Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 700: Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B (Golf Course) License - Hours of Sale

SB 700 modifies the hours for alcohol sales at golf courses in Wicomico County holding a Class B (golf course) license. It extends daily hours by allowing sales to begin at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday (previously 10 a.m.) and at 7 a.m. on Sunday (previously 10 a.m.), adding three hours of daily sales. This applies specifically to golf courses that are publicly accessible, operated for profit, own county property, and feature an 18-hole course. The annual license fee remains $2,200, and the changes take effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 802: Garrett County - Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2026

SB 802 is a proposed bill that updates alcohol licensing rules specifically for Garrett County. It adds a substitute member to the Board of License Commissioners to serve during absences of regular members and creates a new special event permit for Class 3 winery and Class 4 limited winery license holders. The bill also requires caterers with alcohol licenses to ensure food costs represent at least 50% of event revenue, maintain adequate service staff at all times, and disclose citizenship status on license applications. These changes modify existing state alcohol laws as they apply within Garrett County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 642: Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - 46th Alcoholic Beverages District

SB 642 modifies Baltimore City's alcoholic beverage licensing rules. It allows the transfer of a specific Class B-D-7 license from Baltimore's 40th district to the 46th district (coterminous with the 46th legislative district), and permits license holders in the 46th district to serve donated alcohol from manufacturers/wholesalers at nonprofit events under strict conditions (e.g., nonprofit rental, tax compliance). The bill also extends the expiration of one license (for 1600 block of Eastern Avenue) until July 1, 2027, to facilitate renewal and transfer to a new location. These changes directly affect businesses operating in Baltimore City's 40th and 46th alcoholic beverage districts. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, with Section 2 expiring May 31, 2028.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 927: Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - Related Event Promoter's Permit

SB 927 creates a special permit process for the Kappa Alpha Psi 2027 Conclave in Baltimore City, requiring event promoters to apply 30 days in advance to the Board of License Commissioners. It mandates written consent from Visit Baltimore, a special event permit from Baltimore City Transportation, and a $50 application fee plus a $500-$1,500 permit fee based on venue capacity. Caterers must obtain a separate Class C per diem license before participating. The law expires December 31, 2027, and applies solely to this specific event, not general public gatherings.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 684: Harford County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class HC (Health Club) License - Hours of Sale

SB 684 modifies the hours during which health clubs in Harford County with Class HC (beer and wine) licenses can sell alcoholic beverages. It extends evening sales hours from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for both 6-day (Monday-Saturday) and 7-day (Monday-Sunday) license holders. This change applies specifically to health clubs that operate swimming pools or pickleball courts, have at least 150 paying members, and meet other existing eligibility requirements. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 882: Consumer Health Information - Termination Date and Mandatory Funding for the State's Consumer Health Information Hub - Repeal

HB 882 repeals the requirement that the Governor must include a mandatory $350,000 annual appropriation for the State's Consumer Health Information Hub in the budget. It also removes the automatic expiration date (June 30, 2026) for the Hub's funding provisions. The bill changes the Hub's mandate to carry out its duties "to the extent funding is available," meaning its operations now depend on annual budget decisions rather than guaranteed funding. This directly affects the Hub - designated as the University of Maryland Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy - by eliminating its guaranteed funding stream and making its services subject to yearly budget approvals.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 852: Anne Arundel County – Alcoholic Beverages – Barbershop and Beauty Salon License

SB 852 allows barbershops and beauty salons in Anne Arundel County to serve liquor alongside beer and wine for on-premises consumption, directly affecting licensed businesses in these sectors. The bill authorizes a new license type permitting up to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.7 ounces of liquor per customer during eligible services - such as haircuts or cosmetology treatments - or at fundraising events. It also permits service until 9 p.m. without requiring a separate Sunday license and sets an annual $100 fee. The law amends Maryland’s liquor licensing code to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 776: Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children - Establishment

SB 776 establishes the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children to investigate a historical detention facility in Prince George’s County that operated for over a century. The commission will research the institution’s history, identify children buried in an unmarked cemetery on its grounds (primarily African American boys who died in state care), and provide public accountability. It requires the Attorney General to chair the commission, which includes appointed members from state agencies, historical experts, community representatives, and at least one descendant of those buried. The commission must promote healing through truth-telling and community input while conducting forensic, archaeological, and historical research to the highest professional standards. This bill directly affects Maryland’s state government, descendants of those buried, and historically marginalized communities impacted by the institution’s legacy.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 13: Alcoholic Beverages - License Fee Refund Requirements - Alterations

SB 13 amends Maryland's alcohol license fee refund rules to add members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service to the list of license holders eligible for refunds upon surrendering their licenses. Currently, refunds are available for license holders who die, go bankrupt, join the military, or have premises taken for public use; this bill expands that eligibility to include these specific federal agency employees. The change would allow these individuals to receive refunds for unearned license fees when they surrender their licenses, aligning their treatment with current military service exemptions. The bill is pending and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 72: Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages - Sale for Off-Premises Consumption

SB 72 allows Baltimore County restaurants and bars with specific licenses to sell mixed drinks in sealed containers for off-premises consumption, but only if the county's Board of License Commissioners adopts regulations first. These regulations must consider public health impacts, and the bill prohibits the board from charging extra fees for this service. To purchase, customers must be 21+, show ID, and the drinks must be in sealed containers sold before 11 PM. The bill also lets the board limit the quantity sold per person in one transaction. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 121: Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages - Sale for Off-Premises Consumption

HB 121 modifies Baltimore County's rules for restaurants and bars to allow selling mixed drinks in sealed containers for off-premises consumption under specific conditions. It requires the County Board of License Commissioners to adopt regulations first, and permits sales only if purchased with food (not prepackaged snacks), with age verification (21+), and in containers with no straws or holes, sold before 11 p.m. The bill also prohibits the Board from charging extra fees for compliant sales and allows limits on how much alcohol can be sold to one person per transaction. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting licensed restaurants and bars in Baltimore County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 140: Criminal Law - Benefits Exploitation

SB 140 prohibits individuals from knowingly recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining another person specifically to appropriate their government benefits for personal gain or another's benefit. It directly affects vulnerable populations receiving benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, or veterans' aid, and targets those exploiting them through coercion (e.g., threats, financial control) or deception. The law defines "exploitation" as illegally using benefits via undue influence, false promises, or isolation, and bans profiting from such exploitation or aiding violations. Violations are felonies punishable by up to 25 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both, with each violation treated as a separate offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Bill results