Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 964: Montgomery County - Task Force on the Displacement of Residents of Emory Grove MC 5-25

HB 964 establishes a Montgomery County task force to study how urban renewal projects from 1960-1985 displaced residents of the Emory Grove community. The task force, composed of county officials, housing experts, historical society representatives, and former Emory Grove residents, will review property acquisitions, demolition practices, and equity impacts of the redevelopment. It must submit an interim report by December 2025 and a final report by December 2026, including potential remedies like compensation or housing benefits for those displaced. The bill directly affects former Emory Grove residents who lived there between 1960 and 1985. The task force will not implement changes but will analyze historical displacement to inform future policy.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 542: Adult Protective Services - Investigations and Disclosure of Information

HB 542 allows local Adult Protective Services (APS) departments in Maryland to request assistance from federal law enforcement officers during investigations of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. It clarifies that agencies involved in these investigations may share pertinent client information to protect vulnerable adults' welfare. The bill modifies disclosure rules to explicitly permit sharing APS-related information with relevant agencies (like law enforcement or aging services) during investigations. These changes directly affect vulnerable adults, APS departments, and agencies providing services to them, effective October 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 1152: Real Property - Residential Rental Property - Pet Policy Disclosure (Pet Policy Transparency Act)

HB 1152 requires landlords of residential rental properties in Maryland to publicly disclose their pet policies in specific ways. Landlords must provide a link to the policy on the property’s website, in digital advertisements, and in rental search engine listings, plus include a written summary in rental applications. The disclosure must detail breed/weight restrictions, all fees (upfront, deposits, monthly), pet limits, vaccination requirements, insurance needs, and other landlord-specific rules. This directly affects landlords of residential rentals and their prospective tenants who own pets. The bill amends Maryland’s real property code to implement these transparency requirements, effective October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 1293: Baltimore City - Office of the Sheriff - Neighborhood Services Unit

HB 1293 establishes a Neighborhood Services Unit within Baltimore City’s Office of the Sheriff to enforce local alcoholic beverage laws. It requires this unit to partner with Baltimore City’s Board of License Commissioners, formalizing their roles through a required memorandum of understanding (codified in Sections 2-316.1 and 12-2605 of Maryland law). The bill redirects revenue from certain court surcharges - specifically 10% of fees from civil cases like tenant disputes - to fund the unit’s operations and enhance sheriff services. This creates a new structural partnership for alcohol law enforcement in Baltimore City, effective October 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 372: Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025

SB 372, the Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025, permanently extends current rules allowing audio-only telephone calls to count as "telehealth" for reimbursement purposes under Maryland's Medicaid program and private insurers. The bill repeals the June 30, 2025, expiration date for this provision in Maryland law, making it permanent. It directly affects the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, private health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that cover telehealth services. The key change is ensuring these entities must continue reimbursing for audio-only telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person care, without requiring video technology, for covered health services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 580: Terminology and Obsolete References – Maryland State Firefighters Association and Related Terms

HB 580 updates outdated terminology in Maryland law by replacing "Maryland State Firemen’s Association" with "Maryland State Firefighters Association" across multiple statutes. It specifically amends references in sections covering courts, education, health, labor, public safety, tax, and transportation laws. The bill does not change any policies or programs but ensures legal documents consistently use the modernized name for the association. This affects how the association is referenced in state law but does not alter its responsibilities or funding.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 4: Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems - Alteration

HB 4 prohibits community associations from imposing unreasonable restrictions on solar collector systems that increase installation costs by 5% or reduce energy efficiency by 10% compared to the original plan. It directly affects property owners installing rooftop or exterior solar systems and community associations managing residential developments. The bill allows associations to restrict installations in common areas with reasonable rules but requires property owners to provide documentation from certified solar specialists to challenge cost/efficiency impacts. It also permits associations to install solar systems in common areas if not otherwise prohibited by law.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 163: Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Shows in Worcester County - Permit for Out-of-State Dealers

HB 163 creates a permit for out-of-state dealers of motor homes and recreational vehicles to display their vehicles at shows in Worcester County, but only if the dealer’s home state allows Maryland dealers to show there. The permit allows dealers to exhibit vehicles at these events but explicitly prohibits taking buyer orders or deposits. Dealers must file a bond with the Motor Vehicle Administration after approval, and the bond remains active until all permit conditions are met. The bill establishes a new administrative process for the MVA to issue, manage, and potentially revoke these permits.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 968: Howard County - Patuxent River Wildland - Use of Mechanical or Motorized Equipment Ho. Co. 5-25

SB 968 allows the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to enter agreements with volunteers for using motor vehicles and motorized equipment within Howard County's Patuxent River Wildland. This specifically permits maintenance of existing paths to ensure safe access, creating an exception to the general prohibition on motorized equipment in wildlife areas. The bill directly affects the Patuxent River Wildland area, the Department of Natural Resources, and volunteer participants in path maintenance. It modifies existing law (Section 5-1212 of the Natural Resources code) by adding this limited exception for path upkeep, without changing other restrictions on motorized use. The policy change is purely procedural, authorizing specific maintenance activities under defined conditions.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 40: Vehicle Laws - Towed, Removed, or Abandoned Vehicles - Electronic Notice to Owner

SB 40 allows towing companies and police departments to send electronic notices to vehicle owners about towed, removed, or abandoned vehicles through Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), instead of relying solely on paper mail. Towing businesses must provide electronic notices using the owner’s MVA-registered email address, with certified mail as backup if the owner doesn’t respond within 7 days. This applies to owners, insurers, and lienholders who have provided contact details to the MVA. The bill updates vehicle towing laws to modernize notice requirements while maintaining paper-mail options. It directly affects towing businesses, law enforcement, and vehicle owners in Maryland.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 1371: Vehicle Laws - Driver's Licenses - Electronic Credentials (Maryland Mobile ID Enhancement Act)

HB 1371, the Maryland Mobile ID Enhancement Act, allows drivers to use electronic credentials (mobile IDs) instead of physical licenses when renting vehicles in Maryland. It directly affects renters (including nonresidents with compatible mobile IDs from states with agreements) and rental companies, which must verify the electronic credential matches the driver's identity and license status. Key provisions require the Motor Vehicle Administration to create verified electronic credentials and mandate rental companies to confirm the mobile ID's validity through electronic means, including matching signatures and physical descriptions. The bill does not change general driver's license rules but specifically enables mobile IDs for vehicle rental transactions starting October 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 13, 2025

HB 861: Transportation Network Companies - Weekly Fare and Earnings Summary and Operator Data Reporting

HB 861 requires transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) to provide drivers and passengers with an itemized digital receipt immediately after each ride. The receipt must show the passenger’s total payment, the driver’s earnings from that payment, and any additional fees charged. Additionally, companies must report annual data to Maryland’s Public Service Commission by February 1st, including the number of drivers working full-time, part-time, or over 40 hours weekly, median driver pay, and demographic information about drivers (including those deactivated). This bill directly affects ride-hailing companies, their drivers, and passengers in Maryland, aiming to increase transparency in fare breakdowns and workforce data.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results