SB 719 restricts the land application of sewage sludge containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above specific concentration levels, effective after a set date. It requires monitoring for PFAS in sewage sludge and products containing it, authorizes stricter pretreatment rules for industrial users discharging PFAS, and allows local jurisdictions to set fees for such discharges. The bill directly affects sewage sludge generators (like wastewater treatment facilities), industrial users, and local regulators by mandating new PFAS testing, usage limits, and fee structures. It amends Maryland’s environmental code to establish these requirements without changing existing land application rules for sludge below the new PFAS thresholds.
SB 707 amends Maryland's Mental Health Law to clarify the definition of "danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others" for involuntary admission and emergency evaluations. It specifies that this danger includes four key scenarios: causing bodily harm, engaging in conduct likely to result in criminal justice involvement, inability to meet basic needs (food, shelter, medical care) creating serious risk, or substantial deterioration in judgment preventing informed treatment decisions. The bill directly affects individuals with mental disorders who may be assessed for involuntary care, as well as healthcare providers making those determinations under the law. This definition replaces the current standard in Maryland Code, Section 10-601, and takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1015 (Ralph's Act) ensures continuity of developmental disability services for individuals who recently moved to Maryland after losing their primary caregiver in another state. It directly affects people who received home- and community-based waiver services in another state for the past 10 years and relocated to live with immediate family following the death or incapacitation of their former caretaker. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to create an expedited 30-day process to determine eligibility, allows pre-residency eligibility assessments, and ensures those approved receive services through priority categories matching their prior state's support. This policy change prevents service disruptions during relocation transitions.
HB 784 extends the authorization period for aquaculture leaseholders in Maryland to place shellfish, bags, nets, and structures on submerged aquatic vegetation, requiring prior written approval from the Department of Natural Resources. It changes the expiration date from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2030, extending the authorization by 3 years and 1 month. The bill specifies that the Department must allow water column leases to use at least 10% of vegetation areas and prohibits dredge harvesting in vegetation zones. This directly affects commercial shellfish aquaculture operators holding leases in Maryland waters. The change maintains existing restrictions while prolonging the current regulatory framework.
HB 1149 modifies Maryland's state finance law to allow the Comptroller to settle overdue state claims without requiring them to be in arrears for at least two years. The bill directly affects state claimants (such as contractors or vendors who owe money to the state) and the Comptroller's office, which gains broader authority to resolve unpaid claims. Key provisions include removing the 2-year waiting period for settlements, requiring the Comptroller to confirm the claim cannot be collected through legal action before settling, and mandating written records for partial settlements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, streamlining the process for resolving long-outstanding state financial claims.
HB 771 requires Maryland health occupations boards to allow license renewal credits for free, 1-hour human trafficking awareness training. The training must cover definitions of trafficking, trauma-informed care, health indicators, screening protocols, reporting requirements, and survivor resources. It directly affects health practitioners (like nurses and therapists) needing license renewals, with boards mandated to adopt regulations by October 2026. The Maryland Department of Health must approve the training program by July 2026 in collaboration with universities and anti-trafficking organizations. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.
HB 1178 modifies Maryland law to add consent requirements for certain municipal annexations. It prohibits municipalities from annexing land in a different legislative district without first getting consent from that district's state legislators, and blocks annexing land owned by the federal government, state, local governments, or tax-exempt entities without their consent. The bill does not change existing rules requiring annexed land to be contiguous or avoid creating unincorporated areas. These changes apply specifically to municipal annexation actions under Maryland's Local Government Code.
SB 653 modifies Maryland's licensing rules for architects by making the State Board of Architects *required* to deny, reprimand, or suspend licenses in specific cases, rather than merely authorized to do so. It directly affects licensed architects who fraudulently misrepresent their license status (Section 3-311(a)(1)(ii)), county code officials who review building permits (requiring them to verify credentials under Section 3-208.1), and the Board itself (mandating annual lists of licensees and notifications of suspensions). Key provisions include requiring the Board to notify code officials when a license is suspended, mandating code officials to verify a licensee’s credentials before issuing permits, and establishing clear grounds for disciplinary action like fraud, misconduct, or convictions related to architecture practice. The bill updates Sections 3-208.1 and 3-311 of the Maryland Annotated Code to strengthen enforcement and transparency.
HB 1180 requires Maryland's State Board of Architects to deny or suspend licenses when individuals fraudulently claim to hold a valid architecture license. It mandates that county code officials verify an architect's credentials before issuing building permits and requires the Board to maintain and share a current list of licensed architects with local officials. The bill also strengthens disciplinary actions for misconduct, including fraud, gross negligence, or convictions related to architectural practice. These changes directly affect licensed architects, local building code officials, and the public by increasing oversight of architectural practice.
HB 972 establishes the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, a permanent fund to provide annual grants supporting agricultural fairs and education. The fund will receive lottery proceeds (before allocation to the general fund) and replace previous requirements for horse racing fund allocations. It directs specific annual grants: $825,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, $75,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, $550,000 to the Maryland State Fair Society (for youth programs like 4-H and FFA), and $50,000 to the Maryland FFA Association. These grants aim to advance agricultural fairs, education, and youth programs across Maryland.
SB 703 repeals specific requirements for dog licensing in Caroline County, Maryland, directly affecting residents who own dogs over 6 months old. The bill removes mandatory specifications for dog tags (such as metal composition, size, and annual shape changes) and eliminates the requirement for owners to keep tags attached to collars at all times (except during hunting or kennel confinement). It simplifies the licensing process by deleting detailed administrative rules about tag production, issuance, and record-keeping previously mandated under Section 13-116 of the Maryland Annotated Code. The bill does not change the annual license fee, July 1 renewal deadline, or basic licensing requirements for dog owners.
HB 1160 updates the official name of Calvert Memorial Hospital to "CalvertHealth Medical Center" in Calvert County's local laws. It amends Section 5-202 of the Public Local Laws of Calvert County to replace references to "Calvert Memorial Hospital" with "CalvertHealth Medical Center, Inc." This is a procedural name change affecting only how the facility is cited in county records and legal documents. The bill does not alter funding, operations, or services provided by the medical center. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
