Maryland Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1582: Education - Program of Educational Accountability - Alterations (Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress for Supporting Schools (COMPASS Act))

HB 1582 (COMPASS Act) changes Maryland's public school accountability system by requiring schools to use multiple quality indicators beyond standardized tests for evaluation. It mandates at least three indicators - including school climate surveys, class size, chronic absenteeism, and access to advanced courses - and prohibits national tests from being the sole measure. The bill sets strict rules for the composite score, limiting academic indicators to 70% of the total, requiring transparency in score breakdowns, and banning letter grades. It takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting all public schools and the State Board of Education.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1305: State Child Welfare System - Reporting

HB 1305 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to annually report specific data on students in the state's child welfare system, including school stability, graduation rates, college enrollment, and disciplinary rates. The report must break down data by county, age, gender, race, and ethnicity while protecting student confidentiality. Additionally, the Department of Education and Department of Human Services must submit a 2026 report identifying service gaps, best practices from other states, and recommendations to improve educational outcomes for foster youth. This bill directly affects foster youth in Maryland's child welfare system and the state agencies responsible for their education and care.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1554: Sales and Use Tax - Electricity for Agriculture Purposes - Study and Report

HB 1554 requires the Maryland Comptroller to study whether electricity used by farmers for specific agricultural activities should be exempt from sales tax. The study, due by December 15, 2026, must examine exempting electricity purchased for raising livestock, preparing soil, irrigating, planting, harvesting, or transporting crops. It mandates the Comptroller to consult with the Public Service Commission and PJM Interconnection, LLC, and include a fiscal impact estimate in the report. This bill does not change current tax law but directs a study to inform future legislative decisions.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 503: Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program - Funding

SB 503 requires the Governor to include $450,000 annually in the state budget for the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program during fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2028-2030. The bill formalizes funding for grants to support local programs that help establish and sustain family child care services, directly affecting family child care providers and local jurisdictions (counties or groups of counties). To receive funds, counties must partner with a child care resource center to jointly apply for and administer the grants. The program, administered with the Maryland Child Care Resource Network, aims to provide start-up assistance for family child care homes serving children under 13 or developmentally disabled individuals under 21.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 742: Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program - Funding

HB 742 requires the Governor to include $450,000 annually in Maryland's budget for the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program during fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2028-2030. This funding supports grants to help local counties and child care resource centers establish and operate family child care programs. The program directly benefits family child care providers by providing start-up assistance for materials, curriculum, and renovations. Administered through partnerships between counties and child care resource centers, the bill mandates specific annual appropriations to expand access to licensed family child care services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1365: Health Occupations, Public Health, and Insurance - Menopause - Provider Training Coverage Requirements, Policy Initiatives, and Access to Care

HB 1365 requires healthcare providers (like doctors and nurses) to complete menopause-specific training to earn continuing education credits, with licensing boards mandated to grant double credit (2 hours for every 1 hour of training). It also requires insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover the evaluation and management of menopause and related symptoms. The law applies to all relevant providers and insurers in Maryland, effective January 1, 2027. The Department must identify a standardized training program after consulting with professional associations like The Menopause Society.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 914: Worcester County - Board of License Commissioners - Membership

HB 914 increases Worcester County's Board of License Commissioners from three to five members. The bill requires the Governor to appoint qualified residents (county voters with business experience) for four-year terms, with staggered start dates beginning July 1, 2026. It updates appointment procedures, vacancy rules, and removal processes for the board that oversees alcoholic beverage licensing in Worcester County. The changes take effect June 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 846: Property Tax - City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. - Exemption

HB 846 exempts property owned by the City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. from property tax when used primarily for public social, recreational, or entertainment purposes. It applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2023, requiring the State, Washington County, and the City to refund any excess property tax paid during that period. The bill modifies Maryland’s property tax code (specifically Sections 7-251 and 7-524) to establish this exemption and refund process. This directly affects the City of Hagerstown and the sports facility organization by reducing their future property tax burden and securing refunds for prior overpayments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 497: Property Tax - City of Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, Inc. - Exemption

This bill exempts property owned by Hagerstown City or the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility used primarily for public social, recreational, and entertainment purposes from property taxes. It applies retroactively to tax years beginning after June 30, 2023, requiring Washington County, the city, and the state to refund any overpaid taxes from that period. The exemption covers properties meeting the specified public use criteria, with refunds processed for eligible taxpayers who request retroactive relief. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 754: Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B (Golf Course) License - Hours of Sale

HB 754 modifies the hours for Class B alcohol licenses at golf courses in Wicomico County. It allows license holders to sell beer, wine, and liquor starting at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday (previously 10 a.m.) and from 7 a.m. to midnight on Sundays (previously 10 a.m. to midnight). This bill directly affects golf courses in Wicomico County that hold a Class B license, which requires the course to be open to the public, operated for profit, own county property, and have an 18-hole course. The annual license fee of $2,200 remains unchanged. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 607: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Public Safety Retirement Income - Amount

SB 607 increases the Maryland income tax deduction for retirement income received by retired public safety employees. It phases in higher deduction amounts over time: starting at $15,000 for 2025-2025 tax years, rising to $20,000 by 2030. The bill specifically affects retired correctional officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and paramedics who meet the eligibility criteria (age 55+ and retired from qualifying public safety roles). The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and is implemented through incremental annual increases in the deductible amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 469: Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Affordability Program and Industry Automobile Insurance Association Assessments

Maryland Senate Bill 469 modifies the purpose of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund to explicitly require that financial security provided by the Fund be offered at "affordable rates" to eligible drivers who cannot obtain insurance from private companies. It authorizes the Fund's Executive Director to establish a dedicated affordability program, allowing the program to operate even if it would otherwise conflict with standard insurance rate regulations. This change directly affects drivers unable to secure private auto insurance and shifts the Fund’s operational focus toward affordability. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and updates specific sections of Maryland’s Insurance Article (20-301, 20-507).