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Maryland Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 26,430 Active 0 In committee 1,368 Passed 3,332 Signed 7,901 Failed 2,336

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 4, 2025

HB 525: Election Law - Influencing a Voter By Dissemination of a Deepfake - Prohibition

HB 525 prohibits using AI-generated deepfakes (synthetic media) to influence voters in Maryland elections. The bill defines "fraud" to include deepfakes - AI-created videos, audio, or images that falsely depict candidates or alter their appearance/speech - to prevent deceptive influence. It bans anyone from intentionally using such deepfakes to sway voting decisions, whether through force, threats, or other means. Violations are misdemeanor offenses punishable by fines up to $5,000 or up to 5 years in prison. This directly affects individuals or groups distributing deepfakes during elections in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 4, 2025

HB 892: Natural Resources - Canada Geese - Bag Limits

HB 892 requires Maryland's daily bag limit for Canada geese during the migratory hunting season to match the annual federal limit set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. Department of the Interior). This applies specifically to the Atlantic population of Canada geese, including those hunted in both migratory and resident population zones within the state. The bill amends Maryland law to ensure state regulations conform to the federal rule adopted each year, rather than allowing separate state limits. It affects hunters of Canada geese in Maryland and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 4, 2025

HB 201: Election Law - Absentee Ballots - Notice to Request Application

HB 201 requires Maryland local election boards to mail the state-approved absentee ballot application to every eligible voter at least 60 days before each statewide primary election. This applies to all voters who do not already have permanent absentee ballot status under existing law. The bill mandates this proactive mailing to simplify the absentee voting process for voters ahead of primaries. It does not affect voters with permanent absentee status, who continue to receive ballots automatically. The law amends Maryland’s Election Law to standardize this notification requirement.

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 808: Prince George's County - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems - School Bus Stops

SB 808 authorizes Prince George's County to use stop sign monitoring systems at school bus stops on county-maintained highways (with county council approval) or state highways (with State Highway Administration approval). The bill requires local governments to hold public hearings before implementation, place clear signage, and prioritize high-violation areas. It defines key terms like "recorded image" and "violation," ensuring systems capture license plates and only apply to actual stop-sign violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and directly affects drivers near school bus stops in Prince George's County.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 595: State Lottery Fund - Laurel Race Course - Local Impact Aid

SB 595 requires the state Comptroller to distribute $500,000 annually from the State Lottery Fund to Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and the City of Laurel. Payments are tied to Laurel Race Course activities: $2,000, $500, and $300 per day of live racing (or intertrack betting days if live racing falls below 140 days yearly). The funds must be used exclusively for health services, counseling, addiction support, and transportation to medical services for backstretch workers and residents in the 20724 zip code. Funding continues only if Laurel Race Course remains used for live racing/training and backstretch workers live on-site.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 759: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Public Safety Employee Retirement Income

SB 759 modifies Maryland's income tax law to expand a tax break for public safety retirees. It adds "9-1-1 specialists" to the list of eligible public safety employees who can subtract $15,000 from their taxable income. This applies to retirement income received by individuals aged 55 or older who worked as 9-1-1 specialists. The change specifically defines "9-1-1 specialist" as employees handling emergency calls and dispatching services, aligning with existing tax definitions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, for tax years after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 1019: Howard County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class MT (Movie Theater) License

SB 1019 creates a new "Class MT" license in Howard County allowing movie theaters to sell beer, wine, and liquor on-site. It requires theater owners to hold a crowd control certification and limits alcohol sales to patrons who have purchased tickets for current or future movie showings. The Howard County Board of License Commissioners will set the hours, days, and annual fee for this license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and only applies to Howard County movie theaters seeking this specific license type.

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 988: Maryland Collaborative to Improve Children's Oral Health Through School-Based Programs - Establishment

SB 988 allows dental hygienists to provide services in schools or school-based health centers under a dentist's general supervision (without the dentist needing to be physically present) by updating licensing rules. It also creates the Maryland Collaborative to Improve Children’s Oral Health Through School-Based Programs, composed of health, education, and dental representatives, to study and recommend ways to expand school dental services. The bill directly affects school-based health centers, dental hygienists working in schools, and children in Maryland, particularly those in underserved communities facing oral health disparities. Key mechanisms include revised licensing requirements for school settings and a formal collaborative tasked with analyzing current programs and proposing improvements.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 920: Public Health - Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group - Establishment

SB 920 establishes the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group to address access to home and community-based services (like in-home care) and workforce shortages for direct care workers under Maryland’s Medicaid program. The group, composed of 12 appointed members (including consumers, direct care workers, consumer organizations, worker groups, and provider associations), must reflect Maryland’s diversity and meet quarterly starting November 2025. It will advise the Maryland Department of Health on ensuring Medicaid payment rates are sufficient for service access and that an adequate, qualified workforce exists. The bill directly affects Medicaid recipients, direct care workers, and healthcare providers by creating a structured forum for their input on critical service delivery issues. The Department of Health must provide logistical and financial support to enable meaningful participation from workers and consumers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 611: Access to Health Insurance for Child Care Professionals - Outreach

SB 611 requires Maryland’s State Department of Education, working with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, to help child care professionals access health insurance through outreach. This includes partnering with child care hubs and associations, assisting those losing Medicaid coverage, and ensuring plans fit their budgets. It also creates a new pathway for child care providers receiving over two-thirds of their operating funds from government sources to join the State Employee Health Program as a "satellite" organization. This directly affects child care professionals and their employers by expanding affordable health insurance options through existing state programs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 433: Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative - Established

SB 433 establishes the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within Maryland’s Department of Disabilities and creates the "Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative" to improve hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities in state government. The office will develop employment strategies, collect data from state agencies on disability workforce outcomes, and oversee the initiative, which requires agencies to set hiring/retention goals and implement best practices. State agencies must report annually on progress and barriers to employment for people with disabilities starting in 2026. The bill does not create new benefits or entitlements but mandates policy coordination and transparency for state government employment practices.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 944: Housing Development Permits - Local Reporting Requirements (Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act)

SB 944 (Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act) requires large Maryland jurisdictions (with 150,000+ residents) to submit annual reports on residential housing permits, and jurisdictions issuing 50+ annual residential permits to report monthly starting January 2027. These reports must include permit details like approval dates, housing type, unit counts, construction costs, and processing times. The Department of Planning must publish this data publicly by July 2027 on an interactive, searchable website, organized by housing type (e.g., apartments, single-family) and county. The bill directly affects local governments managing significant housing development activity, aiming to increase transparency in housing permit data.