HB 666, the Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026, prohibits research and testing facilities in Maryland from using certain dogs and cats for research or testing and bans specific procedures on them. The bill requires facilities to use alternative test methods - such as computer modeling or cell-based tests - when they are scientifically equivalent and approved by federal agencies, reducing reliance on traditional animal testing. It also extends adoption requirements for dogs and cats used in research to testing facilities, ensuring animals are made available for adoption when no longer needed. The bill sets clear standards: animal testing must be limited to cases where no alternative exists, with the minimum number of animals used and humane treatment prioritized.
HB 701 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations protecting "qualified vernal pools" - seasonal water bodies that support species like wood frogs but don’t meet federal wetland criteria. The bill mandates the department to identify these pools, establish protective buffers around them, and require developers to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts during projects. It directly affects landowners and developers planning construction or land-disturbing activities near these pools. The law aligns buffer and mitigation rules with existing protections for nontidal wetlands, ensuring consistent regulatory standards.
SB 489 modifies Maryland's licensing rules for physicians trained at international medical schools. It exempts applicants who provide evidence of completing two years of postgraduate training accredited by ACGME-I or another board-recognized body from standard educational requirements. These physicians would be permitted to practice medicine only during their initial license term under mandatory supervision, as specified by the Board. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting international medical graduates meeting these specific training criteria.
HB 700 establishes a direct admission program for high school students meeting Maryland's college and career readiness standard (CCR standard) at participating public universities starting in the 2027-2028 academic year. Eligible students - those who meet the CCR standard, complete required courses, and apply during 12th grade - would receive conditional admission without traditional application processes. The Maryland Higher Education Commission would administer the program using its financial aid system and the Common Application, while universities must waive application fees for participants. Participation is voluntary for institutions, which may set additional criteria but must report them annually and verify student eligibility.
SB 274 updates Maryland's fair housing laws to address discriminatory practices regardless of intent. It defines "discriminatory effect" as actions creating segregated housing patterns based on protected characteristics like race, disability, or sexual orientation, even without malicious intent. The bill requires housing authorities and political subdivisions to actively "affirmatively further fair housing" and prohibits practices with disparate impacts on protected groups. These changes apply to all housing providers, landlords, and government entities involved in housing decisions. The law removes intent as a defense for discriminatory housing practices, aligning enforcement with federal standards.
This Maryland bill expands protections against noncompete and conflict of interest clauses by applying existing restrictions to employees of companies that move their majority of workers or headquarters out of the state. The law makes such restrictive clauses automatically unenforceable for workers earning at or below 150% of the state minimum wage, those in licensed health occupations, and direct patient care roles earning up to $350,000 annually. For higher-paid health care workers, the bill maintains current limits by capping noncompete agreements to one year and restricting geographic restrictions to within 10 miles of their primary workplace. Employers of these health care employees must also notify patients if a former employee relocates to a new practice location. The changes apply only to employment contracts signed on or after October 1, 2026.
SB 611 requires the Maryland Department of Health to study whether reimbursing hospice houses for room and board services under the state's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) would save money and improve care outcomes. The study must quantify Medicaid savings per death from hospice care and examine how reimbursement would affect hospice readmission rates, length of stay, hospital deaths, and emergency department visits. This study, mandated by the bill, directly impacts hospice providers and the state's Medicaid program. The Department must report findings to legislative committees by September 30, 2026, but the bill does not change current reimbursement policies.
HB 1259 prohibits local Maryland jurisdictions (counties and Baltimore City) from denying or restricting family child care homes that meet state licensing requirements, including limiting the number of children below state standards. It requires local governments to classify these homes as residential activities and permit them under residential zoning rules. The bill amends Maryland's land use code to ensure consistency with state licensing standards and prevent local zoning barriers for licensed child care providers. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill establishes the Office of the Child Welfare Ombudsman within the Attorney General's office to provide an independent, transparent complaint process for families, mandatory reporters, and the public regarding concerns about Maryland's child welfare system. It requires juvenile courts to include specific directives when granting guardianship, such as terminating certain departmental obligations and ensuring criminal background checks for adults living in a guardian's home. The legislation also prohibits the Social Services Administration from placing children in unlicensed settings and protects complainants from retaliation while keeping certain complaint records confidential. These changes aim to improve accountability and public confidence in how the state protects children from abuse and neglect.
SB 511 creates a legal path for Maryland nonstock housing corporations to convert into cooperative limited equity housing corporations (CLEHCs), which are member-owned housing entities where residents hold cooperative interests rather than traditional property ownership. The bill establishes conversion procedures, requires CLEHCs to maintain specific membership composition (including low/moderate-income households), limits resale profits on housing interests, and mandates relocation reimbursements for affected households during conversion. It also authorizes Maryland's Department of Housing to create additional rules and grant funding for CLEHCs while prohibiting local governments from restricting conversions. This directly affects current nonstock housing corporations and residents in properties transitioning to CLEHC ownership.
HB 1067 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to phase out lead ammunition for hunting all game species by July 1, 2029. It directly affects hunters using firearms for deer, upland game birds, migratory birds, turkey, and other game, with earlier deadlines: pen-raised birds by 2027, upland/migratory birds and turkey by 2028, and deer by 2029. The bill mandates non-lead ammunition (defined as <1% lead content or federally approved non-toxic options) but allows exceptions for muzzleloaders, handguns, rifles, and shotguns if non-lead ammo isn't commercially available. The law requires the department to adopt regulations for each phase and make them available with hunting licenses. This policy aims to reduce lead exposure in humans (from consumed venison) and wildlife (from carcasses).
HB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.
