Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 762: Montgomery County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B Beer, Wine, and Liquor License - Off-Premises Consumption MC 9-24

This bill allows restaurants and hotels in Montgomery County with existing Class B licenses to sell beer and wine in sealed containers for customers to take home, provided they have purchased prepared food at the same location. To qualify, businesses must prove that at least 40% of their total sales come from food, a requirement that must be met both initially and upon license renewal. The law also mandates that off-premises alcohol sales cannot be displayed on public shelves and can only occur when the establishment is open for business. Additionally, the county licensing board is authorized to set rules limiting how much alcohol a single customer can buy and to revoke licenses if businesses fail to maintain the required food-to-alcohol sales ratio.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 580: Sales and Use Tax - Nonprofit Organizations Maintaining Memorials - Exemption

This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that maintain memorials on property owned by the State of Maryland. To qualify for this exemption, the organization must be exempt from federal taxation under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3), and any money raised from the sale of items must be used specifically to maintain the memorial on state-owned land. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, allowing these organizations to sell goods without paying sales tax as long as the proceeds support the upkeep of the memorial.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1498: State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners - Aiding or Abetting Unauthorized Practice - Prohibition

This Maryland bill strengthens laws against helping unlicensed individuals practice massage therapy by making it a criminal offense to aid or abet such unauthorized activity. Under the new rules, anyone caught assisting an unlicensed person faces felony charges, with penalties including fines up to $20,000 per day for repeat offenses or prison time of up to five years. The legislation also clarifies that individuals who practice massage without a license are subject to misdemeanor charges and fines, while adding a requirement for convicted offenders to reimburse the state board for prosecution costs. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and aim to enforce stricter compliance with the state's massage therapy licensing requirements.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 532: Commission to Advance Lithium–Ion Battery Safety in Maryland

This bill establishes the Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland to address fire risks and recycling challenges associated with these batteries. The commission is composed of representatives from various state agencies, fire organizations, utilities, and industry groups, including manufacturers and recyclers, who will work together to develop safety standards and guidelines. Its primary tasks involve studying best practices for preventing and suppressing battery fires in consumer and transportation applications, evaluating extended producer responsibility programs, and creating training materials for the public and first responders. The commission must submit an interim progress report by December 1, 2024, and a final report with findings and recommendations by December 1, 2025, after which the law will expire.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 119: Legally Protected Health Care - Gender-Affirming Treatment

This Maryland bill expands the state's definition of "legally protected health care" to include specific gender-affirming treatments, such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers, when provided by licensed medical professionals. By updating several state laws, the measure ensures that these services receive the same legal protections as other protected health care, shielding providers from disciplinary actions and preventing the state from sharing resources with out-of-state investigations related to the treatment. Additionally, the bill restricts courts from issuing subpoenas or ex parte orders to investigate these medical matters unless the underlying conduct would also be considered a crime within Maryland. These changes primarily affect healthcare providers, patients seeking gender-affirming care, and legal entities involved in investigations or litigation concerning such treatments.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 654: St. Mary’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Nonprofit Performing Arts Theater License

This bill creates a new beer and wine license specifically for nonprofit performing arts theaters in St. Mary's County, Maryland. It allows these theaters to sell and serve alcohol for on-premises consumption during regular shows and fundraising events, operating from one hour before to one hour after the performance. To qualify, the venue must have seating and be run by a nonprofit organization, with the application requiring signatures from the president and two other officers. The annual fee for this license is set at $300, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 969: Death Certificates - Cause or Manner of Death Determinations - Requirements After Change or Correction (Katherine Morris Death Reclassification Act)

This bill establishes new requirements for Maryland law enforcement and prosecutors when a victim's death certificate is officially changed to list the cause or manner of death as undetermined or homicide. Specifically, it mandates that an assistant state's attorney must meet with the deceased's family or designated representative within 20 days to explain why a criminal investigation will not be pursued. Additionally, the law requires that such cases be reopened for reinvestigation and prohibits closing them for at least a specified period. These measures apply only when a medical examiner's initial determination is amended or corrected based on a formal request from a person in interest.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1341: Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B Beer, Wine, and Liquor Licenses - Purchases From Licensed Wholesalers and Self-Distribution

This bill updates Maryland state laws to allow Class B beer, wine, and liquor license holders in Wicomico County to purchase alcohol for retail sale from licensed wholesalers, in addition to county dispensaries. It also clarifies the rules for Class 9 limited distillery licenses, permitting them to sell their products at retail in ways consistent with their underlying restaurant or hotel licenses. The legislation sets specific limits on production and sales volumes for these distilleries while prohibiting them from holding separate wholesaler licenses. By repealing and reenacting relevant sections of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the bill ensures these regulatory changes apply specifically within Wicomico County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 594: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Required Study

This bill mandates that the Maryland Medical Assistance Program begin providing comprehensive coverage for the treatment of obesity starting July 1, 2025. The coverage specifically includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved medications for chronic weight management. Before this date, the Maryland Department of Health must conduct a study to analyze the impact of this requirement and estimate potential cost savings from reduced use of other medical services. Additionally, the state must notify program recipients about these new benefits and report the study findings to legislative committees by December 31, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 551: Criminal Procedure - Committed Persons - Release Proceedings

This bill updates the rules for release proceedings for individuals committed to mental health facilities in Maryland. It requires courts to apply standard civil discovery rules to these hearings and mandates that courts and health officials promptly notify relevant parties if a violation of release conditions is reported. The legislation also clarifies that applicants must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence and allows courts to modify release conditions, including extending them by up to five years, upon request.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 964: Carroll County – Alcoholic Beverages Licenses – Alcohol Awareness Training

This Maryland bill updates alcohol licensing rules specifically for Carroll County to require responsible service training. It mandates that at least one person listed on a Class B or Class D liquor license must complete an approved alcohol awareness program and remain on the premises during all hours alcohol is sold. If a licensee fails to meet these requirements, they face fines starting at $100 for a first offense, with higher penalties or license suspension for repeat violations. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies only to the specific county mentioned.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 697: Maryland National Guard - Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program - Alterations

This bill updates the Maryland National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program by adjusting the monthly reimbursement limit for eligible members. It allows the state to provide grants to National Guard members who qualify for Tricare Reserve Select coverage or dental benefits to help pay their premiums for themselves and their immediate families. The new provision sets the maximum monthly reimbursement at $60, provided the total amount paid out in a fiscal year does not exceed the state budget appropriation for the program. Effective July 1, 2024, the Department of Military Affairs will administer these grants according to updated regulations.

Bill results