SB 772 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a public database of employment training and job placement programs. The database will help residents find opportunities that can lead to eligibility for Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), including program details, application steps, and direct contact options. The Department must update the database every 30 days and assist individuals in enrolling in listed programs. Other state agencies, including the Department of Labor and Department of Human Services, must recommend programs for inclusion. This bill directly affects Maryland residents seeking to improve employment prospects while maintaining access to critical health and nutrition benefits.
HB 1181 amends Maryland's Family Law to streamline voluntary placement agreements for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses in out-of-home care. The bill requires local departments to schedule an assessment meeting with families and providers within 5 business days of receiving a request, and issue a written eligibility decision within another 5 business days. It clarifies that local departments cannot seek legal custody solely to obtain treatment for these children, while allowing placements to exceed 180 days if a juvenile court finds continued placement is in the child's best interest. These changes aim to reduce current delays (often 60-90 days) that contribute to extended hospital stays and family distress.
SB 579 requires Maryland counties with volunteer fire companies to provide no-cost preventive cancer screenings to volunteer firefighters, based on guidelines from the International Association of Fire Fighters. Volunteer fire companies must maintain and annually submit updated lists of their members to the county, which must then keep these records. Counties can meet this requirement by offering annual exams including cancer screenings or applying for specific grants to fund innovative screening technologies. The bill directly affects volunteer firefighters and counties, creating a structured process for access to preventive care without cost to the firefighters.
SB 719 restricts the land application of sewage sludge containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above specific concentration levels, effective after a set date. It requires monitoring for PFAS in sewage sludge and products containing it, authorizes stricter pretreatment rules for industrial users discharging PFAS, and allows local jurisdictions to set fees for such discharges. The bill directly affects sewage sludge generators (like wastewater treatment facilities), industrial users, and local regulators by mandating new PFAS testing, usage limits, and fee structures. It amends Maryland’s environmental code to establish these requirements without changing existing land application rules for sludge below the new PFAS thresholds.
HB 1015 (Ralph's Act) ensures continuity of developmental disability services for individuals who recently moved to Maryland after losing their primary caregiver in another state. It directly affects people who received home- and community-based waiver services in another state for the past 10 years and relocated to live with immediate family following the death or incapacitation of their former caretaker. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to create an expedited 30-day process to determine eligibility, allows pre-residency eligibility assessments, and ensures those approved receive services through priority categories matching their prior state's support. This policy change prevents service disruptions during relocation transitions.
HB 772 establishes a workgroup within Maryland's Health Care Commission to develop fairer reimbursement methods for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers. The workgroup will study current costs, staffing models, and federal requirements to create transparent, cost-based payment systems, comparing approaches used in other states. It must submit an interim report by December 2026 and a final report by October 2027 with specific recommendations, implementation options, and fiscal estimates. The bill does not require immediate rate changes or new funding, but rather sets a process for future policy decisions based on the workgroup's findings.
HB 1533 (the Crown and Care Act) bans 12 specific harmful ingredients - including certain phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, and PFAS chemicals - from cosmetic products sold in Maryland. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and salons by prohibiting the sale or distribution of products containing these ingredients, with limited exceptions for unavoidable trace amounts from manufacturing processes. The bill authorizes the Maryland Department of Health to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and enforce penalties, while allowing consumers harmed by violations to seek civil damages and attorney fees. This law aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to chemicals linked to health risks like skin irritation and potential long-term harm.
SB 645 restructures Maryland's State Board of Sign Language Interpreters by expanding its membership from seven to 11 members with specific representation requirements, including a deafblind individual, deaf community members, licensed interpreters from various settings (legal, medical, educational), and ex-officio members from disability and labor agencies. The bill requires the Board to establish licensing requirements for sign language interpreters by December 31, 2026 (previously July 1, 2024), and mandates interpreters to meet these standards by that date. It also adds new grounds for the Governor to remove board members, including two consecutive unexcused absences or failing to attend 50% of meetings annually. These changes aim to improve board diversity, clarify licensing timelines, and ensure board members meet ongoing eligibility criteria.
SB 656 bans 12 specific harmful chemicals in cosmetics sold in Maryland, including formaldehyde, mercury, and certain PFAS chemicals. It creates civil liability for manufacturers or sellers who violate this ban, allowing consumers to sue for damages. The Maryland Department of Health gains authority to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and collect product samples. The law exempts trace amounts of banned ingredients that occur unavoidably during manufacturing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1483 repeals Maryland's requirement for out-of-state clinical counselors to obtain a temporary telehealth license. It allows licensed counselors from other states to provide telehealth counseling to clients who relocated to Maryland (or returned after relocating), for up to six months, if they already had an established client-counselor relationship before the move. This exempts these counselors from Maryland's standard licensure rules during the six-month continuity period, but only for existing clients who relocated - not for new clients. The bill does not change regular licensing requirements for ongoing practice in Maryland.
