Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 94: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Maternal Health Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring

SB 94 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) to cover self-measured blood pressure monitoring starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects pregnant individuals, postpartum people, and those with chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, or cardiometabolic disorders who are enrolled in the program. The bill mandates coverage for validated home blood pressure monitors and reimburses healthcare providers for patient training, data transmission, and remote monitoring support. Additionally, it requires the program to develop an education campaign about the technology and submit annual reports on usage and outcomes starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 612: State Retirement and Pension System - Deferred Vested Former Members - Return to Service

SB 612 clarifies rules for former state employees who left pension systems with enough service for a "vested" benefit but later return to work in the same system. It applies to individuals who separated without withdrawing their retirement contributions, did not become retirees, and return within specific timeframes (4 years, military service return within 1 year, or after meeting minimum service). The bill requires these returning members to follow the same contribution and benefit rules as those who remained members in the system on June 30, 2011. It specifically covers four Maryland pension systems: Employees’ Pension, State Police Retirement, Correctional Officers’ Retirement, and Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension. This ensures consistency for returning members without altering their prior vesting status.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 569: Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Beer, Wine, and Liquor Tasting License

HB 569 allows businesses in Dorchester County with existing Class A alcohol licenses to offer limited tastings of liquor (in addition to beer and wine) under specific rules. It directly affects Dorchester County establishments licensed to sell beer or wine, enabling them to provide small, free liquor samples on their premises. Key provisions include strict quantity limits (max 0.5 ounces per liquor sample, 1.5 ounces total daily), requiring tastings to be free and consumed on-site, and mandating 7-day written notice before events. The bill establishes two license fee tiers ($150 for up to 15 tastings yearly, $250 for up to 30) and requires proper disposal of leftover tasting liquor.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 3: Workgroup on the Creation of a Data Dashboard for Public Work Contracts and Apprentices - Establishment

Maryland's SB 3 requires the state's Commissioner of Labor and Industry to create and maintain a public data dashboard tracking contractors and apprentices on state-funded public work projects. Contractors working on these projects must submit weekly data on employee wages (including prevailing rates, overtime, and benefits), job classifications, and apprentice details (such as trade, certification, and demographics). The dashboard must be updated monthly, posted prominently on the Maryland Department of Labor website, and retain data for the past 24 months. This law directly affects all contractors awarded public work contracts in Maryland, aiming to increase transparency around labor practices and apprenticeship programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 369: Public Libraries - Automated External Defibrillator Program (Raymono A. Russell Act)

SB 369, the "Raymono A. Russell Act," requires public libraries in Maryland (excluding school libraries) to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a visible, accessible location, maintain its functionality, and ensure a staff member trained in AED use is present during all open hours starting January 1, 2026. The bill specifically includes state libraries, regional systems (like Enoch Pratt in Baltimore), and specialized libraries (e.g., for the blind or deaf), but explicitly excludes school library media programs. It also grants legal immunity to libraries and trained individuals for using AEDs under the law’s requirements. This is a direct safety mandate targeting public library operators, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 746: Harford County - Alcoholic Beverages - Multiple Licenses - Golf Simulator Facilities

SB 746 allows Harford County to issue a Class GSF (golf simulator facility) license to businesses already holding a Class B alcohol license (e.g., restaurants). This new license counts toward the existing limit of nine total licenses a single entity may hold in Harford County. The bill amends Maryland law to clarify that Class GSF licenses are included in the nine-license cap, rather than being additional. It directly affects businesses seeking to operate golf simulator venues with alcohol service while holding a Class B license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 568: Anne Arundel County - Board of License Commissioners - Part-Time Deputy Chief Inspector - Compensation

SB 568 amends Maryland law to increase the annual salary for a part-time deputy chief inspector with Anne Arundel County's Board of License Commissioners from $9,000 to $18,000. It also sets the annual salary for 18 part-time inspectors at $7,000 each and adds a $300 monthly expense allowance for all inspectors. The bill modifies Sections 11-102 and 11-206 of the Maryland Annotated Code, which govern alcohol enforcement in Anne Arundel County. These changes directly affect county employees who enforce alcohol licensing and regulatory laws. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 639: Garrett County - Bids and Contracts - Advertisement Exceptions

SB 639 modifies Garrett County's procurement rules to exempt two specific contract types from standard bid advertisement requirements. It allows county officials to directly contract for goods/services procured "as-needed" over time (regardless of whether cumulative costs exceed $50,000) and for purchasing one or more vehicles up to $100,000 without advertising bids. This applies to contracts entered by Garrett County Commissioners or employees under the specified exceptions. The bill does not change the general $50,000 threshold for most procurement but creates these two targeted exceptions. It amends Garrett County's local law Section 30.21(A) and takes effect October 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 798: Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

SB 798 creates two new alcohol permit types for Wicomico County: a temporary "to-go event permit" for establishments with Class B licenses (like restaurants or hotels) to sell beer, wine, and liquor in to-go cups during designated special events, and a "Class C per diem municipal to-go license" for counties to issue to event organizers. It allows these permits to be used only in areas specified by the Class C license, enabling alcohol sales outside the main establishment during events. The bill modifies existing Maryland alcohol laws (specifically sections 32-902(i), 32-1104, and 32-1314) to establish these provisions and requires the Board of License Commissioners to adopt related regulations. This directly affects licensed restaurants, hotels, and event organizers in Wicomico County seeking to sell alcohol during temporary events.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 577: Business Regulation - Enforcement for Miscellaneous State Business Licenses - Study

HB 577 clarifies enforcement for certain Maryland business licenses by requiring applicants to designate a Maryland resident as a "license representative" responsible for penalties related to violations. It authorizes the Comptroller to issue citations during investigations and expands penalty applicability to specific individuals (like designated representatives or business managers) beyond just business owners. The bill does not create new penalties but clarifies existing misdemeanor fines (up to $300 or 30 days imprisonment) for violations under Subtitle 21. This directly affects businesses applying for covered licenses in Maryland, ensuring accountability through designated individuals.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 662: Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Alterations

SB 662 requires licensees in Baltimore City’s 46th Alcoholic Beverages District (specifically those within 300 feet of a school or place of worship) to obtain both a letter of support from the nearby school or place of worship and a written agreement with a local community association before the Board of License Commissioners can issue or transfer a license. The bill also extends expiration dates for several specific licenses in designated Baltimore neighborhoods (like O’Donnell Street and Boston Street) to allow time for ownership transfers or location changes. These extensions apply to Class B, Class B-D-7, and Class D licenses for businesses seeking to move locations or convert license types. The law aims to balance business licensing with community input while providing temporary flexibility for existing license holders in defined areas.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1028: Board of Trustees for the State Retirement and Pension System - Investment Division - Compensation and Staffing

HB 1028 replaces the "Objective Criteria Committee" with a "Compensation and Staffing Committee" for the State Retirement and Pension System's Investment Division. The bill requires this new committee to recommend objective criteria for setting compensation and financial incentives for Investment Division employees, particularly the Chief Investment Officer. Key provisions include mandating performance benchmarks for raises, capping annual compensation increases at 10%, prohibiting raises during state employee furloughs, and requiring consideration of comparable public pension fund salaries. The bill directly affects the Board of Trustees and Investment Division staff by changing how compensation decisions are made and reviewed.

Bill results