Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 548: Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances

This bill establishes the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances in Maryland to study and make recommendations about the regulation of naturally derived psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline, while explicitly excluding peyote. The task force will be composed of state officials, healthcare experts, researchers, and community representatives appointed by various leaders to ensure diverse input. Its primary duties include analyzing current laws and data on the benefits and risks of these substances and proposing changes to create a state access program that covers permitting, education, and production rules. The group is tasked with developing specific requirements for a future permit system, such as training curricula and limits on how much individuals can possess or grow. Members of the task force will serve without pay but can be reimbursed for travel expenses, and the Maryland Department of Health Cannabis Administration will provide staff support.

Jamila Woods (D) Harry Bhandari (D) Deni Taveras (D) Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D) Ken Kerr (D)

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 613: State Board of Long-Term Care Administrators - Requirements for Assisted Living Managers

This Maryland bill updates regulations for assisted living managers, primarily by extending the deadline for mandatory licensing and revising training requirements. It allows managers to complete their required coursework through a mix of in-person and virtual methods, provided there is some direct interaction between instructors and students. The legislation also adjusts the composition of the State Board of Long-Term Care Administrators to include more assisted living managers and clarifies rules for temporary managers serving during vacancies. Additionally, it sets a specific date, July 1, 2026, by which all assisted living managers must hold a state license to practice.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 106: State Board of Social Work Examiners - Board Membership and Certified Social Worker Licenses

This Maryland bill updates the composition of the State Board of Social Work Examiners and clarifies licensing rules for social workers. It ensures the board includes a specific mix of licensed professionals, such as bachelor and master social workers, clinical specialists, and consumer representatives, while allowing any qualified licensee to fill vacancies if a specific category is not immediately appointed. The legislation also simplifies the process for out-of-state applicants seeking licensure by requiring them to hold an equivalent license in their home state and pass that state's exam, rather than taking a separate Maryland exam. Additionally, the bill removes outdated references to "certified social worker" licenses that no longer exist in the state. These changes take effect on June 1, 2024, and were approved by the Governor in May 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 336: Insurance - Producer Licensing Requirements - Education and Experience

This bill repeals the mandatory education and experience requirements for licensing insurance producers in Maryland, affecting those who sell property, casualty, life, health, annuity, and limited lines insurance. By removing these specific criteria, the legislation eliminates the need for applicants to complete state-approved study programs or demonstrate a year of prior work in the insurance industry before obtaining a license. The changes also remove exemptions for certain professional designations that previously allowed individuals to bypass standard testing and training mandates. Consequently, the state will rely primarily on character and trustworthiness standards, age requirements, and prohibitions against past misconduct to regulate who can sell insurance.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 147: Tobacco Tax Stamp Refunds - Loss Due to Theft

This bill allows tobacco tax stamp buyers in Maryland to request a refund if their stamps are stolen, provided they submit a police report and a notarized affidavit to the Comptroller. It specifically adds theft to the list of reasons for which refunds are available, alongside previous categories like fire, flood, or vandalism. To prevent fraud, the law requires taxpayers to return any refund if the stolen property is recovered and imposes a fine equal to double the refund amount for false claims. The changes take effect on June 1, 2024, and authorize the Comptroller to create regulations to enforce these procedures.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 531: Caroline County - Alcoholic Beverages - Barbershop and Beauty Salon License

This Maryland law creates a new license that allows barbershops and beauty salons in Caroline County to sell beer and wine to customers on the premises. The license is limited to serving up to 12 ounces of beer or 5 ounces of wine by the glass during normal business hours and cannot be transferred to a different location. To operate under this license, the business must already hold a valid permit for its primary services and complete required alcohol awareness training. The bill also updates the section numbers in the state code and sets the annual fee for this specific license at $100.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 586: Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Weinberg Center/New Spires Arts Stages Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

This Maryland bill updates the alcoholic beverage license for the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick County to officially include the adjacent New Spires Arts Stages. The law allows the nonprofit organization to sell beer, wine, and liquor at both locations and authorizes sales at events hosted by outside groups that rent either facility. Additionally, the legislation designates the manager of these venues or a mayor-appointed official as the person authorized to sign the license application. The updated license carries an annual fee of $325 and became effective on July 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 587: Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Manufacturer's Limited Beer, Wine, and Liquor Permit

This Maryland state bill creates a new permit for alcohol manufacturers in Frederick County to allow licensed caterers to bring their own beer, wine, and liquor to private events held at the manufacturer's facility. The permit is available only to businesses that already hold a local on-site consumption license and requires approval from the county board for each specific event. To ensure oversight, the board must establish rules for approving events and set an annual fee for the permit. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies exclusively within Frederick County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 736: Harford County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Golf Simulator Facility

This Maryland state bill authorizes the Harford County Board of License Commissioners to issue specific licenses for businesses operating golf simulator facilities. To qualify, the facility must be open to the public, contain at least five simulator bays, and have a layout primarily dedicated to these bays and related seating. The law allows licensed locations to sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-site consumption only if they serve food at all times and operate during normal business hours. Additionally, the bill mandates that sales of alcohol cannot exceed 35% of total revenue, while food sales must make up at least 15% and simulator rental fees at least 50%. Facility owners must submit an annual report detailing their gross sales to prove they meet these financial requirements before their license can be renewed.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 191: Prince George's County - Public School Employees Property Tax Credit and Office of Integrity and Compliance PG 503-24

This bill establishes an independent Office of Integrity and Compliance within the Prince George's County Public School System to oversee financial and operational ethics. The office will be led by a full-time officer appointed by the County Council based on professional ability and integrity, who is prohibited from holding secondary employment. This officer and their staff will conduct audits, investigate fraud or waste, and provide recommendations to improve the school system's efficiency and reputation. Additionally, the bill authorizes the county to offer a property tax credit to eligible employees of the school system to help offset their housing costs. The office must publish annual reports on its activities and findings, while also reporting serious legal violations to appropriate authorities.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 1060: Carroll County – Sheriff – Salary

This bill establishes a new salary schedule for the Sheriff of Carroll County, Maryland, setting specific annual amounts and a long-term mechanism to adjust pay. Initially, the salary is set at $110,000, increasing to $125,000 in 2022 and $140,000 in 2023, before rising to a fixed amount of $191,078.10 starting in 2026. Beginning in 2030, the salary will be updated every four years to match the highest pay step for a Department of State Police lieutenant colonel, or 110% of the previous term's salary, whichever is lower. The law also clarifies that any changes to the state police pay plan during a sheriff's term will not apply until the start of their next term.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 99: Criminal Law – Sexual Solicitation of a Minor Through Child Pornography – Prohibition

This Maryland bill strengthens laws against soliciting minors for sexual acts by updating the state's criminal code to explicitly cover digital communications like the internet and email. It prohibits individuals from urging a minor or a law enforcement officer pretending to be a minor to engage in illegal sexual activities, as well as from seeking parental consent for such acts. The legislation defines "solicit" broadly to include in-person interactions, phone calls, mail, and various electronic methods, ensuring that online grooming is clearly addressed. Violations of these new provisions are classified as felonies, carrying potential prison sentences of up to 10 years for a first offense and up to 20 years for repeat offenders, along with significant fines. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and apply to any solicitation that originates in or is received within Maryland.

Bill results