Maryland Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 513: Fire Prevention – Assistant Fire Marshals, Residential Rental High–Rise Property Fire Safety Equipment, and Fire Alarm System Technicians

SB 513 requires counties and municipalities to obtain State Fire Marshal approval before designating assistant fire marshals, establishing training and certification standards for these roles. It mandates that residential rental high-rise buildings (with floors over 75 feet above ground) install smoke detectors in interior public corridors by July 31, 2025. The bill also requires the State Fire Prevention Commission to adopt regulations governing fire alarm system technicians' qualifications. These changes directly affect building owners, local fire safety officials, and technicians.

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 1111: Alcoholic Beverages - Class 3 Wineries and Class 4 Limited Wineries - Bulk Wine

HB 1111 allows Class 3 wineries to purchase bulk wine directly from Class 4 limited wineries and permits Class 4 wineries to sell bulk wine to Class 3 wineries. This changes existing Maryland law, which previously prohibited these specific bulk wine transactions between the two license types. The bill directly affects wineries holding Class 3 or Class 4 licenses by expanding their supply chain options for bulk wine. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 1014: Mental Health Law - Danger to the Life or Safety of the Individual or of Others - Definition (Right to Treatment)

HB 1014 defines "danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others" for Maryland's mental health law, directly affecting individuals with mental disorders who might face involuntary admission. It specifies four concrete scenarios that constitute this danger: causing bodily harm, engaging in conduct leading to criminal involvement, inability to meet basic needs (food, shelter, medical care), or substantial deterioration in judgment that impairs treatment decisions. The definition requires a "substantial risk" considering the person's current condition and available history, replacing the prior standard. This change clarifies the legal threshold for involuntary hospitalization and emergency evaluations under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 721: Developmental Disabilities Services - Expedited Eligibility Determinations for Recently Relocated Individuals (Ralph's Act)

SB 721 (Ralph's Act) ensures that individuals with developmental disabilities who were previously eligible for services in another state can continue receiving those services in Maryland after relocating. It directly affects people who moved to live with immediate family following the death or incapacity of their caretaker in another state, provided they received community-based services there for 10 years and their family has resided in Maryland for two years. The bill requires the state Department to establish a 30-day expedited review process for eligibility and allows pre-residency determination of service needs. It mandates placing eligible individuals into appropriate service categories based on their prior state services, ensuring continuity of care without requiring full residency verification first. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 813: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

HB 813 authorizes Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications, starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to notify Medicaid recipients if it chooses to provide this coverage and mandates a report to the legislature by November 1, 2027, on implementation progress. This directly affects Medicaid recipients with obesity by expanding covered treatments beyond current scope. The program may use standard utilization management processes (like for other conditions) to assess medical necessity but is not required to offer the coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 74: State Procurement - Security Services - Contract Modification

HB 74 requires state contracts for construction or security services exceeding $2 million over three years to include a clause allowing contract modifications when statutory changes increase required compensation or benefits (e.g., new minimum wage laws). This directly affects large contractors working with Maryland state agencies on these projects. The bill mandates that any modified contract must first receive approval from the Chief Procurement Officer. It aims to ensure fair adjustments for cost increases driven by state-mandated changes, without requiring contractors to absorb unexpected expenses. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 4: Charitable Organizations - Charitable Donation and Tax-Exempt Status - Revocation (Keeping Charities Nonpartisan Act of 2026)

SB 4, the "Keeping Charities Nonpartisan Act of 2026," requires charitable organizations recognized by the IRS for tax-deductible donations to remain nonpartisan. It prohibits these groups from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates for public office. The bill authorizes Maryland’s Secretary of State and Attorney General to jointly revoke a charity’s tax-exempt status if it violates this rule, and mandates that the Comptroller and State Department of Assessments and Taxation must revoke related state tax exemptions. This directly affects Maryland-based charities receiving federal tax-deductible donations, requiring them to avoid political activity to maintain their tax status.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 195: State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission - Authority to Conduct Studies on the Use of Emerging Technology and the Workgroup on Gambling Prevention Technology

HB 195 requires Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to study emerging technologies to improve safety and transparency in gambling. Specifically, it mandates the Commission analyze security tools (like encryption and blockchain), monitor customer behavior for responsible gaming, and verify age/identity to prevent fraud. The bill also obligates the Commission to collaborate with Maryland colleges, foundations, or private entities for these studies and requires the Commission Director to participate in them. This law updates reporting requirements for the Commission to detail lottery revenues, expenses, and any needed legal changes. It directly affects the Commission's operations and the state's gambling regulatory framework, without altering existing gambling laws.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 89: Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education - Baltimore County Public Schools - Memorandum of Understanding

HB 89 authorizes Baltimore County Council to pass a local law granting the County Inspector General (IG) the same oversight authority over Baltimore County Public Schools that the IG currently has over county government departments. This would take effect starting in 2027, but only if the County Council enacts the specific local law. The bill itself does not create new authority but enables the County Council to establish it through a separate local law. The law would require any local law granting this authority to begin at the start of the next Inspector General's term, with the bill taking effect October 1, 2026.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 617: City of Frederick - Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems - Authorization

HB 617 authorizes the City of Frederick to use noise monitoring systems to enforce existing motor vehicle noise limits. The bill allows Frederick to deploy up to three fixed or mobile systems that automatically capture images of vehicles exceeding noise thresholds (by at least 5 decibels), along with decibel readings and license plate details. Before use, the city must post locations online and install visible signage, and vehicle owners can request reviews of issued notices. This directly affects drivers whose vehicles exceed noise limits in Frederick, with enforcement handled through the city’s designated official. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle code to add these specific monitoring procedures for Frederick.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 165: Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Implementation Dates

This bill requires landlords and property sellers in Maryland to ensure septic systems are inspected and pumped by licensed professionals before new tenants move in or property is sold. Landlords must comply by July 1, 2028, and inspections/pumping are valid for three years. Home sellers must include this requirement in real estate contracts starting July 1, 2028, with settlement delayed until proof of inspection and pumping is provided. Exceptions apply for transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. Property owners must also report failing systems to local health departments and confirm repairs.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 687: Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)

HB 687 (the PACE Act) protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents in Maryland from having their creative works (like music, poetry, visual art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. It blocks such evidence unless a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the creator intended the work to be literal (not fictional), it directly references the specific facts of the alleged crime, and it's relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes this protection for juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. This law directly affects artists facing criminal or juvenile charges in Maryland, changing how their original creative expression can be considered as evidence. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice