Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1420: Health Occupations - Criminal History Records Checks

HB 1420 requires criminal history background checks for applicants and renewing licensees in specific healthcare professions, including nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and others listed in the bill. Starting July 1, 2027, new applicants must submit fingerprints and pay fees to the state’s Central Repository for a criminal records check under new Section 1A-302.1. Existing licensees renewing after January 1, 2028, must also provide proof of a criminal check. The bill establishes standardized procedures for conducting these checks while ensuring confidentiality and allowing applicants to contest results.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1504: Highways - Sidewalks and Bicycle Pathways - Construction and Reconstruction (The Honorable Anne Healey Pedestrian Safety Act of 2026)

HB 1504 requires Maryland's State Highway Administration to prioritize funding for sidewalk and bicycle pathway construction/reconstruction on highways with "complete streets" policies or Vision Zero programs. It mandates that local governments request such projects through annual funding letters, with costs typically shared 50-50 between state and local governments unless the project is in a sustainable community (100% state-funded) or addresses a public safety risk (100% state-funded). The bill specifically applies to urban highways defined as those in urban areas with high pedestrian traffic, curb/gutter systems, or within municipal boundaries. This directly affects local governments seeking infrastructure funding and the State Highway Administration managing transportation budgets.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1523: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission - Unauthorized Consumable Products - Enforcement and Seizure

HB 1523 prohibits retailers from selling, distributing, advertising, or exposing for sale "unauthorized consumable products," defined as tianeptine products and specific kratom products (as outlined in Maryland Health law). It directly affects businesses like stores, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and food/drink companies that handle these products. The bill authorizes the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission to seize, confiscate, or destroy such products and requires the Maryland Department of Health to report related changes to the Commission. These changes amend enforcement provisions to strengthen oversight of products not legally permitted under existing cannabis and health regulations.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1532: Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act

HB 1532 amends Maryland's energy laws to adjust electricity rate structures and efficiency programs. It lowers the qualifying threshold for large commercial/industrial customers to access a specific rate schedule from 100 megawatts to 25 megawatts, directly affecting major energy users like factories and data centers. The bill also changes multiyear rate plan rules to prevent utilities from passing certain costs to customers and requires refunds if actual revenue differs from forecasts. Additionally, it updates energy efficiency program cycles, greenhouse gas target calculations, and definitions for energy resources like "zero-emission credits" used in procurement.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 585: Human–Relevant Research Fund – Collection of Contributions – Responsible Entity

SB 585 requires research facilities in Maryland that submit USDA Form 7023 (for animal health inspections) to pay annual contributions to the Human-Relevant Research Fund, shifting collection from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. Facilities pay based on animal numbers: $5,000 for up to 100 animals, $10,000 for 101-500, $55,000 for 501-5,000, and $75,000 for over 5,000 animals, with payments due January 15 each year starting in 2024. The funds flow to the Human-Relevant Research Fund under Maryland’s Economic Development law. The bill repeals existing health code provisions on animal testing contributions and takes effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1171: Howard County Board of Education - Student Member - Voting Ho. Co. 7-26

HB 1171 modifies voting rights for the student member of Howard County's Board of Education. It removes specific restrictions that previously prevented the student member from voting on matters like school property decisions, superintendent appointments, employee discipline, and collective bargaining. The bill expands the student member's voting authority by eliminating those exclusions from the existing law, though they still cannot vote on student suspension/expulsion (§7-305). This change directly affects Howard County students serving on the school board, effective July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1345: Maryland Trust Act - In Terrorem Clause - Void

HB 1345 (Maryland Trust Act - In Terrorem Clause - Void) makes specific penalty clauses in trusts void if a person contests the trust or estate proceedings with probable cause. It directly affects beneficiaries or interested parties who might face financial penalties for legally challenging a trust. The bill adds a provision to Maryland law stating that such "in terrorem" clauses (which punish challengers) are unenforceable when valid reasons exist to contest the trust. This change applies only to cases arising after its effective date of July 1, 2026, and does not affect past disputes.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1152: Department of State Police - Special Police Officers - Study

HB 1152 requires the Maryland Department of State Police to study the employment and use of special police officers - individuals with limited law enforcement authority hired by private entities or local governments. The study must examine commissioning processes, training standards, jurisdiction, oversight mechanisms, and best practices in Maryland and neighboring states. The Department must consult with police associations, employers, training academies, and other stakeholders before compiling findings. The Department must submit a final report to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2026, with recommendations for potential policy changes.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 825: Public Safety - Critical Infrastructure Protection

SB 825 creates a Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch within Maryland’s Coordination and Analysis Center to strengthen state-level security for essential systems. The branch will identify threats, prioritize critical infrastructure (like utilities, hospitals, and transportation), and coordinate responses with state agencies and private owners. It requires the Department of Emergency Management to act during infrastructure attacks and mandates the Department of Information Technology to let critical infrastructure owners join the Maryland Information Sharing and Analysis Center while meeting specific cybersecurity reporting standards. This bill directly affects infrastructure operators (e.g., power companies, hospitals) and state agencies responsible for emergency response and cybersecurity.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 512: Criminal Law - Stalking - Penalties

SB 512 amends Maryland's stalking law to increase penalties for specific stalking offenses. It elevates stalking to a felony (with up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fine) if the offender had a protective order against them, violated a court order prohibiting the behavior, or has a prior stalking conviction in Maryland or another state. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who meet these aggravating conditions. Key provisions clarify that stalking includes unwanted electronic tracking without consent and define the circumstances under which penalties escalate. The law maintains existing definitions of stalking but strengthens consequences for repeat offenders and those violating court orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1473: Economic Development - Maryland's Future Board - Establishment

HB 1473 establishes the Maryland’s Future Board within the Department of Commerce to develop, evaluate, and revise a visionary economic plan for Maryland by a set deadline. The bill also creates the Maryland’s Future Fund, a nonlapsing special fund where interest earnings are automatically credited back to the fund. The board - appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker - must include diverse members representing entrepreneurs, academia, labor, business, and other sectors. The board will recommend specific projects based on its plan to the Governor and General Assembly, focusing on statewide economic growth, equity, and future trends like AI and advanced manufacturing. This bill directly affects state economic planning and funding mechanisms under the Department of Commerce.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 833: Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion

SB 833 (introduced by Senator Hershey) amends Maryland law to allow Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to use development impact fees for capital costs related to replacing public school facilities. This expands the existing authorized uses of these fees under Section 20-706 of the Maryland Annotated Code, specifically adding school facility replacement as a permitted purpose. The bill applies only to Queen Anne’s County and takes effect July 1, 2026. It is a procedural change to the county’s fee usage rules, not a new tax or broad policy shift.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results