SB 22 requires Maryland's Department of Disabilities to establish affordable and accessible housing programs for people with disabilities. It allows the department to create nonprofit "affiliated foundations" that can partner with businesses, nonprofits, and individuals to raise funds and support housing initiatives, while keeping these foundations legally separate from state government. The foundations may solicit donations but cannot replace state funding, and strict rules prevent conflicts of interest (e.g., department employees cannot be paid by the foundations). This bill directly affects people with disabilities seeking housing, the Department of Disabilities, and potential nonprofit partners, with provisions set to take effect October 1, 2026.
HB 231 delays the shift from a centralized to a decentralized management system for Maryland's Guaranteed Access Grant Program until the 2029-2030 academic year. It postpones the requirement for colleges to independently determine grant awards based on state-compiled need lists, keeping the current process in place longer. This directly affects Maryland public and private colleges receiving state grant funds and undergraduate students applying for need-based financial aid. The bill does not change the program's core rules but extends the timeline for implementing a new administrative structure.
SB 207 delays the shift from a centralized to a decentralized administration of Maryland's Guaranteed Access Grant Program until the 2029-2030 financial aid year. The bill maintains the current system where the State Treasurer's Office ranks applicants by financial need, provides these lists to public colleges, and reimburses institutions for grants awarded. It directly affects Maryland public colleges and students seeking need-based financial aid. The bill preserves existing processes for awarding and renewing grants without changing eligibility or funding levels. This is a procedural delay, not a substantive policy change to the grant program.
SB 32 extends Maryland's blood testing requirements for combat sports athletes from 30 to 90 days before licensing and before competing. It directly affects boxers, kickboxers, wrestlers, and mixed martial arts fighters (both professional and amateur) who must provide proof of negative tests for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The bill revises Section 4-304.1 of Maryland law to require these tests within the 90-day window prior to both obtaining a license and participating in a contest. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 236 extends the required blood testing window for combat sports athletes in Maryland from 30 days to 90 days. It affects boxers, kickboxers, wrestlers, and mixed martial arts competitors seeking licenses or participating in contests. The bill mandates that applicants and licensed contestants must provide documented evidence of negative tests for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C within 90 days prior to license application or competition. This change modifies existing Maryland law (Sections 4-101 and 4-304.1 of the Business Regulation Article) to align testing timing with the State Athletic Commission's requirements. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 145 allows sole owners or co-owners (as joint tenants with right of survivorship) of motor vehicles and marine vessels in Maryland to designate a beneficiary to automatically inherit the vehicle upon their death, bypassing probate. The designation, marked "TOD" or "Transfer-on-Death" on the title, takes effect only after the owner's death and requires beneficiaries to apply for a new title using the original title, death certificates, and proof of identity. If the beneficiary predeceases the owner, the vehicle becomes part of the owner’s estate. This applies to both cars and boats, updating existing law to permit co-owner designations for marine vessels and aligning motor vehicle rules with the new provisions.
HB 232 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It allows full coverage of in-state tuition and new "training assistance" costs (including uniforms, certifications, tools, and digital resources) at more institutions, including recognized vocational, trade, and career schools. Active Guard members attending eligible programs must agree to serve an additional 2 years (for undergraduate/vocational courses) or 4 years (for graduate/professional courses) after completing their studies. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to members certified by the Adjutant General.
SB 133 extends the expiration dates for five Maryland state boards and commissions that regulate professional occupations, including barbers, cosmetologists, land surveyors, real estate appraisers, and tax preparers. The bill delays their automatic termination from 2026-2027 to July 1, 2032, ensuring these boards can continue operating. It also requires the Maryland Department of Labor to submit a detailed report on each board’s activities to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee by July 1, 2030. This affects professionals regulated by these boards and ensures ongoing oversight of their licensing and standards.
HB 229 proposes to increase the Maryland Transportation Authority's (MDTA) annual limit for outstanding toll-revenue bonds from $4 billion to $5 billion, effective June 30 each year. This change directly affects the MDTA, allowing it to issue more bonds to fund transportation projects financed through toll revenue. The bill also specifies that the $5 billion cap would be reduced by any federal loans or drawn lines of credit under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. The increase aims to provide greater flexibility for the MDTA to finance transportation infrastructure without requiring annual legislative approval for the bond limit. The bill is currently pending in committee after a favorable report.
HB 241 extends the expiration dates for five state licensing boards (Barbers, Cosmetologists, Land Surveyors, Real Estate Appraisers/Appraisal Companies/Home Inspectors, and Tax Preparers) from 2026/2027 to July 1, 2032, preventing their automatic termination under Maryland's sunset law. This directly affects licensed professionals in these fields who rely on these boards for regulatory oversight. The bill also requires the Maryland Department of Labor to submit a joint evaluation report on each board's effectiveness to the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee by July 1, 2030. The extension takes effect June 1, 2026.
HB 226 requires Maryland's Department of Disabilities to establish affordable and accessible housing programs for people with disabilities. It also allows the department to create affiliated foundations that can raise funds from businesses, nonprofits, and individuals to support housing initiatives, assistive technology, employment accommodations, and community living programs. These foundations operate separately from the state government and cannot be considered state agencies or incur state debt. The bill directly affects individuals with disabilities by expanding access to housing and related support services through these new programs and funding mechanisms.
HB 343 requires housing development projects receiving state funding to offer HUD-certified housing counseling services to prospective residents. It mandates that these services must be provided by counselors employed by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bill also requires the Governor to appropriate $200,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2028 for community development organizations to partner with approved housing counseling agencies. This directly affects developers receiving state housing funds and prospective residents of subsidized housing projects.
