly affects individuals inheriting property, joint owners (like spouses), and beneficiaries of life insurance policies where survivorship is key. It does not override existing wills, trusts, or insurance contracts that specify different distribution rules.
HB 112 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to receive Public Service Commission approval from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2030, to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment. It specifically clarifies that land used for "agrivoltaics" (solar systems combined with farming) must be assessed as actively farmland under Maryland’s agricultural tax program. This change directly affects community solar developers and landowners with qualifying solar installations seeking lower agricultural tax rates. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
HB 111 expands Maryland's legal definitions of "abuse" and "sexual abuse" under family law to better address child welfare concerns. It specifically adds "labor trafficking" to the definition of abuse and clarifies that "sexual abuse" includes acts like exploitation, incest, and sex trafficking, with detailed examples. The bill also explicitly defines who must report suspected abuse, requiring educators, social workers, counselors, and probation officers to report. These changes directly affect child welfare agencies, mandated reporters, and law enforcement handling abuse cases involving children under 18. The updated definitions aim to improve reporting accuracy and investigation protocols for child abuse and neglect.
HB 292 changes how Maryland counties and Baltimore City pay the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) for administrative costs. Currently, local governments reimburse 90% of costs for real property valuation, business personal property valuation, and information technology support, but the bill alters the payment schedule to four installments: 25% by July 1, 50% by October 1, and 25% each by January 1 and April 1. This affects all 23 counties and Baltimore City, which are responsible for these reimbursements under existing law. The bill does not change the reimbursement percentage but adjusts payment timing to improve cash flow management for local governments.
HB 550, titled the "No Kings Act," creates a civil remedy in Maryland for individuals harmed when federal law enforcement officers violate their constitutional rights under color of law. The bill allows victims to sue such officers directly, with provisions mirroring federal Section 1983, including awards for attorney fees and a 5-year filing deadline. It applies retroactively to cases arising since March 1, 2025, affecting both current lawsuits and future claims against federal officers. The law specifically targets violations of the U.S. Constitution, Maryland Declaration of Rights, or federal/state laws, while preserving standard legal defenses like qualified immunity.
HB 223 expands the mandate of Maryland's Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention to develop specific resources, tools, and educational materials related to firearm safety. The bill requires the Center to create content on secure firearm storage, extreme risk protective orders, suicide prevention, and other safety measures. It mandates the Center to consult with affected communities, state agencies, and experts when developing these materials and to submit annual strategic plans to the Governor and General Assembly starting in 2025. The bill directly affects the Center and its partners, including local agencies and community organizations working on firearm violence prevention.
HB 205 limits parole consideration for individuals convicted of specific sexual crimes (under Maryland Criminal Law §§ 3-602 or Title 3, Subtitle 3) to a single opportunity after eligibility. If a victim, family member, advocacy group, or representative objects to parole, it is permanently denied. The bill also requires removing any legislative testimony given by a convicted violent offender from the General Assembly’s website upon request by a victim or their representative, replacing it with a standard notice explaining the removal and a process for requesting the testimony. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
