SB 101 adds correctional officers to Maryland's existing loan repayment and scholarship programs for public safety workers. It expands the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program (Subtitle 37) to allow correctional officers who work in state facilities for at least two years to get help repaying higher education loans. It also creates a new scholarship program (Subtitle 38) for students or current correctional officers pursuing relevant degrees, requiring a five-year service commitment after graduation. The bill directly affects correctional officers statewide by providing financial support for education and career advancement. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.
HB 57 establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program within the State Department of Education to recognize public school students demonstrating proficiency in civics and civic literacy. Local school systems may voluntarily participate to award a "Seal of Civic Excellence" on students' high school diplomas based on criteria developed by the Department by the 2027-2028 school year. Schools must submit annual reports to the Department starting July 1, 2028, detailing program implementation. The bill directly affects Maryland public schools and students, creating a formal recognition system without mandating curriculum changes or altering existing civics education requirements.
SB 198 requires Prince George’s Community College to establish an Aerospace Technology Studies Program by December 2026, in collaboration with Maryland’s Higher Education Commission, Department of Commerce, and local economic development groups. The program must include training in aerospace systems, avionics, advanced manufacturing, and AI applications, with industry internships and a clear high school-to-college career pathway. It mandates formal partnerships with local aerospace employers and requires annual reports on progress and student outcomes to state and county officials. The bill directly affects students seeking aerospace careers and local employers needing skilled workers, focusing on workforce development without specifying funding or cost.
HB 14 requires Maryland county school boards to collect and report detailed data on bullying, harassment, or intimidation incidents involving students. It mandates a standardized report form that specifically identifies if incidents were motivated by characteristics like race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and requires schools to post annual summaries of such incidents on their websites, broken down by the motivating characteristic. County boards must submit these summaries to the State Board by January 31 each year, while maintaining confidentiality under federal privacy laws. The bill directly affects public schools, students experiencing bullying, and school staff responsible for handling reports.
SB 253 authorizes supervisory employees at Baltimore County Public Library to form unions, join collective bargaining efforts, and participate in related activities. It reclassifies certain supervisory staff as "management employees" if they exercise independent judgment (e.g., resolving grievances or making hiring decisions beyond routine tasks), rather than automatically excluding them from unionization. The bill establishes two fixed bargaining units: one for non-supervisory staff and one for supervisory staff, while preserving existing union agreements in place before June 30, 2026. This change directly affects library supervisors who may now engage in collective bargaining under specific conditions.
HB 102 requires Maryland counties to allow dependent children of active-duty military members to enroll in schools *before* relocating to the area, using remote registration without fees or in-person visits. It ensures children with disabilities continue receiving their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans without delay when enrolling. The bill also mandates that counties coordinate with the sending state’s school system and allows military families to use temporary housing addresses for residency proof. Additionally, children who enroll through this process may stay in their school for the full academic year, even if their residency status changes.
HB 388 allows supervisory employees at Baltimore County Public Library to form unions and engage in collective bargaining, creating a dedicated bargaining unit for them alongside the existing unit for non-supervisory staff. It clarifies that some supervisory roles may be reclassified as "management employees" if their duties involve routine tasks rather than independent judgment, using specific criteria like whether they spend significant time working with non-supervisory staff. The bill preserves existing bargaining agreements and units in place before June 30, 2026, and takes effect July 1, 2026. This change directly affects library supervisors in Baltimore County by granting them formal collective bargaining rights previously restricted to non-supervisory employees.
SB 309 expands Maryland's sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion or coins by removing two current requirements: a $1,000 minimum sale price and the need for sales to occur at the Baltimore Convention Center. The bill clarifies that the exemption applies to refined precious metal products (like gold or silver bars) and coins used as currency, excluding jewelry or art made from precious metals. This change directly affects buyers purchasing investment-grade bullion or coins, making the exemption available for more transactions regardless of price or location. The policy update takes effect July 1, 2026, broadening access to the tax break for eligible purchases.
HB 546 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to provide a free, mandatory professional development course on educator well-being and flourishing to all school personnel and administrators by July 1, 2027. The course must cover eight key areas of well-being identified by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including social connections, physical health, emotional resilience, and financial literacy. Schools may use synchronous or asynchronous instruction, and the department can develop the course itself or adapt existing third-party materials. The bill ensures this course is offered at the same rate as other required professional development courses for licensed educators.
SB 109 would expand eligibility for property tax payment deferrals in Anne Arundel County to include members of certain military reserve components (like National Guard reservists) and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service. Currently, deferrals are available to seniors (62+), permanently disabled residents with specific federal benefits, or those meeting income requirements; this bill adds these two new federal service groups to the eligible categories. The change would allow qualifying members to delay paying county property taxes on their primary residence without needing to prove additional disability or age. The bill requires the county governing body to adopt a deferral program following specific rules and would take effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.
HB 519 creates three new entertainment permit types for alcohol license holders in Anne Arundel County, replacing previous categories. It allows Background Permits (for piped music/one TV, $100 fee), General Permits (for background entertainment plus live music up to four musicians, trivia, karaoke, $200-$300 fee), and Full Permits (for stage shows, dance floors, etc., $200-$400 fee). The bill requires outdoor events under these permits to be at least 100 feet from residential zones and restricts Full Permits near schools or places of worship within 1,000 feet. It directly affects bars, restaurants, and venues with Class B, BLX, D, or H liquor licenses seeking to offer live music, karaoke, or stage events.
HB 512 increases minimum annual salaries for Anne Arundel County's Board of License Commissioners and part-time inspectors, effective July 1, 2026. The bill sets a new minimum $21,240 annual salary for the board chair (up from $18,000), $17,700 for other board members (up from $15,000), and $8,260 for each of the 18 part-time inspectors (up from $7,000). All salaries must include any cost-of-living adjustments available to Anne Arundel County employees. Additionally, part-time inspectors receive a $300 monthly expense allowance subject to approval. The bill directly affects these specific county positions handling alcohol beverage licensing.
