SB 737, the "Parental Accountability Act," requires Maryland juvenile courts to place children on probation (instead of out-of-home placement) if they’ve repeatedly committed specific offenses: violent acts (like crimes of violence or firearm use) or been adjudicated as habitually truant more than once. The probation must include a court-approved treatment service plan and mandate participation from the child’s parents, guardians, or custodians in rehabilitation services. This bill directly affects youth with repeat offenses in these categories and their families, shifting focus from confinement to structured support. It amends Maryland’s juvenile code to prioritize treatment plans over secure detention for qualifying cases, excluding minor offenses like first-time cannabis possession or technical violations.
SB 717 requires law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault evidence collection kits to forensic labs within 30 days of receipt, including all requested reference standards. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault cases in Maryland. The bill modifies existing law to clarify the 30-day deadline and specifies that kits must include all required reference standards for analysis. It does not change exceptions for non-submission (e.g., when evidence disproves assault or the victim declines consent), which remain unchanged under section (e). The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 949 requires Maryland landowners (including public land managers) to eradicate Palmer amaranth - a specific noxious weed - within two weeks of a Department of Agriculture order. The department must inspect infested land every two weeks until eradication is confirmed. Landowners face escalating fines: $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent failures to comply. Penalties fund further noxious weed control efforts, with the bill taking effect October 1, 2026.
SB 613 requires Maryland's Department of Agriculture to inspect land for Palmer amaranth (a specific noxious weed) and issue a 2-week eradication order to landowners if found. Landowners must remove the weed using approved methods, with the Department inspecting the property every two weeks until eradication is confirmed. Violations of the order carry escalating penalties: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent violations. Funds from penalties will support broader noxious weed control efforts. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1317 requires Maryland state and local governments to annually report to the Attorney General on all data-sharing agreements with the federal government, starting January 1, 2027. The report must identify all agreements, check if they comply with privacy laws, and suggest fixes for non-compliant ones. The bill also prohibits state/local agencies from sharing specific personal information (including immigration status, religious beliefs, and biometric data) with federal entities unless required by law or court order. Additionally, it bans state/local governments from helping create or maintain federal registries based on race, national origin, or religious affiliation. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 842 changes how Maryland's Public Service Commission manages its staff by requiring it to create its own personnel system separate from state rules. It allows the Commission to hire independent contractors for expertise, mandates annual financial reports to the Budget Department, and alters compensation rules for employees. This directly affects Commission staff by changing their retirement credit eligibility, salary determination processes, and employment classification as permanent state employees. The bill also exempts the Commission from certain state procurement laws and tax rules applicable to other agencies.
HB 271 streamlines how Maryland state agencies handle minor contract changes with vendors. It allows procurement staff to approve modifications that don’t significantly alter work scope or increase costs beyond small contract thresholds (under $100,000) without higher approval. For larger changes (up to five times the small contract limit), agency heads must approve. All modifications must be documented in procurement records, improving efficiency while maintaining oversight.
HB 268 establishes a State Chief Data Officer position within Maryland’s Department of Information Technology and creates the Office of Enterprise Data to oversee state data practices. It requires all state agencies to appoint an Agency Data Officer responsible for managing agency data, ensuring privacy, sharing information securely, and complying with statewide data standards. Key provisions include annual data strategy plans, agency data inventories, standardized data-sharing protocols, and mandatory training for data officers. The law aims to improve the ethical, secure, and efficient use of state data across all government operations, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 376 authorizes Prince George's County to establish and regulate procurement preference programs for the county public school system and Prince George's Community College, aiming to increase participation by minority-owned businesses in county contracts. The bill requires the county to first conduct a fact-finding study to assess the need for such a program, and if justified, set specific goals and definitions for "minority business enterprises" (MBEs). Key mechanisms include mandatory set-asides (reserving contract portions for MBEs), bonus points for MBE bids, reduced bonding requirements, and outreach programs to support MBE participation. The county must evaluate the program biennially and report findings to the county delegation.
HB 379 allows Prince George's County to delay payment of school facilities and public safety/behavioral health surcharges on new residential construction until specific events occur. Sellers of new homes will no longer need to pay these fees upfront when applying for building permits. Instead, payment can be deferred until final inspection, occupancy permit issuance, or the first property sale after the building permit is issued. The bill modifies existing county laws to implement this deferral process without changing the surcharge amounts or requirements.
HB 383 prohibits Maryland municipalities from restricting access to the area of municipal beaches above the mean high tide line solely to residents. If passed, it would prevent towns from charging non-resident fees or requiring residency to use these public beaches. The bill applies only to beaches owned by municipalities (not state parks) and specifically targets the accessible beach area affected by tides. It takes effect October 1, 2026, requiring municipalities to allow all public access to this beach zone regardless of residency. This directly affects all beachgoers and municipal beach management policies.
HB 416 removes the existing limit of 215 Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses in Prince George's County. This change directly affects businesses seeking these licenses in the county by eliminating a numerical cap previously set by law. The bill achieves this by repealing Section 26-1601(a)(1) of Maryland's Annotated Code, which previously specified the 215 maximum. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.
