Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 255: Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Counties and Municipal Corporations

SB 255, the "Voting Rights Act of 2026," prohibits local election methods in Maryland counties and municipal corporations that dilute or abridge voting rights for protected classes (defined as racial, color, or language minority groups, or combinations thereof). It establishes that a violation occurs if elections show "polarized voting" (where preferences differ between protected class voters and others) and the election method dilutes minority voting strength. The law requires courts to use federal Voting Rights Act enforcement standards to evaluate claims, focusing on election results and historical discrimination rather than intent. This applies only to local elections, not statewide races, and aims to ensure protected class voters can elect candidates of their choice.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 621: Local Boards of Elections - Board Counsel - Qualifications

HB 621 changes the qualifications for legal counsel appointed by Maryland county election boards. It requires that board counsel must be a registered voter in their specific county (previously required to be a registered voter in the entire state). This bill directly affects all 24 Maryland county election boards when hiring their legal counsel. The key change eliminates the statewide voter registration requirement, making it a local county residency requirement instead. The bill amends Sections 2-201(a)(1) and 2-205(a) of Maryland's Election Law.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 624: Hospitals - Clinical Staffing Committees and Plans - Establishment (Safe Staffing Act of 2026)

HB 624 (Safe Staffing Act of 2026) requires most Maryland hospitals to establish clinical staffing committees with equal management and employee representation, including specific frontline staff like nursing assistants and dietary aides. These committees must develop annual staffing plans considering patient acuity, staffing gaps, and evidence-based standards, then post the plans publicly and update them yearly. Hospitals must implement these plans starting in 2028, allow staff to file complaints about violations, and report annually to the Maryland Health Care Commission beginning in 2030. The law directly affects licensed hospitals and frontline healthcare workers by mandating structured, transparent staffing processes to address patient care needs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 439: Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis

SB 439 prohibits Maryland fire and rescue public safety employers from taking negative employment actions (like firing or denying promotions) against employees who use medical cannabis, provided the employee has a valid medical cannabis certification under state law. It amends existing Maryland law to explicitly add this protection for public safety workers, aligning with current medical cannabis certification requirements. The bill does not change how medical cannabis is certified but ensures these employees cannot face discrimination solely for using cannabis legally under the state program. This applies to all fire and rescue employees who meet the state's medical cannabis eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 336: Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances - Extension and Membership

SB 336 extends the deadline for the existing Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances, established by 2024 law, to continue its work studying natural psychedelic substances like psilocybin and mescaline (excluding peyote). The task force, composed of state officials, experts, and community representatives, will study current laws, scientific data on benefits and risks, and barriers to access, then make recommendations for a state access program and legal changes. This extension allows the task force to finalize its report on creating equitable access to these substances and transitioning away from criminal penalties for nonviolent uses. The bill does not change current laws but prolongs the study period to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 427: Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances - Extension and Membership

HB 427 extends the deadline for the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances to complete its work. The bill modifies existing law (Chapter 793 of the 2024 Acts) to delay the Task Force's report submission date from July 31, 2025, to a new date specified in the bill. This procedural extension affects the Task Force members (including state health officials, university representatives, and community experts) and the Maryland General Assembly, which will receive the final report. The Task Force's duties remain unchanged: studying psychedelic substances like psilocybin, making recommendations for legal access programs, and addressing criminal justice impacts.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 654: Natural Resources - Maryland Heritage Areas Authority - Funding and Grants

HB 654 modifies funding rules for Maryland's Heritage Areas Authority, directly affecting local jurisdictions and entities managing certified heritage areas. It removes previous 50% limits on grant coverage for project costs (allowing full funding for eligible activities like preservation and marketing) and adjusts how Program Open Space funds are used. Specifically, it increases the allowable percentage for operating expenses from 10% to 7% or $600,000 (whichever is greater), and raises the maximum funding transfer to the Authority's Financing Fund. These changes aim to provide greater flexibility for heritage area management while maintaining oversight of fund usage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 663: Department of the Environment - Federal Environmental Policy - Reporting

HB 663 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to report to the state legislature on changes in federal greenhouse gas emissions policies. Starting July 1, 2026, and every six months thereafter, the department must report any legally validated federal policy changes - including court-approved repeals of vehicle or stationary source emissions standards - and detail Maryland's response to those changes. The bill specifically mandates that reports cover policy shifts since January 1, 2024, for the first report, and each subsequent report must address changes from the prior six-month period. This reporting requirement expires on May 31, 2029, after a three-year term. The bill directly affects state environmental agencies and the General Assembly, creating a formal process to track federal regulatory shifts impacting climate policy.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 618: Commercial Law - Self-Service Storage Facilities - Alterations

HB 618 modifies Maryland's commercial law for self-service storage facilities by requiring electronic rental agreements and setting clear rules for lease terminations. It prohibits occupants from using storage beyond their lease term after a nonrenewal notice, mandates operators provide at least 30 days to remove belongings, and requires 10 days' advance notice before disposing of abandoned property. The bill directly affects storage facility operators (who must follow these procedures) and tenants (who gain extended removal time and notice). Key provisions replace paper agreements with electronic options, standardize notice periods, and define terms like "occupant" and "personal property" for clarity. This bill updates existing law without creating new taxes or spending.

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 438: Commercial Law - Self-Service Storage Facilities - Alterations

SB 438 allows self-service storage facilities in Maryland to use electronic rental agreements instead of only paper ones. It requires operators to give tenants at least 30 days after a nonrenewal notice to remove their belongings and mandates a 10-day written notice before disposing of any remaining property. The bill directly affects storage facility operators (who must follow these rules) and tenants (who gain clearer timelines for removing possessions). Key changes include standardizing electronic agreements, extending removal time after nonrenewal, and adding notice requirements before property disposal. These provisions aim to clarify procedures for both parties while reducing disputes over abandoned items.

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 431: Fish and Wildlife - Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds - Regulations, Lists, Petitions, Essential Habitats, and Takings

SB 431 updates Maryland's rules for protecting endangered and threatened species and migratory birds. The bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to review and update species protection regulations by July 1, 2033, and every 10 years after that. It defines "harm" to include significant habitat changes that affect fish behavior, and clarifies that "take" means actions like hunting, trapping, or collecting. The bill also requires more detailed information in petitions to remove species from protection lists and allows for designating essential habitats for threatened species. These changes aim to strengthen species protection with clearer regulatory standards for state agencies.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 643: Certified Public Accountants - Licensure - Qualifications

Maryland's HB 643 updates requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure by increasing the minimum on-the-job training hours needed. It raises the required practical experience from 1,000 hours to 2,000 hours for most applicants (applying on or after October 1, 2000), and sets a 4,000-hour requirement for those seeking higher-level licensure. The bill also specifies that applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree with an accounting concentration from an accredited institution, plus meet the new hour thresholds. These changes directly affect individuals seeking initial CPA licenses in Maryland, effective October 1, 2026. The law modifies existing sections of Maryland's Business Occupations and Professions code without altering exam or character requirements.

Bill results