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Maryland Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 26,430 Active 12,181 In committee 12,181 Passed 3,693 Signed 7,929 Failed 2,304

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 767: Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Promoter's Permit

This Maryland bill updates the rules for event promoters in Frederick County who want to sell alcohol at their gatherings. It creates a specific "promoter's permit" that allows for-profit organizations to sell beer, wine, and liquor at events they organize, provided the organization does not already hold a standard alcohol license. The permit comes with a tiered fee structure based on expected attendance, ranging from $50 for events under 500 people to $1,000 for those with more than 3,000 attendees. Additionally, the law gives the local Board of License Commissioners the authority to set health and safety standards for these events. The changes officially take effect on July 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 839: General Provisions - Damages or Losses - Definition

This bill amends Maryland law to clarify that "damages" or "losses" in cases involving civil rights or consumer protections include reasonable nominal damages. It ensures that individuals can receive monetary compensation for the violation of their rights, even if they did not suffer significant financial harm. The legislation aims to preserve existing legal remedies against recent trends in federal courts that have limited such claims. By adding this definition to the state code, the law guarantees that courts continue to uphold these protections for Maryland residents.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 649: 9-1-1 Trust Fund - Purposes - Training in Telecommunications Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

This Maryland bill directs the 9-1-1 Board to create training standards for call center operators on performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) over the phone. The law updates the 9-1-1 Trust Fund to allow money from this source to pay for this specific training, which must follow current national emergency care guidelines and include protocols for recognizing cardiac arrest. The funding can be used for the training itself but cannot be used to pay staff salaries or for suicide prevention hotline services. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 292: State Procurement - Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals - Attorney's Fees

This Maryland bill updates state laws to allow the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals to award attorney's fees and other reasonable costs to parties involved in procurement disputes. Specifically, it enables the board to reimburse prospective bidders or contractors if the board finds that a government agency violated laws or regulations during a protest or contract claim process. The legislation also mandates that these fees be awarded when government personnel act in bad faith or without justification while handling contract issues. By making these financial remedies mandatory under certain conditions, the bill aims to provide clearer recourse for businesses challenging state procurement actions.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 769: Frederick County - Property Tax Credit for Property Located in Historic District - Alterations

This Maryland bill updates the rules for a property tax credit in Frederick County, specifically for the Emmitsburg Civic Association and owners of historic properties. It gives the county government the authority to decide how much tax credit is offered and for how long, rather than having these details automatically set by state law. Under the new provisions, the county can also create its own application rules and add specific requirements for who qualifies for the credit. The changes allow the county to adjust the credit percentages and duration to better manage the financial impact of improvements to historic structures.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 575: Criminal Procedure - Victim Compensation - Alterations (Victim Compensation Reform Act of 2024)

HB 575 reformulates Maryland's Criminal Injuries Compensation Board by expanding it from five to seven members and mandating that the new composition reflect the state's racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity. The bill specifically requires at least one board member to be a survivor of violence from a community facing high rates of violence and incarceration, while another must represent an organization assisting victims with compensation applications. It also updates the definition of "victim" to include individuals who suffer physical or psychological injury while trying to prevent a crime, apprehend an offender, or assist law enforcement or emergency services. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which crimes are eligible for compensation and outlines the qualifications for third-party professionals who can assist in claims. Finally, the act grants the Governor the authority to include funding for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund in the annual state budget.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1333: Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity and Commission on Public Health - Revisions

This bill updates the structure and duties of Maryland's Commission on Health Equity to oversee the creation and monitoring of a statewide health equity plan. It requires the commission to include specific representatives from hospitals, community organizations, underserved patients, and various state departments to ensure diverse input. Additionally, the legislation modifies the reporting requirements for the Commission on Public Health and clarifies definitions related to health equity within state law. These changes aim to establish a formal governance framework for addressing health disparities across the state.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 938: State–Owned Nursing Homes – Deficiencies, Citations, and Fines – Reporting Requirements

This bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to directly report deficiencies and enforcement actions at state-owned nursing homes to the Governor, legislative committees, and local county officials, rather than leaving this task to the private contractors operating the facilities. Specifically, the department must notify these stakeholders within 15 days of a final survey finding and within 30 days of a contractor accepting a correction plan or resolving a dispute, ensuring timely transparency about care quality issues. Additionally, the law mandates an annual report detailing all survey activities and enforcement actions taken against these homes, starting in 2024, to provide a comprehensive overview of oversight efforts. By shifting the responsibility for communication from contractors to the state department, the legislation aims to streamline how critical information about nursing home conditions is shared with the public and government leaders.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 36: Insurance - Protections After Loss or Damage to Property

This bill updates Maryland laws to strengthen consumer protections for individuals dealing with public adjusters after property damage or loss. It requires public adjuster contracts to include specific details like the adjuster's license number and a clear description of services, while also establishing a rescission period that allows clients to cancel the agreement within 10 or 7 business days depending on age. The legislation further restricts solicitation by banning public adjusters from contacting clients within 24 hours of a loss or between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., and mandates that adjusters report contracts formed shortly after a loss to the Insurance Commissioner. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it is fraudulent for contractors to pay insureds to cover deductibles and requires public adjusters to return any value received if a contract is rescinded.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 54: Property Tax - Transfer to Heir or Legatee - Payment Plans

This Maryland bill allows heirs or beneficiaries receiving a home from a deceased relative to transfer the property without paying all overdue property taxes upfront, provided they agree to a payment plan. It also permits new property owners to assume a parent's or previous owner's existing tax payment plan when buying a home. To support these options, the law requires the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to set up a vendor-run installment program for any homeowner and authorizes local governments to create their own payment plans for overdue taxes on residential properties. These changes aim to simplify the process of transferring ownership while ensuring outstanding tax debts are addressed through structured repayment.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 11: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - Vendor Contracts

This law allows individuals in Maryland to request the removal of specific criminal records even when other charges from the same incident do not qualify for expungement. It updates the rules for who can file these petitions, including provisions for deceased individuals, and clarifies which courts handle the requests based on where the original case was filed. The bill also sets specific time limits for filing petitions depending on the type of case outcome, such as acquittals or pardons. Additionally, it removes previous restrictions that prevented state agencies from entering into contracts related to the central repository and judicial case management systems used for these records.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 286: Homeowners' and Homestead Property Tax Credits - Application Filing Deadline - Extension

This bill extends the deadline for filing homeowners' property tax credit applications and modifies how retroactive credits are calculated for eligible residents. It allows homeowners enrolled in the Homeowner Protection Program to submit applications up to three years after the tax year deadline, whereas first-time applicants generally have a one-year window. Additionally, the law grants homeowners aged 70 or older who missed filing in previous years the ability to apply for credits covering up to two prior years, provided they file by May 31, 2025. These changes apply to the current and future tax years beginning after June 30, 2024, but do not require reimbursement for property taxes already paid before the retroactive credit is applied.