Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB415: Business Regulation - Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law - Alterations (Franchise Reform Act)
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Altering the period of time within which the Securities Commissioner in the Office of the Attorney General may exercise a power under certain provisions of law governing the sale of franchises; altering the period of time within which an action for liability under a certain provision of law pertaining to franchise offers for sale must be brought; providing that all franchisees have a right to join a trade association consisting of franchisees of the same franchise and to participate in the trade association for any lawful purpose; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Business Regulation - Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law - Alterations (Franchise Reform Act) FOR the purpose of altering the period of time within which the Securities Commissioner in the Office of the Attorney General may exercise a power under certain provisions of law governing the sale of franchises; requiring the Securities Commissioner to require that a certain franchise registration exemption be indexed to inflation or deflation based on a certain index…
From the enrolled text, May 18, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Business Regulation - Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law - Alterations (Franchise Reform Act) FOR the purpose of altering the period of time within which the Securities Commissioner in the Office of the Attorney General may exercise a power under certain provisions of law governing the sale of franchises; requiring the Securities Commissioner to require that a certain franchise registration exemption be indexed to inflation or deflation based on a certain index; altering the period of time within which an action for liability under a certain provision of law pertaining to franchise offers for sale must be brought; prohibiting a franchisor and certain others from inhibiting the right of franchisees to associate for certain purposes; providing that an action may be brought against a certain franchisor under certain circumstances; establishing the Maryland Franchise Disclosure Document Renewal Fast-Track Review Pilot Program and generally relating to the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Act. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Business Regulation Section 14-102, 14-202, 14-210, 14-214, 14-227, and 14-233 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Business Regulation Section 14-219.1 and 14-233 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read …