Maryland Bills

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

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1513: Calvert County - Public Facilities Bonds

HB 1513 authorizes Calvert County to borrow up to $80,957,080 through general obligation bonds for public facilities like the Calvert Pines Senior Center renovations and storm drainage systems. The county can issue these bonds, set interest rates and maturity terms (up to 30 years), and levy property taxes to repay them. The bonds and their interest are exempt from Maryland state and local taxes. This bill directly affects Calvert County residents by funding local infrastructure projects through county-backed financing.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 744: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Dorchester County

This bill requires Dorchester County to join the Correctional Officers' Retirement System (CORS) if it becomes a participating unit, mandating that certain local detention center officers (those employed before the effective date and remaining employed through it) must join CORS. Upon joining, these officers would receive service credit for their prior Dorchester County employment and would no longer be members of the Employees' Pension System, forfeiting all future benefits from that system. The bill specifies that the transfer of service credit follows CORS rules, not standard pension regulations, and takes effect June 1, 2026. It directly affects Dorchester County correctional officers currently covered by the Employees' Pension System.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 927: Carroll County - Public Facilities Bond

HB 927 authorizes Carroll County to borrow up to $27 million through general obligation bonds to fund public infrastructure projects, including water and sewer systems, volunteer fire department equipment/buildings, and other facilities like parks, roads, and agricultural land preservation. The bonds would be tax-exempt at state and local levels, with annual property taxes levied to repay them. This bill directly affects Carroll County residents through future tax-funded projects and volunteer fire departments receiving loan access for equipment and facilities. The county retains full discretion over bond terms, including interest rates, maturity dates (up to 30 years), and specific project allocations within the $27 million limit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1395: Consumer Protection - Agricultural Equipment Warranties

HB 1395 requires farmers who purchase new agricultural equipment to provide written notice (via certified mail) to manufacturers or dealers about defects during the warranty period. It mandates that manufacturers or dealers correct defects within 30 days at no cost to the farmer, even if repairs occur after the warranty expires. If repeated repair attempts fail to fix issues that substantially impair the equipment’s use or value, farmers can choose a replacement or refund. The bill applies to self-propelled farm vehicles (excluding lawn mowers, ATVs, or off-road vehicles) sold on or after January 1, 2026, and makes warranty violations subject to enforcement under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1181: Family Law - Children in Out-of-Home Placement - Voluntary Placement Agreements

HB 1181 amends Maryland's Family Law to streamline voluntary placement agreements for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses in out-of-home care. The bill requires local departments to schedule an assessment meeting with families and providers within 5 business days of receiving a request, and issue a written eligibility decision within another 5 business days. It clarifies that local departments cannot seek legal custody solely to obtain treatment for these children, while allowing placements to exceed 180 days if a juvenile court finds continued placement is in the child's best interest. These changes aim to reduce current delays (often 60-90 days) that contribute to extended hospital stays and family distress.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1102: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Allegany County

HB 1102 requires Allegany County to mandate membership in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System for certain local detention center officers if the county joins this system. It applies to officers employed by Allegany County before June 1, 2026, who remain employed through that date. If the county participates, these officers must transition from the Employees’ Pension System to the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System, forfeiting all future benefits from the old plan. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, with service credit for prior employment transferred to the new system.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 731: Human Services - Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council - Legal Status

SB 731 clarifies that the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council (MSILC) is a tax-exempt organization recognized by the state, explicitly defining it as a "tax-exempt body politic and corporate." This bill directly affects the MSILC itself, which supports individuals with disabilities through services aligned with federal rehabilitation programs. The key mechanism is amending state law to formally establish the council’s legal status under Maryland’s Human Services code, removing ambiguity about its authority. The bill does not change services, funding, or program requirements but ensures the council operates under clear legal standing. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1194: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Reemployment After Retirement - Exemption From Earnings Offset

HB 1194 exempts retired correctional officers from having their retirement benefits reduced if they return to work for specific state correctional agencies. The bill changes Maryland law so that retirees reemployed by the Division of Corrections, Division of Pretrial Detention, or Patuxent Institution as correctional officers or parole/probation staff for up to four years will not face the usual earnings offset that would lower their retirement payments. This applies only to those returning to correctional roles at these designated facilities, not to all retirees. The change removes a financial penalty currently applied when retirees work for the same type of employer (state or non-state) after retirement. It directly affects retired correctional officers who return to these specific state correctional positions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1559: Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients - Placement

This bill prohibits placing children in unlicensed settings (such as hotels, motels, or nonresidential offices) under Maryland's out-of-home placement program for foster care, with limited exceptions for kinship caregivers or parental placements. It creates a new Child and Youth Placement Review Panel within the Governor’s Office to oversee placements and requires the Placement Manager to convene a Rapid Response Team for urgent cases. The bill also establishes an Advisory Council to improve Maryland’s system of care for children and families and modifies hospital overstay protocols for pediatric patients. These changes directly affect children in foster care, hospitals, and the agencies managing their care, aiming to ensure safer, licensed placements.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1139: State Retirement and Pension System - Administration and Clarification

HB 1139 clarifies that local governments (such as counties, cities, and special agencies) must have all their employees join specific state pension systems - Employees’, Law Enforcement Officers’, or Correctional Officers’ - rather than allowing partial participation. It requires governments seeking to join these systems to submit properly completed election forms showing employee consent and ensures local retirement plans match state contribution rates or eliminate employer-paid contributions. The bill affects over 25 types of Maryland governmental units currently operating pension systems, including fire departments, transit authorities, and community action agencies. These changes aim to standardize participation requirements across the State Retirement and Pension System.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results