The 2025 Maryland legislative session is over, so here’s an update on the bills we supported!
We’re proud of all we did to support legislation that will Maryland a better place to live and work, and thankful to the many 1199 members who submitted testimony and even came out to Annapolis to testify in person.
Sponsors: Delegate Ashanti Martinez and Senator Jim Rosapepe
The Maryland Department of Health will conduct a study on all Maryland nursing home cost reports to identify what percentage of their revenue is currently spent on direct care staff wages and benefits.
Sponsors: Delegate Heather Bagnall and Senator Dawn Gile
The IPAG will include home care workers, consumers, and providers who will recommend Medicaid rates that are adequate for sufficient wages, identify issues facing the workforce, and provide recommendations on how to improve Medicaid’s home and community-based services programs to policymakers.
Sponsors: Delegate Bonnie Cullison and Senator Dawn Gile
Expands the authority of Maryland's Prescription Drug Affordability Board to allow it to set upper payment limits for all Marylanders.
Sponsor: Delegate Lesley Lopez
This bill establishes a fund for uninsured and underinsured individuals seeking abortions. Providers report a growing crisis as increasing numbers of patients are unable to pay for services. Funding will come from $25 million in unspent insurance premiums accumulated over the last 10 years.
Sponsor: Delegate Terri Hill
Will require the Maryland Department of Health to submit a report to the legislature on its plan to establish an online home care directory.
Sponsors: Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr and Senator Clarence Lam
HB 1020 will ensure that medical debt is not on consumer reports, and SB 981 prohibits hospitals from filing civil action on medical debt at or below $500.
Sponsor: Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes
Ensures continuity of care when a patient is referred to a nonparticipating provider, prohibits insurance companies from imposing prior authorization in those cases, requires Maryland Health Care Commission to establish reimbursement rates for nonparticipating providers.
Sponsors: Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary and Senator Guy Guzzone
Removes certain homes from tax sale when the taxes consist only of a lien for unpaid water and sewer service.
Requires Maryland landlords to provide renters advance notice before eviction and the opportunity to reclaim their possessions. 46 other states have similar laws on the books.
Prevents utility companies like BGE from using ratepayer money to lobby and enrich themselves.
This bill allows sensitive locations like churches and schools to set their own immigration enforcement policies. It also includes privacy protections for migrant data. A provision prohibiting local police from acting as immigrant agents did not make it in the final passage.
Allows individuals to petition a court to determine whether they are eligible to have their criminal records expunged.
Sponsors: Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo and Senator Katie Fry Hester
This legislation, which was written to support Maryland’s natural disaster recovery planning by asking fossil fuel companies to pay the state a one-time fee, passed as a study which will assess the total cost of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
Sponsors: Delegate Vaughn Stewart and Senators Ferguson, Lewis Young, and Simonaire
Excludes waste incineration from the renewable energy portfolio, preventing incineration companies from receiving tax credits.
New tax brackets have been added for individuals earning at least $500,000 and $1,000,000 a year; a 2% capital gains tax on those earning more than $350,000 passed; itemized deductions will no longer be available for those earning over $200,000.
Would address housing discrimination against individuals with criminal records seeking to rent or access public housing.
Sponsors: Delegate Jennifer White Holland and Senator Malcolm Augustine
Would establish safe staffing committees at Maryland hospitals composed of at least 50% of direct care workers. Committees would create staffing plans that would be submitted to the legislature annually beginning in 2029.
Sponsor: Senator Shelly Hettleman
Would authorize community-based organizations to establish overdose prevention services programs across Maryland. Trained professionals would provide supervision to individuals using drugs and help them access treatment.
Would ensure housing stability for renters by requiring landlords to cite a good reason for evicting any tenant.
Sponsors: Delegates Joe Vogel, Adrian Boafo, and Vaughn Stewart
Would end subminimum wages for tipped workers in Maryland.
Sponsor: Delegate Mark Edelson
Would ensure that the state's transportation plans align with Maryland’s goals of reducing climate pollution and expanding clean transportation options.
