Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 665: Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Adoption and Reporting Requirements

HB 665 requires research and testing facilities in Maryland that use dogs and cats for scientific research to adopt out animals no longer needed, by establishing private placement processes and collaborating with approved animal rescue organizations. Facilities must submit annual reports by January 31 to the Department of Agriculture detailing the number of dogs and cats owned/used and the number released to rescue organizations. The bill also mandates that schools and institutions of higher education using animals for certain purposes submit annual inspection reports to the General Assembly. This legislation directly affects research facilities, testing facilities, and educational institutions using animals for research, education, or testing, with the goal of increasing transparency and adoption opportunities.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 626: Custodial Interrogation of Minors - Admissibility of Statements (Exonerated 5 Act)

This bill creates a rule that a minor's statement during a custodial interrogation is presumed involuntary and inadmissible in court if law enforcement intentionally used false information to obtain it. It directly affects minors facing juvenile or criminal charges, as their statements could be excluded from proceedings under this presumption. The presumption can be overcome only with clear and convincing evidence proving the statement was voluntary despite the false information. The law applies to all custodial interrogations of minors in Maryland, modifying admissibility standards under Maryland's judicial code.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 650: Civil Actions - Maryland Uniform Public Expression Protection Act

HB 650, the Maryland Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, creates a procedural shield against strategic lawsuits meant to silence public debate. It allows individuals or groups who spoke about government matters or public issues (e.g., activists, journalists) to file a "special motion" within 60 days of being sued to dismiss the case, pausing all other court proceedings. The law covers communications in government proceedings, public issue discussions, or protected speech rights under state/federal constitutions, but excludes lawsuits by government entities, public health/safety enforcement, or commercial speech about goods/services. It replaces existing law (Section 5-807) with new provisions (Sections 5-1301 through 5-1313) to expedite dismissal of such cases.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 642: Electric Companies - Service Outages and Rate Increases - Report on Customer Impact

HB 642 requires Maryland electric companies to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission by April 1. These reports must include geographic and demographic data on customers affected by: (1) service outages lasting 2+ hours, (2) scheduled maintenance outages (regardless of duration), (3) outages during severe weather (with restoration times), and (4) rate increases from the previous year. The bill directly affects all electric companies operating in Maryland and the Public Service Commission, which will use this data to assess customer impacts. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, adding this reporting requirement to Maryland’s Public Utilities law.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 651: Tax Exemptions - Individuals Detained or Taken Hostage Abroad

HB 651 creates tax exemptions in Maryland for U.S. nationals detained or taken hostage abroad (and their spouses). It exempts their income from state income tax and waives property tax on their primary residence if the home is exclusively used by the spouse or was previously used by the detainee before their detention. The exemption applies to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025 (income tax) and June 30, 2026 (property tax). Eligibility requires federal determination under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery Act, with the Comptroller collaborating with the State Department to identify affected individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 697: Correctional Services - Diminution of a Term of Confinement

HB 697 prohibits incarcerated individuals convicted of first-degree murder (under §2-201 of the Criminal Law Article) from earning time-off credits that reduce their prison sentences. It also denies these credits for certain child-related offenses, including specific violations under §3-303, §3-304, §3-305, §3-306, and §3-307 of the Criminal Law Article involving victims under 16 years old. The law applies to all Maryland state and local correctional facilities and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects people serving sentences for these offenses by eliminating a mechanism that could shorten their confinement terms.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 692: Criminal Law - Mail and Package Theft (Porch Piracy Act)

HB 692, the "Porch Piracy Act," criminalizes the theft of mail and packages in Maryland. It creates new penalties for stealing mail or packages under specific circumstances, including prohibiting possession of certain items (like "arrow keys," likely a drafting error for key fobs) used in theft. The bill directly affects individuals who steal mail or packages, adding these acts to the state’s criminal code under new sections 3-905 and 3-905.1 of the Criminal Law Article. It also clarifies that both District and Circuit Courts can handle these cases, updating jurisdiction rules for such thefts.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 670: Criminal Law - Child Pornography - Prohibitions and Penalties

HB 670 updates Maryland’s criminal code to prohibit possessing or viewing certain child pornography, including computer-generated images that appear realistic. It directly affects individuals who possess or access visual materials depicting children under 16 engaged in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement - whether actual or digitally created to look real. The bill adds new penalties: a misdemeanor for first offenses (up to 5 years or $2,500 fine) and a felony for repeat violations (up to 10 years or $10,000 fine). It also clarifies that parents may possess non-exploitative images of their own children, and includes a defense for those who destroy or report such material. The law replaces and amends existing sections 11-207 and 11-208 of Maryland’s Criminal Law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 699: Maryland Use of Force Statute - Failure to Prevent Excessive Force or Render First Aid - Misdemeanor

HB 699 amends Maryland's use of force statute to require police officers to intervene when another officer uses excessive force and to provide basic first aid to individuals injured during police actions. It creates two new misdemeanor offenses: intentionally failing to intervene (penalty: up to 10 years imprisonment) or failing to render first aid and request medical assistance (penalty: up to 5 years imprisonment). The bill directly affects all police officers and supervisors, mandating they sign a "sanctity of life pledge," undergo de-escalation training, document force incidents, and supervisors must review video evidence of use-of-force cases. These provisions aim to enforce accountability during police encounters by codifying specific duties to prevent harm and provide aid.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 73: Public Schools - Water Safety and Swimming Course - Established

HB 73 requires Maryland public schools to implement a water safety and swimming course for students in kindergarten through grade 8. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, county school boards must offer this course based on curriculum standards developed by the State Board of Education by July 2027. The bill mandates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to fully participate and allows counties to partner with local parks departments for facility access. It also permits counties to award elective physical education credit for course completion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with implementation deadlines set for 2027.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 592: Task Force to Study Forced Infant Separation From Incarcerated Individuals

HB 592 establishes a task force to study the forced separation of infants from incarcerated mothers in Maryland. The task force, composed of state officials, formerly incarcerated individuals, family members, social workers, and legal experts, will examine the number of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals, the impact of separation, and best practices from other states. It must make recommendations to reduce forced separation and improve family bonds, reporting by December 31, 2027. The task force will operate for two years, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 572: Attorney General Actions and Climate Crimes Accountability Fund (Climate Crimes Accountability Act)

HB 572 authorizes Maryland’s Attorney General to sue large fossil fuel companies (with over $1 billion in market capitalization involved in extracting or processing coal, oil, or gas) for unlawful conduct contributing to climate change, including fraud or deception. It creates the Climate Crimes Accountability Fund, financed by settlements or judgments from these lawsuits, to pay for programs addressing specific climate harms like flooding, extreme heat, drought, and waterborne pathogens. The fund is a special, non-lapsing account managed by the state, with interest earnings automatically added to it. All money must directly support climate harm prevention, mitigation, or repair efforts as defined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results