HB 1589 simplifies how Maryland residents can update the sex designation on their birth certificates and state-issued IDs. It allows individuals (or their guardians for minors/disabled adults) to request a new birth certificate with a changed sex designation by submitting a written request under penalty of perjury, plus a healthcare provider's statement confirming medical treatment for gender transition or an intersex condition. The bill removes the previous requirement for a court order to change sex designation on birth certificates and expands options for indicating sex on driver's licenses and ID cards. This directly affects transgender and intersex Marylanders seeking to align official documents with their gender identity.
HB 1595 allows Maryland counties (and Baltimore City) to create a special tax category for qualified data centers. It authorizes local governments to set a distinct personal property tax rate for data centers meeting specific investment and job creation requirements - $2 million in Tier I areas or $5 million elsewhere, plus at least five new jobs. The bill amends tax code to define "qualified data center" and establishes the mechanism for counties to implement this special rate through local law. This directly affects data centers meeting the criteria and county tax systems, changing how these facilities are taxed under personal property rules. The special rate applies to all qualifying data center personal property, not real estate.
HB 1588 increases the annual salary for the judge of Wicomico County's Orphans' Court from $11,600 to $16,000, paid quarterly. The bill directly affects the judge serving in this specific court, which handles estate and trust matters in Wicomico County. It takes effect July 1, 2026, applying only to judges serving terms beginning after that date or those appointed/elected after the effective date.
HB 1591 amends Maryland's wetlands law to clarify that vessels registered under Title 8, Subtitle 7 of the Natural Resources Article are explicitly excluded from the definition of a "nonwater-dependent project." This change directly affects vessel owners and operators, as it prevents these vessels from being classified under a category that would require separate permitting for wetlands construction. The bill modifies Section 16-101(i)(v) of the Annotated Code of Maryland to add this exclusion, ensuring vessels are not subject to the licensing requirements applicable to other nonwater-dependent projects. This adjustment streamlines regulatory treatment for registered vessels without altering broader wetlands protection standards.
SB 981 creates a Common Ownership Community Ombudsman Unit within Maryland's Attorney General's office to handle complaints from residents of condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations (HOAs) about final decisions made by their community's management. The bill requires these communities to submit governing documents to the state housing department, which must establish a public database of all filings. The Ombudsman Unit will review complaints, refer them to county-established local commissions for review if needed, or make determinations on whether decisions violate state laws, while also providing residents with information and dispute resolution referrals. The unit must report annually on its activities, including complaint volumes and actions taken.
SB 979 shortens the time limit for local authorities to enforce consumer protection laws in Maryland. It requires that lawsuits or fines for violations of local consumer codes must be filed within 3 years of when authorities knew or should have known about the violation. This directly affects local consumer protection agencies and businesses that may violate these codes. The bill amends Maryland law to create this 3-year window for enforcement actions.
SB 986 requires owners or operators of large battery energy storage facilities (stationary energy storage systems) to cover the cost of specialized fire response training and equipment for local fire departments responsible for fire suppression in the facility's area. The training must meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 855 standard for battery fire suppression. The State Fire Marshal administers and enforces this requirement, with authority to adopt necessary regulations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, directly impacting battery storage facility operators and local fire departments in Maryland.
SB 971 establishes Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership between Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City, prohibiting entrance fees and requiring the park to include a specified area. The bill mandates the Department and Baltimore City to jointly develop a master plan with an independent consultant, hold community focus groups, and create a stakeholder advisory committee. It also allocates $4 million in fiscal year 2028 to renovate the Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park office into a shared partnership park office and visitor center. This bill directly affects the Department of Natural Resources, Baltimore City, and residents of Baltimore who will gain access to the new park without entry fees.
SB 975 renames Maryland's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to include "Disability" and updates the title of its leadership position to reflect this expansion. The bill specifically requires the Special Secretary to now address matters concerning individuals with disabilities and amends procurement laws to mandate that state agencies prioritize purchasing from disability-owned businesses and community service providers. Key provisions include updating committee membership to include the new Special Secretary role and requiring the Pricing and Selection Committee to establish procedures for procuring goods and services from disability-focused businesses. This bill directly affects disability-owned businesses and community service providers seeking state contracts by creating clearer procurement pathways. The changes aim to integrate disability business inclusion into existing state procurement frameworks without creating new funding streams.
SB 977 establishes the Maryland Positive Youth Development Commission within the State Department of Education and creates a permanent fund to support community-based youth programs. The bill directs the Commission to award grants to eligible organizations (including after-school programs, mentoring initiatives, and summer learning opportunities) that provide evidence-based programming for youth aged birth through 25 outside regular school hours. The fund, financed by legal settlement proceeds and other revenue, will provide sustainable funding for these programs, which aim to reduce social media dependency and build social-emotional skills. This directly affects community organizations delivering youth development services and the young people they serve across Maryland.
SB 978 defines "supervisory employee" for collective bargaining purposes in Maryland community colleges. It specifies that a supervisory employee must have authority to hire/fire/promote, direct over 50% of another employee's work hours, and resolve complaints. The bill excludes department heads, comparable positions, and faculty below assistant dean level from this classification. This definition directly affects community college staff whose bargaining rights depend on their supervisory role.
SB 973 adjusts Maryland's income tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums. It reduces the maximum annual credit from $500 to $250 per person for Maryland residents aged 45 or older who pay premiums for qualifying long-term care insurance covering themselves or eligible family members. The bill restricts claims if the insured individual was covered before January 1, 2027, or if the credit was previously claimed for that person. These changes take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.
