Maryland Bills

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 900: Legislative Scholarship Programs - Eligibility and Use - Real Estate Appraisal Program

This bill modifies Maryland's legislative scholarship programs to exempt certain applicants from competitive examination requirements and to allow scholarship funds to be used for real estate appraisal training. Specifically, it removes the exam requirement for students who have completed at least one year at an eligible institution, those who graduated high school five years prior, applicants to approved private career colleges, and community college students. Additionally, it authorizes senatorial and Delegate scholarships to cover expenses for completing the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria program. The changes apply to both new scholarship applications and the existing scholarship programs, affecting current and future recipients who meet the specified eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Education

Joe Vogel (D) Charlotte Crutchfield (D) Stephanie Smith (D) Jamila Woods (D) Sean Stinnett (D)

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 895: Public Safety - Department of State Police - School Mapping Data Program

SB 895 transfers oversight of Maryland's school mapping data program from the Center to the Department of State Police. It requires public safety agencies producing school mapping data to meet specific technical standards, including compatibility with emergency response software, true north orientation, detailed building/grounds labeling (like hazard locations and room numbers), and verification via physical walkthroughs. The bill also modifies funding rules to allow the Safe Schools Fund to support this mapping program, previously restricted to other safety initiatives. This affects all local school systems required to create standardized digital maps for emergency responders.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1605: Compensation for Individuals Erroneously Convicted - County Cost-Sharing - Repeal

HB 1605 repeals a provision requiring counties to pay 50% of compensation costs for individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. Currently, counties covered half the state's compensation payments under Maryland law; this bill shifts the full financial responsibility to the state. The change directly affects wrongly convicted individuals (who continue to receive full compensation) and county governments (which no longer bear 50% of the costs). The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter the compensation calculation or benefits provided to affected individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1242: Transportation of Persons With Disabilities - Transportation Network Companies - Requirements

HB 1242 modifies requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs), like ride-sharing services, that contract with Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to provide transit specifically for people with disabilities. The bill removes two existing requirements: mandatory national criminal history checks (including sex offender registry and nationwide database searches) and a required employee training course on disability accommodations. Instead, it mandates that these TNCs conduct annual background screenings for all drivers providing disability transit services. This change directly affects TNCs under MTA contracts facilitating disability transportation, while maintaining background screening obligations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 922: Behavioral Health Administration - Behavioral Health Program Relocation - Regulations

HB 922 requires the Behavioral Health Administration to update regulations to simplify the relocation process for existing behavioral health programs seeking to move to new locations. The bill adds specific provisions including an expedited approval process separate from new program applications, allowing programs to reuse unchanged prior documentation, and permitting temporary practice at a new site once life safety standards are met. It also mandates the Administration to consider a program’s past regulatory compliance to streamline reviews and establish clear timelines for relocation approvals. This change directly affects behavioral health programs needing to relocate and the Behavioral Health Administration, which must implement these rules by October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1144: Child Support - Adjusted Actual Income - Definition

HB 1144 modifies Maryland's child support guidelines by revising the definition of "adjusted actual income" to include a new deduction for parents supporting children who live with them part-time. Specifically, it allows subtracting an allowance for each child residing in the parent's home for at least 92 nights annually (25% of the year), calculated as 75% of the basic support amount for that child. This change directly affects parents paying child support who have children living with them for significant periods, altering how courts calculate their adjusted income. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and aims to better reflect the financial impact of shared custody arrangements on support obligations.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 875: Public Safety - Distribution of Literature to Purchasers of Firearms and Ammunition

HB 875 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and distribute literature on firearm safety, training, suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and conflict resolution to all county health departments. County health departments must then provide this literature to all firearm and ammunition sellers within their jurisdiction. Sellers must display the materials visibly at point-of-sale and distribute them to every customer purchasing firearms or ammunition. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for first offenses and $1,000 for repeat offenses, with the law taking effect October 1, 2026.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 986: Nurse Licensure - Educational Requirements - Enforcement

HB 986 requires nursing license applicants (both new and those seeking endorsement) to provide evidence that their nursing education meets Maryland's standards, including official transcripts. It directly affects registered nurses and licensed practical nurses applying for or renewing licenses in Maryland. The bill adds a new provision (§ 8-316(a)(37)) allowing the State Board of Nursing to take disciplinary action - such as reprimands, probation, suspension, or revocation - against licensees who fail to complete required educational standards. This clarifies the Board’s authority to enforce education requirements, including investigating applicants' qualifications and taking disciplinary steps for non-compliance. The bill amends existing sections of Maryland’s Health Occupations law and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1169: Howard County - Highways - Speed Limits Ho. Co. 8-26

Howard County would gain authority to lower speed limits on county highways to a minimum of 15 mph after conducting a traffic and engineering study. The bill prohibits Howard County from implementing new speed monitoring systems (like cameras) to enforce these reduced limits on affected highways. This specifically applies to Howard County highways where speed limits were decreased under this law, with no changes to existing limits for other jurisdictions. The bill modifies Maryland’s transportation code to establish these requirements for Howard County only.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1004: Public Health - Prohibited Ingredients in Food

HB 1004 prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale in Maryland of food containing specific ingredients, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red 3 dye. It also bans any food ingredient prohibited by federal law under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. The law applies directly to food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors operating in Maryland. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties of up to $10,000 or one year in jail for first offenses, with higher penalties for repeat violations. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1042: Health Occupations - Structural Racism Training - Funding Sources

HB 1042 requires structural racism training for health occupations (like nurses) to be funded through external sources, such as grants, so the state does not bear the cost. It specifically references a grant from the American Nurses Association to the Maryland Nurses Association as an example funding source. The bill clarifies that this training must be offered at no cost to the state, amending prior law to emphasize external funding. The requirement takes effect June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 931: Health Care Facilities - Nursing Homes - Medical Director Requirements

HB 931 requires nursing homes in Maryland to designate physicians as medical directors who either hold a specific certification (CMD from PALTMED) or are actively working toward it. The bill directly affects nursing homes (which must comply with the certification requirement) and physicians serving in medical director roles (who must meet the certification standard). Key provisions include mandating the Maryland Department of Health to create a public online directory listing all nursing home medical directors with their credentials and certification status, and setting a deadline of September 30, 2028, for current medical directors to obtain certification. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results