Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1324: Baltimore City - Natural Resources - Archery Hunting Safety Zones

HB 1324 would allow deer hunting on every Sunday during Baltimore City’s bow hunting season by amending Maryland’s Natural Resources code. It directly affects Baltimore City residents and hunters by adding the city to the list of jurisdictions where Sunday deer hunting is permitted under specific seasonal rules. The bill also requires the Department of Natural Resources to extend archery hunting safety zones around certain structures in Baltimore City, aligning it with other jurisdictions. These changes update existing hunting regulations to include Baltimore City for both Sunday deer hunting and archery safety zones.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1377: Prescription Drug Repository Program - Redirecting Safe Prescription Drugs Pilot Program

HB 1377 establishes a 18-month pilot program to redirect unused, unopened prescription drugs to a state repository program. It requires participating pharmacies (repositories) to collect eligible medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, package them properly, and transfer them to designated drop-off sites for distribution to eligible patients - while sending controlled substances directly to the DEA. The program aims to expand medication access for underserved communities, reduce pharmaceutical waste, and ensure drug safety through collaboration between Maryland’s Secretary of Health and the federal DEA. The pilot runs from July 2026 through December 2027, with mandatory reporting on collected medications by October 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1367: Commission on Re-Imagining Health Care in Maryland

HB 1367 establishes a Commission on Re-Imagining Health Care in Maryland to study and recommend changes for a new statewide healthcare system. The commission, composed of 20 appointed members including state officials, healthcare providers, insurers, county representatives, and community members, will examine how healthcare is delivered in other regions and address issues like provider shortages, cost balancing, and system integration. It will specifically study how to create a patient-centered system covering all health needs, eliminate access barriers, and ensure financial sustainability for all Maryland residents. The commission’s final recommendations, due by 2028, would guide potential future policy changes but do not enact any immediate healthcare reforms.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1376: Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children's Health Program, and Health Insurance - Transfers to Special Pediatric Hospitals - Requirements

HB 1376 requires Maryland's Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and Children's Health Program to provide a review within 3 business days for transfer requests to special pediatric hospitals when requested by the hospital or referring provider. It mandates retrospective reviews if a transfer is denied as "not medically necessary," with providers reimbursed for "administrative days" (days a patient remains without transfer) during the review process. The bill directly affects special pediatric hospitals - facilities serving children under 22 or those 2+ years old with co-occurring physical/behavioral health conditions - and their referring providers. Key provisions include eliminating prior authorization requirements for transfers while establishing strict timelines and reimbursement for administrative delays during appeals. This bill updates existing Medicaid and insurance rules to streamline transfers to specialized pediatric care facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 772: Maryland Department of Health - Employment Training and Opportunity Database

SB 772 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a public database of employment training and job placement programs. The database will help residents find opportunities that can lead to eligibility for Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), including program details, application steps, and direct contact options. The Department must update the database every 30 days and assist individuals in enrolling in listed programs. Other state agencies, including the Department of Labor and Department of Human Services, must recommend programs for inclusion. This bill directly affects Maryland residents seeking to improve employment prospects while maintaining access to critical health and nutrition benefits.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1563: Emergency Room Services and Post-Acute Care - Coverage and Facility Studies

This bill prohibits insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations from denying emergency room coverage solely because a patient did not experience a diagnosed emergency medical condition. It requires two key studies: one to quantify hospital and post-acute care bed capacity across Maryland, and another to identify ways to improve transitions from emergency to post-acute care settings. These provisions directly affect patients receiving emergency care and healthcare providers treating them, ensuring coverage isn't denied based on diagnosis alone. The studies aim to inform data-driven recommendations for future policy improvements in emergency and post-acute care access.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 758: Common Ownership Communities - Candidate or Proposition Signs - Display Period

SB 758 extends the minimum time period that common ownership communities (condominiums, homeowners associations, and cooperative housing corporations) must allow candidate or proposition signs to be displayed. The bill requires these communities to permit such signs for at least 45 days before a primary, general, or proposition vote, and for 7 days after the vote - increasing the prior 30-day minimum. This applies to all common areas within these communities, overriding local restrictions unless federal/state law specifies otherwise. The law directly affects residents and community associations by limiting their ability to restrict election-related signage during these extended periods.

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 631: Corporations and Associations - Revisions

SB 631 updates Maryland's corporate law by requiring the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to notify filers if a charter document is rejected, including the reason for rejection. It allows corrected documents to be accepted as filed on the original date if resubmitted within 30 days. The bill also permits corporate boards and committees to act via unanimous written or electronic consent without meetings, with specific filing requirements, and applies this rule to certain investment companies. Additionally, it repeals outdated provisions about penalties for foreign corporations and rules governing partnership agreement amendments.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 996: Corporations and Associations - Revisions

HB 996 updates Maryland's corporate law to streamline business filings and governance. It requires the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to notify filers when a business charter is rejected and allows corrected documents to be accepted retroactively if resubmitted within 30 days. The bill also permits board decisions without meetings via written consent (with specific filing rules) and clarifies that partnership agreements are governed by their own terms for amendments. It removes outdated provisions, including penalties for foreign corporation officers and certain court suit requirements. These changes primarily affect businesses filing charters, amending partnerships, or managing board operations in Maryland.

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 523: Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026)

SB 523 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations protecting "qualified vernal pools" - seasonal wetlands that don't meet federal wetland criteria but support species like wood frogs and salamanders. It mandates the department to maintain a list of these pools, establish protective buffers, and require developers to avoid harming them during activities like construction. If harm is unavoidable, developers must minimize damage and provide compensation through the department. This directly affects landowners, developers, and construction projects near these pools, adding regulatory requirements similar to those for existing wetlands. The bill does not change current protections for federally recognized wetlands.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 851: Human Services - Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council - Legal Status

HB 851 clarifies that the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council (MSILC) is a tax-exempt body politic and corporate, formally recognizing its legal status as an instrumentality of the State. The bill amends Maryland's Human Services law to explicitly state this status, referencing the Council's origin from a 1993 executive order and its role under the federal Rehabilitation Act. This change directly affects the MSILC, which coordinates with Centers for Independent Living to implement Maryland's State Plan, but does not alter the Council’s operational duties or funding. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is procedural in nature.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 895: Food Retailers and Third-Party Delivery Service Providers - Dynamic Pricing and Personal Data (Protection From Predatory Pricing Act)

HB 895 prohibits large food retailers (defined as those with at least 15,000 square feet selling tax-exempt food) from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data to set prices for individual shoppers. It also bans retailers from using data about protected characteristics (like race or gender) to deny discounts or services to specific customers. The bill further protects union rights by preventing retailers from weakening employee benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements without negotiation. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Bill results