Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 693: Civil Actions - Child Sexual Abuse - Repeal of Limitations on Attorney's Fees

SB 693 repeals limits on attorney fees in civil cases involving child sexual abuse, removing previous caps of 20% for settlements and 25% for judgments. The bill applies retroactively to cases filed on or after June 1, 2025, directly affecting attorneys representing victims and defendants in such cases. It specifically targets cases where the alleged abuse occurred while the victim was a minor. This change modifies Maryland’s legal framework for handling attorney compensation in these sensitive civil actions.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 678: Criminal Procedure - Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search - Affidavit for Judicial Authorization

SB 678 modifies the affidavit requirements law enforcement must submit to obtain court authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches (FGGS) in criminal investigations. It requires a sworn affidavit stating: the perpetrator's identity is unknown; the crime involves murder, rape, sexual offenses, or a serious public safety threat; standard DNA testing from the forensic sample (collected at a crime scene, from a person/item related to the crime, or unidentified remains) already failed to identify a suspect; and reasonable investigative leads were pursued (unless an ongoing threat exists). The bill defines FGGS as analyzing crime scene DNA to create a profile, searching public genealogy databases, and using public records to identify suspects. This affects law enforcement agencies and courts in Maryland, streamlining the authorization process for FGGS in specific serious unsolved cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 743: Workgroup to Study State Laws on Electric Bicycles - Establishment

SB 743 establishes a temporary workgroup to study Maryland's current laws governing electric bicycles. The workgroup, including transportation officials, law enforcement representatives (rural, suburban, urban), county and municipal leaders, will review existing road rules, safety data from studies, and consider other micro-mobility devices like e-scooters. Its goal is to make recommendations to improve public safety for electric bike riders, pedestrians, and drivers by 2028. The bill expires automatically after the workgroup submits its report on January 1, 2028, with no new laws enacted by this bill itself.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1207: State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund - Alteration and Mandatory Appropriation

HB 1207 amends Maryland’s State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund to specifically require the Governor to include a $500,000 mandatory appropriation in the 2028 and 2029 state budgets for protecting and restoring Deep Creek Lake. The bill expands the fund’s authorized uses to include sediment removal, treating contaminated sediment, preventing invasive species spread, and improving ecological/recreational value of state-owned or state-managed lakes. It ensures funds remain available year-to-year (nonlapsing) and clarifies that expenditures supplement, not replace, existing lake protection funding. The requirement expires on June 30, 2029, without further legislative action.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 913: Motor Vehicles - Enhanced Tinted Windows - Medical Exemption

SB 913 amends Maryland's vehicle tinting law to allow out-of-state physicians licensed to practice medicine to issue medical exemptions for window tint darker than the standard 35% light transmittance requirement. It directly affects Maryland drivers with medical conditions (like light sensitivity) requiring darker tint, who previously needed an exemption from a Maryland-licensed physician. The bill removes the 2-year expiration limit for medical exemptions, allowing indefinite validity if a physician certifies a permanent condition. This change simplifies the process for out-of-state medical providers and individuals with ongoing health needs, while maintaining the core 35% light transmittance rule for non-exempt vehicles.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1495: Vehicle Laws - Registration Plates

HB 1495 changes Maryland's vehicle registration plate requirements by requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to issue only one registration plate for all vehicle classes, replacing the previous rule that required two plates for most vehicles. It specifically prohibits owners of historic vehicle plates (Class L) from violating their plate's issuance terms. The bill also adds a new option allowing vehicle owners to display a county sticker on their plate (showing their residence county), with specific rules about placement, fees, and restrictions on special plates. This affects all Maryland vehicle owners who register their vehicles, directly changing plate issuance and optional county display rules.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1275: Public Schools - Interscholastic Athletics - Academic Eligibility

HB 1275 requires Maryland public school districts to establish an appeal process for students deemed academically ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics. The bill mandates schools provide written notice of the ineligibility decision and appeal steps, including a hearing, and creates a 10-day provisional eligibility period during which students may continue participating in sports. If a school upholds the ineligibility after the appeal, the student becomes ineligible the next school day. This directly affects public high school students in Maryland who face academic eligibility decisions for sports participation.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1546: Baltimore County - Homestead Property Tax Credit - Individuals at Least 65 Years Old

HB 1546 modifies Baltimore County's homestead property tax credit to provide a 100% credit rate for homeowners aged 65 or older, instead of the standard 110% rate applied elsewhere in Maryland. This change directly affects Baltimore County residents who are 65+ and submit applications for the tax credit, requiring them to check a box confirming their age in the application process. The bill updates the calculation method under Maryland law to set this specific 100% rate for eligible seniors in Baltimore County for State, county, and municipal property taxes. The policy takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 962: January 6th Insurrectionists - Prohibition on Service in Certain Government Roles

Maryland's SB 962 prohibits individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack from holding specific government positions. The bill applies to those convicted regardless of subsequent pardons and bars them from serving on state boards/commissions, in executive government roles, or in special appointments. Appointing authorities must immediately remove anyone violating this law. It does not apply to standing committees or committees established under Title 2 of state law. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1270: Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Notice of License Applications PG 322-26

HB 1270 updates notice requirements for alcoholic beverage license applications in Prince George’s County. It replaces the previous requirement to publish notices in local newspapers with new digital methods: posting on the Board’s website, social media, and via email at least 30 days before application deadlines. The bill also adds a requirement to display physical notices at the business location for 10 days before hearings. These changes directly affect businesses applying for alcohol licenses in Prince George’s County, streamlining public notice processes under Maryland’s Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis code (specifically amending Sections 26-1511(c)(2) and 26-1512(a)). The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 814: State Procurement - Submission of Subcontractor Agreements

HB 814 requires state contractors who plan to use subcontractors to submit copies of their subcontractor agreements to the procurement officer before a contract is awarded. This applies to any procurement where a recommended awardee has executed a subcontractor agreement, regardless of whether the main contract requires subcontracting. Contractors may redact confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information from these submissions, and the state Board must create regulations to implement the law. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting state contractors who use subcontractors in procurement processes.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1478: State Procurement - Prompt Payment of Subcontractors and Suppliers - Alteration

HB 1478 amends Maryland law to require contractors working on state projects to pay subcontractors and suppliers at least 95% of any undisputed amount owed within 10 days of receiving payment from the state. This directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers involved in state procurement contracts by establishing a clear payment timeline and reducing delays. The bill specifies that "undisputed amount" includes retainage and excludes disputed sums, and requires contractors to provide written notice to subcontractors/suppliers and the procurement officer if payment is withheld. It replaces the previous 80% payment requirement with the new 95% standard, effective July 1, 2026.

Bill results