This morning Governor Wes Moore, along with Senate President Bill Ferguson and Speaker of the House Joseline Peña-Melnyk, signed nearly 200 bills into law. The measures span a range of policy areas, including voting rights, child welfare oversight, immigration-related procedures, and consumer protections. Several provisions are set to take effect immediately and others are scheduled for future implementation. “At a time when our people are being squeezed by the cost of everything, especially groceries, Maryland is not just pushing back, but pushing forward,” said Gov. Moore in regard to the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, which was a priority this session for the Administration. In addition to these statewide measures, several bills of interest to our clients were signed into law, including HB 1247 and HB 1483, which Manis, Canning & Associates lobbied in support of on behalf of our clients – the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
A complete list of bills signed today can be found here.
Key Legislation signed on Tuesday include:
Tax Increment Financing – Extraordinary Development District – Alterations (HB 1247)
HB 1247 modifies Maryland’s tax increment financing (TIF) framework in Prince George’s County to support large-scale development projects by expanding the definition of an “extraordinary development district” to include immersive entertainment venues and allowing TIF bond proceeds to be used for their acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation. The bill also authorizes the use of certain tax revenues as security for those bonds and provides additional flexibility around zoning and transportation approvals to facilitate these projects. One key benefit of this legislation is that it enables the county to attract and finance major economic development projects, which can generate new tax revenue, create jobs, and stimulate surrounding economic activity.
HB 1483 allows certain out-of-state licensed counselors and social workers to continue treating their existing clients via telehealth when those clients temporarily relocate to Maryland, without requiring full in-state licensure, for up to six months to ensure continuity of care. The bill replaces the prior temporary telehealth licensing structure with a more targeted exemption for established client-provider relationships, provided the practitioner remains in good standing in their home state. Notably, this legislation prevents disruptions in mental health care by allowing patients to maintain relationships with trusted providers during transitional periods, such as moving or returning to Maryland, without gaps in treatment.
The Voting Rights Act of 2026 (SB 255)
This law is intended to limit the ability of local governments to implement election practices that could negatively affect voters or influence election outcomes. It also establishes a mechanism for residents and the state’s Attorney General to challenge local election systems if they believe voting power, particularly among racial or language minority groups, has been diminished. The law is designed to operate alongside the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. Due to this bill being classified as emergency legislation, upon being signed this morning it is now in effect.
This bill introduces reforms to Maryland’s child welfare system following the death of a teenager in state care. The law prohibits the placement of children in unlicensed settings such as hotels or offices, expands background check requirements for individuals in guardian households, and establishes an independent ombudsman to review complaints and oversee child welfare practices. It also creates a guardianship assistance program for eligible caregivers. These changes follow findings from the Maryland Department of Human Services identifying gaps in supervision and care. The provisions under this law will take effect on October 1, 2027.
Protection From Predatory Pricing Act (HB 895)
This Administration bill restricts the use of dynamic or “surveillance” pricing in grocery stores and delivery platforms, including the use of personal data to adjust prices for individual consumers. It also limits the use of technologies that allow for rapid, demand-based price changes. The law is intended to promote pricing transparency and consistency for consumers and will take effect on October 1.
Additional legislation signed today expands existing immigration-related protections under the Maryland Values Act (SB 810). The updates require federal immigration enforcement officers to present a valid judicial warrant before entering sensitive locations such as schools, libraries, and certain government buildings. The law also adds school bus stops to the list of protected locations, requires school personnel to notify leadership of enforcement activity, and prohibits school employees from assisting in immigration enforcement. These provisions are effective immediately.
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/Governor-Moore-Signs-Legislation-to-Protect-Marylanders%e2%80%99-Pocketbooks-in-Grocery-Stores,-Safeguard-Voting-Rights,-and-Streng.aspx
