SB 944 establishes a Reentry Readiness Program within Maryland's Department of Public Safety to assist individuals transitioning from incarceration. It requires the Department to collaborate with the Motor Vehicle Administration, Vital Records, and the Department of Labor to help "returning citizens" (those expected to be released within 90 days) secure job training, obtain birth certificates, and apply for photo IDs or driver's licenses. Key timelines include: 90 days before release for job training enrollment, 60 days for ID/license forms, and 30 days for verification of completed assistance. The program mandates concrete support to address immediate barriers to reintegration, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 1584 establishes a regulatory framework for delivery network companies (like Uber Eats or DoorDash) and their drivers ("operators") in Maryland. It requires companies to obtain state permits and drivers to get licenses after background checks (including criminal history and driving records). The bill mandates accessibility standards for apps/websites and requires companies to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. These provisions directly affect gig economy drivers and delivery companies operating in Maryland, creating new licensing, transparency, and accessibility requirements.
HB 1619 requires developers working on Maryland's 28-acre State Center property in Baltimore City to include three key provisions in new or modified development contracts: (1) enforceable community benefits agreements with the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, (2) comprehensive local hiring plans targeting construction jobs and long-term employment, and (3) economic improvement plans prioritizing minority-, women-, and locally-owned businesses. It also establishes a State Center Advisory Group composed of neighborhood association representatives, anchor institutions (like universities and hospitals), and community organizations within a 1-mile radius. The group must provide community input, leverage development benefits for surrounding neighborhoods, and ensure transparency between the developer, state, and residents. This bill directly affects developers, the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, and Baltimore City residents near the State Center site.
SB 853 prohibits secrecy contracts (nondisclosure agreements) between individuals and entities involved in economic development activities, specifically including data center operators. It directly affects employees, contractors, and consultants working with such entities by banning these agreements under Maryland law. The bill amends the Economic Development Article to establish Section 1.5-101(B), which explicitly states that no individual may enter into a nondisclosure agreement with a person involved in economic development or data center operations. This change aims to increase transparency for public records related to these activities under the Public Information Act.
HB 895 prohibits large food retailers (defined as those with at least 15,000 square feet selling tax-exempt food) from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data to set prices for individual shoppers. It also bans retailers from using data about protected characteristics (like race or gender) to deny discounts or services to specific customers. The bill further protects union rights by preventing retailers from weakening employee benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements without negotiation. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties.
HB 878 extends Maryland's workers' compensation presumption for heart disease and hypertension to Carroll County correctional deputies. It adds "Carroll County Correctional Deputy" to the list of public safety employees eligible for this presumption, meaning they can automatically qualify for benefits if these conditions result in partial disability or death while on duty. The bill requires deputies to undergo a pre-employment medical exam to establish any pre-existing heart conditions, and benefits only apply if the condition is more severe than prior to their employment. This change modifies specific sections of Maryland's workers' compensation law to apply these provisions exclusively to Carroll County correctional deputies.
HB 1510 requires unemployment insurance claimants in Maryland to use two-step verification (like a password plus a code) when accessing online claim services to prevent fraud. It mandates the Department of Labor to review claims with suspicious patterns - such as identical bank account details used across multiple claims - and refer suspected fraud cases to law enforcement. The bill also authorizes the Department to recover overpaid benefits by withholding from state income tax refunds and increases penalties for fraud, including extending disqualification periods for claimants found to have committed fraud.
HB 1335 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to hire an outside expert to conduct a study on state IT and cybersecurity workforce compensation. The study must compare salaries of state IT professionals with federal, local, and private-sector roles, evaluate the impact of current pay adjustments and benefits, and provide recommendations to improve recruitment and retention. The department must submit the findings to the Governor and legislature by November 1, 2027, and the law expires automatically on June 30, 2028. This bill does not change pay rates but mandates research to inform future decisions affecting state IT and cybersecurity staff.
SB 922 establishes collective bargaining rights for county and municipal employees in Maryland by applying the state's Public Employee Relations Act to local governments. It defines "public local employees" (excluding confidential/management staff and school/library workers) and requires counties/municipalities to adopt local labor laws for negotiations. Key provisions include mandatory good-faith bargaining, binding arbitration for unresolved disputes, and procedures for local governments to seek board reviews of their labor policies. The bill directly affects local government workers and employers across Maryland's counties and cities, excluding school boards, community colleges, and public libraries.
HB 1115 clarifies that Maryland public school teachers holding a National Board Certification (NBC) with a 10-year award period (awarded by December 31, 2021) are eligible for specific salary increases tied to the career ladder. The bill establishes a $10,000 salary increase for becoming an NBC teacher and an additional $7,000 for teaching at a low-performing school, applying retroactively to eligible teachers. It also sets a minimum teacher salary of $60,000 starting July 1, 2026, and specifies that teachers meeting multiple criteria receive all applicable increases. This bill directly affects certified public school teachers in Maryland who hold qualifying NBC credentials.
