SB 539 establishes the Workforce Opportunities Grant Program to provide competitive grants to nonprofits, local workforce boards, and employer-community partnerships for planning and hosting job fairs and workforce events across Maryland. It creates a permanent "Workforce Opportunities Grant Fund" (nonlapsing) to finance the program, with interest earnings automatically credited to the fund. The Department of Social and Economic Mobility will administer the program, connecting job seekers with employers through these funded events. This directly affects organizations organizing workforce events and job fairs, aiming to expand employment opportunities for residents.
SB 660 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to respond to reports of federal immigration enforcement actions within their jurisdiction. Officers must observe the activity, record it with body cameras when possible, and file detailed reports including location, agencies involved, force used, medical needs, and any violations. These reports and recordings must be made public under Maryland's Public Information Act and stored for 4 months (footage) or 4 years (reports). The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies, mandating transparency during federal immigration operations while preserving constitutional officer duties.
HB 1019 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to help Maryland school districts transition from diesel school buses to either propane-powered or zero-emission buses. The program provides grants to cover the extra costs of purchasing or operating these cleaner buses, as well as for infrastructure installation (for zero-emission buses), planning, and pilot programs. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest earnings, donations, and legal settlements specifically earmarked for this purpose. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include propane-powered buses in the transition program, which previously only covered zero-emission vehicles.
HB 1199 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to study how an economy-wide cap-and-invest program could help the state meet its 2045 net-zero emissions goal. The study, to be done with agencies like the Climate Change Commission and Energy Administration, must evaluate program design elements - including covered sectors, allowance distribution, and equity considerations - and explore revenue uses for climate initiatives. It specifically examines how to minimize burdens on businesses, protect trade-exposed industries, and allocate funds for low-income household energy assistance, clean transportation, and ecosystem resilience. The bill does not implement the program but mandates a detailed analysis based on Maryland's existing climate plan and lessons from jurisdictions like California and Quebec.
HB 1197 expands Maryland's tax whistleblower program to cover high-value enforcement actions involving individuals with federal adjusted gross income of $250,000+ or businesses with $2 million+ annual sales, where disputed taxes exceed $250,000. It allows the Attorney General and state agencies to initiate tax enforcement actions using whistleblower tips, requires the Comptroller to share original tips with these agencies, and mandates agencies to report final assessment details back to the Comptroller. Whistleblowers who provide original, independent information leading to a successful case will receive 15-30% of taxes, penalties, and interest collected. The bill clarifies "original information" standards and prevents duplicate awards for similar tips already reported.
SB 560 requires providers of Maryland continuing care retirement communities to refund entrance fees under specific timelines when a resident terminates their agreement (due to death or their own choice). For terminations within the first 90 days of occupancy, refunds must be paid within 30 days after the resident vacates or dies, or once the unit is reoccupied or facility capacity reaches 95% for six months. For terminations after 90 days, refunds are due within 60 days under certain conditions, and providers must report to beneficiaries if units remain unoccupied beyond 9 months, with updates every 6 months until reoccupied. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting residents and their families when leaving these facilities.
HB 1255 would allow Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses for internet gaming, but only to existing video lottery operators and their contracted partners. It requires a statewide voter referendum in November 2026 on whether to permit internet gaming, with a "yes" vote needed for the law to take effect. If approved, revenues from internet gaming must be dedicated to public education funding. The bill also mandates that any implementing legislation must include specific criteria for license applications and gaming operations.
HB 1200 exempts registered vehicle owners undergoing active cancer treatment from liability for electronic or video tolls if they provide medical documentation confirming they were between scheduled cancer treatments at the time of the toll transaction. The bill amends Maryland's vehicle toll laws to add this exemption, requiring owners to submit documentation from a licensed healthcare provider by the date specified on the toll notice. This directly affects cancer patients who operate their registered vehicles during treatment, relieving them from paying tolls and potential penalties for those specific transactions. The exemption applies only to tolls incurred during the period of ongoing cancer treatment, as verified by medical records.
SB 886 establishes a constitutional right for Maryland workers in food service to be paid at least the state minimum wage without counting tips toward that amount. It removes existing exemptions allowing employers to use tip credits (where tips reduce required wages) and prohibits businesses from including tip credits in employee pay starting on a specified date. The bill also requires food service facilities to clearly disclose any service fees on menus or before ordering, and mandates that such fees be distributed to employees. These changes directly affect tipped workers in restaurants and cafes, and businesses charging service fees in Maryland.
SB 744 prohibits knowingly and willfully interfering with a custody order by enticing or withholding a minor from their lawful custodian, a court-appointed guardian, or someone acting as a parent (in loco parentis). It directly affects individuals who disrupt court-ordered custody arrangements involving minors. The bill establishes escalating penalties: a written warning for a first offense (with specific details required), fines up to $250 for a second offense, up to $500 for a third, and misdemeanor penalties (up to 30 days in jail for a fourth offense, up to one year for subsequent offenses). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 894 requires third-party litigation financiers (companies that fund lawsuits in exchange for a share of settlements) to obtain licenses under Maryland's consumer loan laws before providing financing. It mandates that all parties in a civil case must immediately disclose litigation financing contracts to other parties and insurers, regardless of whether a case has formally started. The bill also allows courts to consider financing details during discovery and classifies such financing as a loan subject to existing consumer lending regulations. These rules directly affect plaintiffs, attorneys, and financiers by increasing transparency in how lawsuits are funded.
SB 658 amends Maryland law to clarify how the Department of Human Services (DHS) manages federal benefits (like SSI or VA benefits) for children in its custody. It requires DHS to first seek an alternative representative payee (e.g., a family member or guardian) for these benefits, only serving as payee if no suitable candidate is available, and to document all efforts. The bill mandates that DHS use at least 40% of a child’s benefits for unmet needs (like disability services or hobbies) at ages 14-15, 80% at 16-17, and 100% at 18-20 - ensuring funds are reserved for the child’s future needs rather than reimbursing the state. It also requires DHS to periodically review if another payee could better serve the child’s interests and to comply with federal asset limits when conserving funds (e.g., via PASS accounts or special needs trusts).
