SB 599 requires Maryland's Governor to include specific annual funding amounts in the state budget for the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Grant Program. The bill mandates $3 million for fiscal year 2020, $4 million for 2021, and $5 million annually from 2022 through 2029. This funding directly supports local jurisdictions in establishing and expanding community-based behavioral health crisis response systems. At least one-third of the annual funds must be used for competitive grants to create or enhance mobile crisis teams, which provide immediate, on-site support for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. The program aims to strengthen community crisis response infrastructure through mandatory state funding.
HB 584 requires the State Retirement Agency to form a workgroup to study how state and local retirement systems handle transfers of member service credit between systems. The workgroup will review current rules, identify inconsistencies in state retirement laws, and recommend improvements to streamline the transfer process. It must submit findings and recommendations by December 1, 2025, and the bill expires on June 30, 2026. This procedural bill does not change retirement benefits but aims to simplify administrative processes for state and local government employees moving between retirement systems.
SB 731 modifies Charles County's rules for Class B-Stadium beer, wine, and liquor licenses at baseball stadiums. It allows glass containers only in enclosed dining areas (not general stadium seating), requires non-glass containers elsewhere, and permits patrons to carry alcohol anywhere on stadium grounds except parking areas - though liquor consumption is restricted to enclosed dining areas or bars. The bill directly affects stadium operators (like teams or concessionaires) and attendees during games. It amends existing Maryland law to specify container types, consumption zones, and sets an annual license fee of $2,200. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
SB 939 modifies Baltimore City's alcohol licensing rules by requiring the Board of License Commissioners to charge a $250 fee for expedited processing of temporary event licenses (Class C per diem) submitted less than two weeks before an event. It mandates new regulations for these licenses, including procedures for denial or revocation, and allows specific license types in the previously restricted 40th alcoholic beverages district under strict conditions. These include requiring memorandums of understanding with community associations, minimum investment thresholds ($200,000 for restaurants), seating requirements, and restrictions on sales timing and methods. The bill directly affects event businesses seeking temporary alcohol licenses and the Board, which gains new regulatory authority. It applies solely to Baltimore City under Maryland law.
This bill prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations in Maryland from requiring step therapy (a process where patients must try and fail on a cheaper drug before getting coverage for a more expensive one) for certain prescription drugs used to treat stage four advanced metastatic cancer or its associated symptoms/side effects. Specifically, it bans step therapy for drugs that are FDA-approved for treating the cancer itself, or for drugs treating a symptom or side effect from cancer treatment that a doctor determines will harm the patient if left untreated. The prohibition applies only when the drug use aligns with FDA approval, cancer treatment guidelines, and peer-reviewed medical literature. This law will take effect for all health insurance policies in Maryland issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 566 increases annual license fees for most alcoholic beverage licenses in Dorchester County, such as raising Class A beer license fees from $200 to $250 and Class B caterer’s license fees from $150 to $200. It also adds new non-refundable application fees ($150-$200 depending on license type) for new licenses and a $50 transfer fee for moving licenses between premises. These changes directly affect businesses in Dorchester County holding beer, wine, or liquor licenses, including restaurants, bars, and breweries. The bill modifies specific sections of Maryland’s Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis code to implement these fee adjustments.
HB 574 modifies St. Mary’s County’s alcoholic beverage licensing rules by limiting how many Class B restaurant licenses a single person or entity can hold. It authorizes the county’s Board of License Commissioners to issue up to three Class B licenses (for separate locations), but prohibits owning more than one license if the license permits off-premises alcohol sales. The bill also defines "indirect interest" broadly to include shared ownership, franchises, common branding, or financial ties between businesses. These changes apply only to St. Mary’s County and take effect July 1, 2025. The law directly affects restaurant owners and license holders seeking multiple locations in the county.
HB 409 increases the annual salary for a part-time deputy chief inspector on Anne Arundel County's Board of License Commissioners from $9,000 to $18,000. It maintains the $7,000 annual salary for 18 part-time inspectors while adding a $300 monthly expense allowance for all inspectors. The bill amends Maryland's Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis code to adjust these compensation rates specifically for Anne Arundel County's licensing enforcement staff. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
HB 1029 clarifies membership rules for Maryland's Correctional Officers' Retirement System, specifically affecting correctional staff at Maryland Department of Health facilities. It ensures that certain employees - including correctional officers, security attendants at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital, and related roles - automatically become members of the retirement system upon appointment, promotion, or transfer. The bill also standardizes how unused sick leave credit counts toward retirement benefits for employees who previously belonged to other retirement systems, using a specific formula to calculate service credit across systems. This eliminates ambiguity in retirement calculations for eligible staff transitioning between pension systems.
HB 850 requires Maryland's Commissioner of Labor and Industry to create and maintain a public data dashboard tracking information about contractors and apprentices working on state public work projects. Contractors must submit weekly data on employee wages, staffing levels, and apprentice details - including trade, certification, demographics, and registration dates - to the Commissioner. The dashboard must be updated monthly, posted prominently on the Labor Department website, and retain 24 months of historical data. This law directly affects all contractors awarded state public work contracts, aiming to increase transparency around wage practices and workforce composition.
HB 757 redirects funds from oil transfer license fees to establish a dedicated program for professional and volunteer firefighters' cancer screening. Starting in fiscal year 2026, $4 of the $9 per barrel oil transfer fee (collected under Maryland's Environment Article) will be transferred annually to the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program. The Secretary of Health must use these funds exclusively for this program, including supporting academic medical centers for screening purposes. This bill directly affects Maryland firefighters by creating a new, ongoing funding source for innovative cancer screening technologies.
HB 546 establishes a formal appeal process for businesses subject to Maryland's digital advertising gross revenues tax. It amends tax code sections (13-508 and 13-509) to require the Comptroller to allow a 30-day window for businesses to request revisions of tax assessments or file refund claims after receiving a notice. The bill also authorizes the Comptroller or their designee to directly issue correction orders for mistaken assessments, stating the reasons clearly, without requiring a full appeal. These changes apply to assessments made after December 31, 2025, and take effect January 1, 2026.
