Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1198: Civil Actions - Coerced Debt - Debtor Protections

HB 1198 creates new protections for debtors who incurred debt through coercion (such as fraud, domestic abuse, human trafficking, or exploitation). It requires debtors to provide creditors with written notice and "adequate documentation" (like police reports or court orders) proving the debt was coerced, after which creditors must immediately stop collection efforts. Creditors must confirm receipt of the notice, inform credit bureaus the debt is disputed, and wait at least 40 days before resuming collection if they choose to do so. The bill applies to all debtors in Maryland who face such coerced debts, excluding debts secured by real property.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1163: Howard County - Voting Age - Board of Education Elections Ho. Co. 5-26

HB 1163 would lower the voting age for Howard County Board of Education elections from 18 to 16 years old. It proposes a constitutional amendment and amends election law to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote specifically in school board elections within Howard County. The bill requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election to take effect. This change would directly affect Howard County residents aged 16-17 who are otherwise eligible to vote (citizens, registered, and residents). It does not apply to other elections or counties.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1293: Behavioral Health Programs - Residents at Inpatient Facilities - Sex Offender Registry Compliance

HB 1293 requires behavioral health programs (like mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities) operating inpatient facilities to verify if residents are required to register under Maryland’s sex offender registry. Specifically, facilities must ask residents directly about registration status and confirm if they are listed on the registry. If a resident is required to register, facilities must help them comply by informing them of legal obligations, coordinating with authorities, and documenting these efforts. Non-compliance can result in fines up to $10,000 per violation or licensing penalties for repeated failures.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1413: Maryland Department of Planning - District of Columbia Retrocession - Study

HB 1413 requires Maryland's Department of Planning to study the feasibility of returning the District of Columbia to Maryland (excluding federal buildings like the Capitol and White House), focusing on economic and fiscal impacts. The study must analyze how retrocession would affect state tax revenues, infrastructure costs (including transit and schools), debt obligations, and integration challenges with Maryland laws. It mandates consultation with Maryland agencies, DC government, and local counties, with a report due by December 1, 2026. This bill does not change laws or implement retrocession - it only directs a study to assess potential outcomes. The study would directly inform Maryland policymakers but would not affect DC residents or businesses until a future legislative action.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1323: Health Care Decisions Act - Surrogate Decision Making - Hospital Surrogate Committee

HB 1323 requires hospitals in Maryland to establish a "surrogate committee" to make treatment decisions for patients who cannot make their own health care choices and have no available legal surrogate or advance directive. The committee must include a physician (not treating the patient), a nurse, a social worker or clergy member, a patient advisory committee member, an independent patient advocate, and community members with lived experience. Committees must complete mandatory training on bioethics, confidentiality, and implicit bias, and hospitals must report annual usage data to state health officials. This law directly affects unrepresented hospitalized patients who lack decision-making capacity and clear treatment preferences.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1481: Tissue Banks and Hospitals - Autologous and Directed Blood Donations

HB 1481 prevents hospitals and tissue banks from denying physician-ordered autologous (patient's own blood) or directed (designated donor) blood donations solely due to internal policies, provided all safety and regulatory requirements are met. It requires healthcare facilities to allow these donations for planned medical procedures if the treating physician deems them medically appropriate. Facilities may only refuse such requests when medical, logistical, or regulatory constraints make compliance impossible. The bill also mandates that hospitals provide clear information about blood donation options to patients, consistent with informed consent standards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1468: Hospitals - Patients in Active Labor - Safe Discharge Labor Plans

HB 1468 requires hospitals in Maryland to create a written "safe discharge labor plan" before discharging or transferring any patient in active labor (defined as a pregnant person showing labor signs per medical standards). The plan must include clinical justification for the discharge, travel safety assessment, a plain-language explanation of risks and warning signs, and proof the patient understands the plan. Hospitals must maintain these records for 21 years, provide annual staff training on maternal care and patient communication, and prominently post patient rights in labor departments. The bill also mandates annual reports to the health department tracking discharge practices and any adverse outcomes following discharge.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1536: Maryland Enforcement Limits and Transparency (MELT) Act

HB 1536, the Maryland Enforcement Limits and Transparency (MELT) Act, prohibits state and local government entities, including sheriffs and contractors, from voluntarily aiding immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant or legal requirement. It requires these entities to document all interactions with immigration authorities, maintain records for five years, and notify individuals whose information was shared. Victims harmed by violations can sue for damages, while the Attorney General can investigate, publish findings, and refer cases to licensing authorities. The law also allows state procurement agencies to terminate contracts with violators and licensing bodies to sanction licensees who breach the act.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1328: Public Safety - Department of State Police - School Mapping Data Program

HB 1328 transfers oversight of Maryland's school emergency response mapping program from its current location to the Department of State Police. It requires public safety agencies producing school mapping data to meet specific standards, including compatibility with emergency software, true north orientation, aerial imagery overlays, and detailed labeling of hazards, utilities, and emergency equipment. The bill allows the School Safety Subcabinet to fund this work using the Safe Schools Fund, replacing prior funding mechanisms. This directly affects local school systems and public safety agencies responsible for creating and maintaining these emergency response maps for all public schools.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1288: County Boards of Education - Appointed Members in Leadership Positions - Prohibition

HB 1288 prohibits appointed members of county school boards from holding leadership roles like president, vice president, chair, or vice chair. It directly affects appointed members serving on these boards, requiring those in leadership positions as of July 1, 2026, to step down by August 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the State Department of Education notify boards that violate this rule and may suspend administrative funding until corrections are made. Repeat violations could result in civil penalties of up to $2,500 for the appointed member. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1553: Estates and Trusts - Guardianship of the Person of a Disabled Person - Emergency and Temporary Guardianship Petitions

HB 1553 modifies Maryland's guardianship laws for disabled adults to improve family access and streamline petitions. It requires courts to include a schedule for family members (by blood or marriage) to visit the disabled person in all guardianship orders, unless the court determines it is not in their best interest. The bill allows family members to petition for guardianship if the current guardian is neglecting the disabled adult (medically or physically) and authorizes temporary guardianship petitions. Additionally, it mandates health care evaluations within 21 days before filing petitions and requires courts to handle these cases on an expedited basis.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 832: Public Safety - State Law Enforcement Agencies - Hiring Restriction (ICE Breaker Act)

HB 832, the "ICE Breaker Act," prohibits Maryland state law enforcement agencies from hiring individuals who were hired as sworn officers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after January 20, 2025. It applies specifically to agencies defined in the bill, including the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, and others listed in Section 3-535 of the Maryland Annotated Code. The law only affects new hires after its effective date (October 1, 2026), with no retroactive application to current employees hired before that date. The bill creates a clear hiring restriction for these state agencies regarding individuals with recent ICE employment.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Bill results