Maryland Bills

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

HB 1205: Education - Minimum Wage for Education Support Professionals

HB 1205 establishes a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for non-certified, non-supervisory school support staff (such as aides, clerks, and cafeteria workers) beginning July 1, 2028. It requires all Maryland county school boards to pay these employees at least this rate, directly affecting over 20,000 education support professionals statewide. The bill also mandates the State Department of Education to submit a cost report by December 1, 2026, with detailed estimates broken down by school system to implement this wage change.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

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

HB 976: Primary and Secondary Education - Funding Accuracy and Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment Count - Alterations and Report (Education Funding Accuracy Act)

HB 976 changes how Maryland calculates state education funding for public schools by altering the definition of "full-time equivalent enrollment." It replaces the previous method with an average of enrollment on September 30 and May 31 of the prior school year, directly affecting all public schools receiving state aid based on this metric. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to publish annual reports online and submit detailed data to legislative committees, showing enrollment counts, student categories (including "whereabouts unknown"), and funding allocations by county. These changes aim to standardize enrollment data used for funding calculations starting in fiscal year 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

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

HB 56: Districting - Single-Member Districts and Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Convention

HB 56 proposes constitutional changes to reform Maryland's redistricting process. It requires each legislative district to consist of three single-member delegate districts and establishes a 188-member Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Convention, elected by voters after each census, to draw new state and congressional district maps. The convention's plan becomes law unless the General Assembly challenges it within 45 days, triggering a Supreme Court review. This directly affects Maryland voters, state legislators, and the process of redrawing electoral boundaries following population changes.

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

HJ 2: United States of America - National Infrastructure Bank

HJ 2 is a Maryland legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 5356, which would establish a federal National Infrastructure Bank. The resolution highlights Maryland’s urgent infrastructure needs, including repairing 1,563 bridges, fixing aging water systems, addressing housing shortages, and reducing traffic congestion. It requests Congress create a $5 trillion bank modeled on historical infrastructure financing, projected to fund repairs and new projects without new taxes while creating jobs and growing the economy. The resolution does not create the bank itself but formally asks Congress to enact the supporting federal legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

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

HJ 1: Honoring Charlie Kirk

This is a symbolic resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, following his assassination in 2025. The resolution formally condemns political violence, commends law enforcement efforts, extends condolences to his family, and honors his legacy of promoting constitutional values and civil discourse. It has no policy or funding provisions - it serves only as a ceremonial expression of respect from Maryland's General Assembly. The resolution directs a copy to Turning Point USA as part of its commemorative purpose.

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

HJ 3: Elementary and Secondary Education - Curriculum - Importance of Diversity

This House Joint Resolution (HJ 3) is a policy statement, not a binding law, acknowledging Maryland's commitment to inclusive education. It resolves that elementary and secondary school curricula should include the history of communities that have experienced discrimination (based on disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, indigenous affiliation, or sexual orientation) to ensure all students feel represented. The resolution directs education officials to adopt this inclusive approach but does not mandate specific curriculum changes or allocate funding. It primarily affects state education leaders, school boards, and curriculum developers by setting a policy direction for curriculum content.

Topics ✓ Education

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

HB 447: Natural Resources - Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife

HB 447 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish that every person in Maryland has the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife using traditional methods, subject to existing regulations. It also amends Maryland law to affirm that fishing and hunting are preferred methods for wildlife management and must be preserved for the public good. The bill requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election to take effect, as it would change the state constitution and update related statutes (Sections 4-103 and 10-102 of the Natural Resources Article). If passed, it would enshrine these rights in the constitution while maintaining current regulatory frameworks for wildlife conservation.

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 390: Wicomico County - Class A Beer, Wine, and Liquor License - Alterations

SB 390 modifies Wicomico County's rules for Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses. It prohibits the Board of License Commissioners from issuing new Class A licenses for use at most restaurants after July 1, 2026, while allowing existing holders with Class B licenses (issued before that date) to renew their Class A licenses. The bill also limits each county councilmanic district to one Class A license and removes the ability for license holders to purchase liquor directly from wholesalers. These changes apply specifically to Wicomico County and take effect July 1, 2026.

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

HB 385: Courts and Judicial Proceedings - Evidence - Rebuttable Presumption of Medical Bills

HB 385 establishes that in personal injury or wrongful death cases, medical bills presented in court are presumed authentic, fair, and reasonable unless proven otherwise. This means the party challenging the bill (e.g., a defendant) must show by a preponderance of evidence that specific charges are invalid, unfair, or unreasonable - without needing expert testimony to verify the bill itself. The bill directly affects individuals and insurers involved in such civil cases where medical costs are disputed. It streamlines court proceedings by reducing the need for additional evidence to validate medical bills, while maintaining a clear standard for rebutting the presumption.

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

HB 361: Queen Anne’s County – Circuit Court Judgeships

HB 361 increases the number of resident judges for Queen Anne’s County’s Circuit Court from one to two by amending Maryland’s Annotated Code (Sections 1-501 and 1-503). The bill directly affects Queen Anne’s County residents by expanding court staffing capacity to handle judicial workloads. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change court jurisdiction or procedures - only the number of judges assigned to the county. This is a procedural adjustment to judicial staffing, not a policy change impacting broader legal rights or services.

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

HB 630: Correctional Services - Immigration Detention Facilities - Original Design and Construction

HB 630 prohibits private entities from operating immigration detention facilities in buildings not originally designed and constructed for housing or detaining people. It specifically bans converting existing structures (like warehouses or offices) into detention centers. The bill also prevents state/local governments from entering agreements, providing funding, or approving zoning for such facilities operated by private entities. This directly affects private operators seeking to establish immigration detention centers and local governments considering facility partnerships.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Immigration

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 10, 2026

HB 1643: Employment Discrimination - School Employees - Use of Cannabis

This bill prohibits Maryland schools from discriminating against job applicants or employees based on their legal use of cannabis outside of work hours and away from school property. It specifically protects individuals from being denied employment, having their compensation affected, or facing adverse employment actions due to off-duty cannabis use. However, the law does not authorize employees to use, possess, or be impaired by cannabis during work hours, and schools retain the ability to prohibit such behavior on school premises. The legislation also clarifies that it does not override federal requirements for drug testing related to employment, federal funding, or licensing.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results