SB 561 updates Maryland's Medical Assistance Program to require reimbursement for community violence prevention services provided in-person, regardless of where the services occur. It explicitly allows telehealth delivery (including audio-only calls) without denying coverage, and prohibits requiring service providers to maintain hospital affiliations. The bill defines "community violence" as non-family interpersonal violence in public spaces and specifies that services must be evidence-based, trauma-informed, and non-psychotherapeutic. It directly affects certified violence prevention professionals, service providers, and program recipients exposed to or injured by community violence. The policy change ensures consistent coverage for these services whether delivered in-person or via telehealth.
HB 741 requires all Maryland firearms dealers and their employees to complete annual training and pass a written exam on firearm laws, safety, theft prevention, and recognizing illegal activities like straw purchases. Starting January 1, 2027, new applicants must complete the training before applying, current dealers must renew annually, and new hires must complete it within 20 days of starting work. The Secretary of State Police must approve a training course by October 1, 2026, and administer the exam, with a passing score of 70%. Dealers must maintain records of all passed exams, and violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty.
HB 921 limits when minors in Maryland juvenile facilities can be placed in restrictive housing (isolation or special confinement). It prohibits using restrictive housing for discipline, punishment, or staff convenience, and requires facilities to use it only for immediate safety risks (like harm to self/others or facility security) for the shortest time possible (max 6 hours). Minors can request restrictive housing or withdraw that request at any time, and facilities must provide mental health screenings within 1 hour of placement. The bill also mandates that minors in restrictive housing receive the same access to phone calls, visits, medical care, education, and recreation as other minors, unless safety is at risk.
HB 891 requires all Maryland state and local correctional facilities, including Patuxent Institution, to provide free tampons and pads to female incarcerated individuals upon admission, routinely, and upon request. It prohibits disciplining these individuals for accidental damage to personal items caused by menstrual leakage without malicious intent. Facilities must also maintain records tracking product availability and incidents of leakage-related damage. This bill directly affects female inmates in Maryland correctional facilities by ensuring access to essential hygiene products and protecting them from unfair punishment for natural bodily functions.
HB 1392, the Community-Oriented Policing Act, prohibits Maryland law enforcement agencies from setting or requiring officers to meet arrest or citation targets (quotas) and bans using such targets for evaluations, pay, discipline, or promotions. The bill allows agencies to use quantitative data for legitimate management or compliance checks but explicitly forbids quotas as a performance metric. Officers can report suspected quota violations to the Attorney General’s Office via an online form, which must investigate within one year and order agencies to stop if violations are confirmed. This law directly affects all Maryland law enforcement agencies and their officers, aiming to prevent pressure to meet arbitrary arrest numbers.
HB 1505 expands Maryland’s existing loan repayment and scholarship programs to include correctional officers. It amends two programs: the "Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers" (for repaying education loans) and the "Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program" (for tuition assistance). Correctional officers who work in state correctional facilities for at least 2 years (for loan repayment) or commit to 5 years of service (for scholarships) become eligible. The bill directly affects current and future correctional officers pursuing or completing degrees in Maryland. It does not create new funding but extends existing benefits to this workforce.
HB 786 (Porch Piracy Act of 2026) prohibits stealing mail or packages delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or delivery companies as a felony, directly affecting individuals who commit such thefts. It requires courts to order convicted offenders to either return the stolen items or pay restitution for their value, and mandates the Central Collection Unit to report overdue restitution to consumer reporting agencies. The bill also creates new enforcement mechanisms, including automatic referral of overdue restitution over $30 to tax and lottery intercept programs. This law takes effect October 1, 2026, and amends Maryland’s Criminal Law (Section 7-106.1) and Criminal Procedure (Section 11-616) codes.
SB 626 (Birth Certificate Modernization Act) updates Maryland law to simplify changing sex designation on birth certificates and identification documents. It removes the prior requirement for medical documentation (such as surgery or hormone treatment) to update a birth certificate, instead allowing a written request under penalty of perjury. The bill also expands options for sex designation on driver's licenses, ID cards, and moped permits beyond male/female. It specifically includes intersex conditions as a valid basis for changing sex designation on records, while maintaining court orders as an alternative path. This directly affects individuals seeking to update their sex designation on official state-issued documents.
HB 946 requires Maryland's Governor's Appointments Office to annually report demographic data about judicial applicants and nominees. The bill mandates that by December 1 each year, the Office must publish a report showing the number of applicants, recommended candidates, and gubernatorial nominees for judicial positions - broken down by ethnicity, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, and sexual orientation. This applies specifically to those seeking appointment to judicial offices through the Governor's process. The report must be submitted to the General Assembly and made publicly available, starting in 2027.
SB 810 prohibits public school security personnel (including school resource officers, security employees, and certain off-duty officers providing school coverage) from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee information for immigration purposes. The bill specifically bans using school staff for Section 287(g) federal immigration investigations and restricts sharing educational or personnel records related to immigration enforcement, except when presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order. School security personnel must immediately contact the county superintendent and legal counsel if shown such legal documents. This law directly affects all Maryland public schools and their security staff, taking effect July 1, 2026, and aligns with existing privacy laws.
