SB 181 (Correctional Services - Geriatric and Medical Parole) requires Maryland’s Parole Commission to consider an incarcerated person’s age when deciding parole eligibility, specifically including age in the assessment of "reasonable probability" of not reoffending. It also clarifies medical parole standards, defining "chronically debilitated" (e.g., severe dementia or permanent disability) and "terminal illness," and mandates that medical parole requests include a licensed medical professional’s evaluation. The bill requires the Commission to develop procedures for reviewing such requests and allows for a direct meeting between the incarcerated person and the Commission under certain medical circumstances. This directly affects older inmates (60+) or those with serious, non-improving medical conditions who are eligible for parole.
HB 431 establishes that any provision in a consumer contract (for personal, family, or household goods/services) setting a shorter time limit for filing a lawsuit than required by Maryland law is void. This bill directly affects consumers who sign contracts for everyday purchases or services, ensuring they cannot be bound by unfair short deadlines. Key provisions declare such contract terms unenforceable, prohibit defenses based on shortened periods, and treat violations as violations of Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act. The law applies prospectively only, taking effect October 1, 2025, and does not affect contracts signed before that date.
SB 49 requires businesses offering automatic renewals (like subscriptions) to clearly display renewal terms - including price changes and cancellation methods - before purchase. It mandates that consumers can cancel easily through the same channel used to sign up (e.g., a simple app button or email link), without delays or extra steps. Businesses must also send advance notice before renewing and cannot automatically charge credit cards for these services. This directly affects consumers who use subscription services and the businesses selling them, treating violations as unfair business practices under Maryland law.
SB 689 requires banks and credit unions to include a specific provision in conventional home mortgage loans, allowing one borrower to assume the other’s mortgage share when a divorce decree is granted. It mandates that financial institutions disclose this assumption option in writing to loan applicants before the application is finalized. The bill applies only to conventional mortgages (not government-insured loans) and affects divorcing borrowers seeking to transfer property ownership. Key provisions include requiring the assumption clause in loan contracts and ensuring written disclosure prior to loan approval.
HB 1440 requires Maryland circuit courthouses built or renovated after October 1, 2025, to provide private lactation rooms with specific amenities (lockable doors, sink, refrigerator, and electrical outlet for breast pumps). It also allows breastfeeding mothers and individuals with legal custody of children under age 4 requiring continuous care during court hours to be excused from jury service. The bill amends Maryland law to mandate these accommodations and establishes clear criteria for jury excusal, limiting excusals to twice per person unless extraordinary circumstances exist. These changes directly affect parents, nursing individuals, and court operations.
HB 877 extends deadlines for the Prison Education Delivery Reform Commission. It pushes the interim report deadline from June 1, 2025, to June 1, 2028, and the final report deadline from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2029. The bill also extends the commission's operational period from 2 years to 5 years and 1 month, meaning it will end on June 30, 2029, without needing further legislative action. This bill only modifies timing requirements and does not change the commission's purpose or responsibilities.
HB 301 modifies Maryland's requirements for law enforcement to use forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis (FGGS) in criminal investigations. It mandates that a sworn affidavit must be submitted to a court, stating: (1) the perpetrator's identity is unknown, (2) the crime involves murder, rape, sexual offenses, or an ongoing public safety threat, (3) the biological sample came from a crime scene or related location, and (4) a standard DNA profile from the sample was already tested in state and national databases without identifying a suspect. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies conducting FGGS, requiring judicial authorization before initiating these searches. It does not change the investigative use of FGGS but clarifies the factual basis needed for court approval.
This bill creates a new legal structure in Maryland for "limited worker cooperative associations," allowing employee-owned businesses where workers democratically control operations. It establishes specific rules for forming, governing, converting, and dissolving these cooperatives, requiring a "cooperative agreement" as part of their governing documents. The bill adjusts fees to align with other business entities, including a $25 fee for reserving a cooperative name and a $300 annual report fee. This directly affects workers and businesses in Maryland seeking to establish or convert to a worker cooperative model.
HB 1378 modifies Maryland law to set a deadline for filing civil claims against the state or local government units for child sexual abuse that occurred when the victim was a minor. Specifically, it prohibits such claims from being filed on or after January 1, 2026, while maintaining the existing rule allowing claims to be filed at any time for non-government defendants. The bill does not change the $1.5 million cap on noneconomic damages for certain claims filed before October 1, 2023. This directly affects victims seeking to sue state or local government entities for historical abuse. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 322 authorizes Maryland's State Administrator of Elections to enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with municipalities. This allows the state administrator to collaboratively support local election administration, such as providing resources or guidance. The bill directly affects municipalities handling their own elections and the State Administrator's office. It adds Section 2-103(e) to election law, creating a formal mechanism for this state-local partnership without changing voting procedures or election rules. The bill is procedural, focusing on administrative coordination rather than policy changes to voting.
SB 4 creates the West North Avenue Development Authority to revitalize a specific corridor in Baltimore City. It defines the "West North Avenue Corridor" as the area between the 600 and 3200 blocks of West North Avenue, plus a 250-yard buffer zone, and establishes the Authority as a state instrumentality with special powers to manage development there. The bill modifies Maryland law to exempt the Authority from certain taxes, require specific financial management practices, and create a dedicated nonlapsing fund for its operations. This authority will directly affect residential and commercial development efforts within the defined corridor, aiming to address blight and stimulate economic growth. The bill focuses on structural changes to the Authority's governance and funding mechanisms, not on specific projects or outcomes.
HB 646 extends the deadline for a task force studying the creation of a Division of Returning Citizens and expanded reentry services. The bill delays the task force's report submission date from December 31, 2025, to October 31, 2026, and extends the task force's termination date from 2026 to 2027. This procedural bill amends previous legislation (Chapters 936 and 937 of the 2024 Acts) without changing the task force's purpose or creating new services. It directly affects the existing task force by providing additional time to complete its work.
