Maryland Bills

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 867: Economic Development - Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission - Alterations

SB 867 expands the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission's mission to specifically promote innovation in space science, space technology, and aeronautics. It restructures the Commission's membership by adding representatives from the commercial space industry (up to three) and higher education institutions, while requiring the Commission to appoint an Executive Director. The bill authorizes the Commission to provide grants to eligible entities - including aerospace businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and universities conducting aerospace research in Maryland. These changes aim to strengthen Maryland's aerospace sector by formalizing grant programs and broadening stakeholder representation on the Commission.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 880: Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace - Established

SB 880 establishes Maryland's Part-Time State Employment Pilot Program (part of the Maryland Workforce Retention, Recruitment, and Reentry Act) to increase part-time state jobs with benefits. It requires five selected state agencies to evaluate full-time vacancies and convert eligible roles into two part-time positions with proportional benefits (e.g., health coverage prorated by hours). The bill mandates annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly on agency participation and new part-time hires, beginning December 2026. The program runs for three years (until June 2029) and applies specifically to participating agencies and future job seekers in converted roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 790: Public Health Reform Act

SB 790, the Public Health Reform Act, requires the Maryland Department of Health to organize the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps - a statewide volunteer network for emergencies like disease outbreaks or disasters. It allows county health directors to hire staff without state approval if positions are fully funded locally and to enter contracts if the state fails to respond within a set timeframe. The bill creates the Public Health Workforce Development Fund (using interest earnings and transfers from another fund) to support workforce training, and mandates health equity impact assessments for new legislation. These changes directly affect county health departments, state health agencies, and public health emergency response systems.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 552: Economic Development - Prince George's County Suitland Development Authority - Established

SB 552 establishes the Suitland Development Authority in Prince George's County to revitalize the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road corridor, directly affecting residents and businesses in that specific neighborhood area. The authority must coordinate with local residents to develop a neighborhood revitalization plan, can adjust boundaries with a vote, and receives tax exemptions for its operations. It requires the Authority to manage finances responsibly and become self-sustaining by 2036, aiming to boost housing, commerce, and property tax revenue through economic development. The bill creates a dedicated government agency focused on improving conditions in a historically underdeveloped corridor, with no direct impact beyond the defined target area.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 665: Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Renaming

This bill updates the official names of two state entities to better reflect the needs of all individuals with hearing disabilities. It renames the "Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" to "Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing" and the "Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing" to "Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing." These changes apply to all references in Maryland law, including sections in Education, Health, Human Services, and State Government codes. The bill does not alter existing services, funding, or responsibilities of these entities - only their official titles.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1445: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Developmental Disabilities Administration - Home- and Community-Based Services Eligibility Determinations (Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act)

HB 1445, the "Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act," changes eligibility rules for home- and community-based services under Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program). It requires the state to continue services uninterrupted during appeals if an individual loses eligibility, prohibits automatic termination solely due to administrative errors (procedural disenrollment), and mandates data sharing between providers and the Department of Health. The bill directly affects people receiving Developmental Disabilities Administration services and Medicaid beneficiaries who risk losing community-based care due to eligibility disputes. Key provisions include extending appeal timelines (replacing 90-day deadlines with continuous service until appeal resolution) and requiring the state to reserve waiver slots for those who lost eligibility unfairly. These changes aim to align with the Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court ruling protecting community integration rights.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1117: Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Council and the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs - Recommendations for Elopement Response Devices

HB 1117 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain insurers to cover approved "elopement response devices" for specific individuals. These devices - such as door sensors, wearable location trackers, or alert systems - prevent people with cognitive, developmental, or neurological conditions from wandering unsafely (e.g., leaving a supervised area without the ability to return safely). Coverage is mandated when ordered by a qualified healthcare provider and documented in a qualifying plan (like an individualized education plan or dementia care plan) for eligible recipients: those under 21 with early screening eligibility, on home-based waiver programs, or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The bill defines these devices as medical equipment or assistive technology under state programs, ensuring coverage without regard to when the program was established.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1574: Child Care Providers - Licensing and Registration Alterations

HB 1574 modifies Maryland's child care licensing rules to require the State Department of Education to issue warnings for first-time violations of new regulations instead of immediate penalties, with potential fines for repeat offenses. It creates a dedicated unit to process and manage criminal background checks for child care staff, ensuring applicants receive timely updates on their check status. The bill also mandates that the State Superintendent list individuals prohibited from child care employment due to supervision failures and establishes a workgroup to study illegal child care operations. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, registered family child care homes, and all applicants seeking positions involving direct child contact.

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 907: Criminal Law - Third-Degree Assault

This bill creates a new misdemeanor offense called third-degree assault in Maryland, which prohibits intentionally causing offensive contact, attempting to cause such contact, or engaging in conduct meant to make someone fear offensive contact. The law defines offensive contact as nonconsensual physical contact that a reasonable person would find offensive, but explicitly excludes contact that causes physical injury, creates a risk of serious injury, or involves domestic or sexual crimes. People convicted of this offense could face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. The bill also updates legal procedures by clarifying how third-degree assault charges must be written in court documents and ensures that physical injury from a third-degree assault cannot be used as a defense against that charge. Additionally, it adjusts jurisdiction rules so that District Courts handle third-degree assault cases exclusively.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1132: Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Resale Contracts - Notice Requirements (Keeping Affordable Housing Affordable Act)

HB 1132 (Keeping Affordable Housing Affordable Act) requires sellers of condominium units or homeowners association properties to provide buyers with specific financial disclosures 20 calendar days before closing - extending the prior 15-day deadline. It mandates written notice of any mandatory fee or payment increases exceeding 10% (or other major changes) after the seller learns of them. The bill affects condo/HOA sellers and buyers by ensuring transparency about future costs like maintenance fees, assessments, and reserve funds. Key provisions include standardized disclosure forms covering current budgets, outstanding dues, insurance, and facility details to help buyers understand long-term housing expenses.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1292: Child Advocacy Centers - Continuity of Care Standards for Health Care Professionals and Reports of Violations

HB 1292 requires child advocacy centers in Maryland to ensure all health care professionals providing medical or mental health services are properly licensed or certified and work within their scope of practice. It mandates that centers establish a "continuity of care plan" to notify families when providers change, including contact information for both new and former providers, and allows former providers to assist with care transitions per professional standards. Centers must report specific violations to health occupations boards or the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, and the Governor’s Office must publish annual data about child advocacy centers online. This bill directly affects child advocacy centers, their health care staff, and the children and families receiving services at these centers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 918: Baltimore City - Cigarettes, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Smoking Devices - Enforcement and Licensure

HB 918 authorizes Baltimore City to create and enforce local laws that are stricter than state rules for regulating the sale and distribution of cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices. It allows the Baltimore City Council and Mayor to implement these stricter local rules, while still requiring compliance with state licensing and tax laws under Title 12 of Maryland’s Tax-General Article. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects Baltimore City’s ability to tailor tobacco and e-cigarette regulations to local needs.

Bill results