SB 692 requires all licensed firearms dealers, their applicants, and employees to complete mandatory training and pass a written exam by January 1, 2027. The training covers state/federal firearm laws, preventing theft, safe storage, recognizing straw purchases, trafficking, and other illegal activities. Dealers must maintain proof of completion for all employees at their business location, and failure to comply carries a $1,000 civil penalty. The Secretary of State Police must approve at least one online training course and administer the exam by October 1, 2026, with a 70% passing requirement.
HB 1170 expands Howard County's authorization to deploy speed monitoring systems on specific roads. It adds Howard County to the list of jurisdictions allowed to use these systems on highways identified in safety plans as high-risk for serious crashes, and specifically includes U.S. Route 1 (Washington Boulevard) as a permitted location. The bill requires local law approval, public hearings, and adherence to engineering standards before deployment. This directly affects Howard County residents and drivers traveling on the specified routes. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 680 reclassifies the offense of intercepting, disclosing, or using unauthorized wire, oral, or electronic communications from a felony to a misdemeanor under Maryland law. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully intercept, share, or use private communications obtained through illegal means. The bill changes the penalty from potential felony charges to a maximum of 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine for violations of Section 10-402(a). This is a straightforward penalty adjustment without altering the prohibited conduct itself. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 830 requires handgun manufacturers seeking to add a model to Maryland's official roster to first pass testing by Maryland State Police or an accredited lab and undergo a legal review by the Attorney General (or their designee) to confirm the handgun complies with state and federal law. The bill directly affects gun manufacturers, the Attorney General's office, the Handgun Roster Board, and Maryland State Police, altering their roles in the approval process. Key provisions mandate that petitions include detailed specifications, require testing before roster placement, and establish confidentiality rules for certain materials. The bill updates existing law to add new requirements before a handgun can be listed on the roster, replacing previous sections of the statute.
SB 702 streamlines the relocation process for existing behavioral health programs in Maryland. It requires the Behavioral Health Administration to adopt regulations creating an expedited approval path separate from new program applications. Key provisions include allowing programs to reuse unchanged prior documentation, granting temporary approval at new sites meeting life safety standards, and mandating clear timelines for relocations. This directly affects current behavioral health programs seeking to move locations without restarting full licensing. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1130 requires the State Highway Administration to expand the existing Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan to include the segment from Queens Chapel Road east to U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue) in Prince George's County. This directly affects pedestrians, drivers, and transit users traveling along this corridor, which has experienced serious safety issues including fatal crashes and lacks continuous pedestrian infrastructure. The bill mandates adding this specific highway segment to the current project scope, ensuring continuous safety improvements like sidewalks and crossings along the entire corridor. The expansion aims to align with Vision Zero safety principles and address gaps in the existing plan that left safety measures incomplete. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 713 changes Maryland law for people found not criminally responsible for murder (first or second degree) who are committed to the Maryland Department of Health. It requires these individuals to remain in state care for at least the full maximum sentence length for the murder charge, rather than being eligible for discharge earlier under previous rules. The bill specifies that discharge eligibility is blocked for this period starting from the commitment date. This applies only to future commitments after October 1, 2026, with no retroactive effect.
SB 944 establishes a Reentry Readiness Program within Maryland's Department of Public Safety to assist individuals transitioning from incarceration. It requires the Department to collaborate with the Motor Vehicle Administration, Vital Records, and the Department of Labor to help "returning citizens" (those expected to be released within 90 days) secure job training, obtain birth certificates, and apply for photo IDs or driver's licenses. Key timelines include: 90 days before release for job training enrollment, 60 days for ID/license forms, and 30 days for verification of completed assistance. The program mandates concrete support to address immediate barriers to reintegration, effective October 1, 2026.
This bill updates Maryland's restrictive housing policies to strengthen protections for pregnant incarcerated individuals and limit how long people can be held in restrictive housing. It prohibits involuntary placement of pregnant people in restrictive housing except in specific emergency situations, such as when there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a credible flight risk that cannot be managed otherwise. The legislation requires frequent medical assessments, mandates that individuals receive at least 4 hours of daily time outside their cells, and establishes a reporting process for violations. Additionally, the bill creates a new oversight section requiring the Correctional Ombudsman to review implementation and includes stricter documentation requirements for any placement of pregnant individuals in restrictive housing.
HB 1289 establishes a 12-member Task Force to study approval voting and ranked-choice voting in Maryland. The Task Force, including election officials, local government representatives, and experts in election systems, will review how these voting methods are used elsewhere, assess administrative impacts, examine effects on voter participation, and identify necessary legal or regulatory changes. It must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2027, before the task force automatically expires on June 30, 2028. The bill does not implement voting changes but creates a study group to inform future decisions. This task force directly involves state and local election administrators and officials.
SB 887 establishes collective bargaining rights for greenhouse workers in Maryland, requiring employers in controlled-environment agricultural operations (like greenhouses) to allow employees to form or join unions. The bill creates new procedures for union elections, certification of representatives, and good-faith bargaining, overseen by the Secretary of Labor. It also mandates employer-provided rest breaks during extreme heat conditions to prevent heat-related illness, aligning with existing heat safety standards. This law directly affects greenhouse workers and their employers, adding specific protections not previously covered under Maryland labor law.
SB 835 increases the minimum annual salary for judges of Cecil County's Orphans' Court to $11,000 starting in fiscal year 2027, with the Cecil County Council determining exact amounts above this minimum. It also establishes a minimum $1,500 annual additional compensation for the Chief Judge and requires a minimum $1,500 annual travel allowance for all judges, paid quarterly. The bill amends Maryland law to replace previous salary schedules with these new minimums, while allowing the County Council flexibility in setting final compensation levels. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, applying to judges serving terms beginning after that date.
