Maryland Bills

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

HB 78: State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors - Sunset Extension and Report

HB 78 extends the operation of Maryland's State Commission for Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors by delaying its automatic termination date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Labor to submit a report to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee by July 1, 2028, detailing the Commission's activities and effectiveness. This bill directly affects the Commission's oversight of real estate appraisers, appraisal management companies, and home inspectors, ensuring continued regulation of these professions until 2031. The extension and reporting requirement are procedural updates to maintain regulatory authority without altering the Commission's current responsibilities.

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

HB 579: Criminal Procedure - U Nonimmigrant Status Petitions and Immigration Enforcement at Sensitive Locations

HB 579 modifies Maryland's certification process for U Nonimmigrant Status visas (U visas), which help victims of certain crimes access legal immigration status. The bill expands who can certify victim helpfulness to include agencies like child protective services, adult protective services, and the Commission on Civil Rights (not just police). It requires certifying officials to provide specific details about the crime and victim's cooperation when completing Form I-918, Supplement B. This directly affects crime victims seeking U visas and the state agencies that issue these certifications. The bill aligns Maryland's process with federal U visa guidelines to streamline eligibility verification.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 997: Prince George's County - Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters - Mandated Appropriation

SB 997 requires the Maryland Governor to include at least $200 million in the state budget for site redevelopment and transportation infrastructure improvements if the U.S. General Services Administration relocates the FBI headquarters to Prince George’s County. The bill specifically triggers this mandated funding only upon the FBI headquarters relocation condition being met. It does not create new funding but ensures state resources are allocated for infrastructure supporting the relocation project. The bill applies directly to Maryland’s budget process and the specific FBI headquarters relocation site in Prince George’s County.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 1040: Department of Budget and Management - Expedited Hiring Program (FEDERAL Jobs Act of 2025)

SB 1040 (FEDERAL Jobs Act of 2025) creates an Expedited Hiring Program within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management to recruit former federal employees for state government positions. It directly affects eligible applicants who previously worked for the federal government for at least one year and left after January 15, 2025, as well as state appointing authorities responsible for filling vacancies. Key provisions require appointing authorities to fill eligible vacancies within 40 days, modify job descriptions to appeal to former federal workers, and implement marketing, applicant rating, and referral processes. The program aims to leverage federal expertise for state roles while operating under the State Personnel Management System.

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 672: Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority Task Force - Revisions

SB 672 establishes the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority to govern the renovation, revitalization, maintenance, and marketing of Baltimore's convention site and tourism operations. The Authority, composed of 12 members including legislative appointees, industry representatives (hotels, restaurants), city officials, and labor/county business advocates, will manage the convention center and promote Baltimore as a tourist destination. It operates as a state instrumental entity with a 9-member quorum requirement and specific appointment rules for its members. The bill directly affects Baltimore City's convention center management and tourism marketing strategy, replacing the previous task force recommendations with a permanent governing body.

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

HB 147: County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements

HB 147 requires Maryland county school boards to create policies banning elementary and middle school students from using cell phones or personal devices (like tablets or laptops) during school hours, unless specific exceptions apply. The policy must allow device use for students with documented special education needs (IEP/504 plans), health monitoring, or when teachers direct it for educational purposes. It does not apply to counties already having such policies in place. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting all public elementary and middle schools in Maryland not covered by existing rules.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Technology

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 828: Immigration Enforcement - Sensitive Locations - Access, Guidance, and Policies (Protecting Sensitive Locations Act)

SB 828 (Protecting Sensitive Locations Act) requires Maryland's Attorney General to develop guidelines limiting immigration enforcement at specific sensitive locations, including schools, hospitals, places of worship, childcare centers, and disaster response sites. State agencies operating at these locations must either adopt policies aligned with the guidelines or provide written notice to the Attorney General explaining why they won't adopt such policies, including copies of existing policies. The bill directly affects state agencies managing facilities like hospitals, schools, and shelters by mandating policy alignment or transparency regarding immigration enforcement. It does not create new enforcement powers but sets procedural requirements for state agencies to follow. The guidelines must be developed in consultation with stakeholders and are designed to limit immigration enforcement at these locations "to the fullest extent possible" under federal and state law.

Topics ✓ Immigration

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 703: Family Investment Program - Child Support

SB 703 requires that all child support payments received by families in Maryland’s Family Investment Program (FIP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) must be passed directly to the family and not counted when calculating their benefits. It amends state law to eliminate previous limits (like $100 for one child) and prohibits local agencies from considering any child support when determining FIP or SNAP assistance amounts. This change directly affects low-income families receiving FIP or SNAP who also receive child support payments. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 683: Catastrophic Event Account and Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund, Protection of Federal Benefits, and Powers of the Attorney General - Alterations (Protect Our Federal Workers Act)

SB 683 (Protect Our Federal Workers Act) renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and expands its eligibility. The bill allows Maryland to use funds from the Catastrophic Event Account to assist federal workers affected by closures, relocations, or mass layoffs of federal offices (beyond just government shutdowns). It specifically adds these new circumstances to the Fund’s purpose, enabling loans to Maryland-resident federal employees who lost pay during shutdowns *or* were terminated due to federal facility changes beyond their control. The bill modifies existing Maryland law (Sections 7-324 and 7-327) to formalize these changes, ensuring the Fund remains continuously available for these purposes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 100: Natural Resources - Pursuing Wounded Deer After Legal Hunting Hours and Using a Light - Authorization

This bill allows authorized deer hunters in Maryland to pursue and kill a deer they've wounded during legal hunting hours after hours end, provided they use only the hunting methods permitted for that specific season or permit. It directly affects licensed deer hunters who wound deer during legal time but cannot complete the harvest before closing. The law requires hunters to follow existing season/permit restrictions during post-hour pursuit and directs the Department of Natural Resources to create implementing regulations. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 15: Child Support - Driver's License Suspension for Arrearages and Court Orders

SB 15 modifies Maryland's rules for suspending driver's licenses due to unpaid child support. It requires courts to send child support calculation details and orders to the Child Support Administration after establishing a payment order. The bill adds safeguards: before suspending a license, the Administration must notify the obligor (parent owing support) about their right to request an investigation for inaccuracy, employment impact, or hardship, and gives them a chance to appeal. It also allows work-restricted licenses during suspension and sets clear conditions for reinstating driving privileges, such as paying arrears in full or participating in approved employment programs. This directly affects parents with child support arrears who face license suspension.

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SB 361: Election Law - Influence on a Voter's Voting Decision By Use of Fraud - Prohibition

SB 361 prohibits using fraud - including AI-generated synthetic media - to influence voters' decisions. The bill defines "synthetic media" as AI-manipulated images, audio, or videos falsely depicting candidates or altering their appearance/speech. It makes it illegal to use such media (or traditional fraud like impersonation or vote-buying) to sway voters, with violations punishable by fines up to $5,000 or up to 5 years in prison. This directly affects anyone creating or distributing misleading digital content about candidates ahead of elections. The law takes effect June 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Technology

Bill results