Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 735: Property Tax - Petition to Review Value of Commercial Real Property

SB 735 allows counties and municipal corporations in Maryland to petition for a review of commercial property tax valuations when the property is sold to a new owner for 20% or more above its previous sale price. This new process, added to Section 14-503(b)(2) of the property tax code, enables local governments to challenge valuations for qualifying commercial properties sold under these circumstances. The petition must be submitted to the local tax authority before the next tax year's deadline, with the Department required to establish procedures for handling such reviews. This bill directly affects commercial property owners and local governments by creating a specific mechanism to address potential valuation spikes in sales transactions.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1088: Property Tax - Petition to Review Value of Commercial Real Property

HB 1088 allows counties and municipal corporations in Maryland to request a review of the assessed value of commercial real property sold to a new owner when the sales price is 20% or more higher than the previous sale price. This bill modifies Maryland’s property tax code to authorize local governments - not individual property owners - to file such petitions with tax supervisors. The key provision requires the Department of Assessments to establish procedures for handling these requests, with hearings scheduled per existing tax appeal rules. It directly affects commercial property transactions meeting the 20% price increase threshold, aiming to adjust assessments for significant value jumps after resale. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1127: Washington County - Homestead Property Tax Credit - Eligible Properties

HB 1127 expands Maryland's homestead property tax credit to include "Washington County Additional Residences." This means homeowners in Washington County who own a second home (like a vacation house or additional residence) in the county can now qualify for the credit, which previously only applied to primary residences. The bill defines a "Washington County Additional Residence" as a house and its lot in Washington County, including condominium units or cooperative apartments occupied by the owner. This change modifies specific sections of Maryland's property tax code to add these properties to the list of eligible residences for the credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 901: Education - Public School Students - Recognition of External Diagnosis of Autism

This bill requires Maryland public schools to recognize autism diagnoses made by licensed medical, mental health, or educational professionals until the school completes its own initial evaluation. It mandates that schools begin their evaluation process within 30 days of receiving an external autism diagnosis and parental consent, while also requiring schools to provide supports recommended in the diagnosis during the evaluation period. The law specifies which professionals qualify for making external diagnoses, including developmental pediatricians, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists, and allows schools to offer alternative supports only if the original recommendations conflict with laws or pose safety risks. This legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring students with external autism diagnoses receive appropriate support during the school's evaluation timeline.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 786: Transportation of Persons With Disabilities - Transportation Network Companies - Requirements

SB 786 exempts transportation network companies (like ride-sharing apps) contracted with Maryland Transit Administration to provide disability transit services from requiring full criminal history checks and a mandatory employee training course. Instead, these companies must conduct annual background screenings for their drivers serving people with disabilities. The bill directly affects contracted transportation network operators providing disability transit services in Maryland. It modifies Maryland law to adjust requirements specifically for these contracted service providers, replacing certain checks with annual screenings while maintaining safety standards.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment ✗ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 781: Public Middle Schools – Instruction on the Consequences of a Conviction for Felony Murder

HB 781 requires Maryland public middle schools to teach students in grades 6-8 about the legal penalties of a felony murder conviction. The State Board of Education must develop age-appropriate curriculum resources, and county school boards must incorporate this instruction into their curriculum starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines "consequences" as penalties that take away freedom, rights, and access to programs after conviction under Maryland law. This applies specifically to felony murder convictions (first-degree murder under § 2-201(A)(4) of the Criminal Law Article).

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 868: State Highway Administration - Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan - Expansion

SB 868 requires the State Highway Administration to expand the existing Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan to include the segment east of Queens Chapel Road (MD 500) to U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue) in Prince George’s County. This expansion directly affects pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers using this corridor, which currently lacks continuous safety infrastructure despite high traffic volumes and documented severe crash incidents. The bill mandates including this previously excluded segment to ensure consistent safety features like sidewalks, crossings, and lighting along the entire corridor, aligning with Vision Zero safety principles. The change applies to a specific 2.5-mile stretch of East-West Highway, extending the project’s scope to address safety gaps identified in the preamble.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 868: Baltimore City - Public Middle Schools - Instruction on the Consequences of a Conviction for Felony Murder

This bill requires Baltimore City public middle schools (grades 6-8) to teach students about the legal consequences of a felony murder conviction. The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners must develop age-appropriate curriculum resources by 2027, defining these consequences as loss of freedom, rights, and access to programs/services after conviction. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, schools must incorporate this instruction at least once during grades 6-8. The law applies exclusively to Baltimore City public schools and does not alter criminal law.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 807: Education - Teacher Preparation Programs - English Language Learner Teacher Competency Requirements

HB 807 requires all Maryland teacher preparation programs to integrate specific training in teaching English language learners (ELLs) into their curricula. This includes adding dedicated instruction on ELL competencies - such as language development, equitable literacy opportunities, and working with linguistically diverse students - starting in the 2028-2029 academic year, along with a mandatory three-credit course focused on ELL teaching methods. The bill directly affects all undergraduate and graduate teacher preparation programs in Maryland, mandating they incorporate these competencies throughout their coursework, not just in a single course. It aims to ensure future teachers gain practical skills to support ELL students in classrooms across the state.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 962: Local Public Campaign Financing - County Boards of Education

HB 962 allows Maryland counties to create public campaign financing systems specifically for elected members of county boards of education. It expands existing law by adding county board of education seats to the list of offices eligible for public financing, alongside county executive and legislative positions. Key provisions require the system to be voluntary for candidates, restrict public funds to local elections only, mandate separate campaign finance entities for financed campaigns, and require counties to provide necessary funding and oversight. The bill does not mandate implementation - counties must choose to adopt the system - and takes effect January 1, 2027.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 879: Language Acquisition Tracking Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children - Establishment

HB 879 establishes a free Language Acquisition Tracking Program within Maryland’s State Department of Education to monitor language development for deaf and hard of hearing children under age 9. The program requires annual assessments using a standardized tool (approved by an advisory council) every six months, starting from diagnosis, to track progress toward developmental milestones in spoken or signed language. It directly affects eligible children with permanent hearing loss who have an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), Individualized Education Program (IEP), or Section 504 Plan. The State Coordinator oversees the program, provides professional training, and ensures assessment data informs each child’s educational plan. Parents may opt their child out of assessments with written notice.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 502: Language Acquisition Tracking Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children - Establishment

SB 502 establishes a statewide program to track language development for deaf or hard of hearing children under age 9. The bill creates a State Coordinator within the Maryland Department of Education to oversee the program, requiring annual assessments using an approved tool every six months starting from diagnosis. These assessments, administered by teachers or specialists, track progress toward language milestones and integrate results into existing plans (like IEPs or 504 plans), with parents able to opt out via written notice. The program directly affects eligible children (defined as having permanent hearing loss), their families, and educators, aiming to ensure language skill development aligns with peers through standardized tracking.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results