The Brief
- Several new Maryland laws take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, impacting health care, homeownership protections, workers and patients.
- Major changes include firefighter cancer screenings, pediatric hospital transfer rules, expanded hearing aid coverage and restrictions on step-therapy for key medications.
- New rules also affect tax sale protections for heirs, rideshare driver earnings transparency and home-care worker classification.
MARYLAND – With the new year approaching, dozens of Maryland laws are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The updates cover health care, housing protections, insurance requirements and employment rules that will impact residents across the state.
New laws taking effect January 1
Homeowners and heirs receive new tax-sale protections — HB
Maryland’s HB 0059 strengthens protections for homeowners and heirs at risk of losing property through a tax sale. Beginning Jan. 1, counties must withhold certain owner-occupied homes and properties lived in by heirs from tax sale and create a registry that lets families formally flag their properties for protection.
The law also expands statewide rules that prevent low-balance tax debts from triggering a sale and updates notice and redemption requirements so owners and heirs have clearer information and more time to resolve tax issues before losing their homes.
Domestic violence awareness training required for barbers and cosmetologists — HB 1547…