HB 1126 establishes a one-year pilot program in Maryland's Department of Labor to connect unemployed individuals with overdue child support payments (arrears) to employment opportunities, including state government jobs. The program requires the Department of Labor to collaborate with the Departments of Human Services and Budget and Management to securely share participant information and implement procedures. It mandates a final report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2026, evaluating the program's effectiveness before its automatic expiration on June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects unemployed residents with child support arrears and state agencies managing workforce and social services. This policy change creates a structured pathway to address both unemployment and child support obligations through job placement.
HB 292 requires cooperative housing corporations, condominiums, and homeowners associations in Maryland to include specific reserve funds in their annual budgets and deposit those funds by certain deadlines each year. The bill mandates that governing bodies conduct initial reserve studies within specified timeframes (depending on the entity's establishment date and county) and update these studies every five years, including annual reviews for accuracy. It also requires entities to prepare detailed funding plans aligned with reserve study findings, ensuring funds are set aside for future major repairs and replacements of common property components. This affects all qualifying housing associations across Maryland counties, with implementation timelines staggered based on when the entity was established in Prince George’s, Montgomery, or other counties. The law aims to improve financial planning for long-term maintenance without changing membership rights or fees.
HB 865 modifies Maryland's process for transferring funds between the Catastrophic Event Account and the State Disaster Recovery Fund. It shortens the Legislative Policy Committee's review period from 15 to 5 days (for regular disasters) or 2 days (for federal shutdowns) before the Governor can transfer funds. The bill specifies that funds may be moved to the Disaster Recovery Fund only when the Fund's balance is depleted or when disaster costs exceed its balance. This directly affects state and local governments needing rapid disaster relief funding following natural disasters, catastrophic events, or federal government shutdowns.
SB 172 amends Maryland law to add the Secretary of Disabilities as a voting member of the Maryland Veterans Trust Board of Trustees, effective October 1, 2025. The bill changes the board’s membership structure from 11 to 12 members by inserting the Secretary of Disabilities as the sixth member, alongside existing cabinet secretaries. This procedural change directly affects the composition of the Trust’s governing board but does not alter the Trust’s funding, services, or operational policies. The bill was introduced by Senator Simonaire and referred to the Education, Energy, and Environment committee.
HB 475 standardizes definitions across Maryland transportation laws to ensure all uniformed service members (including those in the Public Health Service and NOAA) receive equal treatment under existing transportation benefits. It updates key terms like "Uniformed Services," "Service Member," and "Veteran" to align with federal definitions, replacing narrower state-specific language. This change ensures transportation rules - such as parking privileges or toll exemptions - apply consistently to all eligible service members, not just traditional military branches. The bill does not create new benefits but clarifies how current transportation policies apply to all uniformed services.
SB 596 amends Maryland's property tax credit law to create a new incentive for businesses investing in Washington County. It requires qualifying businesses to either: (1) invest $20 million in capital improvements and create 200 new full-time jobs, or (2) for new businesses, secure 2,500 sq. ft. of new/renovated space and hire 25 new full-time jobs within 24 months. The bill specifically targets economic development by raising previous thresholds (from $10M/$100 jobs to $20M/200 jobs) for businesses seeking property tax credits. This applies to both new and existing businesses expanding or relocating in Washington County, directly affecting entities meeting these investment and job creation requirements.
SB 293 requires every member of a Maryland county board of education to complete antibias training at least once during their term. The training must address reducing implicit bias, cultural awareness, and discrimination against historically marginalized groups including racial minorities, religious minorities, and others based on identity factors like sexual orientation or disability. It must be evidence-based, incorporate real incidents of bullying or harassment reported under existing law, and be separate from training required for school employees. The bill amends Maryland law to establish this requirement, effective July 1, 2025.
This bill creates the Maryland Collaborative to Advance Implementation of Coverage of Over-the-Counter Birth Control, requiring the Maryland Commission for Women to establish it. The Collaborative includes representatives from state agencies (like Health, Insurance Administration, and Budget), pharmacies, reproductive health organizations, consumer advocates, and health insurers. Its purpose is to study and recommend ways to improve access to over-the-counter birth control through pharmacy implementation, point-of-sale options, public health initiatives, and education. The bill directly affects Maryland residents who use over-the-counter birth control, aiming to strengthen existing coverage requirements established by the 2016 Contraceptive Equity Act.
HB 887 allows certified public accountants (CPAs) licensed in other states to practice in Maryland without obtaining a separate Maryland license, provided their home state's requirements are verified as substantially equivalent by NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) and they passed the Uniform CPA Exam. It directly affects out-of-state CPAs and their firms seeking to serve Maryland clients. Key provisions include eliminating fees, registration, and board notice for qualifying practitioners, while requiring them to comply with Maryland's disciplinary authority and laws. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 1547 requires applicants for barber and cosmetologist licenses in Maryland to complete a domestic violence awareness training. The Maryland Department of Labor will develop and administer this free, 1-hour training, which will be available both in-person and virtually. The training is designed to help licensees recognize signs of domestic violence, communicate with potential victims, and provide information on support resources. Additionally, current licensees will need to complete this one-time training requirement to renew their licenses.
This bill requires boat operators involved in collisions causing injury or death to immediately stop near the scene and remain until they provide assistance and information. For injuries, operators must give their name, address, and vessel ID to affected people; for deaths, the requirements are stricter. Violating these duties can result in fines up to $10,000 or jail time up to 10 years, depending on whether serious injury or death occurred. Operators must also report accidents involving property damage over $2,000 or death/disappearance within 48 hours to the state.
SB 228 changes licensing rules for insurance producers selling limited line credit insurance in Maryland. It removes the requirement for these applicants to pass a state exam and instead mandates that insurers provide their own training programs covering credit insurance products. Insurers must design comprehensive training, keep records of materials and participants for five years, and share these records with regulators upon request. This directly affects individuals seeking licenses specifically for credit insurance (not credit life or health insurance), simplifying the qualification process while maintaining oversight through insurer recordkeeping.
