New Maryland Laws Effective July 1, 2026

 The Phone Free Schools Act requires each county to develop a plan to ban phones in schools bell-to-bell. Local school districts would decide the implementation details, but plans must be in place by the 2027-2028 school year.

The Utility Relief Act provides $150 in yearly savings on electric bills. The savings to consumers will average $12.50 per month, with lower-income households seeing additional savings. The new law also expedites the permit process for data centers which use batteries and solar to help power the facilities. The bill also establishes a $5 million no-interest loan program for renewable energy projects and energy efficiency upgrades at nonprofit organizations. It also includes a grant program for low- to moderate-income households to install solar panels, among other changes.

Over-the Counter Contraception for Community College Students: Maryland will require public community colleges to provide students with access to over-the-counter contraception.

Menstrual Hygiene Products: This law requires colleges and universities with on-campus housing to provide menstrual hygiene products, like pads or tampons, free of charge in all student health centers. Higher education institutions have until August 2028 to implement the new changes.

The Vax Act:  In response to recent federal action to overhaul the vaccine schedule for children, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Health will now have the authority to issue recommendations for immunizations, screening, and preventive services based on clinical guidance from independent medical organizations.  This bill decouples the state's vaccine authority from the federal government's, ensuring Maryland's vaccine policy is driven by science, not internet conspiracy theories.

Collective Bargaining for University of Maryland Faculty: Nontenured faculty at Maryland’s institutions of higher education will be able to collectively bargain allowing teachers, researchers, department heads and similar positions to establish recognized collective bargaining units and negotiate union contracts.

Excused Absence for Students to Testify: Testifying at a public meeting, legislative hearing or other similar civic engagement will be considered an excused absence for students under 

Data Privacy Act  is designed to prevent state and local agencies from sharing certain personal information for federal immigration enforcement purposes. This includes sensitive data, such as Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) records, school enrollment data and public benefit applications. It prohibits knowingly sending personal consumer data to a federal, state or local government unit that has engaged in or supported civil immigration enforcement within the past six months preceding the sale.

Federal Obligations Enforcement Act allows Maryland to place a lien on federal properties in the state and withhold payments to the federal government until delinquent state funds are paid. It would also authorize the Maryland Central Collection Unit — the state’s debt management agency — to collect any delinquent federal funds. The bill was inspired by the recent denial of tens of millions of dollars in federal emergency funds to Maryland following severe flooding in Allegany and Garrett counties in the spring of 2025.  It would apply when a court finds that the federal government is illegally withholding congressionally approved spending.

This newsletter was compiled from various news sources.

New Maryland Laws Effective June 1, 2026

 

Jimmy Tarlau	9:12 PM (2 minutes ago)
to me

Most bills that pass the General Assembly become law on July 1, Oct 1 and Jan 1.  This year is unusual in that a few bills became effective on June 1.  Here are some of the new laws:

Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act

The law requires the Maryland State Department of Education to issue statewide guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in public schools. Local school systems are given a 120-day countdown from the publication of these state guidelines to formally adopt their own matching AI policies, assign a central-office AI coordinator, and incorporate AI literacy into standard computer science and workforce-preparation coursework.

Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement

This law requires landlords of apartment buildings with 10 or more individual dwelling units to provide air-conditioning. For newly constructed units, the requirement begins on June 1, 2026. For existing units, landlords must provide air-conditioning if they previously equipped the unit with it or if the lease required it, starting June 1, 2026. Additionally, for units undergoing renovation that involves replacing or substantially upgrading electrical or heating systems, the air-conditioning requirement begins on October 1, 2026. During the cooling season, from June 1 to September 30, landlords must ensure that the temperature in habitable spaces within the unit does not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, either by maintaining it directly or by ensuring the tenant-controlled system is capable of doing so. The bill will not affect construction or renovations for which building permits were issued before the act’s effective date of June 1, 2026.

Authority at Polling Places

This law grants the State Elections Administrator and local election directors the ability to direct law-enforcement authorities inside polling environments. These election officials can now independently order the arrest of any individual who disrupts the peace or attempts to intimidate voters. It also updates rules for partisan “challengers and watchers,” allowing election officials to limit their access to polling places.

 

The DECADE Act

The DECADE Act aims to expand Maryland’s toolkit for recruiting and keeping businesses by increasing the size and flexibility of state economic development grants, loans and tax incentives, extending several business tax credit programs and creating new incentives tied to technology, research and redevelopment projects. The law also exempts certain information technology services and digital products from the state sales tax and allows the state to put more money into major economic development deals through a renamed “Strategic Closing Fund.” Importantly, state agencies must evaluate whether some of these tax credits and incentive programs are actually producing jobs, investment and economic growth, rather than continuing indefinitely without review.

