Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB557: Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination Review Process
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Providing that "department" does not include the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for purposes of certain provisions prohibiting a department from refusing to issue an occupational license or certificate based on a certain conviction under certain circumstances; establishing a predetermination review process for occupational licenses and certificates in certain departments of State government; authorizing a department to charge a criminal history review fee of up to $100; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination Review Process FOR the purpose of providing that "department" does not include the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for purposes of certain provisions prohibiting a department from refusing to issue an occupational license or certificate based on a certain conviction under certain circumstances; establishing a predetermination review process for occupational licenses and certificates in certain departments of State government…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination Review Process FOR the purpose of providing that "department" does not include the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for purposes of certain provisions prohibiting a department from refusing to issue an occupational license or certificate based on a certain conviction under certain circumstances; establishing a predetermination review process for occupational licenses and certificates in certain departments of State government; and generally relating to occupational licensing and certification. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Criminal Procedure Section 1-209 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Criminal Procedure 1-209. (a) (1) In this section, "department" (ii) the Department of the Environment; (iii) the Maryland Department of Health; (iv) the Department of Human Services; OR (v) the Maryland Department of Labor[; or (vi) the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services]. (2) "Department" includes any unit of a department specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection. Ch. 302 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (b) This section does not apply to a person who: (1) was previously convicted of a crime of violence, as defined in § 14-101 of the Criminal Law Article; OR (2) IS APPLYING FOR …