Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 890: Family Law - Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations ("Know Before They Knock" Family Right to Notice Act)

HB 890 requires child welfare and law enforcement agencies to conduct on-site interviews during abuse/neglect investigations with a child’s parent or legal guardian instead of the child’s caretaker. It mandates that agencies provide parents or guardians with oral and written notice at the first contact, explaining key rights - including the right to refuse entry without a court order, the right to consult an attorney before speaking or signing documents, and the right to decline interviews or tests. The bill directly affects parents/guardians of children under investigation and agencies conducting these investigations, ensuring they receive clear information about their legal protections during the process. The notice covers specific rights like not being forced to allow entry, speak without legal advice, or sign documents, while clarifying that statements may be used in court.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 536: Private Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Notification of Violation

SB 536 repeals the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies in Maryland to notify law enforcement about certain violations of home detention conditions. Currently, agencies must notify law enforcement within 24 hours for most violations, 1 hour for equipment tampering, or immediately for entering prohibited areas. The bill removes this law enforcement notification obligation while keeping the requirement to notify the court. This change directly affects private monitoring agencies and the designated law enforcement agencies in Baltimore City or the relevant county, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 909: Sales and Use Tax - Cut Flowers - Exemption

This bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for cut flowers sold by farmers in Maryland. It directly affects agricultural producers by removing the tax burden on their cut flower sales, while leaving other floral products like uncut and living flowers subject to existing tax rules. The change is implemented by adding a new provision to the state's tax code that explicitly excludes cut flower sales from taxation. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 2026, allowing farmers to sell cut flowers without paying the applicable sales tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 566: Vehicle Laws - Historic Motor Vehicles - Minimum Age

SB 566 updates Maryland's historic vehicle registration rules by raising the minimum age requirement from 1999 model year (25 years old as of 2024) to 2001 model year (25 years old as of 2026). It requires owners to certify vehicles won't be used for daily commuting, commercial purposes, or employment, while maintaining exemptions from vehicle inspections and emissions testing. Registration fees increase to $55.50 annually after July 2025, with a $50 one-time fee for vehicles 60+ years old (non-transferable). The bill automatically reinstates historic registrations suspended due to this age change, effective July 1, 2026, and applies only prospectively.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 586: Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program - Establishment

SB 586 establishes Maryland's Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program within the State Department of Education. The program provides state funding to eligible public schools participating in the federal child nutrition program, covering the difference between federal "paid" and "free" meal reimbursement rates (set annually by the USDA). This directly affects high-poverty schools (with 25%+ students qualifying for free meals) by supplementing federal funds without replacing them. The bill mandates $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028, requires schools to report on meal debt and participation reasons, and directs the Department to distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 758: Problem Gambling - Authorized Uses of Funds - Alterations

HB 758 amends Maryland law to update how funds for problem gambling services can be used. It adds new authorized purposes, including reimbursing peer support services for individuals receiving treatment and creating programs specifically targeting gambling issues related to sports wagering, fantasy competitions, and online betting. The bill also allows unspent funds in the Problem Gambling Fund to be used for drug and addiction treatment services after core gambling programs are funded. These changes directly affect problem gamblers, treatment providers, and the Maryland Department of Health, which manages the fund. The policy alters existing fund usage rules without creating new funding sources.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 577: Vehicle Laws - Towing of Vehicles from Parking Lots - Civil Action for Nonpayment

SB 577 requires towing companies to ask for a valid government photo ID before releasing a vehicle to its owner without payment. It allows towing companies to file civil lawsuits against owners who take vehicles without paying or later dispute credit card payments, but only after a 10-day waiting period. The law also mandates that towing facilities accept cash or major credit cards (with ATMs available if credit cards fail) and prohibits moving towed vehicles between storage facilities for 72 hours. This bill affects parking lot operators, towing companies, and vehicle owners in Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 777: Motor Vehicles - Required Equipment - Rear Occupant Alert Systems (Hot Cars Act)

HB 777, the "Hot Cars Act," requires new motor vehicles with rear seating (like passenger cars, trucks, and multipurpose vehicles) sold in Maryland after October 1, 2029, to include a rear occupant alert system. This system must alert drivers to check the back seat after turning off the engine, meeting federal standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The law prohibits dealers from selling non-compliant vehicles and bars the Motor Vehicle Administration from registering such vehicles. It directly affects car manufacturers, dealers, and vehicle buyers in Maryland, with compliance tied to upcoming federal safety rules.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 537: Youth Delinquency Prevention Fund - Establishment

SB 537 establishes Maryland's Youth Delinquency Prevention Fund to provide grants to community programs focused on preventing youth delinquency, suicide, substance abuse, and supporting youth development. The fund, administered by the Office, receives state budget appropriations and interest earnings, and is designated as a non-lapsing special fund (meaning it doesn't expire or revert to the General Fund). It requires annual reports detailing grant distribution, recipient demographics (by age, race, geography, and ethnicity), services provided, and unspent funds. The fund specifically supports community-based programs like youth service bureaus and aims to supplement, not replace, existing youth funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 775: Wetlands and Waterways Permits - Lighthouse Piers - Permission of Owner of Private Wetlands

This bill changes permit requirements for certain lighthouse piers near private wetlands. It removes the need for builders to obtain permission from private wetlands owners for piers that are: (1) located within private wetlands, (2) connected to a lighthouse, and (3) not connected to the shore. However, builders must still secure all necessary approvals from the Maryland Board and Department before construction. The bill directly affects lighthouse operators or owners planning pier construction in these specific wetland areas.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 609: State Finance and Procurement - Retention Proceeds

SB 609 requires state procurement units and contractors to pay undisputed retention funds within 90 days after a construction project reaches substantial completion. It directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and state agencies like the Maryland Transportation Authority that withhold retention payments under state procurement contracts. The bill amends Maryland law to establish this 90-day deadline for undisputed retention proceeds, which are funds held as security during construction. This change applies to all state construction contracts governed by Title 17 of Maryland's Annotated Code.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 762: Law Enforcement – Use of Facial Recognition Technology – Images Captured by Camera Affixed to Dwelling Exterior

HB 762 permits Maryland law enforcement to use facial recognition technology on images captured by cameras mounted on the exterior of a dwelling (like a home) to investigate nine specific property crimes, including first- and second-degree burglary, arson, and trespassing. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and homeowners or tenants who have such exterior cameras. The bill modifies existing law to allow this exception only when the image was recorded by the dwelling’s owner or tenant, and restricts its use to the listed property crimes - excluding most other criminal investigations. The law does not change how facial recognition may be used for other types of evidence or in non-dwelling settings.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

Bill results