ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A wide-ranging set of Maryland laws will take effect on October 1, 2025, covering consumer privacy, criminal justice, state holidays, procurement, real estate, family law, landlord–tenant rules, and other areas.
The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act of 2024 imposes new limits on how covered businesses collect and use personal data, and grants residents the right to access and delete certain information.
Criminal justice changes include the Expungement Reform Act of 2025, which shortens waiting periods for some expungements, expands eligibility to clear certain offenses, and limits what appears in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search.
The Maryland Second Look Act allows some people convicted between the ages of 18 and 24 who have served at least 20 years to petition a court for a reduced sentence.
In business and finance, the Maryland Uniform Disposition of Abandoned Property Act – Revisions explicitly covers virtual currency and updates several administrative rules.
Procurement rules change under HB 508, which requires state or state-aided entities to ensure certain janitorial products under qualifying contracts are packaged or repackaged by Blind Industries and Services of Maryland.
Real estate professionals face updated continuing-education requirements in SB 680, which increases fair housing training hours, combines certain courses, and requires ADA-related content for commercial practitioners.
Family law will also see some new shifts under HB 1191. This bill codifies certain factors that courts must consider in legal and physical custody determinations.
Employment law changes include SB 785 / HB 1340, clarifying parental leave obligations for employers already covered by federal law, and the Employment and Insurance Equality for Service Members Act (HB 895), expanding protections for members of the uniformed services in labor, insurance, and employment.
Renters and landlords will also see changes next month. HB 273 caps late rent penalties at 5% of the unpaid rent, rather than the total due.
HB 767 requires landlords to notify tenants when a court issues a warrant of restitution and clarifies procedures in eviction cases. Additional measures require landlords to provide written notice before entering a rental unit and to disclose pet policies clearly in lease applications and property postings.
Together, these laws represent some of the most significant updates from the 2025 Legislative Session, and they will officially take effect on October 1.
The 2026 Legislative Session is slated to begin on January 14, 2026.
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Here they go again! Delete SB-139 immediately! You already have Juneteenth! You do not need another race based holiday!
Thank you! Another racist heard from
You don’t think it’s racist, or at the least, patronizing that the government keeps making race based holidays? Does Juneteenth fix racism??? Does Juneteenth solve police brutality, systemic oppression, reparations, anything?!? Or is it a distraction to make POCs feel better while nothing gets solved. You and everyone else should also not want this.
has it been made so that industrys + professionals have to post their rates on their websites? Prices. Attorneys still do not have their prices on their websites\ or %s. What they charge. If its 1/3, if its 1/2, if its 1/4, its a %. There are professionals\ industrys that think they’re exempt from putting their rates on their websites.
Is there a new law in regards to MD driver’s license for ages 70 and above !? If so, what is it entail for the people who are 70 and above?
You have to take a vision test upon renewal.
This is a very helpful breakdown of the new Maryland laws taking effect on October 1, 2025. I appreciate how it covers such a wide range of areas—from data privacy and criminal justice reforms to landlord–tenant updates and family law changes. The clarity on real estate and employment rules is especially useful for professionals and residents alike. Articles like this make it much easier to stay informed about important legislative updates.