EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0895*
HOUSE BILL 895
P1, C2, C4 5lr3011
CF SB 279
By: Delegate Rogers
Introduced and read first time: January 30, 2025
Assigned to: Economic Matters
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Employment and Insurance Equality for Service Members Act 2
FOR the purpose of establishing rules of interpretation related to the uniformed services; 3
altering the rule of interpretation for “veteran”; altering the application of certain 4
provisions of law governing the regulation of business, economic development, 5
insurance, and labor and employment to apply to all uniformed services, rather than 6
only the armed forces; and generally relating to veterans and uniformed services. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 9
Section 1–101(a), 7–101(a), and 7–308(c)(1) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY adding to 13
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 14
Section 1–101(a–1) and 7–101(f) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 19
Section 7–308(d) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 23
Article – Business Regulation 24
Section 1–101(a), 2.5–105(b)(2), and 5–803(a)(1) 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2024 Replacement Volume) 27 2 HOUSE BILL 895
BY adding to 1
Article – Business Regulation 2
Section 1–101(a–1), (j), and (k) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2024 Replacement Volume) 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Business Regulation 7
Section 2.5–101, 2.5–103, 2.5–104, 2.5–105(a) and (b)(1), (3), and (4), 8
2.5–106(a) and (b), 5–803(a)(5), 12–302(a)(4)(ii)1., 15–204(b)(2), 19–207(a) and 9
(b)(1), and 19–502 through 19–504 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2024 Replacement Volume) 12
BY repealing 13
Article – Business Regulation 14
Section 5–803(a)(4) and 19–501 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2024 Replacement Volume) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 18
Article – Commercial Law 19
Section 14–1201(a) and 14–1212.2(a)(1) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
BY adding to 23
Article – Commercial Law 24
Section 14–1201(f–1) 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 27
BY repealing 28
Article – Commercial Law 29
Section 14–1201(n) 30
Annotated Code of Maryland 31
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 32
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 33
Article – Commercial Law 34
Section 14–1201(o) and 14–1212.2(a)(2) 35
Annotated Code of Maryland 36
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 37
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 38
Article – Economic Development 39 HOUSE BILL 895 3
Section 5–1001, 5–1002, 5–1003(1), and 5–1006(a) to be under the amended subtitle 1
“Subtitle 10. Uniformed Services Personnel and Veteran–Owned Small 2
Business No–Interest Loan Program”; and 6–301(e) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 5
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
Article – Economic Development 7
Section 6–301(a) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 11
Article – Financial Institutions 12
Section 1–101(a) and 12–119(b)(1) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
BY adding to 16
Article – Financial Institutions 17
Section 1–101(y) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – Financial Institutions 22
Section 11–612.2(a), (b), and (c) and 12–119(b)(2)(iv) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 25
BY adding to 26
Article – General Provisions 27
Section 1–101.1, 1–101.2, 1–103.1, 1–114.1, 1–114.2, and 1–116 28
Annotated Code of Maryland 29
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 30
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 31
Article – General Provisions 32
Section 1–117 33
Annotated Code of Maryland 34
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 35
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 36
Article – Insurance 37
Section 1–101(a), 1–203.1(a)(1) and (3)(i) and (ii), and 10–101(a) 38
Annotated Code of Maryland 39
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 40 4 HOUSE BILL 895
BY adding to 1
Article – Insurance 2
Section 1–101(a–1) and (rr–1) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Insurance 7
Section 1–203.1(a)(3)(iii)1., 8–404(a)(6), 10–101(o), 10–111, 10–116.1(f)(1), 8
10–408.1(b), 18–109(b)(8)(iii), 20–502(c), and 27–501(o) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2017 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 12
Article – Labor and Employment 13
Section 1–101(a), 8–1001(a), 8.3–101(a), 8.3–403(c)(1), and 11–503(a) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
BY adding to 17
Article – Labor and Employment 18
Section 1–101(a–1), (d–1), (d–2), and (f) and 8.3–101(a–1) and (g–1) 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 22
Article – Labor and Employment 23
