Maryland Bills

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 834: Vehicle Laws - Manufacturers and Dealers - Prices Listed on Dealer Websites

SB 834 requires auto manufacturers and dealers to allow dealers to publicly disclose on their websites that the advertised vehicle price is the manufacturer's minimum allowable price and that dealers may offer lower prices. This directly protects dealers from manufacturers taking adverse actions (like threatening to withhold inventory or incentives) for making this disclosure. The law amends Maryland vehicle laws to ensure dealers can transparently advertise pricing without fear of retaliation, while still allowing manufacturers to require standard charges like freight or processing fees to be included in advertised prices. It specifically prohibits manufacturers from conditioning benefits on dealers maintaining exclusive facilities or altering their locations.

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 444: Public Safety - Gun Buyback Programs - Destruction of Firearms

SB 444 requires all gun buyback programs operating in Maryland to permanently destroy traded-in firearms (including all attached components) to make them inoperable and unrepairable. It applies to both public and private entities running these programs and allows them to contract with law enforcement agencies or businesses for destruction. Violations carry fines up to $10,000 per offense, and program operators holding a dealer’s license face license revocation for non-compliance. The bill amends Maryland’s Public Safety Code to establish these requirements under a new "Gun Buyback Programs" subtitle.

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2025

HB 747: Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Requirements for Inspection and Pumping Services and Extension of Sunset and Implementation Dates

HB 747 requires landlords and home sellers in Maryland to ensure on-site wastewater systems (like septic tanks) are inspected and pumped by licensed professionals before new tenants move in or property is sold, starting January 1, 2026. Landlords must verify this before each new tenant occupies the property, while home sellers must include it as a condition in real estate contracts. Both inspections and pumpings remain valid for three years. The bill applies to properties served by these systems and aims to improve system maintenance through standardized requirements.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2025

HB 1468: Cyber Maryland Program – Revisions

HB 1468 transfers Maryland's Cyber Maryland Program from the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to the Maryland Department of Labor, restructuring its governance and operations. The bill requires the Program to award competitive grants for IT/OT workforces starting in fiscal year 2026, alters how the Cyber Maryland Fund can be used (including rolling over unused balances), and updates the Program's purpose to focus on creating a cybersecurity talent pipeline to reduce workforce vacancies by July 2026. It also mandates the Program to coordinate with cybersecurity industry groups, develop a statewide workforce plan, and ensure diversity in outcomes. These changes directly affect Maryland employers seeking cybersecurity talent and state workforce development programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2025

HB 957: State Procurement - Worker Residency Requirements

HB 957 requires state contractors to ensure a specified percentage of workers on certain projects are Maryland residents and that a certain percentage of work hours are performed by residents. It directs the Maryland Department of Labor to enforce these residency requirements for state procurement contracts. Contractors who violate these rules may be debarred from future state contracts, with debarment triggered by specific violations like criminal convictions related to contracting or failure to meet residency standards. The bill amends existing procurement law and adds new sections (17-6B-01 to 17-6B-05) to establish these requirements.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2025

HB 1515: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities - Exemptions

HB 1515 exempts intermediate care facilities offering medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services from needing a certificate of need (approval) to establish or operate. This directly affects facilities providing this specific type of addiction treatment. The bill requires these facilities to submit 45 days' written notice to Maryland's health Commission before operation, and the Commission must approve based on whether the facility aligns with state health plans, improves service efficiency, and serves the public interest. This replaces a previous exemption that was being repealed, streamlining approval for these treatment centers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2025

HB 505: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Renaming and Alterations

HB 505 renames Maryland's "renewable energy portfolio standard" to the "clean energy portfolio standard" and increases the required percentage of energy from clean sources (like wind, solar, and nuclear) for utilities over time. It revises definitions for offshore wind projects, modifies application requirements for these projects, and establishes a new process for the Public Service Commission to review proposed nuclear energy projects. The bill also requires nuclear project applicants to comply with minority business programs and mandates how energy sales proceeds from certain nuclear projects must be distributed. Additionally, it renames related funds and committees (like the "Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund" to "Clean Energy Business Development Fund") and applies these changes retroactively.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 130: Education - Student Personal Electronic Device Use Policy - Required

SB 130 requires all Maryland county school boards to create and enforce a policy banning student use of cellular devices (including smartphones and tablets) during instructional time, defined as the school day except lunch. The policy must mandate secure storage of devices and include disciplinary measures for violations, while allowing exceptions for students with documented health needs, IEP/504 accommodations, or educator-directed educational use. It affects all public school students, parents, and school staff in Maryland’s 24 county school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all county boards of education.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Technology

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 708: Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering Content - Required

SB 708 requires sports wagering licensees and operators advertising in Maryland to contract with licensed independent evaluators to assess their advertising content, experts, influencers, and content partners. This replaces the previous optional language ("may") with a mandatory requirement ("shall"), effective July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects businesses holding sports wagering licenses in Maryland that run state-based advertising. It establishes a specific process for evaluating advertising materials to ensure compliance, rather than leaving evaluation to the discretion of the operators. The law amends Maryland’s existing statute (Article - State Government, Section 9-1E-17(d)) to mandate this evaluation.

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 601: Education - Dependent Children of Service Members - Advance Enrollment Procedures

SB 601 requires Maryland county superintendents to allow advance enrollment for dependent children of service members relocating due to military orders. It mandates a remote registration process (no fees or in-person visits) and requires schools to coordinate with parents and sending states to avoid delays for children with disabilities receiving special education. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to publish clear information about enrollment procedures and available support services. This directly affects military-connected students, their families, and school districts across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 632: Correctional Services - Comprehensive Rehabilitative Prerelease Services - Female Incarcerated Individuals (The Monica Cooper Prerelease Act)

SB 632 (The Monica Cooper Prerelease Act) requires Maryland to establish a dedicated facility for female incarcerated individuals eligible for prerelease, located in Baltimore City on at least 3 acres to serve the zip codes with the highest release rates. The bill mandates the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide comprehensive support services - including education, vocational training, family reunification programs, trauma-informed healthcare, housing assistance, and job placement - tailored to women’s needs. It sets deadlines for facility planning (by December 2025), construction (by July 2026), and operation (by 2027), with reporting requirements to the Governor and legislature. The law directly affects female inmates in prerelease status and aims to improve reentry outcomes through structured, gender-responsive programming.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1027: Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Advisory Council - Establishment

SB 1027 establishes the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Advisory Council to advise the Developmental Disabilities Administration on Medicaid waiver programs. The council provides recommendations on system design, service delivery, and quality strategies, with a requirement for equal representation from individuals using self-directed versus traditional service models. It consists of 18 voting members, including 18 individuals with lived experience in waiver programs (with specific regional and model representation), plus representatives from service providers, advocacy groups, and state agencies like Health, Disabilities, and Human Services. The council must operate using person-centered, evidence-based approaches and prioritize input from those directly using waiver services. This bill creates a new advisory body under Maryland law without altering existing Medicaid waiver rules.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results