Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 987: Corporate Income Tax - Addition Modification - Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

SB 987 modifies Maryland's corporate income tax to allow pharmaceutical companies to deduct certain direct-to-consumer advertising expenses for covered drugs. It directly affects pharmaceutical manufacturers that advertise prescription drugs directly to the public via TV, radio, social media, or digital platforms (excluding journal ads). The bill creates a new tax deduction for these advertising costs, with revenue from this modification distributed as follows: the first $5 million annually to Medicaid eligibility operations, and remaining funds to health insurance subsidy programs. This change aligns Maryland's tax treatment with federal rules while directing revenue toward health coverage affordability.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate May 25, 2025

SB 705: Department of Information Technology - Major Information Technology Development Projects - Oversight

SB 705 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to establish specific oversight procedures for major information technology development projects. This law directly affects the Department of Information Technology and state agencies implementing large-scale IT systems. The key provision mandates the department to create and follow defined processes for monitoring project scope, budget, and timelines. The bill became law on May 25, 2025, under Maryland's Constitution.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 25, 2025

HB 738: Department of Information Technology - Major Information Technology Development Projects - Oversight

HB 738 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to establish an oversight process for major information technology development projects. It directly affects state agencies planning significant IT investments, mandating that they undergo formal review before proceeding with major spending decisions. The key provision creates a structured framework for evaluating project scope, budget, and risks prior to approval. This law, enacted on May 25, 2025, ensures greater accountability for large-scale state IT initiatives.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 975: Health Insurance - Coverage for Specialty Drugs

SB 975 requires insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in Maryland to cover specialty drugs administered by in-network oncology providers meeting state regulations. It prohibits exclusions for specific specialty drugs (like infused, auto-injected, or complex oral medications) when dispensed by qualifying providers, defined as drugs costing $600+ for a 30-day supply, not stocked at retail pharmacies, and treating complex chronic conditions (excluding diabetes/HIV/AIDS drugs). The bill mandates reimbursement rates based on agreements between providers and insurers at non-hospital care levels. This directly affects patients needing these specialty drugs and the insurers/HMOs providing their coverage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 20, 2025

HB 1519: Prior Authorizations of State Debt - Alterations

HB 1519 amends multiple prior state debt authorizations to update specific grant terms. It changes grantee names, alters permitted uses of funds (such as allowing real property as a matching fund for a parking garage project), and extends termination dates for certain projects (e.g., changing a grant's deadline from June 2023 to June 2032). These changes apply to grants originally authorized in laws from 2012 through 2023, including funding for the University of Maryland's Health and Human Sciences Building and a Hyattsville parking garage project. The bill adjusts existing agreements without creating new funding.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 937: Electricity and Gas - Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act)

SB 937 requires Maryland's Energy Administration to coordinate with state agencies and neighboring states to advance new nuclear power projects, including cost-sharing agreements and federal site partnerships. It establishes a new process for approving nuclear energy generation projects and mandates that electric companies procure nuclear energy from a special fund. The bill prohibits electricity suppliers from selling power directly to large commercial/industrial customers (defined as those with 100+ megawatt demand) without using the state's transmission system. These changes directly affect electricity suppliers, nuclear developers, and large energy users by restructuring procurement, financing, and sales rules for nuclear power.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 646: Health Insurance - Insulin - Prohibition on Step Therapy or Fail-First Protocols

SB 646 prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations in Maryland from requiring patients to try cheaper diabetes medications first before covering insulin or similar drugs for Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes. It specifically bans "step therapy" or "fail-first" protocols for insulin, insulin analogs, or other prescription drugs that perform insulin's function (regardless of delivery method). The law applies to all health plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland after January 1, 2026, ensuring patients can access prescribed insulin without prior authorization hurdles. This directly affects diabetes patients and insurers covering prescription drugs under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 3: Workgroup on the Creation of a Data Dashboard for Public Work Contracts and Apprentices - Establishment

Maryland's SB 3 requires the state's Commissioner of Labor and Industry to create and maintain a public data dashboard tracking contractors and apprentices on state-funded public work projects. Contractors working on these projects must submit weekly data on employee wages (including prevailing rates, overtime, and benefits), job classifications, and apprentice details (such as trade, certification, and demographics). The dashboard must be updated monthly, posted prominently on the Maryland Department of Labor website, and retain data for the past 24 months. This law directly affects all contractors awarded public work contracts in Maryland, aiming to increase transparency around labor practices and apprenticeship programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 1013: Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - License Extension

SB 1013 extends the expiration date of a specific Class B-D-7 alcoholic beverage license for a business at 5700 Falls Road in Baltimore City until July 1, 2026. This temporary extension allows the license holder to complete an ownership transfer and renewal at the same location without immediate license expiration. The bill directly affects only this single business location and expires automatically on July 31, 2026, without requiring further legislative action. It does not change general licensing rules for other businesses or locations in Baltimore City.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 407: State Board of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty Certification - Reciprocity Discussions (Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act)

SB 407 requires Maryland's State Board of Nursing to discuss reciprocity agreements with nursing boards in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The goal is to create mutual recognition of advanced practice nursing licenses (like nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists), making it easier for these nurses to practice across state lines and improving telehealth access. The Board must report annually starting November 2025 to legislative committees on progress, challenges, and needed changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, but does not create new licensing rules - only establishes a process for future agreements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 676: Health Care Facilities - Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - Perinatal Care Standards

SB 676 requires Maryland hospitals providing obstetrical services and freestanding birthing centers to meet minimum perinatal care standards as a condition of licensure. The bill mandates the Maryland Department of Health to adopt regulations establishing these standards, which must meet or exceed existing Maryland Perinatal System Standards. It directly affects all qualifying hospitals and birthing centers by linking compliance to their operating licenses. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with no additional funding or enforcement mechanisms specified in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 653: Procurement - Employee Stock Ownership Plan Preference - Pilot

SB 653 creates a pilot program that gives a price preference in government contracts to companies using Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for specific Maryland institutions. It applies to procurements under $80 million by the Maryland Stadium Authority, University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College, and Baltimore City Community College. Contractors must disclose if they use an ESOP, and the program requires these entities to consider ESOP-based bids favorably during procurement. This is a temporary pilot program modifying existing procurement rules to encourage ESOP adoption in public contracting.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results