SB 238 establishes Maryland's participation in the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, allowing licensed school psychologists to practice across member states without duplicative licensing. The bill creates a standardized pathway for psychologists to hold "equivalent licenses" in any participating state, directly affecting school psychologists seeking cross-state work and school districts needing qualified staff. Key provisions include requiring psychologists to follow each state's scope of practice laws, preserving state authority over licensing, and specifically facilitating mobility for military families. The compact also establishes a Commission to oversee implementation and address issues like disciplinary actions. This is a substantive policy change enabling easier interstate practice while maintaining state-level professional standards.
SB 193 creates a sales and use tax exemption for construction materials and warehousing equipment purchased specifically for use in Washington County's designated Target Redevelopment Area (bounded by Robinwood Drive, Mount Aetna Road, and Yale Drive within an Office/Research/Industry zoning district). Businesses buying these items for that area can avoid the tax if they provide the vendor with Comptroller-issued eligibility proof. The exemption is valid from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2036, after which it automatically expires without further legislative action. This directly affects developers and businesses operating within the defined redevelopment zone.
SB 168 establishes a two-year pilot program (2027-2028) in Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to test blockchain technology for recording real property ownership. The program allows property owners in up to three selected counties to opt into having their titles represented as secure digital tokens on a blockchain registry. This system would enable law enforcement and courts to verify ownership in real time, particularly for disputes involving squatting. The pilot requires creating a secure registry, testing smart contracts for title transfers, and reporting results to the legislature by 2029. It does not mandate statewide adoption but aims to assess blockchain's potential for improving property record security and dispute resolution.
SB 199 creates a state fund to provide grants for water-based activities like sailing, kayaking, and surfing, specifically expanding eligibility to include "eligible companions" of individuals with disabilities or service-disabled veterans. The bill requires the Department of Disabilities to administer grants of up to $40,000 annually to qualifying nonprofits that have provided these activities on Maryland waters at least 25 times yearly for three years. Eligible companions are defined as family members or direct support professionals accompanying the individuals. The fund, held separately by the State Treasurer, will cover both activity costs and administrative expenses. This policy change directly affects disabled individuals, service-disabled veterans, and their support personnel by adding companions to the list of beneficiaries.
HB 306, the Jack Fitzgerald Price Transparency Act, protects car dealers from retaliation by manufacturers if they disclose on their websites that a vehicle's advertised price is the manufacturer's minimum allowable price and that the dealer may offer a lower price. The bill requires manufacturers to offer the same rebates, incentives, and financing terms to all dealers of the same vehicle brand, ensuring equal treatment. It also prohibits manufacturers from forcing dealers to alter facilities or agree to exclusive arrangements in exchange for better pricing or financing terms. This law directly affects dealers (who can now transparently advertise lower prices) and manufacturers (who must comply with equal treatment and disclosure protections).
SB 6 would extend collective bargaining rights to nontenure track faculty at Maryland's public universities, including the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The bill creates a separate bargaining unit for these faculty members - defined as full-time, part-time, or adjunct employees with academic responsibilities like teaching or research - removing them from the previous exclusion under "faculty" in collective bargaining rules. It amends state law to require each institution to establish this distinct unit alongside other employee groups, ensuring nontenure track faculty can negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 242, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses to practice in Maryland under an occupational or professional license issued by another state, without needing to meet all of Maryland’s usual licensing requirements. It also expands eligibility for veterans’ licensing benefits to include former service members who were discharged more than a certain period before applying for a license. The bill creates new provisions (Subtitle 14A) in Maryland law to streamline this process and updates definitions to clarify who qualifies under these rules. These changes directly affect military personnel, their families, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions across Maryland.
HB 282 modifies Maryland's Adult Protective Services laws to clarify reporting requirements and definitions for vulnerable adults. It requires health practitioners, police officers, and human service workers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation - especially involving "relationship of trust" caregivers - via phone, online portal, or written report. The bill also defines key terms like "exploitation" (nonconsensual misuse of funds/property) and "vulnerable adult" (someone unable to meet their own daily needs). This directly affects vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled individuals), their caregivers, and frontline professionals who must report concerns.
HB 406 updates Prince George's County's alcohol licensing rules by allowing businesses to hold multiple licenses for specific beverage types that were previously prohibited. It adds Class B (on-sale) beer and wine licenses and Class B (on-sale) beer, wine, and liquor licenses to the list of license types exempt from the "no multiple licenses" rule. This change directly affects businesses seeking to operate multiple establishments within the county under these license categories. The bill amends Maryland's Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis code (Sections 26-102 and 26-1505) and takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 285 expands Maryland's existing scholarship program to include correctional officers. The bill amends state law to add "correctional officers" to the eligibility criteria for the Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program, which previously covered only police officers and probation agents. It defines "correctional officer" per Maryland law and allows current or future correctional officers to apply for tuition assistance if they meet residency, enrollment, and service obligation requirements. The scholarship requires recipients to work in the field for at least five years within eight years of graduation or repay funds. This change directly affects correctional officers seeking higher education in Maryland.
HB 443 creates a new Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) alcohol license in Prince George's County for venues that host events on a per-event basis without standard daily hours. It allows venues with kitchen/dining facilities for 75-125 people to serve beer, wine, and liquor during events, requiring a minimum $500,000 capital investment (excluding land/buildings) and food service during events. The bill limits the county to issuing no more than 24 total licenses per year and max 3 licenses per state legislative district at any time. The annual license fee is $3,500, and the license is effective July 1, 2026.
HB 372 requires hospitals with emergency departments to screen patients for emergency pregnancy-related medical conditions (defined as acute conditions posing serious health risks if untreated). If such a condition is identified, hospitals must provide treatment to stabilize the patient - including allowing pregnancy termination when medically necessary - or transfer the patient to another facility. The bill prohibits hospitals from penalizing healthcare providers who refuse to transfer unstable patients or from taking adverse action against staff who report violations. It directly affects hospitals, patients with emergency pregnancy conditions, and healthcare providers treating these cases, with fines up to $50,000 for non-compliance.
