SB 860 establishes the Aging Resilience Fund, a dedicated, nonlapsing fund administered by Maryland's Department of Aging. The fund is designed to support the department's mission by covering administrative costs like personnel, partnership development, and senior-focused programs. Interest earnings from the fund must be reinvested into the fund itself, and money can only be spent following state budget rules. This bill directly affects the Department of Aging's operations and senior services programs in Maryland.
HB 804 establishes the Aging Resilience Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund under Maryland law. The fund, administered by the Secretary of Aging, will support the Department of Aging's mission through investment earnings, fees, and other designated sources. It can be used for administrative expenses like personnel, partnership development, and programs aligning with the Department's goals. The fund must be held separately by the State Treasurer, with interest earnings credited back to it, and expenditures require compliance with the state budget. This is a procedural bill creating a new funding mechanism rather than changing substantive policies.
HB 1578 extends Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program requirements for state procurement to cannabis licensing, public-private partnerships, offshore wind projects, and sports wagering licenses through 2031. It revises deadlines for reports and studies related to MBE participation, requires the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to create a certification review process, and updates the Governor’s Subcabinet membership. The bill specifically ends MBE program application to cannabis licenses after July 1, 2031, making those requirements no longer enforceable beyond that date. This directly affects state agencies awarding contracts, cannabis licensees, and minority-owned businesses seeking state procurement opportunities.
HB 872 requires the Seat Pleasant Police Department to join Maryland's Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System, making membership mandatory for all permanent full-time officers employed there before or after the effective date (June 1, 2026). It specifically ensures officers who were already working for the department before joining the system receive credit for all their past service time. The bill also clarifies that these officers will be eligible for pension benefits based on their entire employment history with the department. This applies only to Seat Pleasant Police Department officers and does not affect other law enforcement agencies.
HB 1095 creates a property tax credit program for Calvert County property owners whose land was formerly used solely as a tobacco barn. To qualify, the property must either be on land under a tobacco buyout agreement or meet agricultural assessment criteria while being used for approved farming activities. The county's governing body will set the credit amount, duration, and administrative rules. This credit applies to property taxes for taxable years starting after June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects Calvert County landowners transitioning from tobacco farming to other agricultural uses.
HB 1002 prohibits nursing facilities from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility that it can accept the resident. It requires facilities to provide residents with clear written notices at least 10 days before a discharge or transfer, including the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings. The bill also bans facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid benefits, and mandates that post-discharge plans include specific care details. These changes aim to protect residents' rights and ensure smoother transitions during involuntary moves.
SB 493 prohibits nursing facilities in Maryland from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents except for specific reasons like the resident's welfare, health improvement, or facility closure. It requires facilities to provide residents with a clear written notice at least 10 days before any involuntary discharge or transfer, detailing the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings and legal assistance. The bill also bans sending residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility and prevents facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid. These changes aim to protect vulnerable residents by ensuring proper notice, preventing unfair treatment, and requiring confirmation before transfers.
SB 601 requires all Maryland local school systems to designate a cybersecurity point of contact by 2027 and comply with state minimum cybersecurity standards established by the Department of Information Technology. Schools must conduct a cybersecurity maturity assessment every two years and certify compliance annually by June 30, starting in 2027. The bill repeals a previous requirement that county boards prioritize purchasing digital devices with certain funds and instead mandates annual reporting on cybersecurity expenditures. It also directs the Department of Information Technology to annually review and update the state cybersecurity standards. This bill directly affects all public school systems in Maryland, focusing on strengthening cybersecurity practices rather than device procurement.
HB 957 requires all Maryland local school systems to designate a cybersecurity point of contact, comply with state minimum cybersecurity standards set by the Department of Information Technology (DOIT), and conduct a cybersecurity maturity assessment every two years starting in 2027. It repeals a prior requirement that county boards prioritize purchasing digital devices with certain funds, shifting focus toward cybersecurity compliance. Schools must annually certify compliance with DOIT’s standards by June 30 and report cybersecurity spending details by August 15 each year. The bill also mandates DOIT to annually review and update the state cybersecurity standards. This directly affects all local school systems and their technology budgeting and reporting practices.
HB 1142 establishes a 10-member task force to study and evaluate how Maryland counties and municipalities raise revenue. The task force, including state officials and representatives from local governments, will examine current revenue sources, unused options, legal authority to raise funds, and how other states manage similar systems. It must analyze how new revenue sources might affect affordability and cost of living, then submit recommendations by December 1, 2026. The bill expires on June 30, 2027, with no further action required.
HB 838 repeals a requirement that prescribers submit prescriber-pharmacist agreements to their regulating health board. Instead, it allows pharmacists (with specific qualifications, registrations, and training) to directly enter agreements authorizing them to treat opioid use disorder using controlled substances. A key provision requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for relevant patient data before starting or changing such therapy. This bill directly affects pharmacists, prescribers, and patients with opioid use disorder by expanding pharmacists' role in medication management under defined safeguards.
SB 562 allows pharmacists in Maryland to treat opioid use disorders using medication therapy under specific conditions. It repeals a requirement that prescribers (like doctors) must submit agreements to their health board and instead authorizes pharmacists to enter into prescriber-pharmacist agreements if they meet qualifications such as holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, completing required training, and registering with federal agencies. The law mandates that any treatment protocol requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program before starting or changing medication. This change aims to expand access to medication-based treatment for opioid use disorders by enabling pharmacists to provide care in pharmacy settings.