Section 3–708, 3–714, 3–803(b), 8–906, 8–1001(c)(1)(iii), 8.3–101(g) and (m), 24
8.3–302(4) and (5), 8.3–403(c)(2)(ii) and (vi)1., 8.3–701(a)(1)(iv) and (v), 25
8.3–702(d), and 11–503(b)(6) and (7) 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 28
BY repealing 29
Article – Labor and Employment 30
Section 8.3–101(p) 31
Annotated Code of Maryland 32
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 33
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 34
Article – State Finance and Procurement 35
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)83. and 14–601(b) 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 38
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 39 HOUSE BILL 895 5
Article – State Finance and Procurement 1
Section 14–601(a) 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 3
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 4
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 5
Article – State Government 6
Section 9–901 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF M ARYLAND, 10
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 11
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 12
1–101. 13
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
(A–1) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 15
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 16
7–101. 17
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 18
(F) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 19
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 20
7–308. 21
(c) (1) Before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an 22
additional 2–year term, if the licensee: 23
(i) otherwise is entitled to be licensed; 24
(ii) except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, pays to the 25
Board a renewal fee of $100; and 26
(iii) submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that the 27
Board provides. 28
(d) A licensee serving on active duty in the [armed forces of the United States] 29
UNIFORMED SERVICES is exempt from the renewal fee required by this section. 30
6 HOUSE BILL 895
Article – Business Regulation 1
1–101. 2
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(A–1) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF 4
THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 5
(J) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 6
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 7
(K) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 8
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 9
2.5–101. 10
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 11
(B) (1) “ELIGIBLE SPOUSE ” MEANS THE SPOUSE OF AN ACTIVE SERVICE 12
MEMBER OR AN ELIGIB LE VETERAN. 13
(2) “ELIGIBLE SPOUSE ” INCLUDES THE SURVIVI NG SPOUSE OF: 14
(I) AN ELIGIBLE VETERAN ; OR 15
(II) AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER WHO DIED BEFORE THE DATE 16
ON WHICH THE APPLICA TION FOR A LICENSE I S SUBMITTED. 17
(C) “ELIGIBLE VETERAN ” MEANS A VETERAN WHO WAS DISCHARGED F ROM 18
ACTIVE DUTY BEFORE T HE DATE ON WHICH THE APPLICATION FOR A LI CENSE IS 19
SUBMITTED. 20
[(b)] (D) (1) “License” means any grant of authority to an individual to 21
practice an occupation or profession. 22
(2) “License” includes a certificate, permit, or registration. 23
[(c) (1) “Military spouse” means the spouse of a service member or veteran. 24
(2) “Military spouse” includes a surviving spouse of: 25
(i) a veteran; or 26
HOUSE BILL 895 7
(ii) a service member who died before the date on which the 1
application for a license is submitted. 2
(d) “Service member” means an individual who is an active duty member of: 3
(1) the armed forces of the United States; 4
(2) a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; or 5
(3) the National Guard of any state.] 6
(e) “Unit” means a unit in the Department that is authorized to issue a license. 7
[(f) “Veteran” means a former service member who was discharged from active 8
duty under circumstances other than dishonorable before the date on which the application 9
for a license is submitted.] 10
2.5–103. 11
A unit may allow an individual licensee who is [a] AN ACTIVE SERVICE member [of 12
an armed force] deployed outside the State to: 13
(1) renew the license after the expiration of the renewal period without 14
payment of a penalty or reinstatement fee if the late renewal is a direct result of the 15
deployment; and 16
(2) complete any continuing education or continuing competency 17
requirements for renewal within a reasonable time after renewing the license. 18
2.5–104. 19
(a) In calculating an individual’s years of practice in an occupation or a profession, 20
each unit shall give credit to the individual for all relevant experience as [a] AN ACTIVE 21
service member. 22
(b) Each unit shall credit any training and education provided by the [military] 23
UNIFORMED SERVICES and completed by [a] AN ACTIVE service member toward any 24
training or education requirements for licensure if the training or education is determined 25
