Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 371: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Personal Care Aides - Wage Reports

This bill requires residential service agencies in Maryland to submit annual reports to the Department of Labor detailing the wage rates paid to personal care aides. These reports must include the average, highest, and lowest wages paid to these workers, starting in 2025. Additionally, the Department of Health must review reimbursement rates for home and community-based services and submit findings to the General Assembly every two years. The state is tasked with developing a plan to adjust these reimbursement rates so that personal care aides earn at least 150% of the state minimum wage. This legislation aims to increase transparency and ensure fair compensation for workers providing personal assistance services through the Maryland Medical Assistance Program.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 90: Insurance - Hearing Representation

This bill updates Maryland insurance laws to allow small business entities to represent themselves in hearings with the Insurance Commissioner without hiring an attorney. To qualify, a business must prove it employs fewer than 50 people and designate an employee, such as an officer or partner, who holds a sworn power of attorney to speak on the company's behalf. The law explicitly prohibits businesses from contracting with other companies to provide these representation services and restricts the designated representative from being a lawyer who is currently disbarred or suspended. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for public access to hearings, permits virtual participation when necessary, and outlines procedures for obtaining official records of the proceedings.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1205: Allegany County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class BWLT Beer, Wine, and Liquor Tasting Permit

This Maryland bill creates a new Class BWLT permit that allows existing beer, wine, and liquor license holders in Allegany County to host tasting events for their products. To qualify, businesses must notify the local licensing board at least seven days before an event and pay a $150 annual fee plus a one-time $150 issuance charge. The law requires the board to create specific rules for managing these permits, and the changes officially take effect on July 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 763: Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention - Membership

HB 763 modifies the membership of Maryland's Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention by replacing the representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Maryland Office with two appointed representatives of the Muslim community. The bill also sets a sunset date for the Commission, requiring it to cease operations after June 30, 2027, and outlines specific expiration dates for the terms of current members to ensure a staggered transition. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports on hate crimes in schools and the state, while maintaining the Commission's existing duties to develop prevention strategies and evaluate state laws.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 238: Public Health - Clean Indoor Air Act - Revisions

This bill updates Maryland's Clean Indoor Air Act to explicitly include vaping alongside traditional smoking in prohibited areas. It bans the use of electronic smoking devices and other vaping products in indoor public spaces, workplaces, and government-owned mass transportation. The legislation also mandates clear signage for both smoking and vaping restrictions and requires the Department of Health to study licensing rules for businesses that sell both alcohol and tobacco products.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 728: Health Insurance - Qualified Resident Enrollment Program (Access to Care Act)

This bill establishes the Qualified Resident Enrollment Program to help individuals in Maryland who currently lack health insurance access enroll in qualified plans. It defines "qualified residents" as people living in the state who are not incarcerated, regardless of their immigration status, and who do not qualify for existing federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The program allows the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to manage enrollment, potentially with help from a third-party contractor, and requires a specific federal waiver approval before it can begin. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the program's operations and administration, ensuring it has the necessary resources to function.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 342: Property Tax - Renters' Property Tax Relief Program - Assets Calculation

SB 342 modifies Maryland's renters' property tax relief program by changing how a person's assets are counted to determine eligibility. The bill specifically excludes the cash value of qualified retirement savings plans and individual retirement accounts from the list of assets used in these calculations. This change ensures that renters who have saved for retirement are not disqualified from receiving tax credits solely because of those specific savings. The update applies to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024, and does not alter the existing income or net worth limits for the program.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 66: Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Issuance of License Near a Place of Worship or School

This bill allows the Prince George's County Board of License Commissioners to issue alcohol licenses for establishments located near places of worship or schools under specific conditions. It permits licensing within 500 feet of a church or 1,000 feet of a school if the same owner previously held a valid license at that location before the building was constructed. The law also includes exceptions for certain license types and allows for more flexible distance requirements in designated commercial districts or specific cities like Laurel. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply only to Prince George's County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 574: Sales and Use Tax Exemption - Aircraft Parts and Equipment - Repeal of Reporting Requirement and Extension of Sunset

This Maryland bill extends a sales and use tax exemption for parts and equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade specific aircraft until June 30, 2030. The exemption applies to planes weighing less than 12,500 pounds or heavier aircraft primarily used in interstate or foreign commerce. Additionally, the legislation removes the requirement for the state Comptroller to annually report the revenue lost from this tax break and its impact on aviation technician employment. By repealing the reporting mandate and extending the sunset date, the bill ensures the tax relief continues without needing further legislative action.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 136: Family Law - Marriage Ceremony - Designation of Deputy Clerk

This Maryland law transfers the authority to appoint deputy clerks who can perform marriage ceremonies from county administrative judges to the clerks of the circuit court. Under the new rules, these designated deputy clerks, along with judges and authorized religious officials, are legally permitted to officiate weddings within the state. The change simplifies the administrative process by allowing the clerks themselves to select the deputy clerks rather than requiring a judge to make that designation. The legislation takes effect on October 1, 2024, and applies to all counties in Maryland.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 742: Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Stadium License

This Maryland bill authorizes stadium license holders in Frederick County to sell hard liquor for on-site consumption, expanding their current ability to sell only beer and wine. The legislation also increases the annual fee for this specific license from $2,000 to $2,500. These changes apply to owners of professional baseball franchises operating home games in the county and take effect on June 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 165: Education – Coaches – Mental Health Training

This Maryland law requires public school and college coaches to receive training on identifying signs of mental health issues in student-athletes. The State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Health will create specific guidelines covering depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse. All public schools and higher education institutions with athletic programs must provide this training to their coaches starting July 1, 2024.

Bill results