Maryland Bills

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 932: Consumer Protection - Social Media Platforms - Display of User Location

SB 932 requires social media platforms operating in Maryland to display the city and country (derived from IP address) of each adult user whose account is visible to a Maryland user. It applies to platforms like Facebook or Instagram, directly affecting both the platforms (which must implement this display) and Maryland users (who gain visibility into the general location of other users they interact with). The law explicitly excludes minors' locations from display and defines "general geographical location" to exclude precise GPS data. This is a consumer protection measure focused on transparency, not data collection or sharing.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 876: Recovery Residences - Certification - Requirement

SB 876 requires recovery residences in Maryland to obtain certification from an approved credentialing entity before operating, beginning January 1, 2027. This directly affects recovery residences - housing facilities providing alcohol- and drug-free living for individuals with substance use disorders (but not clinical treatment services). The bill mandates credentialing entities to establish standards, conduct inspections, and issue annual certificates, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for operating without certification or falsely advertising certification. It replaces existing authorization language with a mandatory requirement and adds transparency through public lists of certified residences and credentialing entities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 870: Maryland Department of Health - Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Beds - Reports on Capacity and Outcomes

SB 870 requires the Maryland Department of Health to ensure at least 24 licensed adolescent psychiatric inpatient beds are operational in Prince George’s County by December 2028. The bill mandates the Department to expand capacity through existing facilities, private contracts, or public-private partnerships, prioritizing solutions that reduce emergency department boarding and ensure access regardless of insurance. It also creates a grant program to fund capital costs like construction, renovations, and safety upgrades for qualifying facilities. The Department must report annually to the Governor and General Assembly on bed availability, boarding metrics, staffing barriers, and recommendations for maintaining capacity.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1567: Vehicle Laws - Bicycles, Motor Scooters, and EPAMDs - Audible Warnings (Pass Pedestrians Safely Act)

HB 1567, the "Pass Pedestrians Safely Act," requires bicycle, motor scooter, and electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) operators to maintain at least 3 feet of distance when passing pedestrians or vehicles if practicable, and to give an audible warning (like a bell or horn) before passing pedestrians. It directly affects riders of these devices in Maryland by adding specific safety obligations to existing traffic laws. Violations are treated as secondary offenses (only enforceable if another traffic violation is suspected) and carry a $25 civil penalty. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle code to prioritize pedestrian safety during overtaking maneuvers.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1569: Parking Enforcement - Vehicles in Custody or Control of Auto Repair or Storage Facility

HB 1569 shifts liability for parking citations from vehicle owners to auto repair or storage facilities when a vehicle is in the facility's custody or control under a repair order or service agreement. It prohibits facilities from requiring customers to waive these rights as a condition of service. If a vehicle was under a facility's custody at the time of a parking violation, the registered owner cannot be held liable for fines or fees, and courts must immediately dismiss the citation against them. The bill also allows parking enforcement agencies to reissue citations directly to the facility if evidence confirms the vehicle was in their custody.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1383: Children in Need of Assistance - Permanency Plan Requirements

HB 1383 modifies Maryland's juvenile court process for children in foster care by requiring courts to make specific, detailed findings about local child welfare departments' "reasonable efforts" in creating permanency plans. The bill mandates courts to assess whether departments met nine individualized needs - including health, education, safety, housing, and financial preparation - before finalizing plans or conducting review hearings. It also adds specific requirements for youth aged 18+ to prepare for independence, such as securing health insurance, applying for benefits, and establishing housing plans. This bill directly affects juvenile courts, child welfare departments, and children in foster care, particularly those transitioning to adulthood.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1467: Criminal Law - Fourth Degree Sexual Offense - Out-of-State Convictions

HB 1467 amends Maryland's criminal code to allow out-of-state, federal, or tribal court convictions for certain sex offenses to count as prior convictions for enhanced sentencing. Specifically, it expands the definition of "prior conviction" under fourth-degree sexual offense penalties to include crimes that would qualify as violations of specific Maryland statutes (e.g., sexual offenses involving minors) if committed in Maryland. This directly affects repeat offenders who have prior convictions for equivalent offenses in other jurisdictions, potentially leading to longer prison terms (up to 3 years) for subsequent offenses. The bill does not change the underlying offenses but modifies sentencing eligibility based on prior convictions from outside Maryland. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1056: General Provisions - Commemorative Days - Purple Lights Night

HB 1056 designates October 1 as "Purple Lights Night" in Maryland, requiring the Governor to annually proclaim this day. The bill honors individuals in the state who are victims or survivors of domestic violence and expresses support for eliminating domestic violence. It adds this commemorative day to Maryland law through a procedural change in the Annotated Code (Section 7-417), without creating new programs or funding. The bill is purely ceremonial, focusing on symbolic recognition rather than policy implementation. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 620: Criminal Law - Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun - Prior Convictions

SB 620 modifies Maryland's sentencing for handgun violations by expanding the list of prior convictions that trigger enhanced penalties. It adds certain convictions from other states, federal courts, or tribal courts to the list that count toward stricter sentencing under Section 4-203(c) of the Criminal Law. Specifically, if a person has prior convictions (including out-of-state or federal offenses that would violate Maryland's handgun laws), they face longer mandatory minimum sentences for subsequent violations. This directly affects individuals with prior criminal records who are convicted of carrying, wearing, or transporting a handgun in Maryland.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 528: Consumer Protection - Video Streaming Services - Loudness of Commercial Advertisements

SB 528 prohibits video streaming services (like Netflix or Disney+) from transmitting commercial advertisements louder than the accompanying video content to Maryland consumers. It directly affects internet-based streaming platforms, excluding traditional TV broadcasters and cable operators. The law requires services to comply with federal loudness standards set by the FCC under the Federal Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland's consumer protection law, with enforcement through existing penalty provisions.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 860: Petitions for Emergency Evaluation (Arnaud and Magruder Memorial Act)

HB 860, the Arnaud and Magruder Memorial Act, sets a 5-day initial limit for emergency evaluation petitions after court approval, with extensions of up to 5 days each (totaling no more than 30 days) based on the individual's current behavior. The bill requires courts to include the petition's expiration date and clarifies that peace officers must transport individuals to emergency facilities when holding a valid petition (either court-endorsed within 5 days or signed by authorized professionals), allowing electronic petitions. This law directly affects courts reviewing petitions, peace officers executing them, emergency facilities receiving individuals, and people subject to emergency evaluations. It standardizes timelines and procedures to ensure timely care while preventing prolonged detention without court review.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1290: Child in Need of Assistance - Proceedings - Child's Right to be Present

HB 1290 authorizes children involved in Maryland's Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) proceedings - where a child faces abuse, neglect, disability, or mental health issues requiring court intervention - to be present at their hearings. The bill requires courts to allow children’s presence unless the child’s attorney determines it’s not in the child’s best interest (with the child waiving their right) or the court makes that finding after considering alternatives. Before excluding a child, courts must explore less restrictive options like adjusting schedules, remote participation, trauma-informed support, or limiting courtroom time. This directly affects children in CINA cases handled by Maryland’s juvenile courts, modifying court procedures to prioritize their participation while ensuring safeguards.

Bill results