HB 1005, the Survivor Reporting Reform Act, requires Maryland's Department of Human Services to create a new form for professionals (like doctors, teachers, and social workers) reporting suspected child abuse or neglect when the victim is now an adult (18+). The form must include a notice explaining how the report will be used and ask the adult survivor if they want an investigation. It also mandates that reporters include specific details about the adult survivor (name, contact info) and their caregiver at the time of the abuse, while respecting the survivor's preference for investigation. This change aims to better support adult survivors' autonomy in reporting cases of childhood abuse.
HB 1272 requires Maryland child welfare agencies to consider a child’s feelings and preferences when selecting kinship caregivers for out-of-home placements. It expands the definition of "kinship caregiver" to include unrelated individuals identified by the child or their parent, alongside blood relatives or those with strong family bonds. Agencies must approve such caregivers if they meet specific criteria, including understanding the child’s circumstances, having prior protective involvement, and demonstrating current ability to safeguard the child. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 697 establishes rules for social media platforms and foreign nationals influencing Maryland elections. It creates a rebuttable presumption that a platform making a deliberate algorithm change to amplify political content for a specific candidate is treating it as an independent expenditure (like a campaign donation), requiring them to file reports. The bill also prohibits foreign nationals from purchasing bots to artificially boost political content or campaign materials on online platforms. Platforms failing to report such expenditures face fines up to 300% of the unreported amount. The law applies only to candidates for Maryland state or local offices.
HB 1348 modifies Maryland's reporting requirements for suspected child trafficking. It expands mandatory reporting to include labor and sex trafficking by requiring health practitioners, educators, and others to notify specialized support coordinators (replacing "regional navigators") when they suspect such abuse, even without a child's consent or over their objection. The bill also authorizes State’s Attorneys and the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute trafficking violations under new provisions in the Criminal Law. These changes specifically apply to child trafficking cases and take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 844 exempts unemployable disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities from Maryland's vehicle registration fees for one personally used vehicle. The bill amends Maryland's vehicle registration code to add a new exemption category (Section 13-903(a)(11)) specifically for veterans deemed unemployable due to a service-connected disability. This change directly affects qualifying veterans who own or lease a vehicle for personal use, removing a recurring cost. The exemption takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not apply to additional vehicles. The bill replaces the previous exemption for veterans with specific physical disabilities under Section 13-903(a)(8).
SB 881 establishes new disclosure requirements for commercial financing used by small businesses in Maryland, requiring lenders to clearly explain costs, annual percentage rates (APR), and repayment terms. It applies to most small business loans (including equipment financing, factoring, and sales-based financing) but excludes banks, credit unions, very small lenders (under five transactions yearly), and loans over $2.5 million. The bill defines "commercial financing" as transactions not intended for personal use, creating standardized terms to increase transparency similar to federal consumer lending rules. It directly affects small business owners seeking non-personal financing and the non-bank lenders offering these services.
HB 160 prohibits Maryland state entities (like agencies and courts) and local governments (counties, cities, school districts, and towns) from assigning Confederate names to real property they own, such as streets, parks, or buildings. It defines a "Confederate name" as one honoring the Confederacy or its soldiers, and explicitly states the law applies only prospectively - meaning it won’t require changing existing names on property already bearing such names. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026, after which new naming decisions must avoid Confederate references. This is a policy change focused on preventing future Confederate naming in public spaces.
HB 313 prohibits landlords in Maryland from charging application or screening fees unless a rental unit is immediately available or will become available within 30 days. Landlords must provide written disclosures about screening criteria, fees, and reporting agencies before collecting any fees, and must give prospective tenants specific reasons, copies of screening reports, and the right to dispute inaccuracies if denying an application. The bill also bans landlords from considering sealed court records or failure-to-pay rent proceedings in screening decisions. Violations are treated as consumer protection law violations under Maryland law, subject to enforcement and penalties.
HB 22 requires Maryland correctional facilities to return valid photo ID cards or driver's licenses to incarcerated individuals at release if they entered custody with them. It also mandates state corrections officials to help inmates obtain birth certificates and Social Security cards before release, with written consent required. Facilities must work with inmates six months before release (for those serving 1+ year sentences) to ensure they have valid ID or driver's licenses available upon release. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and explicitly states it cannot delay release.
SB 387 prohibits large food retailers (15,000+ sq ft) in Maryland from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data (like location or biometric tracking) to set prices for individual customers. It also bans using protected class data (e.g., race, gender) to deny accommodations or advantages to consumers. The bill further prevents retailers from reducing union-guaranteed employee benefits without negotiating with union representatives. These provisions aim to regulate pricing practices, prevent discriminatory data use, and protect collective bargaining agreements, with violations subject to enforcement under Maryland’s consumer protection laws.
HB 172 allows Maryland municipalities to authorize code, parking, and traffic enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras during their duties. It expands the legal definition of "law enforcement officer" to include these municipal officers for camera use, requiring cities to adopt policies that align with state standards for body-worn camera use. The bill mandates that municipalities publishing such policies must follow guidelines similar to those for police body cameras, including notifying individuals when recording is occurring. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not require municipalities to implement the policy.
HB 646 requires Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to prioritize a medical provider’s report or referral - not its own assessment - as the main factor in deciding whether to issue, refuse, or cancel a driver’s license for individuals who self-report certain medical conditions. The MVA may still request additional testing for those reporting conditions, and must create an expedited process for issuing learner’s permits to people whose medical conditions have improved but who need to complete driver education or testing. This bill directly affects drivers and applicants who self-report qualifying medical conditions, such as those impacting vision, cognition, or physical ability. It shifts decision-making authority to medical professionals while maintaining MVA flexibility for safety reviews.
