Maryland Bills

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 165: Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Implementation Dates

This bill requires landlords and property sellers in Maryland to ensure septic systems are inspected and pumped by licensed professionals before new tenants move in or property is sold. Landlords must comply by July 1, 2028, and inspections/pumping are valid for three years. Home sellers must include this requirement in real estate contracts starting July 1, 2028, with settlement delayed until proof of inspection and pumping is provided. Exceptions apply for transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. Property owners must also report failing systems to local health departments and confirm repairs.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 687: Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)

HB 687 (the PACE Act) protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents in Maryland from having their creative works (like music, poetry, visual art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. It blocks such evidence unless a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the creator intended the work to be literal (not fictional), it directly references the specific facts of the alleged crime, and it's relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes this protection for juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. This law directly affects artists facing criminal or juvenile charges in Maryland, changing how their original creative expression can be considered as evidence. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 669: State Highway Administration - Third-Party Road Improvements - Required Work Schedule

HB 669 prohibits political subdivisions (like counties or cities) from issuing use and occupancy permits to developers or contractors completing road work on State highways with over 25,000 average daily vehicles until the work is approved by both the State Highway Administration and the political subdivision. The bill amends Maryland law to require that all third-party road improvements on high-traffic state roads meet the satisfaction of both the State Highway Administration and the local political subdivision before permits are granted. Key mechanisms include requiring performance bonds for projects over $100,000, funded partly by private money, or located outside the applicant’s property. This directly affects developers and contractors performing road work on major state highways, ensuring completed improvements meet safety and quality standards before public use.

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 879: Baltimore City - Natural Resources - Archery Hunting Safety Zones

SB 879 allows Baltimore City to join other Maryland jurisdictions where deer hunting on Sundays is permitted during the bow hunting season. The bill amends Maryland’s Natural Resources code to explicitly include Baltimore City in the list of areas where hunters may hunt deer on Sundays, removing a previous restriction. It also adds Baltimore City to the list of areas requiring archery hunters to maintain safety zones around certain structures. This change directly affects hunters in Baltimore City and modifies existing hunting regulations without altering seasonal dates or other hunting methods. The bill focuses on updating specific legal language to permit Sunday deer hunting and clarify archery safety requirements in the city.

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 789: Motor Vehicle Administration - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Repairs - Study

SB 789 requires automotive repair facilities performing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) recalibrations - such as those needed after windshield replacement - to obtain a license from Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration. It mandates that facilities inform customers if ADAS recalibration is required, provide written confirmation that work meets manufacturer specs, and prohibits facilities from charging for unperformed services. The bill also bans insurance companies from withholding ADAS repair information in estimates and makes violations of these rules unfair trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act. This directly affects repair shops, insurance providers, and vehicle owners by standardizing ADAS recalibration procedures and increasing transparency in repair costs.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 849: Consumer Protection - Agricultural Equipment Warranties

SB 849 requires farmers who buy new agricultural equipment (like tractors or harvesters, excluding lawn mowers and small vehicles under 25 horsepower) to provide written notice of equipment problems to manufacturers or dealers. It mandates that manufacturers or dealers correct issues within 30 days at no cost to the consumer, even after the warranty period ends. If repairs fail after reasonable attempts, consumers can choose a replacement or refund. The law applies to equipment purchased after January 1, 2026, and treats violations as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s consumer protection laws.

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 8, 2026

HB 1083: Montgomery County Board of Elections - Membership MC 6-26

HB 1083 increases Montgomery County's Board of Elections from five to seven regular members, adjusting the partisan balance to four majority-party members and three minority-party members (previously three and two). This change directly affects how the county's election board is structured and appointed under Maryland law. The bill modifies Section 2-201 of the Annotated Code of Maryland to implement this membership shift, requiring the Governor to appoint members following the new partisan distribution. It does not alter voting procedures, election administration, or other operational aspects of the board.

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 564: State Government - Office of the Attorney General - Data Protection

SB 564 creates a new Division of Data Protection within Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General. This division will investigate and enforce civil actions for violations of existing data privacy laws affecting businesses and consumers. It also establishes a Maryland Data Privacy Implementation and Innovation Workgroup, composed of state officials, consumer advocates, business representatives, and industry experts, to study implementation challenges and recommend improvements. The Workgroup must report its findings to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2027, and the bill’s provisions take effect on July 1, 2026, with the Workgroup structure expiring June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 8, 2026

HB 1022: PFAS Chemicals - Product Phase Outs and Registration Requirements

HB 1022 prohibits the sale of specific products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (such as cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene items, and fabric treatments) in Maryland starting on set dates, phasing them out over time. It requires manufacturers to register products with PFAS and establishes testing to ensure compliance. The bill also creates the Maryland PFAS Chemicals Protection and Remediation Fund, funded by penalties and interest earnings, to support environmental cleanup projects. This law directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers using these products within Maryland.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 605: Public Service Commission - Broadband and Voice Over Internet Protocol Service - Study

SB 605, the Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act, gives Maryland's Public Service Commission new authority to oversee broadband and VoIP services. It requires internet service providers (ISPs) to submit data on network reliability, outages, emergency plans, and pricing, and mandates the Commission to assess if these plans meet standards for resilience and safety. The Commission can conduct audits or require ISPs to fix issues if services are deemed unsafe or unreliable, and must report annually to the legislature on progress. This directly affects ISPs operating in Maryland and aims to improve the quality and reliability of broadband and VoIP services for consumers.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 8, 2026

HB 1037: Public Service Commission - Broadband and Voice Over Internet Protocol Service - Study

HB 1037 (Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act) gives Maryland's Public Service Commission authority to oversee broadband and internet-based phone service (VoIP), which it previously could not regulate. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to report on network reliability, outages, pricing, and emergency preparedness plans, and to maintain infrastructure meeting safety and reliability standards. The Commission can audit providers and order corrective actions if services are deemed unsafe, unreliable, or inadequate. ISPs must submit annual reports on progress, with the Commission reporting to the legislature each year starting in 2028 on improvements in service quality and network resilience.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 90: Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumptions - Hypertension

SB 90 adds hypertension to Maryland's list of occupational diseases presumed to be work-related for specific emergency responders. It makes firefighters, fire fighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and State Fire Marshal personnel eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they have hypertension diagnosed by a provider, experience it for at least 90 consecutive days, have at least 2 years of cumulative service in those roles, and are currently employed in those positions. This creates a legal presumption that the hypertension is work-related, eliminating the need to prove direct causation, while clarifying that individuals cannot receive both workers' compensation and disability retirement benefits for the same hypertension condition. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results