HB 1259 prohibits local Maryland jurisdictions (counties and Baltimore City) from denying or restricting family child care homes that meet state licensing requirements, including limiting the number of children below state standards. It requires local governments to classify these homes as residential activities and permit them under residential zoning rules. The bill amends Maryland's land use code to ensure consistency with state licensing standards and prevent local zoning barriers for licensed child care providers. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.
HB 989 modifies how income is calculated for elderly individuals seeking state assistance. It prohibits including rental income from a portion of an individual's primary residence (e.g., renting a room) when determining eligibility for state tax credits, housing assistance, or medical assistance programs. The Department of Aging must review all relevant programs to confirm applicability and notify administering agencies if the rule applies. This change directly affects elderly Marylanders who rely on state assistance programs with income-based eligibility requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1506 limits fees that new condominium or homeowners association (HOA) owners must pay at closing. It prohibits associations from charging new unit owners (not initial buyers) more than the current monthly assessment paid by existing owners at closing. Similarly, new lot owners in HOAs cannot be charged more than the existing lot owner's current monthly assessment. This bill directly affects new buyers in these communities by capping their initial capital contribution fees. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1098 expands bankruptcy exemptions for Maryland residents by including residential property held in a revocable trust as eligible for protection. It increases the exemption cap for individuals aged 60+ with disabilities or veteran status to $300,000 (adjusted annually for inflation), while maintaining a $150,000 cap for other filers. The law automatically adjusts these amounts each year based on the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $25. This directly affects Maryland bankruptcy debtors owning homes - either directly or through revocable trusts - who qualify under the new or adjusted exemption thresholds.
HB 691 requires Maryland state agencies that issue housing construction permits to create streamlined permitting processes. Key provisions include allowing multiple permits to be handled simultaneously where possible, establishing predictable sequencing for approvals, and creating clear pathways for faster reviews. The State Housing Ombudsman must ensure consistency across different agencies’ processes and facilitate coordination with local governments. This bill directly affects state agencies, local governments (through potential delegation of permit tasks), and developers seeking housing construction permits, with implementation required by October 2026 and a reporting deadline for the Ombudsman in December 2027.
HB 543 allows landlords to charge up to two months' rent as a security deposit if a tenant operates a family child care home (defined as caring for up to eight children in a residence). It prohibits landlords from unreasonably restricting or banning such homes on single-family rental properties and shields landlords from civil liability related to the child care operation. Tenants must provide written notice 60 days before starting, share their child care registration, and supply insurance naming the landlord and property owners as additional insureds. The bill also requires tenants to notify landlords immediately if they stop operating the home and permits landlords to mandate $1 million liability insurance coverage.
HB 432 repeals a provision in Maryland law that allowed municipalities to prohibit "vagrancy" (laws targeting homeless or loitering individuals without clear purpose). The bill directly affects local governments by removing their legal authority to enforce such vagrancy prohibitions under Section 5-207(c)(2) of the Maryland Annotated Code. Key mechanisms include deleting "vagrancy" from the list of activities municipalities could ban, while preserving other related powers like prohibiting gambling or vice. The change takes effect October 1, 2026, and represents a concrete policy shift in local law enforcement authority.
