Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 264: Maryland Data Privacy and Protection Act of 2026

HB 264, the Maryland Data Privacy and Protection Act of 2026, sets new rules for how Maryland state government agencies collect, store, and handle personal information. It requires agencies to only collect personal data that is necessary for a legitimate government purpose, delete or remove identifying details when no longer needed, and post clear privacy notices on their websites. The bill specifically defines "sensitive data" (like racial origin, health information, biometric data, and location tracking) and mandates that agencies designate a Privacy Officer to oversee compliance. This law directly affects all Maryland state government units, including departments and agencies, by requiring them to update their data practices to protect residents' privacy.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 553: Public Safety - Elevator Inspection Certificates - Searchable Database

HB 553 requires Maryland's Department of Labor to create a searchable online database of active elevator inspection certificates on its website. This affects building owners and operators who must display valid certificates in elevators, while allowing the public to search for current inspection status by street address, city, or county. The bill does not change inspection standards but makes existing certificate data publicly accessible through a user-friendly tool, effective October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 357: Municipalities - Election Dates - Reporting Requirements

HB 357 requires Maryland municipalities to report all regular and special election dates to the State Board of Elections (6 months before regular elections, within 5 business days for special elections). It mandates that the State Board, local election boards, and municipalities must prominently display upcoming election dates on their websites, including municipality name, date, and election type. The bill also adds requirements for municipalities to submit detailed election results (by voting method and candidate party affiliation, where applicable) to the State Board within 30 days of certification. These provisions aim to centralize and standardize election date and results information for public access.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 596: Estates - Maryland Uniform Simultaneous Death Act

HB 596 updates Maryland's law to align with the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act. It establishes that if a person cannot prove they survived another individual by at least 120 hours (5 days) in cases of simultaneous death, they are legally deemed to have predeceased that person. This affects estate distributions, inheritance claims, and insurance payouts where the order of death is unclear. The law applies to property held as joint tenancy, life insurance proceeds, and other assets governed by instruments like wills or trusts. It provides clear rules for dividing assets when simultaneous deaths create uncertainty, avoiding prolonged legal disputes.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 252: Environment – Lead Paint Abatement Services – Performance Bond and Liability Insurance

HB 252 requires accredited lead paint abatement service providers in Maryland to maintain either a performance bond or liability insurance. This applies to contractors, supervisors, and trainers who work on lead hazards in buildings constructed before 1978. The bill adds this financial protection requirement to existing accreditation rules, ensuring property owners have recourse if abatement work is incomplete or improper. It does not change who can be accredited but mandates this new coverage for all accredited providers. The requirement will take effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 306: Education - Board of Community College Trustees for Baltimore County - Membership

This bill changes the composition of Baltimore County's Community College Board of Trustees. It reduces the total membership from 15 to 11 members, reassigns which council districts each member represents based on updated district boundaries effective June 23, 2026, and adjusts term expiration dates for board members. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and apply directly to the board members and Baltimore County council districts. The bill focuses solely on administrative structure, not educational policy or funding.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 397: Anne Arundel County - Sheriff - Appointment of Majors

SB 397 requires the Anne Arundel County Sheriff to appoint exactly three "Majors" (a law enforcement rank) at salaries determined by the Anne Arundel County Council. This bill amends Maryland's judicial code to mandate this specific number of appointments, replacing prior language that did not specify a quantity. The law applies solely to Anne Arundel County and takes effect on October 1, 2026. It directly affects the Sheriff's Office staffing structure and budget authority for these positions.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 569: Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion

HB 569 allows Queen Anne's County Commissioners to use revenue from development impact fees for capital costs related to replacing public school facilities. Previously, these fees could only fund specific infrastructure projects, but this bill expands their allowable use to include school building replacements. The change modifies Maryland's local government code (Section 20-706) to explicitly authorize this new purpose for Queen Anne's County. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 305: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

SB 305 extends funding for nonprofit organizations providing automotive repair training and reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland. It extends the grant period from fiscal years 2026-2028 to 2026-2029, authorizing $1 million annually for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 individuals yearly in auto repair and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention administers the grants, requiring nonprofits to submit annual reports on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes. This bill directly affects nonprofits meeting specific service criteria and supports employment pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 376: Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force - Establishment

SB 376 establishes a Maryland Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force to study blockchain and cryptocurrency use in the state. The task force, composed of 10 members including legislative appointees, state agency representatives, financial industry leaders, and blockchain experts, will analyze risks, benefits, and impacts on state revenues and energy use. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by October 1, 2027, and will expire on June 30, 2028. The bill directly affects state government operations, private businesses using these technologies, and Maryland’s regulatory approach to digital assets.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 493: Washington County - Judgeships - District Court

HB 493 increases the number of judges in two Maryland judicial positions: it adds one resident judge position for St. Mary’s County’s Circuit Court (raising the total from 3 to 4 judges) and adds one associate judge position for Washington County in District 11 of the District Court (raising the total from 2 to 3 judges appointed from Washington County). The bill amends Maryland’s Annotated Code, specifically sections 1-503(a)(18) for Circuit Court judges and 1-603(b)(11) for District Court associate judges. These changes take effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting judicial staffing in St. Mary’s and Washington Counties.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 418: Professional Licensing Portability - Members of the Foreign Service and Spouses

SB 418 allows members of the U.S. Foreign Service and their spouses to practice their profession in Maryland using a license obtained in another state, under specific conditions. The bill amends Maryland law to create a new licensing pathway for these individuals, removing barriers that would otherwise require them to obtain a new Maryland license. This directly affects Foreign Service employees and their spouses who relocate to Maryland for assignments, enabling them to continue working without restarting licensing processes. The change applies across multiple licensed professions covered under Maryland’s occupational licensing statutes.

Bill results