HB 242 updates Maryland's unemployment insurance confidentiality rules to align with federal requirements. It clarifies that personal details like benefit amounts, home addresses, and work refusal history (covered under federal income verification rules) are confidential, directly affecting claimants and the Maryland Department of Labor. The bill establishes specific exceptions allowing child support enforcement units to access certain claim information under federal guidelines, while adding penalties for unauthorized disclosure by department employees. These changes ensure compliance with federal regulations without altering benefit eligibility or payment processes.
SB 262 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for teachers by adding prekindergarten teachers to the list of eligible educators who can deduct up to $250 annually for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. The bill amends tax code sections to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed full-time in state programs as "eligible teachers," alongside existing K-12 teachers. This deduction applies only to supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, and excludes expenses already deducted federally. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
SB 672 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create a plan by December 1, 2026, to expand access to high-quality early childhood education and childcare for children from birth through age 3 in Prince George's County. The plan must analyze costs for parents, the county, and state; workforce needs for providers; current capacity to serve more children; and potential new revenue sources. It mandates consultation with Prince George's County and relevant state agencies during development. The bill directly affects infants and toddlers in Prince George's County, their families, and local childcare providers. The plan must be submitted to the Governor, state legislature, and Prince George's County delegation by the deadline, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026.
SB 389, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates transit-oriented development (TOD) areas near rail stations with hourly weekday service (8 a.m.-6 p.m.) as enterprise zones - bypassing normal limits on such designations. It requires Maryland’s development corporation to prioritize loans for projects redeveloping state-owned land near rail stations and delays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects. The bill also adds project labor agreements as a scoring factor for TOD funding and adjusts local land-use regulations to support transit-focused development. Directly affecting developers, local governments, and communities near transit hubs, it aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure near rail corridors.
SB 387 prohibits large food retailers (15,000+ sq ft) in Maryland from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data (like location or biometric tracking) to set prices for individual customers. It also bans using protected class data (e.g., race, gender) to deny accommodations or advantages to consumers. The bill further prevents retailers from reducing union-guaranteed employee benefits without negotiating with union representatives. These provisions aim to regulate pricing practices, prevent discriminatory data use, and protect collective bargaining agreements, with violations subject to enforcement under Maryland’s consumer protection laws.
SB 957 clarifies that Maryland public school teachers holding a National Board Certification (NBC) with a 10-year award period are eligible for specific salary increases tied to their career ladder status. It establishes a $8,000 salary increase for renewing a 10-year NBC, plus $7,000 for a first maintenance renewal after 5 years, and $6,000 for a second maintenance renewal. The bill applies retroactively to teachers with eligible 10-year certifications and ensures these salary increases are separate from other career ladder benefits like the $10,000 increase for initially becoming an NBC teacher. It directly affects certified classroom teachers in Maryland public schools who hold or renew this specific type of National Board Certification.
SB 764 establishes a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for education support professionals in Maryland public schools, effective July 1, 2028. It directly affects county boards of education (which must pay this wage) and noncertificated school staff in non-supervisory bargaining units, such as aides, secretaries, and maintenance workers. The bill requires the State Department of Education to report by December 1, 2026, on the cost of implementing this wage, broken down by school system. It does not change current wages but mandates a new hourly rate for these positions starting in 2028.
