HB 883 prohibits AI developers from making or causing AI to make claims that the AI is a behavioral health provider or can deliver behavioral health care services. It requires AI sold to Maryland consumers to include clear notices stating users are interacting with AI (not a human) and to detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm, automatically referring users to crisis services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1 million per offense, with funds directed to Maryland’s Behavioral Health Workgroup Investment Fund. The law directly affects AI developers and sellers operating in Maryland, focusing on preventing misleading AI interactions in mental health contexts.
HB 1018 establishes minimum mandatory standards for the care, custody, and conditions of individuals held in Maryland's immigration detention facilities. It directly affects immigration detainees, facility operators (including private entities), and healthcare/security staff who must report violations. Key provisions require the Secretary of Public Safety to adopt regulations covering safety, housing, food, and rights; mandate facility inspections and annual certifications; and authorize the Commission to shut down facilities deemed life-threatening or health-endangering. The bill also obligates staff to report violations with disciplinary consequences for non-compliance and allows the Attorney General to sue private facility operators for violations.
SB 766 expands Maryland's tax whistleblower program to reward individuals who report significant tax violations. It directly affects whistleblowers who provide original information about tax cases involving:
- Individuals with federal adjusted gross income of $250,000+ (or married couples filing jointly),
- Businesses with $2 million+ in annual gross receipts,
- Where taxes in dispute exceed $250,000.
Key mechanisms include allowing the Attorney General and state agencies to pursue enforcement actions using whistleblower tips, requiring information sharing between agencies, and setting awards at 15-30% of collected taxes/penalties. The bill modifies existing tax enforcement rules to broaden eligibility for rewards while maintaining strict requirements for "original information."
HB 1224 allows charter counties in Maryland (like Prince George's County) to impose a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties that exceed their usual tax rate limits under county charters. The bill authorizes counties to collect additional tax revenue from these properties and direct it into the county’s general fund, bypassing standard charter restrictions. Counties must annually report details including the number of affected properties, revenue changes, and whether properties are being prepared for reuse. This policy directly affects property owners of vacant lots or uninhabitable buildings cited for housing violations, aiming to generate revenue for county services without requiring charter amendments.
HB 305 modifies Maryland law to give Baltimore County community associations new legal tools to address neighborhood nuisances. It redefines "community association" to include incorporated groups meeting specific membership and operational criteria, and clarifies that "local code violations" include most housing and nuisance offenses (excluding rent escrow and stormwater issues). The bill requires associations to provide 60-day written notice to Baltimore County Code Enforcement and property owners/tenants before filing court actions for nuisance abatement, and removes a requirement for courts to set bond amounts in such cases. This directly affects community associations seeking court orders to resolve issues like unsafe conditions or illegal activities impacting neighbors.
SB 40 changes how Baltimore County School Board members are elected by replacing the current system of seven elected members from council districts with a new system requiring seven elected members from geographically defined school board districts. Starting with the 2034 election, these districts will be redrawn after each U.S. census (beginning after the 2030 census) to ensure population equality, and the Baltimore County delegation chair must introduce redistricting legislation following each census. The bill also establishes term limits (max three consecutive terms), residency requirements for candidates, and clarifies that incumbents remain in office if district boundaries change during their term. This directly affects Baltimore County residents who vote for the school board and the elected members themselves, altering the electoral map for school governance.
This bill allows Maryland's Department of Education to voluntarily add a veteran status notation to the licenses and public profiles of primary and secondary educators. Educators who provide documentation (like a DD Form 214 or VA certification) and consent to the notation can have "Veteran" displayed on their license and public profile. The department would also share this veteran status information with state agencies upon request to help determine eligibility for veterans' benefits. The policy applies only to educators who choose to participate and takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 301, the Veterans' Discounts Act, authorizes Maryland state agencies to waive certain fees set by law for veterans. It requires these agencies to adopt specific regulations before implementing fee waivers, ensuring consistent application. The bill affects veterans seeking reduced fees for services like business licenses, professional registrations, and recreational permits managed by various state departments. It amends multiple sections across Maryland’s code (including Agriculture, Business Regulation, and Natural Resources) to establish this waiver framework. The law creates a formal process for fee reductions but does not specify which fees or veterans qualify.
SB 167 allows Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to add a veteran status notation to licenses, permits, registrations, or public profiles upon request. Veterans applying for these items must submit proof (like a DD-214 or VA certification) and consent to having the notation and sharing their eligibility for benefits with agencies. The bill requires the department to include the notation if proof and consent are provided, and to electronically share eligible veterans' information with state agencies upon request. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to DNR-issued licenses and permits.
HB 295 prohibits operating, conducting, or promoting "interactive games" (internet/mobile games simulating casino games, lotteries, or sports betting) in Maryland. It requires license applicants and holders to annually report business relationships with entities supporting such games and disclose any revenue from jurisdictions where interactive gaming is illegal. The bill bars the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission from issuing licenses to entities accepting revenue from high-risk jurisdictions (e.g., terrorism sponsors or Financial Action Task Force "call for action" areas). This directly affects gaming license applicants, current licensees, and businesses operating in or connected to illegal gaming markets. The law aims to prevent Maryland-based operations from engaging with unregulated or prohibited gaming activities.
HB 502 requires board members and officers of residential condominiums and homeowners associations in Maryland to complete a mandatory training program within 90 days of taking office or starting a new term. The training covers Maryland’s condo and homeowners association laws, governance responsibilities, financial management, dispute resolution, and legal requirements. Existing members had until October 1, 2026, to comply, with certificates valid for three years and requiring renewal. Non-compliance may result in removal from office or invalidated votes, as specified in the bill.
HB 387 protects artists' rights by prohibiting state-funded public art contracts from requiring artists to waive copyright protections. It also mandates that entities commissioning such art register key details - including the artist's name, location, type, title, and installation date - with the Maryland State Arts Council. The bill directly affects artists and state agencies involved in public art projects receiving state funding, regardless of whether the state directly paid for the artwork. Registration must be completed for all new commissions after the bill's October 2026 effective date. Artists may still voluntarily waive rights in writing, but contracts cannot force such waivers.
