SB 249 modifies Maryland's tobacco licensing rules to allow existing tobacco product license holders (e.g., businesses selling cigarettes or traditional tobacco) to manufacture, distribute, or sell electronic smoking devices without obtaining a separate license or paying an additional fee. The bill repeals provisions requiring dual licensing and exempts current tobacco licensees from extra costs when expanding into e-cigarette sales. Key mechanisms include clarifying that tobacco license holders can operate as e-device manufacturers or retailers under their existing licenses, and updating definitions to include e-cigarettes and related accessories (excluding FDA-approved products or standalone batteries). This affects tobacco businesses seeking to offer e-cigarettes and streamlines oversight for the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission.
SB 162 repeals a deadline that previously prevented certain individuals from filing motions to reduce their prison sentences. It affects adults convicted as minors for crimes committed before their 18th birthday (and sentenced before October 1, 2021) or adults aged 18-25 convicted of non-violent offenses (not life sentences, sex offenders, or murder involving first responders). The bill removes the October 2021 cutoff, allowing eligible individuals to file motions regardless of when they were sentenced. If approved, courts must hold a hearing where the person can present evidence, and victims may submit impact statements without cross-examination. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 294 requires courts and parties in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases to redact identifying information (like names, addresses, or details that could reveal identity) from court filings and records involving victims of sexual assault or stalking. It directly affects these victims by preventing public disclosure of their personal details in court documents, unless a court finds "good cause" to allow it. The bill mandates that courts automatically redact such information upon request from a victim of sexual assault or stalking, and prohibits disclosure to nonparties without redaction. This applies to all court filings, including charging documents, and covers both current and existing case records. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 327 adjusts the membership structure of Baltimore County's Community College Board to align with updated council districts. It reduces the number of district representatives from 9 to 7 (with specific district mappings changing) and increases at-large members from 1 to 2. The bill also sets new expiration dates for terms starting July 1, 2026, following Baltimore County's redistricting effective June 23, 2026. This change directly affects how the board is composed and which council districts are represented. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, without altering the board's appointment process or core responsibilities.
SB 230 amends Maryland law to treat sexual contact without consent during a burglary (first, second, or third degree) as a third-degree sexual offense. This directly affects individuals who commit such acts, elevating the offense level from a misdemeanor to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill also updates sex offender registration tiers to include this specific burglary-related offense in the definitions of "tier I" and "tier II" sex offenders. These changes clarify that committing sexual contact without consent while burglarizing a property triggers stricter legal consequences and registration requirements. The bill does not alter existing provisions for offenses involving minors or other specific circumstances.
SB 213 strengthens transparency in Maryland state procurement by requiring government agencies to provide debriefings to unsuccessful bidders upon request, explaining contract award decisions. It creates a new exemption allowing individuals who helped draft procurement documents (like specifications or bids) to still submit bids, as long as they didn’t have a conflict of interest. The bill also mandates that contracts include clauses requiring cost adjustments for contractors when laws change, and updates procedures for handling contract disputes and claims. These changes primarily affect state agencies, contractors bidding on government contracts, and businesses providing services or goods to the state.
HB 193 updates Maryland's state procurement rules to increase transparency and clarify procedures. It requires state agencies to provide debriefings to unsuccessful bidders upon request, explaining contract award decisions. The bill adds exemptions allowing vendors to assist in drafting bids without conflict of interest concerns (e.g., sharing technical specs or commenting on drafts). It also mandates that contracts include clauses requiring fair adjustments for cost/time increases caused by new laws, and streamlines how disputes over procurement claims are reviewed. These changes directly affect state agencies, contractors, and businesses bidding on government contracts.
SB 46 clarifies the definition of "interment" in Maryland law to include earth burials, mausoleum entombment, and columbarium niches for veterans' cemeteries. It requires the Department of Veterans and Military Families to provide an outer burial receptacle (instead of a grave liner) or a columbarium niche with marker at no cost for every burial. The bill also mandates funeral homes and crematories to share identifying information about unclaimed cremated remains with veterans service organizations to determine if they belong to veterans or eligible dependents, ensuring proper burial arrangements. This directly affects veterans, their families, funeral service providers, and cemetery administrators.
HB 364 clarifies that "interment location" includes burial plots, mausoleums, and columbarium niches in Maryland's state veterans' cemeteries. It requires the Department of Veterans and Military Families to provide an outer burial receptacle (like a marker or niche) at no cost with every interment, replacing the previous requirement for a grave liner. This directly affects veterans and their eligible dependents (spouses, children under 21, or disabled adult children) who are buried in state veterans' cemeteries. The bill amends existing Maryland law to ensure this free marker provision is standard practice for all eligible interments.
SB 81 prohibits law enforcement officers assigned as school resource officers (SROs) from engaging in sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, or sexual acts with students enrolled at their assigned school. It amends Maryland's criminal law (Section 3-314(e)(iv)) to explicitly include SROs in the ban, defining "school resource officer" under the Education Article (Section 7-1501(j)). Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine. The law directly affects SROs in Maryland public schools, targeting conduct specific to their role as law enforcement officers within educational settings. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill expands Maryland's expungement options by allowing individuals to have certain criminal records sealed if their case ended without a conviction. Specifically, it adds a new provision (Section 10-110(j)) permitting expungement for cases disposed of with a "no finding" designation or formally terminated without a finding by the court. This directly affects people who completed diversion programs or had cases dismissed without a formal conviction, such as in pretrial diversion or dismissals without judgment. The change modifies existing expungement law to include these non-conviction dispositions, making it easier for affected individuals to clear their records.
SB 286 requires Maryland's Commissioner of Labor and Industry to create a searchable online database of active elevator inspection certificates on the state labor department's website. The database must allow the public to search by street address, city, or county, making inspection status easily accessible. This directly affects building owners (who receive certificates) and the public (who can verify elevator safety). The bill updates existing law by replacing the requirement to post physical certificates on elevators with this digital public resource, effective October 1, 2026.
