SB 496 would authorize Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment starting January 1, 2027. This includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications for eligible Medicaid recipients. The bill requires the Department of Health to notify program recipients if it chooses to implement this coverage and mandates a report to legislative committees by November 2027 on whether coverage has begun. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, but coverage for obesity treatment becomes available the following year.
SB 148 expands Maryland's income tax break for retired public safety employees to include 9-1-1 specialists. The bill modifies the tax code to allow retired 9-1-1 specialists - defined as those working at county emergency call centers handling emergency requests - to subtract up to $15,000 of their retirement income from taxable income, just like correctional officers and emergency medical personnel. This change applies to retirees aged 55+ who receive retirement income attributable to their work as 9-1-1 specialists. The law takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
SB 765 creates an "Heirs Protection Program" administered by Maryland's State Tax Sale Ombudsman to protect heirs who inherit homes from property tax sales. It allows heirs (including those not yet recorded as title holders) to become the legal owner of an inherited dwelling, preventing tax sales and enabling them to remain in their homes. The bill establishes an Heirs Protection Fund financed by state and county governments to support the program, including outreach, grants, and information dissemination. It also expands eligibility for homeowner and homestead tax credits to include qualifying heirs who haven’t yet updated land records, under specific conditions. These changes aim to prevent displacement of families after a homeowner’s death.
HB 1148 creates an Heirs Protection Program to prevent tax sales of inherited homes. It allows heirs (people who inherit a home after a homeowner's death) to become the official property owner, stay in their homes, and access property tax relief without losing the home to tax sales. The program is funded by a new Heirs Protection Fund financed by state and county governments, and requires the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to provide outreach and grants. The bill also expands eligibility for certain property tax credits to include heirs who aren't yet listed as the official property owner, under specific conditions.
HB 1243 exempts all personal property (including manufacturing inventory) owned by small manufacturers in Prince George's County from property tax, specifically targeting businesses with 50 or fewer employees. This policy change directly affects qualifying small manufacturing businesses in the county by eliminating their tax burden on tools, machinery, raw materials, and finished goods. The bill amends existing tax code to create a new exemption under Section 7-226.1, effective June 1, 2026, applying to all taxable years starting after June 30, 2026. It does not alter tax rates but removes property tax liability for qualifying businesses' operational assets.
HB 1321 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program to protect certain low-income families from enrollment freezes. It prohibits enrollment freezes from applying to families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, children on Social Security Income, or homeless children - ensuring these groups maintain access. If a freeze occurs, the State Department of Education must create a waitlist prioritizing these protected individuals. The bill also limits copay increases for specific participants and requires the Department to identify applicants eligible for free prekindergarten.
HB 854 establishes a state grant program to fund renovations and improvements at eligible nonpublic special education schools in Maryland. The program provides grants for classroom renovations, safety upgrades to residential facilities, health/safety accessibility work, infrastructure modernization, and new construction to meet state standards. Eligible schools must operate with a licensed residential treatment center, offer an approved curriculum (high school credits or K-8 programs), and serve students placed through state education programs. The Interagency Commission on School Construction will administer the program, with funding proposed annually in the state budget.
HB 753 would require Maryland's State Tax Sale Ombudsman to create a process allowing homeowners to designate family members or representatives to handle tax sale matters on their behalf. It mandates that dwellings be withheld from tax sale if the homeowner has a physician-documented terminal illness or medical hardship. The bill also increases the maximum home value eligible for the Homeowner Protection Program and grants priority enrollment in the program to homeowners with terminal illness or medical hardship. These changes directly affect Maryland homeowners facing tax sale proceedings, particularly those with serious health conditions or limited capacity to navigate the process.
SB 501 requires Washington County and its municipalities to grant a 100% property tax credit for real property owned by Platoon 22, Incorporated, specifically when that property is used to provide housing for veterans. The bill amends Maryland's tax code to mandate this credit by law, directly affecting only Platoon 22's taxable property within Washington County. The credit covers the full amount of county and municipal property tax on qualifying veteran housing properties. This policy change applies to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
SB 767 would allow Baltimore City and Maryland counties or municipalities to create a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented at fair market value to small businesses located in two specific zones: Arts and Entertainment Districts (under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article) or designated Main Street Maryland communities. Local governments would set the credit amount, duration, eligibility rules, and application process through their own ordinances. The credit applies to property taxes on qualifying buildings and takes effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026. This bill directly affects small businesses renting commercial space in these designated areas and the local governments managing property tax policy.
