Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 324: Higher Education - Public Senior Higher Education Institutions - Direct Admission Program and Study

SB 324 establishes a direct admission program for high school students meeting Maryland's college and career readiness standards (CCR standards) at participating public senior higher education institutions, starting in the 2027-2028 academic year. It directly affects eligible high school seniors who complete required coursework, meet CCR standards, and apply during their 12th grade. Key mechanisms include requiring the Maryland Higher Education Commission to administer the program through the financial aid system and Common Application, mandating joint notification by the State Department of Education and Commission about students meeting CCR standards, and allowing institutions to participate (with waived application fees and conditional admission offers). Institutions may set additional criteria but must report them annually and can revoke offers for failing to meet standards or diploma requirements.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 169: Hospitals - Emergency Pregnancy-Related Medical Conditions - Procedures

This bill requires Maryland hospitals to screen patients in emergency departments for pregnancy-related medical emergencies. If a patient has such a condition, hospitals must stabilize it through appropriate treatment - including pregnancy termination when medically necessary - before transferring them, and cannot transfer unstable patients without following federal emergency transfer rules. It prohibits hospitals from retaliating against staff who refuse transfers of unstable patients or report violations, and imposes civil penalties (up to $50,000) for noncompliance. The law applies to all Maryland hospitals and aims to ensure timely, stable care for pregnant patients in medical crises.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 1003: Howard County - Sheriff and State's Attorney - Compensation Ho. Co. 13-26

This bill sets new salary schedules for the Howard County Sheriff and State's Attorney, effective October 1, 2026. It establishes specific annual compensation amounts for both positions through 2030, with the Sheriff's salary tied to a police management schedule for the first year of their term and the State's Attorney's salary linked to a District Court judge's pay for 2026. The legislation also includes a provision ensuring these salary changes apply only to officials whose terms begin after the act takes effect, except for those appointed or elected to fill unexpired terms.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 705: Caroline County Board of Education - Member Compensation - Increase

SB 705 increases annual compensation for members of the Caroline County Board of Education. It raises the president’s pay from $4,000 to $6,000 per year and voting members’ pay from $3,500 to $5,500 annually. These changes apply to members serving terms beginning after July 1, 2026, but do not affect current members whose terms started before that date. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland’s education code to implement these salary adjustments.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 534: Frederick Community College - Board of Trustees - Meeting and Training Requirements

SB 534 amends Maryland law to set new requirements for the Frederick Community College Board of Trustees. It requires the board to include public comment time at every meeting, record all meetings via video or audio, and make those recordings publicly available on their website within two business days. The bill also mandates that board members complete governance training every two years on board roles and responsibilities. These changes directly affect the seven county-resident trustees appointed by the Governor and the public who attend meetings or access meeting records.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1062: Estates and Trusts - Jurisdiction Over Property of Minors or Disabled Persons - Authorized Transactions

This bill allows Maryland circuit courts to authorize specific transactions for minors or disabled persons without appointing a guardian. It specifically adds two key authorizations: granting access to financial records and establishing eligibility for government assistance programs. Courts must still consider creditors' interests and whether ongoing guardian protection remains necessary before approving such actions. The changes amend existing law and take effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 752: Criminal Law - Theft and Fraud Crimes - Valuation and Forgery of Gift Cards

HB 752 modifies Maryland law to clarify how gift card theft and fraud are treated. It defines "closed-loop" (store-specific) and "open-loop" (network-branded) gift cards and sets a new standard for determining their value in theft cases: the highest of the face value, the defendant’s claimed value, or the actual loss incurred. The bill also prohibits altering or tampering with gift cards or packaging with intent to defraud, creating a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $500 fine. This directly affects individuals committing gift card theft or forgery and law enforcement prosecuting such offenses. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 877: Baltimore City - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems Pilot Program - 41st Legislative District

SB 877 authorizes Baltimore City to pilot stop sign monitoring systems (cameras that capture violations) in the Mt. Washington neighborhood school zones, specifically within the 41st legislative district. It requires that 50% of fines collected from violations caught by these systems be directed to Baltimore City's local management board for youth programming and services exclusively for youth living in or attending schools within the 41st district. The bill also aligns Baltimore City's rules with existing Maryland law for similar programs in Prince George’s County and Takoma Park. This pilot program is limited to specific school zones and mandates dedicated funding for local youth services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 939: Bankruptcy Proceedings - Exemptions From Execution - Residential Real Property

SB 939 expands bankruptcy exemptions for Maryland residents by including residential property held in a revocable trust as eligible for protection. It increases the exemption amount for owner-occupied homes to $150,000 for most filers and $300,000 for individuals aged 60+ who are veterans or have a long-term disability certified by a physician. The bill adjusts these amounts annually based on the Consumer Price Index and rounds to the nearest $25. This directly affects people filing for bankruptcy in Maryland who own homes through revocable trusts or meet the higher exemption criteria.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 904: Law Enforcement - Protective Body Armor - Requirements and Reporting

This Maryland bill requires law enforcement agencies to issue protective body armor to officers before assigning them to any duties other than administrative work. The armor must meet current National Institute of Justice ballistic standards and have not passed its manufacturer-suggested replacement date. Agencies must replace expired armor within 31 days and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so. The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy will withhold grant funds from agencies that do not comply with these replacement and reporting requirements. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 516: Law Enforcement - Protective Body Armor - Requirements and Reporting

SB 516 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to provide officers with bullet-resistant vests meeting current national safety standards (NIJ 0101.03) before assigning them to field duties - not just administrative work. Agencies must replace vests before the manufacturer’s expiration date and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so by the 31st day after expiration. The Commission then alerts the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, which can withhold grant funds from agencies that repeatedly miss replacement deadlines or fail to report. This law directly affects all local law enforcement agencies and their officers who perform active duties, with concrete changes to safety protocols and funding access.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1185: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Personnel Management - Appeals of Disciplinary Suspensions PG/MC 104-26

HB 1185 requires the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSUSC) to follow specific steps before disciplining employees, including investigating misconduct, meeting with the employee, and considering mitigating circumstances. It sets a 30-day deadline for disciplinary actions after the Commission learns of misconduct, but allows suspensions without pay within 5 workdays (excluding weekends/holidays). Employees suspended can appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings, which must resolve the case promptly. The bill directly affects WSUSC employees and ensures procedural fairness in disciplinary proceedings.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results