Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 648: Office of Home Energy Programs - Uniform Redetermination Process - Age

HB 648 lowers the qualifying age for Maryland's energy assistance program enrollment from 65 to 60 years old. It requires the Office of Home Energy Programs to create a standardized annual review process specifically for eligible residents aged 60 and older. This change directly affects older Marylanders who need help with utility costs but previously had to wait until age 65 to access the streamlined enrollment process. The bill amends Section 5-5A-09(a) of Maryland's Annotated Code to implement this age adjustment, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 637: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

HB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

David Moon (D) Joe Vogel (D) Julie Palakovich Carr (D) Jamila Woods (D) Harry Bhandari (D)

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 136: Collective Bargaining - Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission - Police Officers

SB 136 extends collective bargaining rights under Maryland's state employee laws to police officers employed by the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) who are authorized to make arrests. It amends state law to explicitly include these officers under Section 3-102(a)(4) of the State Personnel and Pensions article, placing them in the same category as other covered state employees. This change applies to all full-time ATCC police officers at the rank of first sergeant and below, excluding supervisory or confidential roles as defined by regulations. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 262: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers - Alteration

SB 262 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for teachers by adding prekindergarten teachers to the list of eligible educators who can deduct up to $250 annually for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. The bill amends tax code sections to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed full-time in state programs as "eligible teachers," alongside existing K-12 teachers. This deduction applies only to supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, and excludes expenses already deducted federally. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 720: Higher Education - Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship - Repeal of Termination Date

HB 720 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the current cutoff of June 30, 2030, for awarding new scholarships and eliminating restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before that date. This change directly affects eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents (spouses, children) who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts and meet Maryland residency and enrollment requirements at participating institutions. The bill maintains all existing provisions, including the 50% tuition coverage limit, 2.5 GPA requirement, and 5-year full-time renewal period. It ensures the scholarship program continues indefinitely without time-based restrictions on new awards or renewals.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 444: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities

SB 444 repeals an exemption that previously allowed intermediate care facilities offering substance use disorder treatment to change bed capacity without a certificate of need. It creates a new exemption for facilities providing *medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services*, removing the requirement for a certificate of need if they submit 45 days' written notice to the Commission and the Commission determines the change aligns with the state health plan, improves service efficiency, and serves the public interest. This bill directly affects intermediate care facilities focused on substance use disorder treatment by reducing regulatory barriers for expanding bed capacity or establishing new facilities. The key mechanism is replacing a certificate of need with a streamlined notice-and-review process administered by the Commission. (SB 444, "Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities," 2026)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 734: Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

HB 734 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment from 2025 to December 31, 2030. It applies to systems placed in service after June 30, 2022, and approved by the Public Service Commission by the new deadline. The bill ensures land used for qualifying community solar projects is assessed as actively farmed agricultural land, allowing property owners to receive lower tax rates. This directly affects landowners operating community solar systems that meet these criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 498: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities

HB 498 removes an existing exemption that allowed intermediate care facilities providing substance use disorder treatment to change bed capacity without a certificate of need. It specifically targets facilities offering "medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services," requiring them to file 45 days' written notice with the health commission before operating or expanding. The commission must then review and approve these changes based on whether they align with the state health plan, improve service efficiency, and serve the public interest. This bill directly affects facilities providing residential substance use treatment by adding a review process for bed capacity changes or new operations, replacing the previous exemption.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 7: Higher Education - Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship - Repeal of Termination Date

SB 7 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the June 30, 2030 cutoff that previously prevented new awards after that date. This change allows the scholarship to be awarded indefinitely to eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents who meet Maryland residency and educational requirements. The bill also removes restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before 2030. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition, fees, and room/board at Maryland public universities, requiring a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of full-time study. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 282: Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

This is a procedural budget bill (SB 282) that allocates $859 million in state funds for Maryland's fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly funds state agencies including the judiciary (courts, public defender office, and legal services), legislative operations, and administrative offices. The total includes $771 million in general fund appropriations, $86 million in special fund appropriations, and $1.4 million in federal funds. This bill establishes the baseline funding for state operations but does not create new policies or affect citizens directly.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 284: Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2026

SB 284 is a procedural budget reconciliation bill that updates multiple sections of Maryland's state code across education, health, local government, and tax laws. It repeals and reenacts specific provisions (e.g., community college funding formulas, health program requirements, and county reimbursement rules) without detailing the exact policy changes. The bill directly affects state agencies, local governments, community colleges, and healthcare programs by modifying existing administrative and financial procedures. It does not create new programs but adjusts how current funding mechanisms and eligibility rules are implemented. The bill is focused on technical budgetary adjustments rather than substantive policy shifts.

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 283: Creation of a State Debt – Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026, and the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loans of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025

SB 283 authorizes Maryland to borrow $1.824 billion through a new 2026 capital bond loan, updating previous bond programs from 2015-2025. The funds will finance state construction, renovations, equipment, and grants to local governments for infrastructure projects, requiring matching local funds and strict spending deadlines. It modifies prior bond law provisions to clarify eligible uses, extend project timelines, and adjust budget allocations for ongoing capital projects. This bill primarily affects state agencies, local governments receiving grants, and public infrastructure projects across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Bill results