HB 1048 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Public Health - Chain Restaurants - Sodium and Added Sugars Warning Icons and Disclosure and Notice

HB 1048 requires Maryland chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to display warning icons next to menu items containing high sodium (1,150mg+ per serving) or high added sugars (25mg+ per serving) starting January 1, 2028. The Maryland Department of Health must adopt regulations by January 2027 establishing the icon designs, minimum sizes, and accompanying text. The bill also mandates a 2027 public education campaign to help restaurants comply with the new requirements. This directly affects large chain restaurants operating in Maryland, aiming to increase consumer awareness of nutritional content in menu items.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 9, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Public Health - Chain Restaurants - Sodium and Added Sugars Warning Icons → Third - Public Health - Chain Restaurants - Sodium and Added Sugars Warning Icons and Disclosure and Notice · 5 edits

MODERATE

HB 1048 was amended to expand the sponsor list, add committee approval and adoption status, and significantly modify the bill's substantive requirements. The most important changes involve updating the definition of 'high added sugars content' from 25 milligrams to 25 grams per serving, adding federal labeling requirements as a criterion for chain restaurants, and inserting new language about disclosure and notice on menus. These changes make the sodium and sugar warning icon requirements more practical for consumers and align the bill with federal standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include additional sponsors and now explicitly requires disclosure and notice on menus alongside the warning icons. The definition of chain restaurants was modified to require compliance with federal labeling requirements as a condition for inclusion.

DEFINITION

Changed the threshold for 'high added sugars content' from 25 milligrams to 25 grams per serving, making the requirement more realistic for menu items.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that chain restaurants must be subject to federal labeling requirements under 21 U.S.C. § 343(Q)(5)(H) to qualify under the bill.

Added language requiring disclosure and notice on each menu or menu board alongside the warning icons.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the list of bill sponsors to include additional delegates (Alston, Bagnall, Guzzone, Kaufman, Lopez, Martinez, Rosenberg, Ross, White Holland, and Woorman).

TECHNICAL

Added committee report status showing favorable approval with amendments and adoption by the House.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

97–36

Passed · 9 other

Total votes 142

Mar 11, 2026

D Democratic103

95 Yea 8

92% Yea

R Republican39

2 Yea 36 Nay 1

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Mar 11, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (97-36-9)

house of delegates

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health

lower

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors