Maryland Bills

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 9: Sales and Use Tax - Tax-Free Day - Veterans' Day

SB 9 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) in Maryland starting in 2026. It exempts sales tax on items costing less than $2,000 purchased by veterans, provided they show valid ID (like a driver's license or government ID) indicating veteran status. The Comptroller may suspend this tax-free day at their sole discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting eligible veterans making qualifying purchases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Craig Zucker (D) Guy Guzzone (D) Jim Rosapepe (D) Katie Hester (D) Ben Brooks (D)

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

HB 355: Education - Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program - Human and Sex Trafficking

This bill requires Maryland public and private schools to include human and sex trafficking awareness in their existing sexual abuse and assault prevention education programs for students in grades 6 through 8. The program must be taught by trained instructors as part of the health curriculum, expanding current requirements that already cover sexual abuse prevention. It applies to all schools meeting the definition of "nonpublic school" under Maryland law, including those participating in state textbook and technology grant programs. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 356: Income Tax Credit - Parent of a Stillborn Child

SB 356 creates a $1,000 refundable state income tax credit for Maryland parents who experience a stillbirth, as documented by a certified birth certificate or fetal death certificate issued under Maryland law or equivalent from another state. The credit can be claimed in the tax year the stillbirth occurred, and if it exceeds the parent's state income tax liability, they receive a cash refund for the difference. This policy directly affects eligible Maryland parents of stillborn children, providing financial relief tied to the year of the stillbirth. The credit applies to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 15, 2026

HB 333: General Assembly Vacancy - Political Party Central Committee - Procedures

HB 333 updates Maryland's rules for filling vacancies in the General Assembly when a Senator or Delegate position becomes empty. It requires political party central committees to follow specific public procedures: opening a 7-day application window, publishing clear public notices about meetings and processes, and posting all applications online for at least 30 days after voting. Committees must hold open public meetings for candidate interviews and voting, with roll-call or signed ballots, and members who apply must recuse themselves from the selection process. These changes aim to increase transparency and public access when parties fill legislative vacancies under state law.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 10: Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice - Publication in Newspaper or Newspaper in General Circulation - Digital Newspapers

HB 10 updates Maryland law to include qualified digital publications as valid platforms for publishing required legal advertisements and notices (like court filings or government announcements). It establishes specific standards for digital publications to qualify, requiring them to produce original local news content (at least one article weekly), employ staff dedicated to local reporting (30+ hours/week), and meet other criteria like public interest focus. This directly affects counties and municipalities that must publish such notices, ensuring digital outlets meet comparable standards to traditional print newspapers. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, with special provisions for Prince George’s and Dorchester Counties.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 164: State Buildings and State Highways - Collection and Disposal of Yard Waste

HB 164 establishes new rules for handling yard waste collected on state-owned buildings and highways in Maryland. It requires workers to collect waste in reusable containers or compostable paper bags (not single-use plastic) and mandates disposal at specific facilities like organics recycling centers, natural wood recycling facilities, or state sites that create mulch. The bill applies to anyone employed to manage yard waste on state properties, excluding noxious weeds or invasive species. These requirements take effect October 1, 2026, aiming to improve waste management practices for state grounds.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 428: Courts - Former Judge - Temporary Assignment

HB 428 amends Maryland law to change eligibility for former judges to be temporarily assigned back to courts. It removes a disqualification for judges who lost an election but had previously won judicial office, while adding new restrictions: former judges who voluntarily retired due to disability, were removed from office, censured, or are currently practicing law cannot be recalled. The bill also maintains requirements like a minimum service period (2 years statewide, 1 year in Talbot County) and approval by the Supreme Court and administrative judge. These changes directly affect former judges seeking temporary court assignments and take effect October 1, 2026.