Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 772: Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Modernization - Workgroup Establishment and Study

HB 772 establishes a workgroup within Maryland's Health Care Commission to develop fairer reimbursement methods for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers. The workgroup will study current costs, staffing models, and federal requirements to create transparent, cost-based payment systems, comparing approaches used in other states. It must submit an interim report by December 2026 and a final report by October 2027 with specific recommendations, implementation options, and fiscal estimates. The bill does not require immediate rate changes or new funding, but rather sets a process for future policy decisions based on the workgroup's findings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Deni Taveras (D) Aletheia McCaskill (D) Teresa Woorman (D) Heather Bagnall Tudball (D) Lesley Lopez (D)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1247: Prince George's County - Tax Increment Financing - Extraordinary Development District - Alterations PG 425-26

HB 1247 amends Maryland law to allow Prince George’s County to use tax increment financing for "immersive entertainment venues" within designated extraordinary development districts. The bill specifically defines such venues as private, large-scale facilities (minimum 3,000 seats, $500 million+ development cost, featuring advanced tech like 4D effects) and permits county bond proceeds to fund their acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation. This directly affects Prince George’s County (and its revenue authority) and private developers planning qualifying venues. The policy change expands existing tax increment financing rules to include these venues as eligible projects within designated districts.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 933: Sales and Use Tax - Certificates Indicating Multiple Points of Use - Alterations

HB 933 simplifies sales tax collection for businesses purchasing digital codes, digital products, or taxable services used across multiple locations. It allows vendors to accept a "fully completed" certificate (requiring basic business details like names, addresses, and registration numbers) without needing Comptroller approval, relieving vendors from collecting tax on those transactions. The certificate remains valid for all future sales of qualifying digital products/services to the same buyer until revoked in writing. This applies retroactively to past transactions, streamlining tax compliance for businesses operating across jurisdictions or reselling digital goods.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 714: Washington County - Mobile Food Service Facilities and Semipermanent Food Service Facilities - Toilet and Lavatory Facilities

SB 714 exempts mobile food service facilities (like food trucks) and semipermanent food service facilities (such as temporary setups at events without indoor seating) in Washington County from requiring on-site toilets and lavatories. The bill amends Maryland’s health code to remove this requirement specifically for these facilities operating in Washington County, while maintaining the standard for other food establishments. It defines "semipermanent" facilities as those that don’t need building permits, lack indoor seating, and serve food immediately, excluding routine relocations. The change takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting food vendors operating these types of facilities in Washington County.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1533: Public Health - Cosmetic Products - Enforcement and Penalties for Prohibited Ingredients (Crown and Care Act - Protecting Communities from Harmful Hair Chemicals)

HB 1533 (the Crown and Care Act) bans 12 specific harmful ingredients - including certain phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, and PFAS chemicals - from cosmetic products sold in Maryland. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and salons by prohibiting the sale or distribution of products containing these ingredients, with limited exceptions for unavoidable trace amounts from manufacturing processes. The bill authorizes the Maryland Department of Health to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and enforce penalties, while allowing consumers harmed by violations to seek civil damages and attorney fees. This law aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to chemicals linked to health risks like skin irritation and potential long-term harm.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1192: State Board of Sign Language Interpreters - Membership and Licensing

HB 1192 expands Maryland's State Board of Sign Language Interpreters from 7 to 11 members, requiring specific representation including deaf individuals, deafblind people, licensed interpreters from various settings (medical, legal, educational), and agency owners. The bill delays the deadline for the Board to establish licensing requirements from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, and sets new rules for member removal if they miss meetings, fail to meet qualifications, or commit misconduct. Sign language interpreters in Maryland who provide services in the state will be directly affected by the updated licensing requirements and the Board's new structure. The bill also mandates that appointed members reflect Maryland's racial and geographic diversity where practicable.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 644: Sales and Use Tax - Certificates Indicating Multiple Points of Use - Alterations

SB 644 simplifies tax collection for digital products and services used across multiple jurisdictions. It allows businesses (buyers) to submit a standardized certificate to vendors confirming that digital codes, products, or taxable services will be used in more than one taxing area or resold to affiliated entities. Once vendors receive a properly completed certificate, they are exempt from collecting, paying, or remitting sales tax for those transactions, and the certificate remains valid for future sales with the same buyer. The bill applies retroactively and eliminates the need for vendors to seek prior approval from the Comptroller for these certificates.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 645: State Board of Sign Language Interpreters - Membership and Licensing

SB 645 restructures Maryland's State Board of Sign Language Interpreters by expanding its membership from seven to 11 members with specific representation requirements, including a deafblind individual, deaf community members, licensed interpreters from various settings (legal, medical, educational), and ex-officio members from disability and labor agencies. The bill requires the Board to establish licensing requirements for sign language interpreters by December 31, 2026 (previously July 1, 2024), and mandates interpreters to meet these standards by that date. It also adds new grounds for the Governor to remove board members, including two consecutive unexcused absences or failing to attend 50% of meetings annually. These changes aim to improve board diversity, clarify licensing timelines, and ensure board members meet ongoing eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 656: Public Health - Cosmetic Products - Enforcement and Penalties for Prohibited Ingredients (Crown and Care Act - Protecting Communities from Harmful Hair Chemicals)

SB 656 bans 12 specific harmful chemicals in cosmetics sold in Maryland, including formaldehyde, mercury, and certain PFAS chemicals. It creates civil liability for manufacturers or sellers who violate this ban, allowing consumers to sue for damages. The Maryland Department of Health gains authority to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and collect product samples. The law exempts trace amounts of banned ingredients that occur unavoidably during manufacturing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 777: Labor and Employment - Workforce Development - Hospital Employee Retraining and Placement Program and Workforce Development and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Workforce Solutions Investment Act)

SB 777 requires Maryland’s Department of Labor to allocate funds from the Hospital Employees Retraining Fund to local workforce development boards when hospitals close, downsize, or merge. It mandates that these boards be included in state workforce programs and receive funding for the State’s quick response program to assist workers affected by job losses. The bill also requires local boards to provide grants to employers through the Apprenticeship Career Training in Our Neighborhoods Program. These changes directly affect local workforce boards, hospitals facing operational changes, and workers needing retraining or job placement support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1483: Clinical Professional Counseling - Out-of-State Providers - Use of Telehealth for Continuity of Care

HB 1483 repeals Maryland's requirement for out-of-state clinical counselors to obtain a temporary telehealth license. It allows licensed counselors from other states to provide telehealth counseling to clients who relocated to Maryland (or returned after relocating), for up to six months, if they already had an established client-counselor relationship before the move. This exempts these counselors from Maryland's standard licensure rules during the six-month continuity period, but only for existing clients who relocated - not for new clients. The bill does not change regular licensing requirements for ongoing practice in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 980: Family Law and Human Services - Guardianship Assistance Program and State Foster Youth Ombudsman - Establishment (Kanaiyah's Law)

HB 980 (Kanaiyah's Law) creates the Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman within the Attorney General's office to handle complaints about Maryland's child welfare system. It requires juvenile courts to include specific information-sharing requirements in guardianship orders and expands criminal background checks to cover all adults living in a child's guardian's home. The bill also prohibits unlicensed placements for certain children, protects complainants from retaliation, and exempts certain complaint records from public disclosure. These changes directly affect child welfare agencies, guardians, and families navigating the system, aiming to improve transparency and accountability.

Bill results