Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1052: Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - 46th Alcoholic Beverages District - Revisions

This bill updates regulations for the 46th Alcoholic Beverages District in Baltimore City, allowing the Board of License Commissioners to issue a limited number of new liquor licenses within a specific bounded area. It also permits existing license holders to convert their beer and light wine permits to full liquor licenses if they operate small restaurants with high food sales and meet local community requirements. The legislation maintains existing rules that prevent new licenses from being placed within 300 feet of schools or churches and restricts license transfers to locations closer to these sites than they were in 2004. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain licenses and waives a requirement for some restaurant license holders to remain open after hours.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 1000: Maryland Health Care Commission - Nursing Homes - Acquisitions

This bill establishes a new review process for the acquisition of nursing homes in Maryland, requiring owners to notify the Maryland Health Care Commission at least 60 days before finalizing a sale or transfer of more than 5% ownership. The legislation mandates that the Commission evaluate potential buyers based on their history of maintaining quality committees, conducting inspections, and managing lawsuits across all facilities they currently or previously own. If the Commission approves the request, the transaction can proceed without further regulatory hurdles, but the new owner must still submit periodic reports to the agency. This change aims to ensure that nursing home acquisitions are scrutinized for their potential impact on care quality and facility resources before they are completed.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 894: Baltimore City - Control Over Powers of Police Commissioner

This bill updates the Baltimore City Charter to allow the city government to pass laws that might conflict with the Police Commissioner's authority, provided a specific charter amendment is approved by voters. The change removes a previous restriction that prevented city ordinances or official actions from hindering the Police Commissioner's powers. However, this new rule only becomes active on January 1, 2025, if voters approve a separate charter amendment regarding the Police Commissioner's appointment and duties at the 2024 general election. If that voter-approved amendment fails to pass, the changes in this bill will not take effect and the original restrictions will remain in place.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 733: Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - Licensing Fees

HB 733 updates the annual licensing fees for various alcoholic beverage permits in Baltimore City. The bill directly affects businesses such as breweries, bars, restaurants, racetracks, and event organizers that hold these licenses. It replaces the previous fee amounts with new, higher charges for specific license classes, including beer-only, wine, and liquor permits. Additionally, the law adjusts fees for special events like beer festivals and wine tastings, while maintaining certain surcharges for services like live entertainment and outdoor seating.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 130: Criminal Law - Indecent Exposure Within the Presence of a Minor

This bill updates Maryland's criminal laws to specifically address indecent exposure involving minors. It prohibits individuals from committing indecent exposure when they know or should know that a minor, who is at least two years old and more than four years younger than the offender, is present. The law defines indecent exposure to include public masturbation, even if genitalia are not visible. Violations of the general indecent exposure rule are punishable as a misdemeanor with up to three years in prison or a $1,000 fine, while exposing oneself in the presence of a qualifying minor carries a heavier penalty of up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 652: Department of Juvenile Services – Report on Shootings (Department of Juvenile Services Transparency Act of 2024)

This bill requires the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to submit an annual report on shootings involving juveniles under its care. The report must detail how many youths were nonfatally shot, shot someone else, or were victims of homicide, along with their ages and counties of residence. It also mandates that the department explain the specific steps taken after each incident and include a description of its standard procedures for handling such events. These reports will be sent to the Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and the Maryland General Assembly starting December 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 300: Family Law - Marriage Ceremony - Designation of Deputy Clerk

This bill transfers the authority to appoint a deputy clerk who can perform marriage ceremonies from the county administrative judge to the clerk of the circuit court in Maryland. Previously, the administrative judge designated these deputies, but under the new law, the clerk of the circuit court will make this appointment directly. The change applies to all counties in the state and allows designated deputy clerks to legally officiate weddings alongside judges and religious officials. The provision officially takes effect on October 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 6: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans - Alterations

This bill expands a Maryland property tax credit for disabled veterans to include those with a 100% nonpermanent service-connected disability, in addition to existing eligibility for those with at least 50% permanent disabilities. To qualify, veterans must own a dwelling house occupied by no more than two families, have an income under $100,000, and provide specific documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The credit amount varies based on the disability rating, offering 50% of the property tax for ratings of 75% or higher and 25% for ratings between 50% and 74%. Local governments retain the authority to set their own application rules and may choose to limit the credit to only the most severely disabled veterans if they wish.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 209: Prison Education Delivery Reform Commission

This bill establishes the Prison Education Delivery Reform Commission in Maryland to study how education impacts the criminal justice system and to develop strategies for reducing recidivism. The commission will be composed of state officials, experts, community representatives, and individuals with prior experience in the correctional system, who will meet to gather public input and research best practices across all levels of education. Over a two-year period, the group is tasked with creating a data-driven policy framework that evaluates current workforce programs and identifies ways to improve employment outcomes for incarcerated individuals. The commission must submit an interim report by June 2025 and a final report by January 2026, after which the legislation will automatically expire.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 396: Prince George's County - Sales and Use Tax on Energy and Fuel - Use of Revenue PG 407-24

This bill changes how Prince George's County can use money collected from a local tax on energy and fuel. Previously, the county was required to set aside a specific amount of local funds for its school operating budget each year, but this requirement is now removed. Instead, the revenue from the energy and fuel tax can now be used specifically to help the county meet its state-mandated education funding targets. The law also allows the county to continue collecting the tax, provided the rate does not exceed the percentage that was in effect in 1992. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 455: Comptroller - Electronic Tax and Fee Return Filing Requirements

This bill mandates that certain businesses in Maryland, such as tire dealers and water facility operators, must file their tax and fee returns electronically starting in 2026. To support this transition, the law prohibits tax preparers and software companies from charging extra fees specifically for electronic filing and bans the sale of different versions of the same software that vary based on these fees. Additionally, the legislation establishes specific exceptions for individuals with disabilities, religious objections to digital technology, or other special needs who may still file on paper. Finally, the bill sets civil penalties of up to $1,000 for repeated violations of these new electronic filing rules and fee restrictions.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 950: Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations Conducted Through Telehealth - Reimbursement and Study

This Maryland bill authorizes insurance reimbursement for sexual assault forensic exams performed via peer-to-peer telehealth, where a forensic nurse assists a patient through video or interactive audio while a qualified health care provider conducts the physical exam. It also mandates the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee to study the feasibility of a pilot program for these remote examinations and create a plan to potentially expand the service statewide. The legislation defines specific terms for telehealth interactions, ensures that victims receive these services at no cost, and grants legal immunity to providers who perform these exams without obtaining parental consent for minors.

Bill results