SB 1042 requires Prince George's County's governing body to *mandate* a property tax credit for eligible grocery stores, replacing the previous optional authorization. It directly affects grocery stores meeting specific criteria: those located in designated "healthy food priority areas" and completing "eligible construction" (new stores or major renovations), with at least 50% of sales and floor space dedicated to food. The bill mandates the county to define these priority areas based on factors like fresh food availability, resident income, transportation access, and public transit options. The tax credit cannot exceed the store's annual property tax on personal property, and the county may set additional limits or requirements.
HB 1556 delays Maryland's implementation of the Advanced Clean Trucks Program until a required needs assessment and deployment plan is published. It prohibits the Department of the Environment from enforcing penalties against motor vehicle manufacturers for failing to meet 2027 and 2028 model year requirements under California's Advanced Clean Trucks regulations, unless manufacturers representing 40% of the state's market share agree to enforcement terms. The bill extends the deadline for publishing the needs assessment to December 1, 2025 (with implementation starting in 2028 if met) or 2026 (starting in 2029 if missed). This directly affects vehicle manufacturers and the state agency responsible for environmental regulations.
HB 911 allows landlords to charge a security deposit of up to two months' rent if a tenant operates a family child care home (caring for up to eight children) on the property. It prohibits landlords from unreasonably restricting or banning such homes in single- or multifamily rentals (excluding owner-occupied small units or condo/co-op rules), requires tenants to notify landlords 30 days in advance, and mandates providing insurance certificates naming the landlord as an additional insured. Landlords are also shielded from civil liability for issues related to the tenant’s child care operations. The bill applies to residential leases starting October 1, 2025, and does not override local zoning laws.
SB 808 authorizes Prince George's County to use stop sign monitoring systems at school bus stops on county-maintained highways (with county council approval) or state highways (with State Highway Administration approval). The bill requires local governments to hold public hearings before implementation, place clear signage, and prioritize high-violation areas. It defines key terms like "recorded image" and "violation," ensuring systems capture license plates and only apply to actual stop-sign violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and directly affects drivers near school bus stops in Prince George's County.
SB 988 allows dental hygienists to provide services in schools or school-based health centers under a dentist's general supervision (without the dentist needing to be physically present) by updating licensing rules. It also creates the Maryland Collaborative to Improve Children’s Oral Health Through School-Based Programs, composed of health, education, and dental representatives, to study and recommend ways to expand school dental services. The bill directly affects school-based health centers, dental hygienists working in schools, and children in Maryland, particularly those in underserved communities facing oral health disparities. Key mechanisms include revised licensing requirements for school settings and a formal collaborative tasked with analyzing current programs and proposing improvements.
HB 1512 modifies Maryland law to change how county boards of education reappoint current county superintendents. It allows boards to formally reappoint an incumbent superintendent at any time during their term, but requires final action by March 1 of the year their contract is renewed. This affects county boards in most Maryland counties (excluding Baltimore City and Prince George’s County), directly impacting superintendents seeking to continue their 4-year terms. The bill removes the previous requirement for boards to decide reappointments by March 1 of the initial term year, instead standardizing the deadline to March 1 before the renewal term begins. The changes take effect June 1, 2025.
SB 392 allows people to ride bicycles, play vehicles, or unicycles on sidewalks or sidewalk areas in Maryland unless local laws prohibit it. It requires riders to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and people using electric mobility devices when traveling on sidewalks or in crosswalks. The bill amends Maryland’s transportation code to clarify these rules, removing previous restrictions that generally banned sidewalk riding for these vehicles. This change directly affects cyclists, parents of young riders, and pedestrians in communities without local sidewalk riding bans.
This bill changes penalties for oyster fishing violations in Maryland. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to suspend (not revoke) oyster licenses for certain offenses instead of permanently removing them, with suspensions lasting up to 2 years for first violations or 10 years for repeat offenses. The bill also creates specific conditions for reinstating revoked licenses: after at least 2 years for a first offense or 10 years for a second or subsequent offense. It applies directly to oyster harvesters who hold licenses under Maryland's oyster fishery regulations. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1046 allows Maryland correctional officers to use body-worn digital recording devices to capture conversations during their duties under specific conditions. It permits recording only when officers are in uniform, notify individuals being recorded (unless unsafe), and are participating in the conversation. The bill also requires the Maryland Correctional Training Commission to create a detailed policy by 2026 covering camera use, notification rules, recording storage, and access to recordings for all correctional facilities. This directly affects correctional officers and the individuals they interact with in state correctional facilities.
HB 1509 establishes collective bargaining rights for county and municipal employees in Maryland by applying the state's Public Employee Relations Act to local government employers. The bill creates specific procedures for negotiations, including binding arbitration for unresolved disputes, and defines key terms like "public local employee" (excluding supervisory staff and confidential employees). It prohibits bargaining units from combining supervisory and non-supervisory workers and requires local governments to provide documentation to the Public Labor Relations Board. The law explicitly excludes school boards, community college boards, and public library systems from coverage. This bill directly affects thousands of local government workers across Maryland's counties and municipalities.
HB 1539 removes a requirement that parents or legal guardians must cosign or be present when minors aged 15 or older apply for a state-issued identification card. The bill directly affects minors in this age group by allowing them to apply for an ID card independently, without parental involvement. It amends Maryland's transportation code to prohibit the Motor Vehicle Administration from mandating parental presence or signatures for these applicants. The change takes effect October 1, 2025, streamlining the process for eligible minors to obtain state ID.
SB 656 changes how seven members of the Baltimore County Board of Education are elected, shifting from current council districts to new school board districts starting in the 2034 general election. It establishes a redistricting process requiring the County Board to propose updated school board district boundaries after each U.S. decennial census (beginning after 2030), ensuring districts are substantially equal in population, with the Baltimore County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly introducing legislation to implement these changes within a year. The bill also sets residency requirements for elected members (living in their district for at least two years) and limits consecutive terms to three, with a four-year cooling-off period after serving three terms. This directly affects Baltimore County voters who will elect school board members from their new districts and reshapes how the school board's geographic representation is determined.
