HB 241 clarifies that "spouse" includes a former spouse for confidentiality purposes in Maryland law. It allows a spouse who is the alleged victim in a criminal case (where one spouse is charged with a crime against the other) to legally share confidential communications that occurred during the marriage. However, the bill also states that a spouse cannot be forced to testify about such communications under this provision. The law affects individuals in marital relationships (current or former) involved in criminal cases involving spousal crimes, specifically changing how confidential communications may be handled in court. The bill amends Maryland's Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code, Section 9-105.
This bill clarifies how trustees must notify beneficiaries when modifying a trust under Maryland's Trust Decanting Act. It specifies acceptable notice methods: personal delivery, certified mail with return receipt, courier with confirmation, or email/fax if the beneficiary agrees in writing. Beneficiaries can revoke electronic notice preferences at any time by notifying the trustee via required methods. The law applies to all trust modifications under the Decanting Act and takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 1171 modifies Maryland corporate law to eliminate the requirement for stockholder approval when a corporation transfers assets used as collateral for mortgages, pledges, or security interests. It establishes two specific scenarios where such transfers can occur without stockholder consent: (1) when the secured party (e.g., lender) exercises rights under commercial law to transfer assets, or (2) when the board authorizes an alternative sale that reduces/eliminates the secured debt with asset value matching the debt amount. The bill also repeals outdated provisions about merger articles involving certain business entities. This change primarily affects corporations with secured loans, streamlining asset transfers during debt resolution. (Maryland House Bill 1171, introduced February 6, 2025)
HB 943 prohibits intentionally setting fires (malicious or fraudulent burning) that cause death or serious physical injury to firefighters. It directly affects individuals who commit such acts, making this a specific felony offense under Maryland law. The bill establishes a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for violations, with sentences allowed to run consecutively to other charges related to the same fire-setting act. This amendment to Maryland’s Criminal Law (Article 6, Section 6-112) takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 27 clarifies compensation rules for guardians managing property (for minors or incapacitated adults) and trustees managing trusts in Maryland. It sets specific, calculable rates: 6% on rental income, tiered percentages (6.5%, 5%, 4%, 3%) on other income, and fixed percentages (0.4%, 0.25%, 0.15%, 0.1%) on principal assets. Trustees can now charge reasonable fees under the circumstances or use the new schedule, and final distribution allowances are capped at 0.5% of distributed assets. These changes replace previous ambiguous provisions with clear, standardized rates for guardianship and trust administration.
HB 227 clarifies that unclaimed capital credits owed to past members of electric cooperatives - after at least five years of being retired and unclaimed - are not considered "abandoned property" under Maryland law. This bill directly affects electric cooperatives and their former members by preventing these funds from being turned over to the state. Cooperatives may only use these "nonescheat capital credits" to assist current members (per their charter powers) or make donations to approved nonprofit organizations. The law specifically defines these funds and ensures cooperatives remain obligated to refund them if a past member claims them.
HB 389 exempts personal property used in "large family child care homes" (a specific type of registered child care operation) from property tax, expanding existing exemptions. It increases the maximum annual property tax credit for qualifying child care centers, day care centers, and child care homes from $3,000 to $10,000 and removes outdated requirements about when property improvements must be completed to qualify for credits. The bill directly affects child care providers operating in Maryland and local governments (cities, counties) that administer these tax credits. It clarifies that credits apply to property used for child care services regardless of improvement completion dates, streamlining access to tax relief.
HB 315 establishes a 10-member Task Force to study Maryland's fiduciary adjudication system (covering probate, trusts, and guardianships) and its efficiency, uniformity, and quality. The Task Force, appointed by legislative leaders, court officials, and the Bar Association, will examine judge qualifications, court jurisdictions, procedures, and compare practices with other states. It must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2026, after which the bill expires. This study directly affects Maryland courts handling estate matters and aims to inform potential future reforms.
HB 22 requires Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to study where incarcerated individuals lived before incarceration and where they were released. The department must collect data on pre-incarceration residence, release location, transfer timelines between facilities, and compare release locations to pre-incarceration residence, conviction location, and incarceration location. This study must be completed annually by October 1, starting in 2026, and reported to four specific legislative committees. The bill does not change policies but mandates data collection to inform future decisions about reentry services. The study directly affects the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and provides data for state lawmakers.
HB 787 removes a requirement that the State Reporter secure copyright for published court opinions in Maryland. The bill amends the law to eliminate the provision stating the Reporter must "secure copyright for the State of Maryland as its property," while keeping other publication rules intact. This directly affects the State Reporter (who prepares court reports) and the Supreme Court and Appellate Court of Maryland (which designate cases for publication). The key change simplifies the process by removing the copyright obligation, though courts must still publish opinions within six months of the decision. The bill does not alter publication timelines or other operational requirements for court reports.
HB 447 updates Maryland's property tax code to reflect a name change for a specific Habitat for Humanity chapter. It alters the tax credit provision to apply to "Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Incorporated" (replacing "Arundel Habitat for Humanity, Inc.") for real property owned by this organization in Anne Arundel County. The bill authorizes Anne Arundel County or its municipalities to grant a property tax credit against county/municipal taxes for this entity's qualifying real property. This change ensures the existing tax credit mechanism continues to apply to the organization's properties under its current legal name, effective June 1, 2025.
HB 302 expands Maryland's legal process for filing criminal charges against certain professionals by adding "Adult Protective Services Workers" and "Child Welfare Case Workers" to the list requiring State's Attorney review before charges can be filed. The bill mandates that for offenses allegedly committed while performing job duties, the State’s Attorney must investigate and recommend to a District Court Commissioner whether a "statement of charges" should proceed. This applies specifically to workers in public adult protection programs and child welfare roles, creating a mandatory review step before criminal charges are filed against them. The change modifies existing law to ensure these human service workers receive the same procedural safeguards as law enforcement officers and educators under Maryland Code § 2-608.
