Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 861: Economic Development - Western Maryland Economic Future Investment Board and Senator George C. Edwards Fund - Alterations

SB 861 revises the composition of Maryland's Western Maryland Economic Future Investment Board, removing redundant voting members and adding the Executive Director as a nonvoting member (with tie-breaking authority). It updates the Senator George C. Edwards Fund's purpose to explicitly prioritize "jobs and significant economic development opportunities" in Western Maryland. The bill extends the requirement for the Governor to include a $10 million annual appropriation for the Fund in the state budget through fiscal year 2031 (previously ending in 2026). These changes directly affect Western Maryland counties, local entities, and businesses applying for grants or loans from the Fund to support capital infrastructure and business development projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 6, 2025

HB 473: Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship Program - Revisions

HB 473 extends the duration of Maryland Community College Promise Scholarships for part-time associate degree students from 3 years to 6 years after their first enrollment. It revises eligibility requirements under Section 18-3604(c) to clarify that recipients pursuing associate degrees part-time may hold the award for up to six years, rather than the previous three-year limit. The bill maintains existing requirements, including enrolling in at least 6 credits per semester, maintaining a 2.5 GPA, and meeting income and application deadlines. This change directly affects part-time community college students seeking associate degrees across Maryland, providing greater flexibility to complete their programs.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 6, 2025

HB 938: Continuing Care Providers - Governing Bodies - Membership

HB 938 requires continuing care providers (like senior living facilities) with a governing body to appoint an alternate member if only one resident representative serves on that body. The alternate can attend all meetings and vote only when the regular representative is unavailable. The bill also mandates that providers consult with resident associations before appointing an alternate and ensures residents can access nonconfidential meeting details within a month of approval. This applies to all continuing care providers in Maryland operating under the current governance structure.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 6, 2025

HB 968: Business Regulation – Licensing – Definition of Storage Warehouse

HB 968 amends Maryland law to exclude self-service storage facilities from the legal definition of "storage warehouse" for licensing purposes. This change directly affects operators of self-service storage facilities (like public storage units), removing their requirement to obtain a specific "storage warehouse license." The bill modifies two sections of Maryland's business regulation code (§§ 17-1201(b)(2) and 17-1202) to clarify that facilities storing goods for a fee in self-service units no longer fall under the licensed "storage warehouse" category. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 830: Workers' Compensation - Claims Application Form - Authorization for Release of Information

SB 830 modifies Maryland's workers' compensation claims process by changing who claimants must authorize to release medical and financial information. It requires claimants to authorize the release of such information to their attorney, the Uninsured Employers’ Fund, the Subsequent Injury Fund, their employer, and the employer’s insurer. The bill clarifies that this authorization covers medical history, records, additional claims filed, and information held by the Commission, and it remains valid for one year from the claim filing date. This change affects workers filing claims and their representatives, streamlining information sharing for claims processing. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 93: Election Law - Absentee Ballots - Notice to Request Application

SB 93 requires Maryland local election boards to mail the state-approved absentee ballot application to every eligible voter at least 60 days before statewide primary elections. This applies to all voters who do not already have permanent absentee ballot status. The bill modifies election law to ensure voters receive the application well in advance of primaries, with the exception of those with permanent absentee status under existing rules. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 6, 2025

HB 1543: Gaming - Sports Wagering Facilities - Request for Relocation

HB 1543 allows existing Class B sports wagering facility licensees (those originally licensed before September 30, 2023) to request relocation within their current county to a new location that meets existing zoning and location requirements. The State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission must approve such requests only if the facility remains in the same county and complies with all current location rules. This bill does not create new licenses or change tax rates - it only establishes a formal process for existing licensees to move their business location. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 963: Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries Fund - Establishment

This bill creates a permanent Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries Fund in Maryland to preserve and restore cemeteries that have been abandoned (where ownership is unclear or the operating organization no longer exists) or neglected (with multiple maintenance violations or severe disrepair). It establishes a voluntary income tax checkoff on state individual tax returns, allowing taxpayers to contribute directly to the fund. The fund, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, will cover cemetery maintenance, restoration, and administrative costs, with contributions from tax checkoffs and state budget appropriations. Up to 5% of the fund may be used for promoting donations, and it is designed to supplement - rather than replace - existing cemetery oversight funding.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 6, 2025

HB 972: Real Estate Commission - Continuing Education Requirements - Alterations

HB 972 updates continuing education requirements for Maryland real estate licensees, including brokers, associate brokers, and salespersons. It increases required fair housing training from 1.5 to 2 clock hours per renewal cycle and reduces ethics course hours for brokers from 3 to 1.5 hours. The bill also adds a new requirement for a 3-hour course on recent legal changes every two years. These changes apply to all licensees renewing their credentials under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Maryland · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 359: Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program - Funding - Alterations

SB 359 modifies Maryland's Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program funding requirements. It mandates that the Governor include $3.7 million annually in the state budget for fiscal years 2023-2025 and 2027 onward (skipping 2026). The bill specifies how these funds must be distributed: $1.283 million to existing providers (matching 2022 allocations), $1.917 million for additional services to existing providers, and $500,000 for new providers or expanding enrollment. The program directly serves children under age 6 with developmental delays, physical disabilities, or behavioral challenges, and supports specialized child care providers administering the grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 6, 2025

HB 535: Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries Fund - Establishment

HB 535 establishes the Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries Fund to provide care, preservation, and restoration for cemeteries in Maryland that are abandoned (where the operating organization no longer exists and ownership is unclear) or neglected (with maintenance citations, deterioration, or vandalism). The bill creates a voluntary income tax checkoff option on state tax forms, allowing individuals to contribute directly to the fund, which will also receive state budget appropriations and interest earnings. The Maryland Department of Labor will administer the fund, with money used exclusively for cemetery maintenance and restoration - supplementing, not replacing, existing cemetery oversight funding. The fund is nonlapsing, meaning it carries over year to year, and must be reported to the legislature annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 522: Home Builders - New Home Sales - Notice of Appliance Warranty Registration

SB 522 requires home builders registered in Maryland to include specific appliance warranty details in the sales contract for new homes. It directly affects home buyers purchasing new homes and the builders who construct them. The key provision mandates that builders provide the warranty registration date and remaining warranty period for each appliance (including heating/cooling systems) included in the home. This replaces vague prior requirements with clear, standardized disclosure to help buyers understand appliance coverage.

Bill results