15 Maryland laws taking effect July 1 that you should know

Nearly 350 new Maryland laws take effect Wednesday, bringing changes to everyday things impacting Marylanders, including electric bills, health insurance, schools, housing, workplace protections and consumer safety.

Most of the measures were passed during the 2026 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore. Many of the provisions will be phased in over months or years as agencies, insurers and local governments implement them.

Here are 15 of the most significant changes Maryland residents should know about.

Lowering costs for consumers

Several laws taking effect July 1 aim to reduce costs for Maryland residents.

The remaining provisions of the Utility RELIEF Act take effect, including new rules intended to lower electricity costs over time. Much of the measure took effect immediately after Moore signed it on May 12 because it was designated emergency legislation. The remaining provisions require large energy users, including data centers, to pay for electric grid upgrades tied to their demand, prohibit utilities from charging customers for executive bonuses and change how regulators review utility rates. Lawmakers estimate the package will reduce residential electric bills by at least $150 annually.

Additional provisions of the DECADE Act also take effect after parts of the law took effect on June 1. Among the new changes, certain software, digital products and information technology services will no longer be subject to Maryland’s sales tax, while the state expands incentives aimed at attracting and retaining businesses.

Hunters who donate venison to charity will also benefit from a larger tax incentive and can now claim a state tax credit of up to $600, double the previous maximum.

Expanding health care access

Several new laws expand access to health care and insurance coverage.

The VAX Act allows Maryland to establish its own vaccine recommendations independent of changing federal guidance. Health insurers must cover vaccines recommended by the state, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs.

Another law requires insurers to cover evaluations and treatment related to menopause and perimenopause while expanding healthcare provider training.

Maryland is also expanding protections for Medicare recipients. A law introduced as House Bill 275 and Senate Bill 134 creates additional opportunities for certain residents to enroll in Medicare supplement, or Medigap, insurance plans during special enrollment periods.

The CROWN and Care Act strengthens enforcement against the sale, manufacture, delivery and possession of certain cosmetic products containing harmful hair chemicals and directs the state to study illnesses linked to those ingredients.

Changes for schools and students

Families will also see several new education-related policies.

Public school systems must adopt policies restricting students’ use of personal electronic devices during the school day by the 2027-28 school year. Local school systems will decide how those policies are enforced, although students cannot be suspended or expelled solely for violating them.

The state is also strengthening educator screening by requiring school systems to use a national clearinghouse before hiring licensed teachers, helping identify applicants with disciplinary histories in other states.

Another law, introduced as bipartisan-led House Bill 329 and Senate Bill 81, explicitly prohibits school resource officers from engaging in sexual activity with students at schools where they are assigned.

In Prince George’s County, public high schools will begin providing drink-spiking detection products and drug-detection strips to students at no cost, starting in the 2026-27 school year.

Non-tenure-track faculty at Maryland’s public colleges and universities also gain collective bargaining rights under a law originally introduced as Senate Bill 6.

Housing and careers

Two new laws aim to improve housing safety and expand employment opportunities.

One, introduced as Senate Bill 941 and House Bill 1218, requires state housing officials to develop a process for identifying rental properties with serious health or safety violations and publish a public list of those properties by August 31, 2027.

Another, House Bill 557, allows people with criminal records to request an early determination about whether a conviction would prevent them from obtaining certain occupational licenses before investing in training or education.

Animal welfare

Maryland is banning the commercial slaughter of racehorses and prohibiting their sale or transportation when they are destined for slaughter, marking one of the state’s most significant animal welfare measures approved this year.

Have a news tip? Contact Mennatalla Ibrahim at [email protected].

©2026 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.