Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 204: Public Schools - Maryland Civic Excellence Program - Established

SB 204 establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program within the State Department of Education to recognize public school students who demonstrate proficiency in civics and civic literacy. Local school systems can choose to participate, using state-developed guidelines (to be finalized by 2027-2028) to determine student eligibility. Participating schools may award a "Seal of Civic Excellence" and attach it to students' high school diplomas. The program requires annual reports from participating schools starting July 2028, and schools may collaborate with civic organizations to support implementation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

Kevin Harris (D) Mary Washington (D) Alonzo Washington (D) Ron Watson (D) Katie Hester (D)

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 48: Education - Public School Construction - Alterations

SB 48 clarifies approval requirements for public school construction and renovations in Maryland, directly affecting county school boards and local jurisdictions. It raises the threshold for mandatory State Superintendent approval from $50,000 to $200,000 for renovations impacting student spaces, and requires county boards to obtain prior approval before proceeding with major projects. The bill modifies reporting deadlines for the Interagency Commission on School Construction, establishes an appeal process for rejected projects, and clarifies eligibility rules for state funding for construction and systemic renovation projects. These changes streamline approval processes while ensuring state oversight for significant school facility investments.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 664: Cecil County - Alcoholic Beverages - Alteration of License Quota

HB 664 changes Cecil County's limit for Class A alcoholic beverage licenses (for full-service restaurants and bars) from 1 license per 400 registered voters to 1 license per 1,200 registered voters. This increases the total number of such licenses allowed countywide by reducing the quota requirement. The bill specifically affects only Class A licenses and excludes other license types (like beer/wine restaurants or golf course licenses) from the calculation. The new quota applies separately to each election district in Cecil County and takes effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 218: State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare

SB 218 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a "prolonged state of emergency" when in-person school attendance is disrupted for at least 14 consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans - including staffing, instruction, technology, and return-to-school strategies - before any emergency occurs. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board of Education. The bill directly affects public school districts, students, and school staff by establishing a standardized process for transitioning to virtual learning during extended disruptions, while clarifying that public health emergency responsibilities remain with the Secretary of Health.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 288: State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare

HB 288 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a prolonged state of emergency when school closures prevent in-person attendance for 14+ consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans before emergencies occur, covering instruction, staffing, technology, student support, and return-to-school protocols. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board. The bill aims to ensure a structured transition to remote learning during extended school disruptions, taking effect July 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 634: Police Training - Autism and Dementia (LEAD Act of 2026)

HB 634 (LEAD Act of 2026) requires Maryland police training programs to include specific instruction on interacting with individuals with dementia or autism. It directly affects all entrance-level and in-service police training curricula across state, county, and municipal departments. Key provisions mandate training in six areas: locating wandering individuals, searching near water, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination. The law amends Maryland's Public Safety Code to add these requirements, effective October 1, 2026. It focuses on practical, life-saving protocols rather than broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 660: Public Libraries - State Library Resource Center - Funding

HB 660 revises funding formulas for Maryland's public library system. It adjusts the per-resident funding rates for two key components: (1) regional resource centers (increasing from $9.79 to $9.99 per resident starting fiscal year 2027), and (2) the State Library Resource Center (increasing from $2.07 to $2.64 per state resident by fiscal year 2032). The bill directly affects all public libraries participating in Maryland's regional resource centers and the State Library Resource Center. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, maintain the existing per-resident calculation structure while updating specific annual funding amounts for operating and capital expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 441: Anne Arundel County - Alcoholic Beverages - Golf Course License and Sports Activity Venue Licenses

SB 441 creates new alcohol licensing categories for Anne Arundel County, directly affecting golf courses and sports recreation venues. It establishes a Class C golf course license (allowing beer, wine, and liquor sales at courses with 9+ holes) and two sports venue licenses (for beer/wine or full liquor sales at facilities like bowling alleys, pickleball courts, or gymnasiums). The bill requires licensed venues to serve food during alcohol sales, maintain employee alcohol awareness training, and operate from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily without needing separate Sunday permits. Annual fees are set at $1,200 for golf licenses and $740-$1,200 for sports venues.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 420: Public Institutions of Higher Education - Pregnant and Parenting Students - Plan and Reporting

SB 420 requires all public institutions of higher education in Maryland (excluding specific exceptions like University of Maryland Global Campus) to collect demographic data on students' parental status, including whether they are parents, legal guardians, or have caregiving responsibilities. It mandates these institutions to adopt a formal support plan for pregnant and parenting students, including referrals to government assistance programs like WIC, child care scholarships, Medicaid, and parenting resources. The Maryland Higher Education Commission must collect this data annually, compile it into reports, and submit summaries to legislative committees starting September 1, 2027. This bill directly affects pregnant and parenting students by requiring colleges to provide structured support services and track demographic needs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 442: Anne Arundel County - Population Ratio Quota for Class A (Off-Sale) and Class D (Off-Sale) Licenses - Exemption

This bill modifies Anne Arundel County's rules for issuing Class A (off-sale) and Class D (off-sale) alcohol licenses. It creates two specific exemptions to the existing rule that limits licenses to one per 3,500 people in each tax assessment district: (1) it exempts licenses in the 6th tax assessment district, and (2) it exempts licenses approved by the county before July 1, 2025. The bill also specifies that population for calculating these limits uses the latest federal census or county planning estimates. These changes directly affect businesses seeking or holding these alcohol licenses in Anne Arundel County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 428: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Collaborative Care Model - Cost Sharing Prohibition

SB 428 prohibits the Maryland Department of Health and certain insurers from charging copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for services delivered under the Collaborative Care Model. This model integrates mental/behavioral health services with primary care in clinics serving Medicaid recipients (Maryland Medical Assistance Program). The law applies to all health insurance plans (including nonprofit plans and health maintenance organizations) covering these services, with one exception: high-deductible health plans may still require deductibles for these services. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, for new insurance policies and July 1, 2026, for the law itself.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 486: Higher Education - Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program - Eligible Institutions

SB 486 expands Maryland's Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in specific graduate programs. It adds UMES as an eligible institution for students enrolled in four programs: Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. This change directly affects UMES students in these fields who previously could not access the scholarship. The bill amends existing law to update the list of qualifying institutions without changing scholarship amounts ($1,000-$5,000 per year) or other program rules. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill results