HB 655 requires public school principals to send written notice to parents or guardians when a student has two or more incidents of violent or disruptive behavior on school property or during school activities in a single school year. This notice mandates that parents/guardians seek and participate in counseling with their child, warns that failure to do so is unlawful under new Section 3-8A-30.1, and provides referrals to counseling resources. The bill directly affects parents/guardians of students exhibiting such behavior, with non-compliance potentially leading to court-ordered community service. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Maryland’s Education Article (§ 7-304.2) and Courts Article (§ 3-8A-30.1).
SB 427 allows Maryland counties and Baltimore City to create a special tax subclass for qualified data centers' personal property (like servers and equipment), setting a separate tax rate for these facilities. To qualify, a data center must invest $2 million (in Tier I areas) or $5 million (elsewhere) and create at least five jobs within three years. Local governments can set a special tax rate for this subclass, though it must remain within the existing 2.5x cap for personal property taxes. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to tax years beginning after June 30, 2026. This directly affects data centers meeting the investment and job criteria in participating jurisdictions.
SB 424 repeals a requirement that specific amounts from Maryland's Land Preservation Special Fund must be allocated to the General Fund for certain fiscal years (2002-2005). The bill modifies how remaining fund balances are distributed, shifting allocations away from mandatory General Fund transfers toward land preservation programs. Key provisions direct 75.15% to Program Open Space land acquisition, 17.05% to the Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, 5% to the Rural Legacy Program, and 1.8% to the Heritage Conservation Fund. This change affects state funding for conservation efforts and land preservation initiatives managed under Maryland's Natural Resources Article.
SB 481 requires Maryland courts to mandate additional visitation time when a parent unjustifiably blocks court-ordered visitation. If a court finds a parent blocked visitation, it must order: (1) double the duration of the blocked visit, (2) the same type of visit (weekend, holiday, or summer), and (3) scheduled at the other parent’s chosen time - all within two years of the ruling. This applies directly to parents who deny or interfere with visitation rights under existing custody orders. The law strengthens enforcement by making the visitation remedy mandatory, rather than optional, while prioritizing the child’s best interests. It does not change visitation rights themselves but adds a specific, structured consequence for violations.
HB 722 removes the legal protection known as "charitable immunity" that previously shielded charitable organizations (like youth programs or non-profits) from lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. It allows victims to sue these organizations for abuse that occurred while they were minors, regardless of when the abuse happened, and applies retroactively to all past, pending, or dismissed cases. The bill also sets limits on attorney fees for such cases (20% of settlements or 25% of judgments) and takes effect on October 1, 2026. This change directly affects victims seeking compensation and charitable organizations previously protected from liability in these claims.
SB 456 amends Maryland law to regulate fantasy sports competitions more strictly. It requires operators to pay a mandatory $50,000 annual registration fee to the State Lottery Commission (with fees funding a state education fund) and establish a voluntary exclusion program. Operators must prevent individuals on the exclusion list from creating accounts, participating, or receiving prizes. The bill also updates definitions of "fantasy competition," "sporting event," and "sports wagering" to clarify regulatory boundaries. These changes apply directly to companies offering fantasy sports platforms in Maryland.
SB 451 amends Maryland's eminent domain law to require that property owners awarded compensation in condemnation cases receive reimbursement for legal, expert, and other fees or costs they incurred during the proceeding. This directly affects private landowners facing government takings, ensuring they are fully compensated beyond just the fair market value of their land. The key change adds a specific provision (Section 12-104(a)(2)) mandating these fees be included in the damages awarded. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter the core compensation standard of fair market value.
SB 457 allows counties and Baltimore City to set separate property tax rates for land and improvements to land (like buildings). This directly affects property owners in jurisdictions that adopt this authority, particularly those with land parcels where land value differs significantly from improvements (e.g., vacant lots vs. developed properties). The bill amends Maryland tax law to permit governing bodies to establish distinct tax rates for "LAND" and "IMPROVEMENTS TO LAND" without requiring equal rates, while ensuring each rate applies uniformly across the jurisdiction. It takes effect June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after June 30, 2027.
HB 673 prohibits local or state governments from restricting the sale, purchase, or use of consumer goods (such as vehicles, appliances, or other products) solely based on their energy source - like gasoline, electricity, natural gas, or propane. It repeals existing Maryland laws requiring low-emission vehicle programs and sales rules for zero-emission medium/heavy-duty trucks, ending those specific regulatory requirements. The law applies retroactively to all current restrictions and directly affects consumers, dealers, and manufacturers of energy-source-dependent goods. It does not alter federal emissions standards but removes state-level barriers to using diverse energy sources for everyday products.
HB 695 establishes the Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program to provide no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maryland. The program, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center, funds the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying renewable energy systems (like solar panels) and energy efficiency improvements (such as HVAC upgrades or window replacements). Eligible projects must support Maryland’s environmental and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The program is funded through a new special nonlapsing loan fund, with interest earnings reinvested into the fund.
SB 462 allows Maryland counties to adopt local "good cause eviction" laws that prevent landlords from terminating residential leases or evicting tenants without a valid reason (like nonpayment or lease violations). Landlords in counties with such laws must include specific notices in leases about whether good cause rules apply and disclose ownership details if claiming an exception. The state's Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs must create standardized forms for these disclosures and tenant notifications. This bill modifies Maryland's real property laws to implement this framework, but it only applies in counties that choose to adopt the local ordinances.
HB 674 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to analyze the full costs and benefits of different electricity generation sources for ratepayers. The commission must compare three scenarios: current natural gas and nuclear capacity, 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind plus storage, and calculate additional reliability costs for wind energy. Using the Levelized Full System Cost model, the analysis will identify the lowest-cost options and recommend policy changes to support them. The commission must submit findings to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2027, with the bill taking effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects electricity ratepayers through potential cost comparisons for state energy choices.
