Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1090: Montgomery County - Board of Education - Mandatory School Holidays MC 9-26

HB 1090 requires Montgomery County public schools to close for student attendance on specific cultural and religious holidays starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill mandates closures for Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Lunar New Year (first day only), Rosh Hashanah (first day only), Yom Kippur, and Juneteenth. This policy applies exclusively to Montgomery County schools and amends Maryland’s education code to add these holidays to the mandatory closure list. It directly affects Montgomery County students and school calendars by requiring closures for these observances, while other Maryland counties remain unaffected.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1482: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Revisions

HB 1482 requires Maryland counties and municipalities to automatically grant a property tax credit to disabled veterans and surviving spouses who own their homes, replacing the previous "may grant" option. It increases the credit to 80% of property taxes for veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability (up from 50%), 40% for 50-69% disability (up from 25%), and 20% for 20-49% disability. To qualify, applicants must have a VA-certified disability rating, own a primary residence, and have federal adjusted gross income under $100,000. Surviving spouses may also continue receiving the credit under local laws. The bill mandates these changes starting June 1, 2026, for all taxable years after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1555: Education - Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Oversight Requirements

HB 1555 modifies oversight for Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland's Future education plan. It shortens the term of members on the Accountability and Implementation Board from 6 to 4 years, creates an appeals process for public schools to challenge fund withholdings (allowing appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings), and establishes a new Stakeholder Advisory Council and Joint Oversight Committee. The bill also requires performance audits of the Board by the Office of Legislative Audits and places the Board under the jurisdiction of the Inspector General for Education. These changes directly affect the Board, public schools, and state oversight bodies managing education funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1415: Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Identification

HB 1415 requires all Maryland law enforcement officers to visibly wear identification (including agency, last name, and badge number) on their outermost clothing during duty, with specific standards for size, placement, and visibility. It mandates that the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission develop a model policy covering these requirements, including how identification must be displayed on uniforms, outerwear, and plainclothes, plus training for officers. Law enforcement agencies must adopt policies matching this model, and officers violating the rule face misdemeanor penalties (up to 2 years in jail or $2,000 fine) and loss of civil immunity. The law excludes active undercover officers and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1453: Gaming - Extensions of Credit, Penalties, Player Protections, and Distribution of Proceeds - Alterations

HB 1453 updates Maryland's gaming regulations by requiring video lottery operators to obtain player consent for credit extensions with mandatory gambling help warnings (like "1-800-GAMBLER") on applications. It mandates a central list tracking all approved credit extensions to prevent exceeding a player's net worth, increases violation penalties to $50,000 per day, and changes revenue distribution: 84% of fantasy competition proceeds stay with operators, 1% goes to problem gambling funds, and single-event sports wagers are capped at $100,000. The bill directly affects video lottery licensees, players, and the State Lottery Commission, which must implement these rules. These changes aim to strengthen player protections and clarify financial oversight in gaming operations.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1051: Public Health - Patient Access to Medication

HB 1051 creates Maryland’s "Meds-to-Beds Program," requiring all state hospitals to partner with licensed pharmacists who deliver discharge medications to patients *before* they leave the hospital, aiming to reduce readmissions. It also expands insurance coverage for telehealth to include automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems, allowing pharmacies to outsource prescription processing under specific conditions. The bill directly affects hospitals (mandated to participate), pharmacists (who deliver medications), and patients (who receive timely discharge drugs). Key changes include updating telehealth definitions in insurance law and establishing new regulations for medication access systems.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1410: Income Tax - Credit for Paid Organ Donation Leave

HB 1410 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for employers who provide paid leave for employees donating organs. Qualified employers (those with written policies paying 100% of wages during organ donation leave) can claim a credit equal to 100% of wages paid during the first 12 weeks of leave. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to three years. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and requires employers to submit documentation proving eligibility to the Maryland Department of Health.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1398: State Transfer Tax - Temporary Suspension

HB 1398 suspends Maryland's state transfer tax on property transactions for three years, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. This directly affects individuals and businesses transferring property through deeds, sales, or other recorded instruments during that period. The bill amends Maryland's tax code to exclude these transactions from the standard transfer tax requirement, applying to both county circuit court recordings and Department filings. It does not change the tax rate or permanent rules, only temporarily halting the tax collection during the specified window. The suspension applies to all qualifying property transfers within the defined timeframe.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1573: Income Tax - Credit for Small Political Contributions

HB 1573 creates a refundable state income tax credit for Maryland taxpayers who make qualifying political contributions to campaign finance entities. Individuals may claim up to $50, while married couples filing jointly may claim up to $100 per year, with the credit refundable if it exceeds tax liability. The bill requires the Comptroller to annually report on credit usage and fiscal impact to the Governor and General Assembly. It applies to contributions made during taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and expires June 30, 2032. This policy directly affects Maryland residents who contribute to political campaigns, offering a tax benefit for small donations.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1431: Sports Wagering - Licenses - Application Period

HB 1431 extends the application window for sports wagering licenses in Maryland. It requires the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission to accept and consider applications submitted before January 1, 2028, for both physical facilities and mobile wagering licenses. The bill also maintains existing requirements for the Commission to actively seek racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in license awards and encourages minority-owned, women-owned, or small business applicants. This amendment modifies existing law (Section 9-1E-15(h)(4) of the Annotated Code of Maryland) to establish this specific deadline for applications. The bill does not create new licensing standards but sets a clear cutoff date for current application processes.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1511: Public Safety - State Clearinghouse for Missing Persons

HB 1511 renames Maryland’s "State Clearinghouse for Missing Children" to "State Clearinghouse for Missing Persons" and transfers its operations from Family Law to Public Safety law. It requires the Department of State Police to study its ability to report missing persons data to the national National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NMUPS) and report findings to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2026. The bill updates the clearinghouse’s role to collect, distribute, and publish information on all missing persons (not just children), including annual statistics and volunteer search group contacts. This changes how Maryland law enforcement handles missing persons data and aligns reporting with federal systems. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1545: Frederick County - Special Education Video and Audio Recording Program - Established

HB 1545 establishes a program requiring Frederick County public schools to install video and audio recording devices in specialized instructional settings (where students with disabilities receive at least 50% of instruction) to document incidents like bullying, abuse, or harm. The bill mandates recordings in classrooms but prohibits recording in bathrooms or clothing-change areas, with audio devices limited to those specific zones. All recordings must be managed by an unbiased third party (not school staff), reviewed regularly, and made accessible to parents, law enforcement, or child protective services only after incidents occur. Parents may request exemptions for their child from audio recordings in designated areas, which must be documented in the student’s education plan. The program explicitly prohibits using recordings for teacher evaluations and requires written notice to parents before activation.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results