HB 437 amends Maryland's criminal code to clarify and expand protections against surreptitious visual surveillance with a sexual motive (prurient intent). It specifically defines "private place" to include residences, tanning rooms, dressing rooms, bedrooms, and restrooms, and defines "private area" as genitals, buttocks, or female breast below the areola. The bill makes it a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail or $2,500 fine) to conduct such surveillance without consent in these areas, and allows victims to sue for damages and attorney fees. It directly affects individuals who might engage in non-consensual surveillance in locations where people reasonably expect privacy.
HB 1200 expands Maryland's existing property tax credit program to include judicial officers, who were previously excluded. The bill modifies the tax code to allow counties or municipalities to grant a property tax credit on a dwelling owned by a judicial officer who is disabled, a surviving spouse of a judicial officer who died in the line of duty, or a qualifying cohabitant. It defines "judicial officer" and "public safety officer" to explicitly include judicial roles, requires local governments to define these terms in their laws, and applies the credit retroactively to past years. This change directly affects judicial officers, their families, and cohabitants who meet the eligibility criteria for the tax credit.
HB 598 creates a property tax credit for supermarkets in Anne Arundel County that complete eligible construction (new stores or major renovations) in designated "food desert retail incentive areas." It defines a "supermarket" as a grocery store meeting specific size and product requirements (e.g., major departments, over 50% food sales). The county or municipal corporation must designate these food desert areas by law, and the tax credit cannot exceed the personal property tax owed. The credit applies to taxable years starting June 1, 2025, and local governments may set additional limits or eligibility rules.
HB 258 reorganizes the West North Avenue Development Authority in Baltimore City, defining its boundaries as the "target area" (West North Avenue from the 600 to 3200 blocks) and a 250-yard "buffer zone" around it. The bill establishes the Authority as a state instrumentality, creates a special nonlapsing fund for its finances, and exempts it from certain taxes and assessments to support development. It directly affects Baltimore neighborhoods in this corridor by enabling residential and commercial redevelopment to address blight, attract businesses, and increase property tax revenue. The changes focus on streamlining the Authority’s governance and financial operations to advance economic development in the targeted area.
HB 208 prohibits sellers from advertising digital goods (like apps, music, e-books, or video content) using terms that imply permanent ownership unless specific disclosures are made at the point of sale. Sellers must obtain a buyer’s written acknowledgment confirming they are purchasing a license (not ownership), listing all restrictions and noting the seller can revoke access. Additionally, if a rental option is offered alongside a sale, sellers must provide clear statements explaining the licensing terms and a digital method to access those details. The bill directly affects businesses selling digital goods in Maryland, requiring them to adjust advertising and checkout processes to comply with these transparency rules. It amends Maryland’s Commercial Law to clarify that digital goods are licensed, not owned, when sold.
HB 1020 (Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act) prohibits credit reporting agencies from including medical debt in consumer credit reports and bans lenders from using such debt to assess creditworthiness. It requires hospitals to stop reporting medical debt to credit agencies for 180 days after billing, and to delete reports if a patient is appealing insurance coverage or seeking free/reduced-cost care. The bill also mandates that hospitals include specific contract terms with debt collectors regarding medical debt, making contracts without these terms void. These changes directly affect consumers with medical bills, hospitals, credit agencies, and debt collection entities across Maryland.
HB 979 modifies Maryland's Self-Service Storage Act to strengthen notice requirements before storage facilities sell renters' stored items to cover unpaid fees. It requires operators to provide detailed written notices (via hand delivery, verified mail, or email with prior consent) at least 10 days before a sale, including specific charges due, a 14-day payment window, and sale details. Renters who haven't paid fees for over 60 days are directly affected, as operators must now follow these strict notification steps before selling their property. The bill also mandates 3 days of public advertising for sales through local newspapers, email, or online platforms. These changes aim to ensure renters receive clear, timely information before their belongings are sold.
HB 1141 modifies Baltimore County's rules for changing the location of an alcoholic beverage license by adding a new condition for approval. Specifically, the Board of License Commissioners may now permit a location change if the license was originally issued in the same election district and has remained at the same location for at least 10 years. This provision directly affects businesses holding alcohol licenses in Baltimore County that wish to relocate within their current election district without meeting prior requirements. The bill amends existing law (Section 13-1702) to include this additional pathway, making it easier for long-standing license holders to move within their district.
HB 1046 (Maryland, 2025) requires licensed vehicle dealers, obligors, and agents selling mechanical repair contracts to avoid deceptive statements and ensure all testimonials are truthful and accurate. It amends Maryland’s Commercial Law (§ 14-404) and Transportation Code (§ 15-311.2) to strengthen consumer protections for these contracts, which cover repairs for vehicle defects, road hazards, or services like windshield replacement. The bill directly affects businesses selling vehicle service contracts by mandating clear, honest marketing and preventing misleading claims about coverage. It does not create new financial obligations but enforces transparency in how these optional contracts are presented to consumers.
HB 179, the "Organized Retail Theft Act of 2025," defines and prohibits a series of retail thefts from multiple merchants over 90 days with a total value exceeding $1,500, intended to permanently deprive merchants, return for gain, or resell the merchandise. It classifies violations as felonies with penalties increasing based on total value: up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine for $1,500-$25,000, up to 10 years or $15,000 for $25,000-$100,000, and up to 20 years or $25,000 for $100,000+. The bill requires courts to determine if a theft qualifies as "organized" for sentencing purposes and mandates restitution to victims. This directly affects retailers, repeat offenders, and courts handling theft cases.
HB 372 repeals the automatic expiration date that would have terminated the Prince George's Gateway Development Authority on September 30, 2028. The bill directly affects the six target communities in Prince George’s County (Mount Rainier, Brentwood, Cottage City, Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, and North Brentwood) by extending the authority’s existence indefinitely. It maintains the existing structure for the Authority, which supports neighborhood revitalization planning focused on housing, economic development, and transportation in these areas. The key mechanism is removing the sunset provision from prior legislation, ensuring the Authority can continue its work without requiring future legislative action.
HB 438 (Buddy's Law) increases the maximum compensatory damages for pet owners when someone negligently causes injury or death to their domesticated pet. It raises the cap from $10,000 to $25,000, covering costs like veterinary care and the pet’s fair market value before death. The law specifically applies to domesticated pets (excluding livestock) and affects owners in Maryland whose pets are harmed by negligence. The bill amends Maryland’s tort law and takes effect October 1, 2025.
