Maryland Bills

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SB 809: Declaration of Rights - Right to Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers

SB 809 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that tipped workers in Maryland receive at least the state minimum wage before tips are counted toward their pay. It directly affects workers in tipped occupations (like restaurants and hospitality), ensuring their base hourly rate meets the minimum wage standard regardless of tip amounts. The amendment prohibits the state from restricting this right unless a compelling interest is proven through the least restrictive means. If adopted, it would change current practice where employers may pay below minimum wage if tips make up the difference.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 1205: Family Law - Prospective Foster Care Parents and Out-of-Home Placements

HB 1205 requires local social services departments to provide prospective foster parents with a child’s medical, educational, and behavioral history directly relevant to their care. It increases the maximum number of children allowed in a single out-of-home placement from two to four. The bill also strengthens sibling placement requirements, mandating written justifications if siblings cannot be placed together and allowing separated siblings to petition courts for visitation rights. These changes directly affect foster parents, children in foster care, and local departments managing foster care placements.

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SB 973: Aviation Oversight - BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Master Plan

SB 973 changes how Maryland oversees BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport by requiring the Maryland Aviation Commission (not the Executive Director) to adopt regulations for state-owned airports. The bill mandates the Commission to create and update a Master Plan for BWI by a specific deadline, and requires periodic reviews of noise regulations by the Commission, Executive Director, and Secretary of the Environment. It also increases the Commission's required meetings to at least 10 per year, with up to four possibly being subcommittee sessions. These changes centralize oversight under the Commission and ensure regular updates to airport planning and noise management.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 1237: Department of the Environment - Public Comment Period - Requirement

HB 1237 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to accept public comments on environmental permit and license applications for at least 14 days after newspaper publication, if no specific comment period is set by law or regulation. This bill directly affects applicants seeking environmental permits and the public who wish to provide feedback on those applications. The key provision mandates the Department to extend comment periods to a minimum of 14 days when no timeframe is otherwise specified in statute or regulation. It applies to all applications where notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation, ensuring greater public engagement in environmental decision-making.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 396: Prince George's County - Substance Abuse Early Intervention and Detoxification Services Fund - Establishment PG 407-25

HB 396 establishes the Substance Abuse Early Intervention and Detoxification Services Fund in Prince George's County to provide treatment for two specific groups: students expelled from local schools due to substance misuse, and uninsured or underinsured minors needing substance abuse treatment. The fund covers up to 90 days of treatment for expelled students and uses remaining funds to pay for treatment costs for uninsured minors. Administered by the Prince George's County Health Department, it receives an annual $2 million state appropriation starting in fiscal year 2027. The bill requires the county to submit annual reports detailing fund usage, beneficiary demographics, and treatment outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 1133: Common Ownership Communities - Reserve Studies - Annual Revisions

HB 1133 requires the governing bodies of Maryland's cooperative housing corporations, condominiums, and homeowners associations to annually revise their reserve studies by December 31 each year. This update must reflect any changes made to the community's common areas (like roofs, elevators, or pools) during that calendar year. The bill does not change initial study requirements but adds a mandatory annual review process to keep financial planning current. It directly affects all such communities statewide by ensuring their reserve funding plans adapt to yearly physical changes. The change applies to all existing reserve study requirements under Maryland law.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 362: Natural Resources - Roadside Tree Removal Permit Notification Act

HB 362 requires anyone applying for a permit to remove trees along public roads to provide written notice to adjacent property owners and community associations controlling the land via certified mail. This applies to most tree removals (except for immediate safety hazards like downed branches on power lines or trees on unimproved roadways). The notice must include a copy of the application or instructions for accessing it online. Violating this requirement could result in fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 1158: Civil Actions Against Firearm Industry Members - Private Right of Action

HB 1158 allows individuals injured by firearm industry members' violations to sue them directly. The bill creates a private right of action for people harmed by a firearm company's unlawful or unreasonable conduct (such as marketing or distribution practices), enabling them to seek damages, injunctions, and attorney fees. It requires anyone filing such a lawsuit to notify the Maryland Attorney General within five days of filing. The law amends existing Maryland code to add this private lawsuit provision, effective October 1, 2025.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 760: Counties and Municipalities - Approval of Projects Denied by Maryland Historical Trust - Authorization

HB 760 allows counties and municipalities to approve certain projects previously denied by the Maryland Historical Trust, directly affecting local governments and project applicants (e.g., developers). It applies specifically when projects were denied due to cemetery protections under §14-121.1 of the Real Property Article or for historic preservation/underwater archaeological permits under State Finance law. The bill requires local planning commissions to hold a public hearing within 60 days of an applicant’s request, publish notice in a local newspaper and online, and recommend approval or denial to the governing body. This creates a new pathway for projects blocked by the Historical Trust, streamlining local decision-making.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 1215: Common Ownership Communities - Time to Attain Reserve Funding Level - Extension

HB 1215 extends the deadline for homeowners associations, condominiums, and cooperative housing corporations to reach recommended reserve funding levels after an initial reserve study. Currently, these groups must meet the funding target within 3 fiscal years of completing the study, but the bill would extend this period to 5 fiscal years. The change applies only to the initial reserve study requirement, not to ongoing annual reviews or funding levels. This affects all Maryland community associations that have completed an initial reserve study and must adjust their funding plans accordingly.

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SB 986: Maryland Department of Health - Patient Navigation Services - Study

SB 986 requires the Maryland Department of Health to study patient navigation services for cancer patients. The study will assess current service availability, identify barriers to access, and analyze how these services help patients navigate care from diagnosis through treatment. The department must recommend specific policy, legislative, or budget changes to improve these services. The findings and recommendations are due to the General Assembly by December 1, 2025. This bill does not create new services but sets up a review to inform future improvements for cancer patients and their families.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025

HB 1336: Hospitals - Financial Assistance - Medical Bill Reimbursement

HB 1336 requires Maryland hospitals to identify and refund patients who paid more than $25 for hospital services between 2017 and 2021 but qualified for free care under prior income-based eligibility rules. Hospitals must use tax data and Department of Human Services notifications to determine eligibility, then provide refunds to qualifying patients or notify them of their potential refund. The bill mandates hospitals to create dedicated webpages and marketing campaigns to inform patients about the refund process, while exempting refunds for patients previously denied care due to failed asset tests. It applies specifically to acute and chronic care hospitals in Maryland that served patients during the specified years.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results