Maryland Bills

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 4, 2025

HB 1032: Baltimore City and Montgomery County - Stop Sign Monitoring Systems - Authorization MC 4-25

HB 1032 authorizes Montgomery County to use automated stop sign monitoring systems in school zones, if permitted by local law. The bill establishes that footage from these systems can be used as evidence in court without authentication, allows for citations and civil penalties against drivers who fail to stop, and requires specific defenses to be considered. It prohibits contractors administering the systems from being paid based on the number of citations issued. This bill directly affects drivers in Montgomery County school zones and county officials implementing the monitoring systems, creating a structured process for enforcement and penalty collection.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 209: State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors - Sunset Extension and Report

SB 209 extends the operation of Maryland's State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors until July 1, 2031, instead of its original 2026 sunset date. It 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. The bill does not change the Commission's regulatory authority but continues its existence and mandates a formal review. This directly affects the Commission, the Department of Labor, and professionals regulated under this commission (appraisers, appraisal management companies, and home inspectors). The bill is procedural, focusing on extension and reporting rather than new regulations.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 3, 2025

HB 503: Housing Development Act

HB 503, the Housing Development Act, requires Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development and Department of Planning to calculate regional housing infrastructure gaps (such as water, sewer, and road capacity shortfalls) and assign these gaps to specific counties and cities. Local governments must then take steps to reduce these gaps and are required to expedite approvals for certain housing projects - particularly those addressing the gaps - without denying them without specific justifications. The bill directly affects all counties and incorporated municipalities in Maryland, especially those identified as having significant housing infrastructure deficits. It creates a new framework for streamlining housing development by shifting approval responsibilities to local jurisdictions based on regional needs.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 3, 2025

HB 966: Courts - Artificial Intelligence Evidence Clinic Pilot Program - Establishment

HB 966 establishes a two-year pilot program within Maryland's Administrative Office of the Courts to provide courts with AI evidence expertise. The program will select a Maryland-based academic or tech entity (prioritizing those with AI experience and academic focus) through a request for proposals to develop expert resources for civil cases where parties lack legal representation or access to AI experts. It authorizes up to $250,000 in annual funding for 2027-2028, with no more than 20% for administrative costs, and includes liability protections for the selected entity (excluding cases of serious negligence). This directly affects circuit and district courts handling civil cases involving potential AI-altered evidence, particularly benefiting unrepresented individuals. The program aims to create a practical resource for courts navigating AI-related evidence without creating new legal standards.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 883: Post-Towing Procedure Workgroup - Establishment

SB 883 establishes clear rules for liens held by towing companies that remove vehicles from privately owned parking lots. It states that a lien automatically forms when towing, recovery, storage, or notice charges are incurred, directly affecting towing companies, parking lot owners, and vehicle owners/occupants. The lien ends if the vehicle is reclaimed and charges are paid by the owner, lessee, operator, insurer, secured party, or their authorized agent. The lien is also subordinate to any pre-existing security interest on the vehicle. This law takes effect October 1, 2025.

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 3, 2025

HB 604: Criminal Law - Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable and Senior Adults

HB 604 prohibits caregivers, family members, or household members from knowingly stealing property from vulnerable or senior adults with the intent to deprive them of it. It classifies such theft as a consumer fraud under Maryland law, enabling the Attorney General’s Senior and Vulnerable Adult Asset Recovery Unit to recover stolen assets and block offenders from inheriting victims’ property. The bill creates new criminal penalties, requires District Court jurisdiction for these cases, and allows prosecutors to freeze defendants’ assets early in proceedings. These changes directly affect vulnerable seniors, their families, and caregivers who commit financial exploitation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice