HB 626 requires new or majorly improved multi-tenant commercial and residential properties (like apartment complexes or office buildings) to install micro conduits - small tubes for fiber optic cables - in utility easements and building telecom rooms during construction. It also mandates that buried fiber optic cables in Maryland highways, installed after October 1, 2025, include conduit with at least seven microducts. The bill requires state and local transportation agencies to provide broadband providers neutral, non-discriminatory access to these conduits and allows reasonable fees for that access. This law directly affects developers of multi-tenant properties, transportation departments, and broadband service providers.
HB 999 requires the Maryland Department of Health to submit data collected by Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs to local health departments in each county where the program operates. These programs must report specific details, including the number of participants served, demographic information (age, gender, race, zip code, and drugs used), and statistics on needle distribution and collection. The bill amends state law to establish this direct data-sharing requirement, ensuring local health officials receive program-specific information. This policy change provides county-level health departments with actionable data for community health planning related to opioid prevention.
HB 8 requires Maryland food manufacturers, processors, and retailers to replace "sell by" dates on food labels with standardized terms starting July 1, 2026. Specifically, "Best if Used By" (or "BB" for small items) must indicate quality dates, and "Use By" (or "UB") must indicate safety dates for perishable foods. The bill prohibits selling food labeled "sell by" or lacking these terms after the effective date, while exempting infant formula, eggs, and alcoholic beverages. It also mandates the Maryland Department of Health to create public education materials about the new labeling system by July 1, 2026.
HB 671 requires counties with over 150,000 residents to include a specific plan by January 1, 2026, to minimize flooding risks to existing sewage systems and limit new installations in "climate vulnerable areas" (defined as Coast Smart or Riverine Climate Ready Action Boundaries). It prohibits installing new sewage systems for new buildings or replacing existing ones in these areas without using nitrogen removal technology, unless specific conditions are met. The bill also expands the Bay Restoration Fund to provide financial assistance to low-income homeowners for drain field upgrades in vulnerable areas under certain circumstances. This directly affects homeowners, builders, and county planning departments in Maryland’s coastal and riverine regions facing climate risks.
HB 395 prohibits Maryland state funds from purchasing opioid overdose reversal drugs (like naloxone) from companies that settled opioid lawsuits involving their role in opioid manufacturing, sales, or distribution. It takes effect July 1, 2025, banning such purchases from these entities unless: (1) the company already agreed to provide drugs under a settlement signed before September 1, 2024, or (2) the company has a current contract for drug delivery signed before June 30, 2025. Crucially, any existing contracts under exception (2) cannot be renewed after July 1, 2025. This directly affects state agencies purchasing these drugs and opioid settlement companies.
HB 854 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to issue a permanent identification number on every hunter safety certificate. This affects all new hunters under 18 and all new hunters of any age who must complete a safety course to obtain a hunting license. The bill amends existing law to mandate that the ID number appears on the certificate or a separate form provided with it. The change takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not alter the requirement to complete the safety course.
HB 529 requires health insurers, HMOs, and nonprofit health plans in Maryland to post their prescription drug coverage lists (formularies) clearly on their websites without requiring login or account access. Insurers must display drug tiering, coverage restrictions, and update changes within 30 days of implementation. The bill also mandates that these insurers cover certain generic drugs and biosimilars with specific cost-sharing terms (e.g., copays or coinsurance). This directly affects all health plan providers operating in Maryland and makes drug coverage information more transparent for enrollees.
HB 759 requires Baltimore County to create a special fund using fines collected from speed monitoring systems. After covering the costs of operating these systems, any remaining fines must be deposited into the fund. The fund can only be used to pay for traffic calming devices (like speed bumps or crosswalk improvements) on county roads. This ensures fines directly support local road safety projects rather than general county budgets.
HB 727 allows drivers or applicants to voluntarily share with Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration that they or a minor under their care have been diagnosed with certain conditions like autism, ADHD, diabetes, or vision impairments. The Administration must add a brief, non-identifying description of this disclosure to the driver's record, without including the specific diagnosis or personal details. Drivers can later request to have this description removed from their record. The bill aims to help law enforcement better understand and assist individuals with disabilities during emergencies, effective October 1, 2025.
SB 393 requires health insurance carriers (including insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs) to post complete, accessible prescription drug formularies on their websites without requiring login or policy numbers. It mandates that formularies clearly show drug tiers, restrictions, and any changes made during a plan year must be highlighted with the date and description within 30 days. The bill also requires carriers to immediately offer generic drugs and biosimilars on formularies with better cost-sharing terms than the brand-name reference drugs when available. This directly affects Maryland health plan enrollees by improving transparency and access to lower-cost medication options.
SB 339 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to study whether video toll facilities in Maryland can reliably capture only the rear license plate of vehicles instead of both front and rear plates. The study must identify necessary system upgrades and assess potential impacts of this change, such as accuracy or enforcement effects. The MDTA must submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2025. This bill does not change toll collection practices but mandates a review to evaluate feasibility before any potential implementation.
SB 128 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to issue a permanent identification number to every person who completes a state-approved hunter safety course. This affects all Maryland hunters (including those under 18) who need a hunting license, as the ID number must appear on their certificate of competency and safety. The bill amends existing law to mandate that the Department print this permanent ID number directly on the certificate or a separate form accompanying it. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2025, replacing the previous requirement for just a certificate without a unique ID.
