Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 12: Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement

SB 12 requires landlords to provide air-conditioning in most residential rental units during summer months (June 1-September 30) to maintain indoor temperatures at or below 80°F. It applies to apartment buildings with four or more units, excluding historic properties, buildings constructed between 1940-1950, and specific Baltimore public housing units. Landlords must ensure AC systems are functional for tenant-controlled units or maintain temperature limits for landlord-controlled systems. New constructions must comply starting June 1, 2026, while renovated units with major electrical or heating upgrades must comply starting October 1, 2026. The law does not affect buildings with permits issued before the law’s effective date.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 216: Criminal Law - Benefits Exploitation

HB 216 prohibits individuals from exploiting government benefits through deception, coercion, or exploitation of vulnerable people. It specifically bans recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining others to appropriate their benefits (including Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, and veterans benefits) for personal gain or to benefit others. The law also prohibits financial gain from such exploitation or aiding/abetting these acts, with penalties including up to 25 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It directly affects benefit recipients - particularly vulnerable populations like disabled or elderly adults - and those who exploit their benefits through threats, false promises, or controlling behavior. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 182: Adult Protective Services - Modifications

SB 182 amends Maryland's Adult Protective Services laws by clarifying definitions and updating reporting requirements for abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. It specifically defines "abuse" to include psychological harm from intentional acts, "exploitation" as nonconsensual misuse of funds/property by trusted caregivers, and "vulnerable adult" as lacking capacity for daily needs. The bill requires health practitioners, police, and human service workers to report suspected incidents immediately via phone, online portal, or written submission, including specific details like the adult's address and nature of incapacity. These changes directly affect vulnerable adults (aged 18+ with physical/mental limitations) and mandated reporters like nurses, social workers, and police in Maryland.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 235: Housing and Community Development - Neighborhood Business Development Program - Local Approval Requirement

HB 235 repeals a requirement that local governments (such as cities or counties) must approve applications for financial assistance under Maryland's Neighborhood Business Development Program. This change eliminates the need for the Department of Housing and Community Development to obtain local approval - via resolution or letter - before funding projects, removing a potential delay in the process. Small businesses, nonprofits, and microenterprises applying for program funds will now receive faster access to support without waiting for local government sign-off. The bill does not alter the program's eligibility criteria, funding types (grants, loans, etc.), or the Department's obligation to notify local jurisdictions about proposed projects.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 200: Sale of Residential Real Property - Required Flood Risk Disclosure

HB 200 requires home sellers in Maryland to provide buyers with a standardized flood risk disclosure form before finalizing a property sale. The form, created by the Department of the Environment, must detail if a property is in a high-risk flood zone (1% annual chance), moderate-risk area (0.2% annual chance), has flood insurance requirements, or has a history of flood damage or claims. Sellers must provide this form and, if available, a FEMA elevation certificate and records of past flood claims. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2027, directly affecting residential property sellers and buyers.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 168: Housing and Community Development - Affordable Housing - Educator Workforce Housing and Municipal Corporations

HB 168 allows Maryland school districts to use state housing funds for developing housing specifically for teachers and school staff (called "educator workforce housing"). It explicitly states that such housing qualifies as an eligible use of state financial assistance under housing programs and ensures teachers are recognized as a "specified group" for federal low-income housing tax credits. The bill modifies existing laws to clarify that school districts can repurpose unused school properties for this housing and that state housing agencies must inform applicants about this eligibility. This directly affects school districts seeking to address housing needs for educators and teachers applying for federal housing tax credits.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 191: Consumer Protection - Retail Transactions for Essential Consumer Goods - Cash Payments

HB 191 prohibits merchants from refusing cash payments, requiring credit/debit cards, or charging fees for cash in in-person retail transactions between $5 and $300. It directly affects merchants in physical stores (excluding online, phone, mail, parking, or metered spaces). Violations are deemed deceptive trade practices, with enforcement requiring two compliance opportunities before fines up to $5,000 for first violations and $10,000 for repeat offenses. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 194: Income and Property Tax Incentives - Members and Veterans of the Space Force - Application

SB 194 amends Maryland tax code to extend existing income and property tax benefits to members and veterans of the Space Force. It updates definitions in tax laws to explicitly include "space service" alongside military, naval, and air service, making Space Force members, veterans, and their surviving spouses eligible for current programs. Key provisions include revising eligibility for job creation tax credits (under Section 6-301(e)) and property tax exemptions for disabled veterans (Sections 7-208 and 9-265). These changes ensure Space Force personnel qualify for the same tax incentives previously available only to traditional military branches. The bill directly affects Space Force members, veterans, and their families by expanding access to existing state tax benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 30: Baltimore County - Property Tax Credit - Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34

SB 30 would authorize Baltimore County's governing body to grant a 100% property tax credit against county taxes for real property owned by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34 at 730 Wampler Road, Middle River. This credit would eliminate the full county property tax liability for that specific property. The bill applies only to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026, and takes effect June 1, 2026. It directly affects Baltimore County (through its tax policy) and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34 (as the beneficiary of the credit).

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 211: Baltimore County – Property Tax Credit – Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34

This bill would authorize Baltimore County to grant a 100% property tax credit against the county tax for real property owned by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34, specifically located at 730 Wampler Road in Middle River. The credit would eliminate all county property taxes for this property starting in 2026. It directly affects only this single property owned by the lodge, with no broader application to other properties or taxpayers. The provision becomes effective for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 161: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

HB 161 creates a property tax credit for property owners who convert former gas stations (retail service stations) to new uses like retail stores, homes, or mixed residential-retail spaces. Local governments (counties or cities) can grant this credit to offset property taxes, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost tax revenue. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up contamination. This applies to properties converted after June 30, 2026, and affects property owners making such conversions in Maryland jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 58: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

SB 58 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties to offer property tax credits to owners who convert former gas stations into retail, residential, or mixed-use properties. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up soil or water contamination from those tanks. Local governments can set the credit amount and duration, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue. This directly affects property owners and developers planning to redevelop former gas station sites into other commercial or housing uses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Bill results