Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 582: Economic Development - Entrepreneurial Innovation Programs - Establishment (Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act of 2024)

This bill creates two new funding programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based startups and university-led innovation projects. The first program offers $50,000 grants to startups located in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area, while the second pilot program provides incentives for technology businesses founded by students or faculty at local universities. To qualify for the university program, participating schools must contribute up to $50,000 annually, and projects must focus on creating new businesses, commercializing products, or fostering inclusive entrepreneurial development. The legislation also removes a previous requirement for funding a telework assistance grant program and sets aside $1.5 million for the university pilot program for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

Kevin Harris (D) Harry Bhandari (D) Deni Taveras (D) Diana Fennell (D) Heather Bagnall Tudball (D)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 307: Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Nonprofit Organizations PG 304-24

This bill updates Prince George's County laws to allow nonprofit fraternal and sororal organizations to apply for Class C licenses to sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-premises consumption. To qualify, these groups must be independent and nationwide, have at least 100 dues-paying members, and operate a clubhouse primarily for their members, while explicitly excluding college or high school fraternities and sororities. The license permits sales during standard hours without Sunday restrictions, allows private room rentals, and sets an annual fee of $910, with penalties for repeated underage sales violations.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 16: Tax Sales - Homeowner Protection Program - Funding

This Maryland bill strengthens the Homeowner Protection Program by requiring tax collectors to include informational inserts on property tax bills that explain how the program helps low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners avoid foreclosure. It also mandates a $15 fee for each tax sale certificate issued, with the collected funds directed to the Homeowner Protection Fund to support the program's operations. Additionally, the legislation establishes a dedicated website for voluntary donations and ensures the program receives an annual state appropriation of $750,000 for the years 2023 through 2025.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 343: Environment - Dredged Material - Containment, Redeposit, and Oversight

This bill updates Maryland laws to change how citizens oversee the storage and reuse of dredged material at two specific sites: Cox Creek in Anne Arundel County and Hart-Miller-Pleasure Island in Baltimore County. It alters the membership of the Cox Creek Citizens Oversight Committee by adjusting the number of representatives from various community groups and requires the committee to advise the Maryland Port Administration on dredging management and potential environmental impacts. Additionally, the legislation modifies rules for the Hart-Miller-Pleasure Island site by allowing the Department of the Environment to approve new deposits near large redevelopment projects if a community benefits agreement is signed, while maintaining height limits and a 2027 deadline for filling the facility.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 452: Courts - Prohibited Liability Agreements - Recreational Facilities

This Maryland bill makes it illegal for commercial recreational facilities like gyms, swimming pools, and amusement parks to include clauses in their contracts that try to limit their liability for injuries caused by their own negligence. Under the new law, any agreement that attempts to release these facilities or their employees from responsibility for such injuries is considered void and unenforceable. The legislation specifically applies to businesses open to the general public but excludes agreements related to health club memberships and does not affect the liability of government entities. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, ensuring that patrons cannot be forced to sign away their right to sue for carelessness by the facility they are using.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1357: Howard County - Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreements - Moderate Income Housing Ho. Co. 8-24

This bill allows property owners in Howard County to avoid paying county property taxes if they agree to maintain a specific number of housing units for moderate-income households that exceeds local zoning requirements. To ensure fairness and transparency, the County Executive must publish a clear formula on the county website for calculating the tax payment amount and must review and update this formula at least once every five years. The governing body is prohibited from entering into any such tax-exempt agreements unless the payment amount was calculated using the most recently published formula. These rules apply to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 790: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Employed Individuals With Disabilities

This Maryland law updates the rules for the Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program, which provides medical assistance to people with disabilities who work. It requires the state health department to offer these services to eligible applicants aged 16 and older without restricting access based on income, assets, retirement funds, or age. The bill also mandates that participants pay monthly premiums based solely on their earnings and establishes a specific financial account called an Independence Account where they can save money without losing their benefits. Additionally, the legislation creates a smoother transition for current program recipients and requires the department to consult with disability advocates twice a year to ensure the program meets their needs.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 244: 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 cannabis vaping products in indoor public spaces, workplaces, and government-operated mass transportation. The legislation also requires clearer signage for both smoking and vaping restrictions and alters exemptions for certain retail tobacco businesses. Additionally, it mandates that the state health department study how alcoholic beverage licenses are issued to tobacconists and prohibits such licenses for a specific period.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 113: Criminal Law - Sexual Solicitation of a Minor Through Child Pornography - Prohibition

This Maryland law strengthens penalties for individuals who solicit minors or law enforcement officers posing as minors to engage in illegal sexual acts. The bill defines "solicit" broadly to include requests made in person, over the phone, via mail, or through any electronic means like computers and the internet. It makes it a felony to encourage a minor or their parent to participate in activities that would otherwise be unlawful, such as producing or viewing child pornography or engaging in sadomasochistic abuse. Convictions carry prison sentences of up to ten years for a first offense and up to twenty years for repeat offenders, along with substantial fines.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 35: Property Tax - Submission of Building Permits to Supervisor of Assessments - Estimated Construction Cost

This bill requires local building permit offices to send the estimated construction cost along with the permit copy to the county supervisor of assessments. The primary goal is to provide property tax assessors with more accurate data about a building's value at the time of construction. This change directly affects construction companies and permit issuers who must now include cost estimates in their submissions. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and aims to improve the accuracy of property tax assessments by ensuring assessors have access to specific cost information earlier in the building process.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 973: Hospitals - Private Hospital Grant Program - Funding

This bill establishes a grant program to help private hospitals in Maryland secure funding for capital projects like building upgrades or new equipment. To manage this process, the Maryland Hospital Association must create a review committee that sets rules for who can apply, how projects are scored, and which ones get recommended for funding. The Governor is then authorized to include up to $20 million annually in the state budget starting in fiscal year 2026 to support these approved projects. The law ensures that the committee's membership reflects the geographic diversity of hospitals across the state while allowing flexibility to reject specific funding requests under certain conditions.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1127: Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations Conducted Through Telehealth - Reimbursement and Study

This Maryland bill allows for the reimbursement of sexual assault forensic exams performed remotely using peer-to-peer telehealth, where a forensic nurse assists a patient who is physically present with a healthcare provider. It mandates that the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of launching a pilot program for these remote examinations. The legislation defines specific telehealth requirements, such as the use of interactive audio and video, and clarifies that providers cannot include victim details or photos in reimbursement requests. Additionally, the bill grants immunity from civil liability to physicians and healthcare providers who conduct these exams without obtaining parental consent for children.

Bill results