HB 755 prohibits cooperative housing corporations, condominium associations, and homeowners associations in Maryland from requiring sensitive personal information as a condition for accessing shared recreational areas like pools, playgrounds, or game rooms. The bill defines "sensitive information" as Social Security numbers, tax IDs, birth certificates, racial/ethnic origin, citizenship status, or religious beliefs - excluding government-issued photo IDs like driver’s licenses. It directly affects community associations and their members, unit occupants, and their guests or children who use common recreational spaces. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, ensuring residents cannot be denied access based on disclosure of the listed sensitive data.
HB 1125 establishes a workgroup to study home detention monitoring policies in Maryland, focusing on how violations (like absconding) are handled and the costs of monitoring systems. The workgroup, composed of state officials, law enforcement representatives, and community advocates, must examine these issues and receive annual data from the Department of Public Safety on home detention participants and violations, broken down by race, gender, and jurisdiction. The department must report this data by September 1 each year, including how often violations are reported to law enforcement or courts. The workgroup will then submit recommendations to the legislature by December 31 annually. This bill does not change current home detention rules but mandates data collection to improve oversight and inform future policy.
HB 814 requires Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services to submit an annual report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees by October 1 each year, starting in 2025. The report must cover the department's efforts to promote pre-delinquent programs (including youth service bureaus), collaborate with local governments on establishing these bureaus, assess bureau programs, and other youth offense prevention initiatives. This bill creates a new reporting obligation under Maryland's Human Services Article (Section 9-224) and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects the Department of Juvenile Services by mandating specific annual transparency measures.
SB 154 makes permanent the requirement that Maryland's Comptroller distribute $14 million annually from abandoned property funds to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund. This fund, administered by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC), directly supports legal representation for low-income renters facing eviction across the state. The bill ensures this $14 million distribution continues each year (starting fiscal year 2025) from proceeds of abandoned property sales under Commercial Law, replacing a temporary provision. It also terminates the related Eviction Access Task Force on a specific date, streamlining the program's operation.
HB 717 modifies Maryland's natural resources laws to streamline public land management. It exempts certain Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials and employees from ethics law restrictions when working with affiliated foundations, creates a new Land and Property Management Program to handle real property transactions, and allows DNR to establish foundations to solicit private funds for projects. The bill also changes how the Forest or Park Reserve Fund operates, permits the Governor to transfer Program Open Space funds to DNR under specific conditions, and updates rules for acquiring public lands. These changes primarily affect DNR staff, affiliated foundations, and state land management processes.
HB 893 changes Maryland's oyster fishing regulations by replacing license revocation with license suspension for certain violations. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to suspend (not revoke) oyster licenses for up to 2 years for first offenses or up to 10 years for repeat offenses involving violations like harvesting near closed areas, using prohibited gear, or harvesting outside time restrictions. The bill also creates a reinstatement process: individuals whose licenses were revoked before July 1, 2025, can regain their license after 2 years for a first violation or 10 years for a repeat violation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies directly to oyster harvesters in Maryland.
HB 808 requires landlords in Howard County to include specific details about the Columbia Association's annual fee in written residential and commercial leases. Landlords must disclose the fee amount, how it's calculated, and describe tenant rights under the Columbia Association's community rules. The bill also mandates that landlords provide tenants with copies of the Columbia Association covenants and governing documents at lease signing. These requirements apply only to properties subject to the Columbia Association's rules and take effect October 1, 2025.
SB 443 reclassifies transporting regulated firearms into Maryland for unlawful sale or trafficking from a misdemeanor to a felony. The bill directly affects dealers or individuals who move firearms into the state intending to illegally sell or traffic them. Key provisions increase penalties: violators now face up to 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both, instead of misdemeanor penalties. This amendment to Maryland's Public Safety Code (Section 5-140) takes effect October 1, 2025. The law specifically targets firearm trafficking networks operating across state lines.
HB 1464 creates a new registration process for rental car companies owning five or more vehicles in Maryland. It requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to issue special "FLEET VEHICLE" plates for these vehicles and eliminates the need for validation tabs. Owners pay an annual registration fee (as set under existing law) plus a one-time $8.50 fee when first registering under this process. The bill affects commercial rental fleets, not individual car owners, and aims to streamline registration for larger operations.
SB 37 requires investor-owned electric companies in Maryland to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission detailing all recorded votes cast by the company or its affiliates at regional transmission organization meetings. The bill mandates that companies report every recorded vote (including those not otherwise disclosed) regardless of whether the vote reflects a final position or the voter's authority. Reports must be submitted by February 1 each year covering the prior calendar year's voting activity. This transparency measure applies to all electric companies participating in regional transmission organizations, excluding municipal utilities, and takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 913 increases the maximum number of speed monitoring systems allowed on Interstate 83 in Baltimore City from two to four, making this authorization permanent. The bill amends Maryland’s transportation code (Section 21-809) to remove the previous 2026 expiration date and update the limit. It directly affects Baltimore City’s transportation authority, which would manage the placement of these systems on I-83. The key change is a straightforward increase in the permitted number of systems, with no additional requirements beyond existing local jurisdiction approval processes.
HB 1065 amends Prince George's County's Board of Appeals membership rules under Maryland law. It changes the requirement for board resolutions from "at least two members" to a "simple majority" of the full board, lowering the threshold needed to pass decisions. The bill also confirms that board members must be county residents, serve four-year terms, and that meetings must be public with recorded minutes. These changes directly affect the Board of Appeals' internal operations and its interactions with residents and property owners in Prince George's County who appeal land use decisions.
