HB 1450 modifies Maryland's Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Incentive Program by removing dollar limits on state matching awards for eligible small businesses. Specifically, it repeals caps that previously restricted Phase I awards to $25,000 and Phase II awards to $75,000, allowing full matching of federal SBIR/STTR awards without those dollar thresholds. The bill also adjusts award frequency limits, changing the rule from "no more than three awards" to "no more than one award per fiscal year" for any single business. This directly affects Maryland small businesses receiving federal SBIR/STTR grants, enabling them to access potentially larger state matching funds for research and development activities.
HB 445 amends Maryland law to specifically criminalize actions that disrupt public safety answering points (PSAPs), which are emergency call centers like 911 services. It makes it a felony to intentionally interfere with or impair PSAP operations (with penalties up to 5 years in prison or $25,000 fine) or to cause actual disruption (up to 10 years or $50,000 fine). The bill directly affects anyone who intentionally disrupts emergency call systems, including through computer access or other means. Key provisions add specific penalties to existing criminal law, targeting threats to emergency response infrastructure. This focuses solely on protecting critical 911 services from intentional interference.
SB 333 allows child victims or witnesses under age 13 to have their out-of-court statements to qualified forensic interviewers admitted as evidence in criminal or juvenile court cases involving specific offenses, including child abuse, sexual assault, or crimes of violence. The bill expands existing rules to include statements made to trained forensic interviewers (not law enforcement) employed by child advocacy centers, subject to strict conditions. For admissibility, the statement must be offered by a qualified professional, the child must testify (except in child in need of assistance cases), and the prosecutor must provide advance notice of the statement’s use. This directly affects child victims in cases under Maryland’s Criminal Law Article sections covering abuse, sexual offenses, or violent crimes. The bill does not change the standard of proof but modifies how such statements may be used in court proceedings.
HB 127 expands eligibility for administering Maryland's Housing Rehabilitation Program by allowing qualified nonprofit sponsors to manage local rehabilitation programs alongside political subdivisions (like counties). The bill amends state law to explicitly define "nonprofit sponsor" and revise administrative requirements, including standards for staff capability and program oversight. This change directly affects nonprofit organizations and local governments seeking to administer housing rehabilitation loans, enabling them to originate and manage these programs under Department of Housing and Community Development regulations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 891 requires counties and municipalities to adopt local laws allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on single-family zoned lots - by a set deadline. It sets specific rules for zoning permits, development fees, parking requirements, and prohibits utilities from charging extra fees for ADU connections. The bill also blocks property transfer agreements from restricting ADU development and lets homeowners associations treat ADUs as separate lots for voting and fees. This directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs, local governments required to update zoning, and homeowners associations managing community rules. The law aims to expand housing options by removing barriers to ADU construction on single-family residential land.
HB 1018 requires banks and credit unions to include a specific provision in conventional home mortgage loans (not government-insured loans) that allows one borrower to take over the other’s share of the mortgage during an absolute divorce. It mandates that lenders provide written disclosure of this provision to loan applicants before they complete their application. The bill applies only to conventional mortgages not already required by law to be assumable in divorce cases. This change aims to simplify property division for divorcing couples by standardizing the assumption process in loan terms.
HB 1123 removes the requirement for the governor to approve medical parole decisions by the Maryland Parole Commission for inmates serving life sentences. It directly affects incarcerated individuals with severe medical conditions who qualify for medical parole. The bill mandates the Department of Public Safety to submit specific inmate names to the Commission, requires risk assessments for certain cases, and sets deadlines for parole hearings. It also authorizes the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board to recommend funding for the Commission to support these parole processes. These changes streamline the medical parole process while maintaining safety considerations.
HB 107 requires businesses offering automatic renewals (like subscriptions) to clearly disclose renewal terms - including the price after the initial period - before consumers agree. It mandates that cancellation methods be simple, free, and match how the consumer initially signed up (e.g., a prominent online button or email form), and prohibits automatic credit card charges without clear notice. The bill directly affects businesses selling subscriptions or services with automatic renewal terms to Maryland consumers. Violations are classified as unfair trade practices under Maryland law.
HB 32 establishes a Forensic Review Board within the Maryland Department of Health to review eligibility for release for people found not criminally responsible (NCR) at state facilities. The bill requires each facility to create a board of licensed healthcare providers that must annually assess NCR individuals and recommend to courts whether they should be discharged or released conditionally. It also creates a Community Forensic Aftercare Program to monitor people on conditional release. These changes replace current procedures under Maryland’s Criminal Procedure and Health laws, adding specific annual review requirements and written record-keeping for release decisions. The bill directly affects NCR patients in state facilities and their release pathways.
HB 300 changes how Maryland reimburses nonprofit organizations for indirect costs on state-funded grants and contracts. It requires nonprofits to receive reimbursement at the same rate they use for federal grants, or at a minimum of 10% of modified direct costs if no federal rate applies. This applies to nonprofits (tax-exempt under 501(c)(3), (4), or (6)) receiving state funds for services, whether the funds are solely from the state or combined with nonfederal sources. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.
HB 59 revises Maryland's property tax sale rules to protect owner-occupied homeowners. It requires counties to withhold from tax sale properties where taxes (including interest) are under $1,000 (up from $750), properties with only unpaid water/sewer liens, and designated redevelopment properties. The bill also prohibits adding post-sale interest/penalties to redemption costs, extends redemption periods, and tightens notice requirements for foreclosure proceedings. These changes directly affect homeowners facing tax sales and local governments managing property tax collections.
HB 853 (Maryland Second Look Act) allows individuals serving prison sentences of 20+ years to petition courts for sentence reduction under specific conditions. To qualify, petitioners must have served at least 20 years and wait 5 years after any prior petition, with a maximum of three petitions total. Courts must hold hearings considering factors like rehabilitation, victim input, the individual’s age at the offense, and safety risks, and must publicly state their reasons for granting or denying relief. The law applies retroactively to eligible individuals already serving long sentences.
