Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1083: Behavioral Health Advisory Council and the Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access - Plan to Implement Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Requirements

HB 1083 requires Maryland's Department of Health to convene a workgroup by December 2025 to create a plan implementing federal child behavioral health screening and treatment rules (EPSDT). The workgroup must include behavioral health professionals, childhood mental health specialists, parents/caregivers, children with behavioral health needs, and advocates. It will develop strategies for screening, using a specific diagnostic tool for children under 5, and expanding community-based services to address early symptoms, routine care, and crisis needs. The plan must align with federal best practices for children’s behavioral health care access. The department must submit the final plan to the legislature by December 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Jheanelle Wilkins (D) Nicole Williams (D) Charlotte Crutchfield (D) Jamila Woods (D) Harry Bhandari (D)

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 670: Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class C (Theater) Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

SB 670 creates a new Class C (Theater) license in Frederick County for theaters to sell beer, wine, and liquor on-premises. The license allows theaters with seating to sell alcoholic beverages 1 hour before and after regular performances, theater fundraisers, or rented events hosted by outside groups. The annual license fee is set at $150, and applications can be signed by a theater manager or designated official. This bill specifically affects theaters in Frederick County, modifying local licensing rules under Maryland's Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis code. The changes take effect June 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1095: Montgomery County - Alcoholic Beverages - Beauty Salon and Barbershop License MC 3-25

HB 1095 allows beauty salons in Montgomery County to serve liquor (in addition to beer and wine) for on-premises consumption under specific conditions. It amends licensing rules to permit up to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.7 ounces of liquor per customer when they receive a cosmetology service or attend a permitted fundraising event at the salon. The license remains tied to the salon location, requires annual $100 fees, and prohibits service after 9 p.m. This bill directly affects licensed beauty salons in Montgomery County by expanding their beverage service options within defined limits. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 995: Workgroup to Study the Rise in Adverse Decisions in the State Health Care System - Establishment

HB 995 establishes a 15-member workgroup to study rising adverse decisions (like denied insurance claims or medical necessity denials) in Maryland's health care system. The workgroup, including state agency leaders, hospital representatives, insurers, and patient advocates, will review current reporting data and recommend standardized definitions, reporting methods, and processes to reduce such denials. It must submit findings and recommendations to legislative committees by December 1, 2025, with the bill expiring June 30, 2026. This is a procedural study mechanism with no immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 866: Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class C (Theater) Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

HB 866 creates a new Class C (Theater) alcohol license in Frederick County, allowing qualifying theaters to sell beer, wine, and liquor on-premises. The license permits sales only during specific times: 1 hour before and after regular performances, theater fundraisers, or rented events hosted by outside groups. The annual license fee is set at $150, and the license must be applied for by a theater manager or designated official. This bill specifically modifies Frederick County's alcohol licensing rules under Maryland law, affecting only theaters with seating in that county.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 979: Local Government - Accommodations Intermediaries - Hotel Rental Tax - Collection by Comptroller and Alterations

SB 979 requires platforms like Airbnb (defined as "accommodations intermediaries") to collect and remit Maryland's hotel rental tax directly to the state Comptroller instead of local counties. It eliminates counties' authority to grant tax exemptions for short-term rentals and centralizes tax administration under the state. The bill also establishes new procedures for the Comptroller to audit these platforms, streamlining tax collection while removing local discretion over exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 299: Security Guards and Security Guard Employers - Registration, Certification, and Regulation

SB 299 modifies Maryland law to streamline registration for cannabis agents working as security guards. It removes the requirement for these agents to obtain separate state/national criminal history checks if they are already authorized to provide security services under existing security guard licensing laws (per § 36-501(c)(2)). The bill affects cannabis agents employed by cannabis businesses or security agencies, requiring only standard security guard authorization instead of dual checks. It also mandates annual responsible vendor training for these agents and validates pre-July 2023 registrations. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 829: State Procurement - Minority Business Enterprise Program - Extension and Reports

SB 829 extends key deadlines for Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, directly affecting minority-owned businesses seeking state contracts for offshore wind projects and video lottery terminals. It pushes back the termination date for MBE program rules from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, and extends report deadlines by one year (e.g., requiring a report on offshore wind project compliance by September 30, 2025, instead of 2024). The bill also mandates new reports analyzing MBE program compliance with federal requirements and evaluating subgoal frameworks for capital projects. These changes ensure continued program operation while updating reporting timelines for state agencies.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 802: Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Venue Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

SB 802 creates a new "venue beer, wine, and liquor license" for Dorchester County, allowing nonprofit or for-profit businesses to serve alcohol during events where food is provided. The license applies only to venues meeting specific criteria: at least 2,000 square feet, accommodating 100+ people, and having adequate bathrooms. It permits on-premises sales of beer, wine, and liquor by the drink or bottle during events like weddings or banquets, but prohibits carry-out and requires food service during the event. The annual license fee is $1,500, and the license cannot be transferred to another location.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 476: St. Mary's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class A License Quota

HB 476 changes the maximum number of Class A alcohol licenses allowed in St. Mary’s County’s 8th election district, altering the population-based ratio from the current 1 license per 4,000 residents to a new specified ratio (the exact new ratio isn’t detailed in the bill text). This directly affects businesses seeking or operating Class A alcohol licenses in that specific district. The key mechanism adjusts how license limits are calculated using the county’s latest population data from the Planning Commission report. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies only to St. Mary’s County.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 826: Garrett County Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2025

SB 826 establishes two new license categories for restaurants and resorts in Garrett County: a "Deluxe Complex Restaurant" beer and wine license (BDR-DC) and a beer, wine, and liquor license (BDR-DC). To qualify for the beer/wine license, applicants must have seating for at least 20 people and a $25,000 capital investment in facilities (excluding land/buildings), allowing on-premise beer/wine sales and off-premise beer sales. The liquor license requires a $250,000 capital investment and permits all alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption plus off-premise beer. Both licenses include a catering option requiring food service at off-premise events, with specific fee structures based on license duration and catering inclusion. The bill primarily affects businesses seeking to operate full-service alcohol venues under these new Garrett County-specific rules.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 374: Counties - Cancer Screening for Professional Firefighters - Required Coverage (James "Jimmy" Malone Act)

SB 374, the James "Jimmy" Malone Act, requires health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs in Maryland to cover preventive cancer screenings for professional firefighters - defined as those employed by state, county, or municipal entities - without copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. The bill mandates coverage aligns with guidelines from the International Association of Fire Fighters and applies to all health plans, including self-insured county/municipal programs and the state employee health program. It prohibits cost-sharing for these screenings, with limited exceptions for high-deductible health plans. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results