by the unit to be: 26
(1) substantially equivalent to the training or education required by the 27
unit; and 28
(2) not otherwise contrary to any other licensing requirement. 29
2.5–105. 30 8 HOUSE BILL 895
(a) (1) Each unit shall issue an expedited license to [a] AN ACTIVE service 1
member, ELIGIBLE veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse who meets the requirements 2
of this section. 3
(2) If [a] AN ACTIVE service member, ELIGIBLE veteran, or [military] 4
ELIGIBLE spouse meets the requirements for licensure, a unit shall issue the license within 5
60 days after receiving a completed application. 6
(b) An application for a license shall include the following, in the form and 7
manner required by the unit: 8
(1) proof that the applicant is [a] AN ACTIVE service member, ELIGIBLE 9
veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse; 10
(2) proof that: 11
(i) the applicant has held a valid license in good standing issued in 12
another state for at least 1 year; and 13
(ii) each valid license held by the applicant issued in another state 14
is in good standing; 15
(3) if the applicant is [a] AN ACTIVE service member or ELIGIBLE veteran, 16
proof that the applicant is assigned to a duty station in the State or has established legal 17
residence in the State; 18
(4) if the applicant is a [military] ELIGIBLE spouse, proof that the 19
applicant’s spouse is assigned to a duty station in the State or has established legal 20
residence in the State; 21
2.5–106. 22
(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a unit may issue a temporary 23
license to [a] AN ACTIVE service member, ELIGIBLE veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE 24
spouse who has held a valid license in good standing issued in another state for less than 1 25
year, provided that each valid license held by the ACTIVE service member, ELIGIBLE 26
veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse is in good standing. 27
(b) A temporary license issued under this section authorizes the ACTIVE service 28
member, ELIGIBLE veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse, for a limited period of time, as 29
determined by the unit, to perform services regulated by the unit while the ACTIVE service 30
member, ELIGIBLE veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse completes additional 31
requirements for licensure in this State. 32
5–803. 33 HOUSE BILL 895 9
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
[(4) “Veteran” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government 2
Article.] 3
[(5)] (4) “Veterans service organization” means an association or other 4
entity organized for the benefit of veterans that has been recognized by the U.S. 5
Department of Veterans Affairs or chartered by Congress and any employee or 6
representative of the association or entity. 7
12–302. 8
(a) In addition to any other information required by the Secretary, the records of 9
a dealer shall include: 10
(4) for each individual from whom the dealer acquires a precious metal 11
object: 12
(ii) identification information about the individual that: 13
1. positively identifies the individual from at least 2 forms of 14
identification, which may include an age of majority card, [military] UNIFORMED 15
SERVICES identification, or passport; and 16
15–204. 17
(b) An innkeeper may require each guest at a lodging establishment to register 18
and may require the guest to produce: 19
(2) a valid [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES identification card; 20
19–207. 21
(a) A person may not falsely impersonate an officer or member of a [military] 22
UNIFORMED SERVICES or patriotic organization, grand or subordinate lodge, or fraternal 23
or sororal society that is chartered or has grand or subordinate lodges in the State. 24
(b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not wear, or 25
use to obtain aid, assistance, or personal or social recognition from a person in the State, 26
the insignia of a [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES or patriotic organization, or a lodge or 27
fraternal society that is chartered or has grand or subordinate lodges in the State, unless 28
the person is entitled to use or wear the insignia under the constitution, bylaws, or rules of 29
the organization, lodge, or society. 30
[19–501. 31 10 HOUSE BILL 895
In this subtitle, “soldier” means: 1
(1) an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, 2
including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, National 3
Guard, Reserve forces, and any other standard United States military agency; or 4
(2) a federal active duty member of the State National Guard or Reserve 5
force.] 6
[19–502.] 19–501. 7
This subtitle does not apply to: 8
(1) the use of [a soldier’s] AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER’S name, portrait, 9
picture, or image in an attempt to portray, describe, or impersonate that [soldier] ACTIVE 10