Criminal background checks for health occupations

This law institutes a mandatory criminal history records check across many industries. Moving forward, state boards will require fingerprinting and state/federal background checks for practicing acupuncturists, dentists and dental hygienists, dietitians, nutritionists, environmental health specialists, morticians, funeral directors, pharmacists, physical therapists, podiatrists, and psychologists.

State procurement reauthorizations

This law extends Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise program and continuing requirements that state agencies consider minority-owned businesses in certain contracting, licensing and development programs, including some tied to cannabis, offshore wind, public-private partnerships and sports wagering.

Hospitals - Immigration Enforcement Action - Policy Requirement

This bill requires hospitals in Maryland to develop and implement a policy that outlines their procedures when immigration enforcement actions occur on hospital grounds, ensuring patient privacy and the safety of everyone present. Hospitals must make this policy accessible to all their staff members and provide annual training to ensure staff understand and can follow it.

Property Tax Credit - Urban Agricultural Property – The law i alters the eligibility and termination procedures for a property tax credit designed to support urban agricultural property. The bill expands the definition of “urban agricultural purposes” to include activities like hydroponics and other soilless farming methods, beekeeping, raising livestock, composting, creating pollinator habitats, and agricultural education and agritourism. Crucially, if a county or municipality decides to terminate this tax credit, they must now provide at least one year’s advance notice to the public and offer an opportunity for public comment and appeal before doing so, ensuring a more transparent process for those benefiting from the credit.

Climate Change, Homeowner's Insurance, and Emergency Management - Study

This bill mandates that the University of Maryland conduct a comprehensive study to examine the connections between climate change, the availability and cost of homeowner's insurance, and how well communities are prepared for emergencies and disasters. The research will specifically look into how climate change affects insurance costs and availability, the impact of federal disaster preparedness policies, how federal funding supports emergency management, and what local funds are available for disaster recovery. By July 1, 2027, the University System must report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, which will include an overview of the National Flood Insurance Program and private flood insurance markets, and propose actions such as tax credits or grants to encourage homeowners to make their homes more resilient to extreme weather, potential changes to insurance laws to reward policyholders who invest in resilience, and best practices for funding emergency management.

 

Child Labor Penalties, Private Sector Employee Labor Relations, and State Employee Labor Standards

This bill significantly revises Maryland's labor laws by increasing penalties for child labor violations, establishing new rules for private sector employee labor relations, and setting standards for state employees. Specifically, it introduces substantial civil penalties for employers who violate child labor laws, with fines potentially reaching over $70,000 per violation, and these penalties will be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also prohibits employers from forming certain types of workplace organizations that are employer-initiated, involve supervisors and employees in addressing working conditions, can be unilaterally dissolved by the employer, and are exempt from federal labor laws like the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Furthermore, it empowers private employees to petition the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) to resolve labor disputes if the NLRA is repealed or the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) cedes jurisdiction, allowing PERB to handle representation petitions, unfair labor practice cases, and certify employee organizations.

 

[Most of this material was taken from the Baltimore Sun and MD State Bar Association: https://www.msba.org/site/content/News-and-Publications/News/General-News/2026-Legislative-Wrap-Up-Laws-Effective-June-1-2026.aspx .]

 

 

Bills That Passed the General Assembly

            The 2025 General Assembly has finished, and 884 bills passed both chambers and are being sent to the Governor for his signature.  (Over 340 bills were passed in the final 72 hours of the session.)  Here are just a few of the bills I’ve been following that passed the General Assembly and were sent to the Governor.  It is expected that he will sign most of the bills.  (Here is a list of all the bills that passed the General Assembly in 2026:  https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Report?id=passedByBoth

 

Consumer Protection

 

The Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Predatory Pricing Act HB 895– prohibits a food retailer from engaging in dynamic pricing or using consumer surveillance data to set a price for goods or services.

 

Cash Payment Bill (HB 191): Requires Maryland retail stores to accept cash for essential consumer goods between 6 AM and 10 PM.

 

Criminal Justice

 

Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking SB 294 It mandates the redaction of identifying information for sexual assault/stalking victims from court records.

 

Youth Charging Reform Act - SB323 - The bill requires 16- and 17-year-olds charged with 12 offenses–including murder and carjacking – begin their cases in adult court. Other charges will now start in juvenile court. It also ends the automatic adult charging of 14- and 15-year-olds, starting all cases in juvenile court.

 

Protecting Artists’ Creative Expression (PACE) Act (SB 475): Limits the use of an artist's creative expression, such as rap lyrics, as evidence in criminal cases unless there is a direct nexus to the crime.

 

 

Democracy

 

Violation of Constitutional Rights (No Kings Act) SB 346 Lets people in Maryland sue in civil court if a federal agent violates their constitutional rights.

 

Education

           

Phone Free School Act HB 525- requires each county board of education to implement a policy limiting the student cell phone use during the school day.

