HB 755 requires Maryland county school boards to create policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like phones) during all school day hours, effective by the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must mandate students store devices securely and prohibits use except for documented needs in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan. Schools must also provide designated phones for students to contact parents or guardians during the school day. The law explicitly bars suspensions or expulsions solely for violating this device policy. This directly affects all public school students and school boards across Maryland.
HB 948 prohibits Maryland public schools from using grading rubrics where 50 is the lowest possible score for most students. It allows schools to use such rubrics only for students requiring special education services. The bill amends Maryland law to set this specific grading standard, effective July 1, 2026. This directly affects all public school students and staff implementing grading systems. The law aims to standardize minimum grading thresholds while maintaining flexibility for special education needs.
SB 591 establishes the Maryland Chapter of the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities within the Department of State Police. It creates a secure, voluntary online system allowing individuals with disabilities to share personal information (like contact details, physical descriptions, and disability-related needs) with law enforcement for emergency response. The bill requires the Department of State Police and Department of Disabilities to develop mandatory training and guidelines for law enforcement agencies, and it creates a commission to study protocols and public engagement strategies. This directly affects individuals with disabilities who choose to participate and all local law enforcement agencies required to implement the new protocols.
SB 730 changes the notice requirement for counties and municipalities filing tax foreclosure actions on vacant or abandoned properties. It replaces a specific rule requiring certified mail notice within five days with standard service under Maryland Rules. This affects how property owners and other interested parties receive notice of foreclosure actions. The bill maintains existing requirements for foreclosure complaints to include property details and tax amounts but focuses on updating the notice process. The change takes effect June 1, 2026.
HB 881 establishes a 10-member Task Force on Not-for-Profit Funeral Establishments to study the feasibility of allowing not-for-profit funeral homes in Maryland. The Task Force includes legislative appointees, representatives from funeral associations, and faith-based community representatives (African American, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant). It will analyze licensing data, review similar laws in other states, and assess potential impacts before reporting findings to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2026. The bill expires automatically on September 30, 2027, with no direct policy changes enacted.
HB 795 requires Maryland health insurance companies to provide human review for any coverage denial made using artificial intelligence, algorithms, or software tools. Insurers must also report quarterly aggregated data on these AI-related denials, including claim types, member demographics (race, gender, profession), and policy details (individual, group, or exchange plans). These reports must be submitted to the state insurance commissioner and include the total number of AI-related grievances reviewed. The bill directly affects health insurers operating in Maryland and impacts members who face AI-driven coverage decisions.
HB 1544 establishes the Maryland Justice Corps Program to create an alternative pathway for qualifying law graduates to become licensed attorneys without taking the traditional bar exam. The program targets graduates of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law or University of Baltimore School of Law who haven't taken the Maryland bar exam, requiring a 3-year commitment with a legal employer in Maryland. Key provisions include providing participants with a $75,000 annual salary, $15,000 housing stipend, and up to $30,000 yearly toward law school debt, with the state and employer each covering 50% of these benefits. Upon completing the program and meeting Supreme Court requirements, participants can be admitted to the Maryland bar.
HB 876 repeals a time limit that previously prevented certain individuals from filing a motion to reduce their prison sentence. It applies to people convicted as adults for crimes committed as minors (if sentenced before October 1, 2021) who have served 20+ years, or those convicted between ages 18-24 for non-violent crimes (excluding sex offenders and specific murders) who have served 20+ years. The bill requires courts to hold a hearing on such motions, allowing the individual to present evidence and victims to submit impact statements without cross-examination, with the individual required to attend in person or via video unless waived.
SB 598 requires Maryland electric companies to submit cost containment plans to the Public Service Commission by January 1, 2027, and every three years thereafter. These plans must detail how the companies will reduce costs through "nonwires solutions" (like distributed energy resources and grid-enhancing technologies) and "demand flexibility" programs to avoid expensive infrastructure upgrades. The bill specifically mandates that plans address reducing peak electricity demand and integrating renewable energy while maintaining grid reliability. This directly affects all Maryland electric distribution and transmission companies operating under the Public Service Commission.
SB 845 requires local election offices to immediately remove voters from Maryland's statewide registration list when they receive verified death reports from specific sources, such as the Maryland Department of Health or the Social Security Administration. It mandates that election directors send a 2-week verification notice to voters reported deceased, allowing them to contest removal by proving they are alive. If a voter contests and provides valid reason, their registration may be retained or referred to a hearing; if no contest occurs, removal is finalized. The bill also requires election directors to reinstate registrations if a removed voter is later confirmed alive, ensuring accuracy in voter rolls.
HB 185 modifies Maryland's Estates and Trusts law to clarify when a married person creating a trust for their spouse's benefit is not considered the "settlor" of that trust for tax purposes. Specifically, it applies when the trust meets federal tax requirements (treated as qualified terminable interest property under IRS rules), is created during the spouse's lifetime, and the creator becomes a beneficiary after the spouse's death. This change directly affects married individuals using certain trust structures to manage estate taxes and asset protection. The bill ensures that such trusts are treated consistently under Maryland law with federal tax rules, shielding the creator's interest from being considered their personal asset for tax calculation. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 285 transfers responsibility for monitoring and security of Maryland's home detention programs from the Division of Correction to the Warrant Apprehension Unit within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. It directly affects individuals on home detention and changes agency oversight by requiring Warrant Apprehension Unit employees - instead of correctional staff - to supervise participants using electronic devices and direct contact. Key provisions include authorizing these employees to execute warrants, make arrests for program violations, and exercise police powers, while mandating they meet Maryland police training standards. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, implementing this structural shift in correctional supervision.
