SB 616 creates a Maryland registry requiring businesses that collect and sell personal data (like names, addresses, biometric information, or Social Security numbers) to register annually with the state Comptroller. It defines "data brokers" as entities selling "brokered personal data" but excludes credit bureaus, banks under federal law, and nonprofits assisting law enforcement. The law mandates registration for qualifying businesses to operate, focusing on transparency around how personal data is collected and sold. It specifically covers sensitive data types (e.g., facial recognition, DNA sequences) while clarifying exclusions to avoid overlapping with federal regulations.
SB 935 creates a new $1,000 annual income tax deduction for Maryland taxpayers who donate food or cash specifically designated for food purchases to qualifying charitable entities. It directly affects Maryland residents who make such donations to defined organizations like food banks, homeless shelters, or religious groups providing free food to those in need. The bill requires taxpayers to submit proof of donations with their tax return and establishes criteria for entities to qualify as "qualified charitable entities" through Comptroller registration. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026, and expires June 30, 2029, unless renewed.
HB 1119 amends Maryland's Health Occupations code to clarify and update the scopes of practice for licensed social workers. It specifically allows licensed certified social workers-clinical (section 19-101(h)) to practice independently without supervision, removing a prior requirement. The bill adds permitted activities to "practice social work," including psychosocial assessment and evaluation, case management, and care coordination. These changes directly affect all licensed social workers in Maryland, defining their permitted duties based on their specific license category (bachelor's, master's, certified, or clinical).
HB 1021 would allow licensed psychologists in Maryland to prescribe certain medications under specific conditions, provided they complete state certification. The bill requires psychologists to be certified by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and establishes a new Prescriptive Authority Advisory Committee to oversee implementation. It directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to prescribe, adding new requirements for certification, qualifications, and prescribing practices under new sections (18-3B-01 to 18-3B-09) in Maryland’s Health Occupations code. The law amends existing statutes to define "authorized prescriber" to include certified psychologists and clarifies that prescribing must occur within the scope of psychological practice, not as a substitute for medical care.
SB 179 requires Maryland's Department of Transportation to study speed limits at state highways connecting to Interstate 495. The study will analyze traffic congestion, speeding tickets, accidents, and other hazards from the past five years at these connections, and examine whether reducing speed limit deviations to 5 mph is feasible. It must consult with local officials and stakeholders, then report findings to the Governor and legislature by December 31, 2026. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2027, with no immediate policy changes.
SB 75 allows qualifying food retailers to purchase Class A liquor licenses from existing license holders or apply directly to local licensing boards under specific conditions. To qualify, a food retailer must sell certain grocery items (like fresh produce, meat, and dairy), operate in at least 3,200 square feet, and maintain a 300-foot distance from schools or places of worship. The bill requires purchases to occur at "fair market value" and limits newly licensed retailers to selling only beer or beer/wine (not full liquor), with local boards issuing the appropriate license type based on available options. This change specifically affects large grocery retailers seeking to sell alcohol without needing to build new facilities, while maintaining existing restrictions on chain stores and supermarkets. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 143 requires contractors and subcontractors working on public works projects valued at $500,000 or more to employ a certain percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers, replacing previous options to pay into apprenticeship funds instead. The bill establishes an annual "applicable percentage" for labor hours on covered projects, set by the Secretary of Labor, and applies to the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It directly affects contractors with four or more employees on qualifying projects, mandating actual apprenticeship participation rather than financial contributions. Key provisions include defining "covered projects," "qualified apprentices," and creating a State Apprenticeship Training Fund to support workforce development.
This bill requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct at least two unannounced annual inspections of each certified recovery residence to verify compliance with health and safety standards. Facilities found noncompliant must correct deficiencies within one month of receiving notice; failure to do so may result in certification revocation. The law amends existing health code (§ 19-2502.1) to establish this inspection schedule and remediation process. It directly affects certified recovery residences operating in Maryland under the state's credentialing system.
HB 704 establishes Maryland's Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program within the State Department of Education. It provides state funding to cover the difference between federal reimbursement rates for free and paid school meals, directly supporting Maryland schools with high poverty rates (25%+ students qualifying for free meals) that participate in the federal child nutrition program. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028 to complement federal funds, with funds distributed based on school poverty concentration and geographic diversity. Schools must report on program outcomes, meal debt resolution, and reasons for opting out of federal eligibility, with annual reports published online.
SB 687 establishes a mandatory flood risk review process for areas at risk of tidal or nontidal flooding in Maryland. It requires the Department of the Environment to implement this process when reviewing certain development plans and permits, and to consult with local governments, state agencies, and watershed groups before final decisions. The bill makes the flood risk determination binding on local stormwater management approvals, ensuring it becomes part of the local permitting process. This directly affects the Department of the Environment, local jurisdictions managing stormwater approvals, and developers seeking permits in flood-prone areas. The policy changes focus on integrating flood risk assessments into existing development reviews to better protect communities from flooding impacts.
SB 526 designates November 14 each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" to commemorate Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of an all-white New Orleans school, and the second Wednesday in October as "Maryland School Pedestrian Awareness Day" to promote safe walking routes to schools. The bill requires the Maryland State Department of Education to provide public resources to local schools, including age-appropriate lesson plans, discussion guides, and safety materials. For Ruby Bridges Day, resources must cover civil rights and social justice education; for Pedestrian Awareness Day, they must include safety best practices and audit templates. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and affects all Maryland public schools through mandated resource access.
SB 659 requires all public and nonpublic primary and secondary schools to adopt written policies protecting student record privacy, including parent access rights and restrictions on sharing personal information without consent. Nonpublic prekindergarten and K-12 schools must annually report the number of alleged discrimination incidents based on protected categories like race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. The reports must include incidents against students and be submitted starting September 1, 2027. Policies must comply with existing federal and state privacy laws and cannot override those protections. This bill directly affects nonpublic schools through new reporting requirements while expanding privacy safeguards for all schools.
