HB 1352 requires state contractors on certain projects to ensure a specified percentage of work hours are performed by Maryland residents. This directly affects construction, service, and other contractors bidding on state government contracts. The bill creates new enforcement mechanisms under a new "Worker Residency Requirements" subtitle (Sections 17-6B-01 to 17-6B-06), directing the Department of Labor to oversee compliance. Violations could lead to debarment from state contracts, though the bill focuses on establishing the residency requirement rather than detailing specific penalties.
SB 557 amends Maryland's gaming laws to redefine "own" for video lottery facilities and sports wagering licenses. It excludes from ownership definitions any non-voting interest of 25% or less in an applicant or licensee’s business, provided the interest doesn’t confer voting rights and is held directly by a person or in trust without trustee control. This change directly affects businesses seeking or holding video lottery or sports wagering licenses by relaxing ownership restrictions for minor, non-controlling investors. The bill modifies specific sections of Maryland’s Annotated Code (9-1A-01(s), 9-1A-05, 9-1A-08, and 9-1E-03) to implement this policy adjustment.
HB 1241 expands Maryland's bereavement leave eligibility by redefining "qualified relationships" to include more individuals beyond immediate family. The bill adds grandparents, siblings, domestic partners, step-relatives, adoptive/foster relations, and de facto partners to the list of relationships qualifying for paid bereavement leave. This change directly affects Maryland employees who experience the death of these individuals, allowing them to take paid leave under state law. The bill amends Section 3-802 of the Maryland Annotated Code without altering leave duration or pay structure, maintaining existing employer thresholds (15+ employees) and excluding federal FMLA coverage.
Maryland's SB 970 requires sports wagering companies that advertise within the state to contract with licensed independent evaluators. The bill mandates these companies must have their content, experts, influencers, and content partners evaluated and rated by qualified third parties. This requirement becomes effective July 1, 2026, but only if the State Lottery Commission licenses at least three independent evaluators first. The law changes existing rules from voluntary ("may") to mandatory ("shall") for advertising operators.
HB 1612 requires sports wagering businesses that advertise in Maryland to contract with state-licensed independent evaluators to assess their advertising content, experts, influencers, and content partners. This law directly affects licensed sports wagering operators and licensees advertising within the state, replacing a permissive "may" with a mandatory "shall" under Maryland’s State Government Article §9-1E-17(d). The bill mandates that at least three independent evaluators must be licensed by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission before the requirement takes effect on July 1, 2026. It focuses on evaluating advertising practices rather than altering gambling rules or financial regulations.
HB 1158 allows Calvert County to enter into 20-year contracts for infrastructure or asset management programs involving qualifying assets with a minimum 15-year lifespan, such as water towers, flow meters, and other water/sewer assets. It modifies existing county law to authorize these extended contracts, which previously required shorter terms under the county's standard procurement rules. The bill specifically permits contracts covering the full lifecycle of these assets, including planning, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning. This change directly affects Calvert County's ability to manage long-term infrastructure projects under its procurement policies.
HB 921 limits when minors in Maryland juvenile facilities can be placed in restrictive housing (isolation or special confinement). It prohibits using restrictive housing for discipline, punishment, or staff convenience, and requires facilities to use it only for immediate safety risks (like harm to self/others or facility security) for the shortest time possible (max 6 hours). Minors can request restrictive housing or withdraw that request at any time, and facilities must provide mental health screenings within 1 hour of placement. The bill also mandates that minors in restrictive housing receive the same access to phone calls, visits, medical care, education, and recreation as other minors, unless safety is at risk.
HB 1617 establishes "Health Innovation Zones" in Maryland counties to address health disparities. It defines zones as areas with documented health gaps (like high maternal complications, chronic diseases, or low access to care) in communities of color, low-income areas, or immigrant populations. Counties must create incentives for grocery stores, pharmacies, and healthcare providers to locate in these zones, and Prince George’s County must designate specific zones (including the Blue Line Corridor and areas near DC) while seeking additional zones meeting the same criteria. The bill requires annual $5 million state funding starting in 2028 for the Maryland Economic Development Corporation to support these businesses and exempts them from local zoning laws within designated zones.
HB 1258 prohibits unlicensed individuals or organizations from advertising adoption services in Maryland. It requires that only licensed child placement agencies (approved by the Social Services Administration) or local departments may advertise such services, covering all media including social media, websites, and direct messaging. The Social Services Administration can investigate violations, issue cease-and-desist orders, and refer cases to the Attorney General, who may pursue civil penalties of $10,000 per violation. This law directly affects unlicensed adoption facilitators, private agencies, and individuals advertising adoption services without proper authorization.
HB 883 prohibits AI developers from making or causing AI to make claims that the AI is a behavioral health provider or can deliver behavioral health care services. It requires AI sold to Maryland consumers to include clear notices stating users are interacting with AI (not a human) and to detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm, automatically referring users to crisis services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1 million per offense, with funds directed to Maryland’s Behavioral Health Workgroup Investment Fund. The law directly affects AI developers and sellers operating in Maryland, focusing on preventing misleading AI interactions in mental health contexts.
HB 1018 establishes minimum mandatory standards for the care, custody, and conditions of individuals held in Maryland's immigration detention facilities. It directly affects immigration detainees, facility operators (including private entities), and healthcare/security staff who must report violations. Key provisions require the Secretary of Public Safety to adopt regulations covering safety, housing, food, and rights; mandate facility inspections and annual certifications; and authorize the Commission to shut down facilities deemed life-threatening or health-endangering. The bill also obligates staff to report violations with disciplinary consequences for non-compliance and allows the Attorney General to sue private facility operators for violations.
SB 766 expands Maryland's tax whistleblower program to reward individuals who report significant tax violations. It directly affects whistleblowers who provide original information about tax cases involving:
- Individuals with federal adjusted gross income of $250,000+ (or married couples filing jointly),
- Businesses with $2 million+ in annual gross receipts,
- Where taxes in dispute exceed $250,000.
Key mechanisms include allowing the Attorney General and state agencies to pursue enforcement actions using whistleblower tips, requiring information sharing between agencies, and setting awards at 15-30% of collected taxes/penalties. The bill modifies existing tax enforcement rules to broaden eligibility for rewards while maintaining strict requirements for "original information."
