Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 294: Criminal Procedure – Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 327: Education - Board of Community College Trustees for Baltimore County - Membership

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.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 230: Criminal Law - Third-Degree Sexual Offense - Burglary

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 213: State Procurement - Transparency and Procedures

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.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 193: State Procurement - Transparency and Procedures

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.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 46: State Veterans' Cemeteries - Interment

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.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 364: State Veterans' Cemeteries - Interment

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.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 81: Criminal Law - School Resource Officers - Prohibition on Sexual Activity with Students

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 320: Criminal Procedure - Expungement - No Finding and Case Terminated Without Finding

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 286: Public Safety - Elevator Inspection Certificates - Searchable Database

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.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 82: Criminal Law - Counterfeiting and Possession of Counterfeit Lease of Real Property - Penalty

SB 82 amends Maryland law to specifically prohibit creating, aiding, or possessing counterfeit leases or rental agreements with fraudulent intent. It directly affects individuals who attempt to defraud landlords or tenants through fake housing documents. The bill adds "lease" and "rental agreement" to the list of forgery targets (alongside checks, deeds, and other documents), making it a felony to create such counterfeits (up to 10 years in prison or $1,000 fine) and a misdemeanor to knowingly possess them (up to 3 years or $1,000 fine). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 68: Driver’s Licenses – Driver Skills Examination – Motorcycle Safety Awareness (D. Torch Road Safety Act)

SB 68 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to add at least five motorcycle safety questions to the driver skills exam for all new or upgraded driver's licenses. These questions will cover specific topics like motorcycle visibility, proper lane positioning, safe following distances, and crash prevention around motorcycles. The bill directly affects every driver's license applicant in Maryland who takes the skills exam, including those seeking motorcycle licenses. It becomes effective on October 1, 2026, without altering existing vision or road test requirements.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Bill results