Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 204: Education – Coaches – Mental Health Training

This Maryland law mandates that public school and college coaches receive training to identify signs of mental illness and behavioral distress in student athletes. The State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Health will create specific guidelines covering issues such as depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse. Once these guidelines are established, every public school and higher education institution offering an athletic program must provide the required training to its coaches. The law applies to both intramural and interscholastic programs in public schools as well as intercollegiate programs at public universities.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 786: Health Occupations – Limited License to Practice Dentistry – Services for Adults

This Maryland bill creates a pathway for dentists trained outside the United States and Canada to obtain a limited license to practice, specifically to serve adults in public health clinics and federally qualified health centers. To qualify, applicants must hold a foreign dental degree, complete a two-year pediatric dentistry residency and fellowship, and commit to providing care for at least two years to Medicaid, uninsured, or indigent patients. The legislation requires approval from local health officials and the University of Maryland Dental School Dean, and it restricts these dentists to working only at the specific facility where they have a contractual obligation. Once the two-year service period is completed, eligible practitioners can apply for a full general dental license by passing additional state and national exams.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 732: Baltimore City – Control Over Powers of Police Commissioner

This bill temporarily removes a legal restriction that prevents Baltimore City laws from interfering with the powers of the Police Commissioner. The change is designed to take effect on January 1, 2025, but only if voters approve a specific charter amendment regarding the police department at the 2024 general election. If the amendment fails to pass, the bill becomes void without further action.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 668: Anne Arundel County - Sheriff - Salary

This bill sets the annual salary for the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at $133,000 for the years 2015 through 2024. Starting in 2025, the Sheriff's pay will be tied to the salary of a Captain at step 20 within the Anne Arundel County Police Department's pay scale. The law specifies that these salary changes will take effect at the beginning of the next term of office for the Sheriff, with the act itself becoming effective on October 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 453: Income Tax – Technical Corrections

HB 453 makes technical corrections to Maryland's income tax laws by removing outdated rules regarding how tax revenue is distributed to municipalities and fixing an incorrect reference in the tax code. The bill updates the definition of "municipality" for distribution purposes and adjusts the specific sections governing how the Comptroller allocates remaining individual income tax revenue to the state's General Fund. Additionally, the legislation corrects a cross-reference in the Housing and Community Development Article, ensuring that credits for new construction and rehabilitation projects point to the correct legal title. These changes are administrative in nature and do not alter the fundamental tax rates or liabilities for individuals or businesses.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 476: Criminal Procedure - Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search - Applicability for Deceased and Missing Individuals

This Maryland law updates criminal procedure rules to allow the use of forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis for identifying deceased or missing children under 18. The bill specifically permits law enforcement to use these genetic searches when a child's whereabouts are unknown, even if standard legal restrictions on such techniques would otherwise apply. By adding a new section to the state code, the legislation clarifies that existing limitations on DNA analysis do not block efforts to locate or identify these vulnerable individuals. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, providing a legal framework for using genealogy databases in cases involving missing or deceased minors.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 92: Resources and Education for All Prisons (REAP) Act

The REAP Act requires Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to help incarcerated individuals apply for federal Pell Grants to fund higher education. To support this, the law mandates that the department work with specific state universities and community colleges to facilitate access to these financial aid programs. Additionally, the Maryland Department of Labor must set enrollment goals and create tracking systems to monitor the number of incarcerated students in postsecondary programs and the college credits they earn. This data will be shared with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and the state budget must include funding for marketing these programs to inmates and maintaining the tracking infrastructure.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 941: Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B Beer, Wine, and Liquor Licenses - Purchases From Licensed Wholesalers and Self-Distribution

This bill updates alcohol licensing rules in Wicomico County to allow Class B restaurant license holders to buy liquor for resale from licensed wholesalers, in addition to county dispensaries. It also clarifies regulations for Class 9 limited distilleries, permitting them to sell their products at retail and conduct guided tours while restricting production volumes and prohibiting ownership of other distilleries. By repealing and reenacting specific sections of the state's alcohol code, the legislation streamlines how restaurants and small-scale distilleries operate within the county.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 362: Caroline County - Alcoholic Beverages - Barbershop and Beauty Salon License

This bill creates a new specific license allowing barbershops and beauty salons in Caroline County to serve beer and wine to customers. The license permits establishments to offer up to 12 ounces of beer or 5 ounces of wine by the glass while customers receive hair or cosmetic services during normal business hours. To qualify, businesses must already hold a valid barbershop or beauty salon permit and pay an annual fee of $100, while also completing required alcohol awareness training. The license is non-transferable to other locations and applies only within Caroline County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 966: Prior Authorizations of State Debt - Alterations

SB 966 amends several existing state debt authorizations to update the names of grant recipients and modify the intended uses of those funds. The bill specifically alters provisions related to local projects such as a turf field in Carroll County, an amphitheater in Prince George's County, and a medical facility in Baltimore City. These changes include correcting organizational titles, adjusting project descriptions, and extending the termination dates for certain grants. By repealing and reenacting previous legislation with these amendments, the bill ensures that the legal framework for these public works projects remains accurate and current.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 16, 2024

HB 759: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses - Professional Liability Insurance Coverage - Notification Requirements

This Maryland law requires advanced practice registered nurses to inform patients in writing if they do not have professional liability insurance or if their coverage has lapsed. The notification must be provided during a patient's first visit when coverage is missing and must be included in the informed consent form for any medical procedures. Patients must sign the notice at the time of the visit or consent, and the nurse must keep a copy in the patient's medical records. Additionally, nurses without insurance must display this information in a visible area of their workplace. The State Board of Nursing is tasked with creating the specific language for these notices, which will become effective on October 1, 2024.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 16, 2024

SB 677: Comptroller - Electronic Tax and Fee Return Filing Requirements

This Maryland bill mandates that tire dealers and water facility operators file their recycling and restoration fee returns electronically starting in 2026, while also requiring most other tax returns to be filed digitally. To support this shift, the law prohibits tax preparers and software companies from charging extra fees specifically for electronic filing and forbids selling different versions of the same software with and without these fees. The legislation also establishes civil penalties for violations and creates specific exceptions for individuals with disabilities, religious objections to digital technology, or other special needs that prevent electronic filing.

Bill results