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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 521: Garrett County - Sheriff's Salary - Alteration

This bill changes how the salary of the Garrett County Sheriff is determined in Maryland. It removes the requirement for a Salary Study Commission to review and recommend changes to the Sheriff's pay and instead mandates that the Sheriff's salary be set at 80% of the State's Attorney's salary. The law takes effect on October 1, 2024, and applies to Sheriffs whose terms begin on or after that date.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 470: Growing Apprenticeships and the Public Safety Workforce (GAPS) Act

This bill expands Maryland's existing Law Enforcement Cadet Apprenticeship Program into a broader Public Safety Apprenticeship Program that includes correctional facilities and other public safety agencies. It increases the maximum grant amounts available to agencies, raising the startup grant limit to $200,000 and the per-apprentice stabilization grant to $5,000, while also requiring agencies to bargain with unions regarding employment terms before receiving funds. Additionally, the legislation mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create mental health wellness policies for law enforcement and correctional facilities and establishes a new workgroup to study ways to increase employment in these sectors.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 363: Caroline County – Alcoholic Beverages – Beer, Wine, and Liquor Tasting License

This Maryland bill expands a special tasting license in Caroline County to include liquor, in addition to beer and wine. It allows businesses with existing Class C per diem licenses to offer these drinks for free tasting on their premises, provided the alcohol is consumed there and not sold. The law sets strict limits on how much an individual can drink in a single day and caps the number of times a person can use the license at 26 times per year. A $50 fee is required to obtain this license, which must be renewed daily and includes a rule that any opened containers of alcohol must be discarded at the end of the day.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 175: State Board of Examiners in Optometry - Criminal History Records Checks

This Maryland law requires anyone applying for an optometry license or renewing an existing one to undergo a criminal history records check. Applicants must request both state and national background checks from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and pay the associated fees. When reviewing these records, the licensing board will consider factors such as the nature of any past crimes, how long ago they occurred, and the applicant's subsequent work history to determine if they pose a threat to public safety. The information obtained from these checks is kept confidential and used solely for licensing decisions, while individuals have the right to contest the accuracy of the records provided.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1476: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Appointment of Members

This bill changes how audiologists are selected to serve on Maryland's State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists. Instead of the current board asking for nominations, the Governor must now choose licensed audiologists from a list provided by the Maryland Academy of Audiology. The law requires the academy to submit enough names to fill any open seats, while the board still notifies all licensed audiologists to gather additional nominations. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 507: Allegany and Garrett Counties - Property Tax - Credit for Construction of Housing

This bill creates tax incentives to encourage the construction and purchase of new housing in Allegany and Garrett Counties. It allows these counties to offer property tax credits of up to $10,000 for newly built homes that include specific features like sprinkler systems, fire safety equipment, or fixed broadband internet. The state will reimburse the counties for 50% of the lost tax revenue generated by these credits. Additionally, the bill enables developers who build more than 10 middle-income homes in these areas to receive a $7,500 state income tax credit for each home, which homeowners can carry forward if they do not use the full amount in one year.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1078: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Remote Ultrasound Procedures and Remote Fetal Nonstress Tests

This Maryland law requires the state's medical assistance program to cover remote ultrasound procedures and fetal nonstress tests for eligible pregnant women and their families. To qualify, patients must be at home or in a location other than their provider's office, and the provider must follow the same safety standards as if the test were done in person. The bill mandates that these remote services use FDA-approved digital technology to securely transmit health data for interpretation by a doctor elsewhere. Additionally, the program must reimburse remote fetal nonstress tests at the same rate as on-site tests, provided the equipment is FDA-cleared for monitoring fetal, maternal, and uterine activity. The law takes effect on October 1, 2024, and the state will issue guidance to help providers implement these new requirements.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 808: Alcoholic Beverages – Retail Delivery – Local Delivery Service Permit

This Maryland bill creates a new local delivery service permit that allows third-party contractors, independent contractors, or agents to deliver alcoholic beverages on behalf of licensed retailers. Under the law, a retailer must first obtain authorization from its local licensing board before hiring a permitted delivery service to bring alcohol to customers within that same jurisdiction. The permit holders must be at least 21 years old, complete an alcohol awareness program, and cannot sell or store the alcohol themselves, while the retailer retains control over sales and payments. Local licensing boards will set specific application rules and can charge a $1,000 annual fee for the permit, which also establishes penalties for violations.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 353: Maryland Department of Health - 2-1-1 Maryland - Oversight

This bill clarifies the legal definition of the 2-1-1 Maryland system, describing it as a coordinated network for health and human services rather than just a telephone service, and identifies the specific nonprofit corporation that administers it. It removes the requirement for the Maryland Department of Health to evaluate call center performance and make recommendations on service quality or corrective actions, shifting that oversight role away from the state department. Additionally, the law expands the 2-1-1 Maryland board of directors to include two representatives nominated by the call centers themselves, ensuring greater stakeholder involvement in governance.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 1038: Anne Arundel County - Human Relations Commission - Subpoena Enforcement

This bill authorizes the Anne Arundel County Human Relations Commission to enforce its subpoenas more effectively when individuals refuse to comply. Under the new rules, if a person ignores a subpoena, the commission can request a court order to force that individual to appear for testimony or produce documents and records. If the person still fails to obey the court's order, they may face punishment for contempt of court. This change applies specifically to Anne Arundel County and takes effect on October 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 287: Property Tax - Renters' Property Tax Relief Program - Assets Calculation

This Maryland bill updates the Renters' Property Tax Relief Program by clarifying which financial items count toward a renter's asset total. Specifically, it removes the cash value of qualified retirement savings plans and individual retirement accounts from the list of assets used to determine eligibility. The change ensures that renters with significant retirement savings are not disqualified from receiving tax credits solely because of those funds. The legislation also maintains existing limits, such as capping the credit at $1,000 and restricting benefits to renters with a net worth of $200,000 or less. These adjustments take effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 1039: Frederick County - Juveniles - Truancy Reduction Pilot Program

This bill authorizes the judge in Frederick County to create a pilot program aimed at reducing truancy among juvenile students. It allows the judge to design specific strategies to help minors stay in school, provided that state funding is available for the initiative. The legislation updates Maryland law to include Frederick County alongside other counties that have previously been approved for similar programs. Effective October 1, 2024, the law takes effect to enable this local effort to address student attendance issues.