HB 738 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Real Property - Transfer-on-Death Deed - Establishment

HB 738 establishes a legal mechanism for Maryland property owners to transfer real estate automatically to designated beneficiaries upon death, bypassing probate court. It creates "transfer-on-death deeds" (TODDs) with specific requirements for creation, revocation, and recording in county land records, while exempting these deeds from certain property transfer taxes. The bill directly affects Maryland homeowners who wish to simplify estate planning for real property, including those with existing life estate deeds that meet specific conditions. Key provisions include standardized forms for TODDs, retroactive application to qualifying pre-existing deeds, and updated recording rules for county clerks.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Real Property - Transfer-on-Death Deed - Establishment → Enrolled - Real Property - Transfer-on-Death Deed - Establishment · 1 edit · May 26, 2026

MINOR

This bill has been finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, converting it from a House draft to an official state law. The substantive policy content remains unchanged, continuing to establish a Transfer-on-Death Deed system for Maryland real property that allows owners to transfer assets without probate.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to apply to real property transfers in Maryland.

TECHNICAL

The document status changed from a House Bill to an Enrolled Bill, indicating it has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for the Governor's approval. Minor formatting updates were made to the header and explanatory notes.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 20, 2026

D Democratic36

31 Yea 5

86% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 751

executive

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 24, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-9)

house of delegates

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judiciary

lower

37 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role

Legislator

Party

State

District