 

Elections

 

*Voting Rights Bill – SB 255 would prohibit a municipality or county from attempting to block a protected class from electing their candidate of choice or influencing a local election by diluting the group’s vote.

 

 

Local Board of Elections Employees SB 670/HB 1001– Authority at Polling Places Gives local election board employees authority over on‑duty police officers.

Both versions of the Bill passed.

 

Energy

 

Utility RELIEF Act HR 1532 will make electric bills more affordable (by at least $150 annually) by strengthening oversight of utilities, limiting excessive utility executive compensation from being passed onto customers, reforming rate-setting practices, and ensuring large energy users (e.g. data centers) pay for the infrastructure needed to support their demand.

 

Environment

             

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Regulation (HB 925), which requires the Maryland Department of the Environment to regulate the amount of PFAS (Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances) that can be used in biosolids that are applied on agricultural land. This bill is critical for protecting not only the health of our agricultural community and the environment, but also for every Marylander.

 

 

Health

 

Vax Act: Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services – HB 637/S835 - bill to grant the state health secretary authority to issue vaccine recommendations based on guidance from national medical societies, state health groups and federal agencies — a response to the narrowing of vaccine recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

 

Housing

 

*Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act – HB 894 - aims to accelerate transit-oriented development (TOD) by rezoning 300+ acres of state-owned land, eliminating parking minimums near transit, and encouraging mixed-use, affordable housing projects to increase ridership and housing supply.

 

*Short term Rental Safety Act – HB 1221 - would require Airbnb and other short-term rentals to have fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors.  Unfortunately, Marylanders have died in short-term rentals that didn't have proper safety features.

Immigration

 

*Non-Cooperation with ICE Agents: SB245/HB 444 has already passed the General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Moore.

 

*Private Immigration Detention Facilities - Zoning Requirement HB 1017 - Prohibiting the State or a unit of local government from approving the use of a building or structure as an immigration detention facility by a private entity. 

 

 

*Digitally Unmasking Agents for Lawsuits - HB351 allows residents & the Attorney General to sue government agents for violating your rights. If the agents are anonymous, the bill uses police technology to help identify who to sue. 

 

*Removal of Face Masks from ICE Agents: SB1 would prohibit face coverings on law enforcement officials working in the state, including ICE agents who are typically masked.

             

*Community Trust Act – SB 791 - limits state and local cooperation with ICE. The law prohibits law enforcement from inquiring about or enforcing federal immigration laws unless a judicial warrant is provided, focusing local resources on public safety.

 

Labor

 

Collective bargaining rights for non-tenured professors at the University of Maryland: SB 6:

 

Collective bargaining rights for graduate students at the University of Maryland: HB  141

 

Arbitration Reform for State Employees HB604/SB 28: proposes to reform collective bargaining for state employees by introducing binding arbitration to resolve impasses.

 

Maryland Worker Freedom Act – SB 417: Prohibiting employers from taking certain actions against an employee or applicant for employment because the employee or applicant takes certain actions regarding employer-sponsored meetings during which the employer communicates the opinion of the employer regarding religious matters or political matters.  Passed the Senate

 

Renters

 

Air Conditioning Requirements for Rental Apartments -SB12 This bill requires landlords to provide functioning air conditioning in larger apartment buildings.

 

Discrimination in Housing - Income-Based Housing Subsidies – HB 315/SB 335 – This bill would prohibit a landlord may not refuse to rent to a prospective tenant who pays rent with the assistance of an income-based housing subsidy. 

 

Safe and Health Homes for All Act- HB 1218/SB941 - Requiring the State to develop a plan to identify severe health and safety risk properties and take related actions; and requiring the Department to submit the plan and certain recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before August 31, 2027

 

Social Justice

 

Cheltenham Veterans Center – HB 552 calls for an investigation of property near the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Prince George’s County that may hold unmarked graves of youth from the former House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children

 

Placement of Foster Children: HB 1559 will prohibit the placement of foster children in unlicensed settings such as hotels, homeless shelters, and social services offices.

 

Transportation

 

Out of State Plates - Improper Registration (SB 111) seeks to address the issue of improper vehicle registration by authorizing the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to take possession of registration cards and plates issued by other states but used by Maryland residents who should have Maryland plates. It also prohibits title agencies from selling non-Maryland registration cards and plates within the State. HB 212 gives the MVA the authority to enforce our state’s registration laws and collect the fees it needs to fund other important initiatives.

 

The Clear Before You Drive Act (HB 474) requires Maryland drivers to clear accumulated precipitation off their vehicles before operating them. Eight-year-old District 16 resident Lucy testified in favor of the bill, in which she recalled driving on I-270 with her father, when they narrowly avoided a chunk of snow that flew off a vehicle in front of them. Lucy learned that there was no pertinent Maryland legislation and thus decided to take action.