Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 505: Transportation - Aviation - Passenger Health and Safety (Aviation Health and Safety Act)

SB 505, the Aviation Health and Safety Act, requires the Maryland Aviation Administration to create medical and legal forms for passengers traveling involuntarily in restraints (detained individuals). Flight crews must distribute and collect these forms, which document medical history, allergies, legal contact info, and guardian details for minors. Aeronautical service providers (like fueling companies) must verify the forms are on board before servicing aircraft and compile monthly reports on compliance. The bill also prohibits refueling an aircraft with a restrained passenger onboard and mandates that restrained individuals removed for refueling receive specific services. This directly affects detained travelers, flight crews, and aviation service providers operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 569: Commercial Law - Online Data Privacy - Limits on Data Collection

SB 569 limits how businesses (called "controllers") in Maryland can collect, process, or share personal data. It specifically prohibits selling or collecting sensitive data unless strictly necessary for a requested service, bans using precise geolocation data for targeted ads without consent, and forbids processing data for targeted advertising or selling data of consumers under 18. The bill also prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics when handling data and bans denying services to consumers who exercise privacy rights. These changes directly affect businesses that collect personal data in Maryland, requiring them to adjust data practices to comply with the new restrictions starting October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 740: Public Schools - School-Based Mental Health Services - Full-Time Therapist

HB 740 requires every public school in Maryland to hire a full-time, state-licensed therapist who provides mental health services during school hours. This directly affects all public schools and their students, mandating access to licensed mental health support as part of school-based services. The bill specifies therapists must be certified by the State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists and replaces existing language in the education code. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 743: Private Home Detention Monitoring Agencies - Notification of Violation

HB 743 removes the requirement for private home detention monitoring agencies to notify law enforcement when defendants violate standard home detention conditions (like missing check-ins or curfew). The bill directly affects these monitoring agencies and local law enforcement agencies, as it repeals the existing law mandating such notifications for most violations. Key provisions now only require agencies to notify courts and law enforcement within 1 hour for equipment tampering or immediately for entering prohibited areas. This change streamlines reporting by eliminating routine notifications while maintaining urgent response protocols for specific safety risks. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 489: Electronic Health Networks and Electronic Medical Record Vendors of Nursing Homes - Release of Records - Fees

HB 489 repeals a Maryland law that previously prohibited electronic health networks and medical record vendors serving nursing homes from charging fees for releasing patient records. The bill allows these vendors to charge fees when releasing records or electronic health transactions to nursing homes' business associates, as directed by the nursing home. Key provisions require vendors to provide records in standardized electronic formats and ensure timely access for patient care, but no longer ban fee-charging for these releases. This change affects nursing homes, their business associates, and the vendors managing their electronic health records, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 566: Criminal Law – Distribution of Students’ Personal Information – Prohibition

HB 566 prohibits distributing a student's personal details - such as name, address, Social Security number, or school address - without their explicit consent (or a parent/guardian's consent if the student is under 18). It specifically targets situations where the distribution is done with intent to cause harm (like physical injury, serious emotional distress, or economic damage) or with reckless disregard for that risk. The law applies to students in secondary schools (grades 6-12) or postsecondary institutions and carries misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine for violations. Exceptions include journalistic reporting, academic activities, and disclosures required for campus safety or legal compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 539: Child Care Centers - Teacher Qualifications - Alterations

HB 539 creates a pathway for individuals lacking formal proof of educational credentials to become child care teachers in Maryland centers serving preschool or school-age children (3+ years old). It requires the State Board of Education to establish a process where these individuals can be hired during a 6-month probationary period while completing approved pre-service training (90 hours total). To qualify, they must hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in specific fields (e.g., early childhood education, child development) and complete training within six months of hire, or complete 45 hours before hire and finish the rest within six months. Child care centers must terminate or reassign teachers who fail to meet these requirements by the end of the probationary period. The bill directly affects child care centers and prospective teachers who possess relevant education but lack documentation.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 530: Task Force on Proactive Review of Audio and Video Recordings on Special Education Buses

HB 530 establishes a task force to study using artificial intelligence to proactively review audio and video recordings from special education buses, aiming to enhance student safety. The task force, composed of state education officials, transportation representatives, disability advocates, and parents, will examine AI tools, privacy concerns, costs, and best practices from other states. It will analyze current recording systems, investigate incidents like abuse or harassment, and evaluate implementation feasibility for special education bus safety. The task force must report findings and recommendations to Maryland lawmakers by December 1, 2026, with the bill expiring June 30, 2027.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 541: Public Schools - Restocking Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement

HB 541 requires all Maryland public schools to provide free menstrual hygiene products (tampons or sanitary napkins) in women’s restrooms at no cost to students. Each county board of education must install dispensers in at least two women’s restrooms at middle/high schools by October 2022 (and all by August 2025) and in at least one restroom at elementary schools by October 2022. Schools must regularly restock these dispensers to ensure availability, with the state reimbursing counties for installation and product costs through a $500,000 fiscal year 2023 appropriation. The law applies directly to public school students and county education boards, taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 416: Health Maintenance Organizations - Payments to Nonparticipating Providers - Reimbursement Rate

SB 416 sets new minimum reimbursement rates that Maryland health maintenance organizations (HMOs) must pay to nonparticipating health care providers, such as doctors and hospitals not under contract with an HMO, for specific services. For trauma physicians treating trauma patients in designated trauma centers, HMOs must pay the greater of 140% of the Medicare rate (adjusted for inflation) or the 2001 rate (adjusted for inflation). For other services like routine office visits, HMOs must pay at least 125% of the rate they paid in 2019 (adjusted for inflation) or 140% of the Medicare rate from 2008 (adjusted for inflation), whichever is higher. This bill directly affects HMOs and nonparticipating providers by standardizing these minimum payment rates across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 425: State Archives - Record Services - Fees

SB 425 authorizes Maryland's State Archives to establish fees for record services through regulation, directly affecting the public, property owners, and state agencies seeking copies or certifications of records. Key provisions include allowing fees up to 2% of existing record fees or flat subscription rates, requiring 7% of collected fees to fund an Archives Endowment Account, and capping public charges for plat reproductions at $3. The bill also clarifies fee structures for vital records, land records, and electronic plat postings on the Archives website. These changes update existing Maryland law to modernize fee collection while ensuring costs are recovered for services provided.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 659: State Board of Education - Membership - Early Childhood Development Professional

HB 659 adds a new member position to Maryland's State Board of Education, requiring the Governor to appoint an early childhood development professional with extensive experience in child care operations and curriculum development. This member must be selected from a list of three candidates provided by the Office of Child Care Advisory Council. The bill directly affects the State Board's composition and ensures representation from early childhood education professionals, who will attend executive sessions but cannot vote on personnel appeals. The appointment process requires the Department to notify licensed child care providers of vacancies, and the position takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results