Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 667: Natural Resources - Edible Forests and Foraging Program - Establishment

SB 667 establishes Maryland’s Edible Forests and Foraging Program within the Department of Natural Resources. It requires individuals to obtain a permit for foraging (harvesting noncommercial plants/mushrooms) in designated state-owned areas, with fee waivers available for those demonstrating financial need. The program mandates the department to create and maintain edible forests on state land (subject to funding), where foraging is permit-free. A dedicated fund, financed by permit fees and interest earnings, will support program costs like establishing foraging areas and edible forests.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 891: Correctional Services - Incarcerated Individuals - Menstrual Hygiene

HB 891 requires all Maryland state and local correctional facilities, including Patuxent Institution, to provide free tampons and pads to female incarcerated individuals upon admission, routinely, and upon request. It prohibits disciplining these individuals for accidental damage to personal items caused by menstrual leakage without malicious intent. Facilities must also maintain records tracking product availability and incidents of leakage-related damage. This bill directly affects female inmates in Maryland correctional facilities by ensuring access to essential hygiene products and protecting them from unfair punishment for natural bodily functions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 913: Charles County - Governing Bodies of Common Ownership Communities - Member Training

HB 913 requires all board members and officers of condominiums and homeowners associations (HOAs) in Charles County to complete mandatory training within 90 days of taking office or starting a new term. The training, developed by a state-recognized commission or approved organization, must be renewed every three years. Boards must certify completion, retain records, and report to the Common Ownership Commission, with non-compliance potentially leading to removal from office or invalidated votes. This bill directly affects Charles County’s 200+ condo and HOA governing bodies, focusing on standardizing board member knowledge of responsibilities.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 985: Consumer Protection - Video Streaming Services - Loudness of Commercial Advertisements

HB 985 prohibits video streaming services (like Netflix or Disney+) from broadcasting commercial advertisements louder than the accompanying video programming. It directly affects streaming platforms that transmit content via internet-based systems, excluding traditional TV broadcasters and cable operators. The bill requires these services to comply with audio loudness standards that match the volume of the main content, aligning with existing federal FCC regulations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 920: Real Property - New Home Sales - Entry of Final Sale Price in Multiple Listing Service

HB 920 requires developers, builders, brokers, and real estate agents to enter the final sale price of new homes into a multiple listing service (MLS) or similar database within 30 days of the sale. This applies to all new home transactions in Maryland and aims to make final sale prices publicly accessible through real estate databases used for market evaluations and appraisals. The bill defines "multiple listing service" as a database utilized by real estate professionals. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 841: Real Property - Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Governing Bodies and Annual Meetings

HB 841 requires condo and homeowners association (HOA) boards to allow unit owners to comment during meetings, including at least one annual meeting with an open agenda where owners can discuss any issue. It mandates developers to appoint board members for new condos without established boards and requires HOAs to maintain financial records. The bill also sets minimum notice requirements for meetings and ensures owners can vote once they provide updated contact information. These changes update Maryland’s property law to increase transparency and owner participation in community governance.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 955: Real Property - Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Elections

HB 955 modifies Maryland law to require independent election conduct (for ballot counting and results) in condominium and homeowners association board elections **only when the number of candidates exceeds the number of open positions**. Previously, this requirement applied automatically; the bill narrows it to competitive elections. It defines "independent parties" as individuals not running for office, avoiding conflicts of interest, and excludes property management representatives unless the association owns the management. This directly affects condo and HOA members participating in or organizing board elections under these specific conditions.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 583: Developmental Disabilities Administration - Self-Directed Services Manual - Public Comment

SB 583 requires the Deputy Secretary for Developmental Disabilities to provide public notice before changing the Self-Directed Services Manual and to accept public comments for at least 90 days. This applies to individuals using self-directed services - where people with developmental disabilities manage their own care choices and budgets - and the Developmental Disabilities Administration. The bill mandates that the Deputy Secretary cannot adopt any proposed manual changes until after the 90-day public comment period ends. It does not alter service content but adds a transparency step to the rulemaking process. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 550: Health Care Decisions Act - Surrogate Decision Making - Mental Disorders

SB 550 amends Maryland's Health Care Decisions Act to allow surrogates (like family members or appointed guardians) to authorize treatment for a person's mental disorder if that person has been certified as unable to make informed health care decisions. It repeals the previous ban preventing surrogates from making such decisions, updating the priority order for who can act as a surrogate (e.g., guardians first, then spouse, adult children, or qualified friends/relatives). Qualified friends or relatives must now provide an affidavit to the physician confirming their relationship and familiarity with the patient’s wishes. This change directly affects patients certified as incapable of making their own mental health treatment decisions and their designated surrogates.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 602: Algorithmic Addiction Fund - Establishment

SB 602 establishes the Algorithmic Addiction Fund in Maryland to use settlement funds from cases where social media algorithms harmed children. The fund, administered by the Maryland Department of Health, is financed by civil penalties from settlements related to social media harm and earns interest. It directly supports children by funding prevention programs (like school digital literacy campaigns), treatment services for mental health impacts (such as depression and anxiety), research, and evidence-based interventions. The fund is non-lapsing, meaning unused money rolls over annually, and all spending must align with the state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 494: Maryland Health Care Commission - Certificates of Need and Material Change Transactions

SB 494 modifies Maryland's health care certificate of need rules by repealing an exemption that previously allowed certain hospital mergers to bypass review. It requires health care providers (including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospices) to notify the Maryland Health Care Commission and the public before making "material change transactions" like major mergers or ownership shifts exceeding 25% of a facility. The bill establishes a public interest review process with specific criteria to evaluate such transactions, mandates the Commission to act on approvals or denials within a set timeframe, and updates related statutes to reflect these changes. This directly affects health care entities seeking to merge or restructure services within the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 944: Maryland Health Care Commission - Certificates of Need and Material Change Transactions

HB 944 modifies Maryland's health care oversight rules by ending an exemption that previously allowed certain hospital mergers to bypass certificate of need requirements. It requires health care entities (like hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities) to notify both the Maryland Health Care Commission and the public before making major ownership changes. The bill establishes a public interest review process to evaluate these transactions, using specific criteria to determine if they align with community needs. The Executive Director of the Commission must decide on such transactions within a set timeframe, ensuring faster oversight of significant health care market shifts. This directly affects hospitals and health care providers planning major ownership changes in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results