SERVICE MEMBER in a live performance, single and original work of fine art, play, book, 11
article, film, musical work, radio or television programming, or other audio or audiovisual 12
work, if the performance, fine art, play, book, article, film, musical work, radio or television 13
programming, or other audio or audiovisual work does not constitute a commercial 14
advertisement for any product, good, ware, or merchandise; 15
(2) the use of [a soldier’s] AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER’S name, portrait, 16
picture, or image for noncommercial purposes, including any news, public affairs, or sports 17
broadcast or account; 18
(3) the use of [a soldier’s] AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER’S name in 19
truthfully identifying the [soldier] ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBE R as the author of a particular 20
work or program or as the performer in a particular performance; 21
(4) any promotional materials, advertisements, or commercial 22
announcements for a use described in item (1), (2), or (3) of this section; 23
(5) unless the exhibition is continued by the professional photographer 24
after written notice objecting to the exhibition by a person with the authority to grant 25
consent for use under § 19–503 of this subtitle, the use of photographs, video recordings, 26
and images by a person practicing professional photography to exhibit, in or about the 27
professional photographer’s place of business or portfolio, samples of the professional 28
photographer’s work; 29
(6) the use of [a soldier’s] AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER’S picture, 30
portrait, or image that is not facially identifiable; and 31
(7) a photograph of a monument or a memorial that is placed on any 32
product, good, ware, or merchandise. 33
HOUSE BILL 895 11
[19–503.] 19–502. 1
A person may not knowingly use the name, portrait, picture, or image of [a soldier] 2
AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER killed in the line of duty within the previous 50 years in 3
advertising for the sale of a product, good, ware, merchandise, or service, for the purpose of 4
gaining a commercial advantage, without obtaining prior consent for use from the [soldier] 5
ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBE R or the surviving spouse, the personal representative, or the 6
majority of the heirs of the deceased [soldier] ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBE R. 7
[19–504.] 19–503. 8
A person who violates [§ 19–503] § 19–502 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor 9
and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500 or imprisonment not exceeding 10
1 year or both. 11
Article – Commercial Law 12
14–1201. 13
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
(F–1) “ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMB ER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 15
(1) IS AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER, AS DEFINED IN § 9–901 OF THE 16
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; AND 17
(2) IS ASSIGNED TO SERVIC E AWAY FROM THE USUA L STATION OF 18
DUTY OF THE INDIVIDU AL. 19
[(n) “Service member” means an individual in military service who: 20
(1) (i) Is on active duty as defined in Section 101(d)(1) of Title 10 of the 21
United States Code; or 22
(ii) Is a reservist performing duty under a call or order to active duty 23
under Section 101(a)(13) of Title 10 of the United States Code; and 24
(2) Is assigned to service away from the usual duty station of the 25
individual.] 26
[(o)] (N) “State correctional facility” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the 27
Correctional Services Article. 28
14–1212.2. 29
12 HOUSE BILL 895
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(2) “Protected consumer” means an individual who is: 2
(i) Under the age of 16 years; 3
(ii) An incapacitated person or a protected person for whom a 4
guardian or conservator has been appointed in accordance with Title 13 of the Estates and 5
Trusts Article; 6
(iii) 85 years old or older; 7
(iv) [A] AN ELIGIBLE service member; or 8
(v) An incarcerated person in a State correctional facility. 9
Article – Economic Development 10
Subtitle 10. [Military] UNIFORMED SERVICES Personnel and Veteran–Owned Small 11
Business No–Interest Loan Program. 12
5–1001. 13
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
(B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 15
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 16
[(b)] (C) “Fund” means the [Military] UNIFORMED SERVICES Personnel and 17
Veteran–Owned Small Business No–Interest Loan Fund established under § 5–1006 of this 18
subtitle. 19
(D) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 20
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 21
[(c)] (E) “Service–disabled veteran” means a veteran with a disability that is 22
