Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 277: Environment - Water Bottle Filling Stations - Requirement

HB 277 requires new construction and specific renovations to include water bottle filling stations - defined as fixtures for filling personal water bottles (at least 10 inches tall) that may combine with drinking fountains - starting October 1, 2025. It mandates these stations in all new buildings requiring drinking fountains under plumbing codes, when replacing existing drinking fountains in renovations, and when renovations require new drinking fountains. The Maryland Department of Labor must create implementing regulations, and the law applies only to projects under contract after July 1, 2025. This affects building developers, contractors, and public facilities subject to plumbing code requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

Dana Stein (D) Mary Lehman (D) Joe Vogel (D) Julie Palakovich Carr (D) Jamila Woods (D)

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 399: Natural Resources - Wildland Areas - Overhead Transmission Lines

SB 399 exempts three specific wildland areas (Big Savage Mountain, Bear Pen, and Dan's Mountain) from being designated as protected wildlands if NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic, Inc. obtains a certificate of public convenience and necessity for an overhead transmission line. The bill modifies state law to require the Public Service Commission to approve the project after a public review process that considers local government input, system reliability, economic impact, aesthetics, and environmental factors. This exemption would directly allow the transmission line project to proceed without the affected areas being subject to standard wildland protections.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 602: County Boards of Education - Special Education Service Delivery Models - Publication Requirement

SB 602 requires Maryland county school boards to publish online a list of special education service delivery models available for both public school students and children with disabilities whose parents choose private schools (not those placed by public agencies). This list must include all models used within the school system and those provided specifically to privately-placed students. The bill mandates clear online disclosure to increase transparency for parents making education decisions. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 929: Family Law - Permanent Protective Orders - Consent

HB 929 allows an individual accused of abuse to consent to a permanent protective order against themselves. This directly affects the alleged abuser (who can now agree to the order) and the victim (who may request it). The bill adds consent as a new legal basis for courts to issue permanent protective orders, alongside existing grounds like conviction for abuse or the victim's request. Any permanent order issued this way must mirror the original temporary order's protections and remains in effect unless the victim asks to terminate it.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 696: Public Health - Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients and Workgroup on Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Overstays

SB 696 addresses pediatric hospital overstay patients - children under 22 who remain in hospital beds for over 24 hours after being medically cleared for discharge or transfer. It requires hospitals to place these patients in the least restrictive setting possible, allows concurrent exploration of both in-state and out-of-state placements, and creates a Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator position within the Governor’s Office for Children. The bill also mandates the Maryland Department of Health to study residential treatment center and respite facility rates and expands the state’s mental health registry to include both private and public services. These changes directly affect pediatric patients, hospitals, and child welfare systems by streamlining placements and improving access to appropriate care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 809: Out-of-Home Placement Providers - Individuals Enrolled in Higher Education and Vocational Training Programs

HB 809 creates a temporary exception to standard child placement limits for foster care providers when a child enrolled in college must leave campus due to academic breaks, temporary closures, or approved leave. The exemption applies only if the child, foster care provider, and agency agree to the living arrangement. This directly affects youth in foster care attending college and their foster care providers. The law requires the state to update placement regulations by July 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 896: Real Property - Residential Rental Property - Pet Policy Disclosure (Pet Policy Transparency Act)

SB 896, the "Pet Policy Transparency Act," requires landlords of residential rental properties in Maryland to publicly disclose their pet policies. Landlords must provide a link to the full policy on the property’s website, in digital advertisements, and in rental search engine listings, plus include a written summary in rental applications. The policy must clearly state all breed/weight restrictions, fees (upfront, deposits, monthly), pet limits, vaccination requirements, insurance needs, and other landlord-imposed rules. This law directly affects all residential landlords in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 572: Anne Arundel County - Development Impact Fees

SB 572 removes restrictions on Anne Arundel County's authority to grant exemptions or credits for development impact fees. It allows the County Council to establish rules for exemptions specifically for not-for-profit entities operating for at least three years. The bill amends existing law (Section 17-11-215) to let the Council set exemption amounts, eligibility conditions, and application procedures. This change directly affects qualifying nonprofits seeking relief from development fees.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 375: Bicycles, Play Vehicles, and Unicycles - Authorizations and Requirements (Jay's Law)

HB 375 (Jay's Law) modifies Maryland's transportation code to allow bicyclists, riders of play vehicles, and unicyclists to ride on sidewalks or sidewalk areas unless prohibited by local ordinance. It requires these riders to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and users of electric personal assistive mobility devices when on sidewalks or in crosswalks. The bill directly affects cyclists, pedestrians, and local governments (which retain authority to ban sidewalk riding). Key provisions amend sections 21-1103 and 21-1202 of Maryland's Annotated Code, taking effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 658: Juvenile Services Education Board - Alterations

HB 658 modifies Maryland's Juvenile Services Education Board by allowing the Secretary of Higher Education and State Superintendent of Schools to appoint a designee to serve on the board instead of attending themselves. It also changes the membership terms to be staggered starting June 1, 2025, and reduces required board meetings from monthly to 10 times per year. These changes affect how the board is structured and operates, directly impacting the Governor (who appoints members), the Secretary, and the State Superintendent. The bill aims to streamline board operations while maintaining its focus on juvenile education programs in residential facilities.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 720: Natural Resources - Repeal of Somers Cove Marina Commission and Improvement Fund and Alteration of Operations

HB 720 repeals the Somers Cove Marina Commission and its Improvement Fund, ending the existing seven-member governing body. The bill shifts authority directly to the Secretary of Natural Resources, who will now approve leases, contracts, and staff employment for the marina. It eliminates the need for county and city appointments to the commission, instead authorizing the Secretary to set employee compensation and oversee operations directly. This change affects Somers Cove Marina’s management structure, moving it from a separate commission to direct oversight by the Natural Resources Department. The bill does not create new programs but alters how the marina is governed.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 1191: Family Law - Child Custody - Determinations

HB 1191 updates Maryland's child custody laws by requiring courts to consider specific factors when determining legal and physical custody. It strengthens protections for children by mandating courts to deny custody or visitation to parents with a history of abuse or neglect, and to prioritize safety arrangements if abuse is suspected. The bill also explicitly bars custody awards to parents convicted of murder (including out-of-state convictions) unless supervised visitation ensures the child's safety. These changes directly affect family courts and parents involved in custody disputes across Maryland. The law focuses on child safety and well-being, adding clear guidelines for judicial decisions without altering existing penalties or funding.

Bill results