service–connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(16). 23
[(d)] (F) (1) “Small business employer” means an employer who employed an 24
average of 50 or fewer employees on business days during the calendar year preceding the 25
determination of eligibility for a loan under this subtitle. 26
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, all persons treated as 27
a single employer under § 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be 28
treated as a single employer under this subtitle. 29
HOUSE BILL 895 13
(G) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 1
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
(H) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 3
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 4
[(e)] (I) “Veteran–owned small business” means a small business that is at least 5
51% owned by a veteran [as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2)]. 6
5–1002. 7
(a) Subject to the availability of funds, the Department, in consultation with the 8
Department of Veterans and Military Families, shall establish a program to provide 9
no–interest loans under this subtitle to: 10
(1) small business employers of [military reservists and National Guard 11
personnel] RESERVE COMPONENT ME MBERS who are called to active duty; 12
(2) businesses owned by [military reservists and National Guard 13
personnel] RESERVE COMPONENT ME MBERS who are called to active duty; 14
(b) If the availability of funds is limited, in making loans under this subtitle, the 15
Department, in consultation with the Department of Veterans and Military Families, shall 16
give priority to the businesses described in subsection (a)(2) and (3) of this section. 17
(c) In making loans under this subtitle, the Department, in consultation with the 18
Department of Veterans and Military Families, shall take into consideration how to 19
maximize the number of veterans[, military reservists, and National Guard personnel] 20
AND RESERVE COMPONEN T MEMBERS who would benefit from loans made under this 21
subtitle. 22
5–1003. 23
Loans shall be made under this subtitle for the purposes of: 24
(1) providing financial support to: 25
(i) a business owned by a [military reservist or National Guard 26
member] RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBER who is called to active duty; or 27
(ii) a small business employer of a [military reservist or National 28
Guard member] RESERVE COMPONENT ME MBER who is called to active duty; 29
5–1006. 30
14 HOUSE BILL 895
(a) There is a [Military] UNIFORMED SERVICES Personnel and Veteran–Owned 1
Small Business No–Interest Loan Fund. 2
6–301. 3
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 4
(e) “Qualified veteran employee” means an individual who: 5
(1) is [honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances 6
from active military, naval, or air service as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101] A VETERAN, AS 7
DEFINED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; and 8
(2) is a qualified veteran as defined under § 51(d)(3)(A) of the Internal 9
Revenue Code for purposes of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit. 10
Article – Financial Institutions 11
1–101. 12
(a) In this article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following 13
words have the meanings indicated. 14
(Y) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–901 OF THE 15
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 16
11–612.2. 17
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 18
(2) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 19
9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 20
[(2)] (3) (i) [“Military] “ELIGIBLE spouse” means the spouse of [a] 21
AN ACTIVE service member or ELIGIBLE veteran. 22
(ii) [“Military] “ELIGIBLE spouse” includes a surviving spouse of: 23
1. [A] AN ELIGIBLE veteran; or 24
2. [A] AN ACTIVE service member who died within 1 year 25
before the date on which the license application, renewal, or change of status is submitted. 26
(4) (I) “ELIGIBLE VETERAN ” MEANS A VETERAN WHO WAS 27
DISCHARGED FROM ACTI VE DUTY WITHIN 1 YEAR BEFORE THE DATE ON WHICH THE 28
LICENSE APPLICATION , RENEWAL, OR CHANGE OF STATUS IS SUBMITTED. 29 HOUSE BILL 895 15
(II) “ELIGIBLE VETERAN ” DOES NOT INCLUDE A V ETERAN WHO 1
HAS BEEN DISCHARGED FROM ACTIVE DUTY FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR BEFORE THE 2
LICENSE APPLICATION , RENEWAL, OR CHANGE OF STATUS IS SUBMITTED. 3
[(3) “Service member” means an individual who is an active duty member 4
of: 5
(i) The armed forces of the United States; 6
(ii) A reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; or 7
(iii) The National Guard of any state. 8
(4) (i) “Veteran” means a former service member who was discharged 9
from active duty under circumstances other than dishonorable within 1 year before the date 10
on which the license application, renewal, or change of status is submitted. 11
(ii) “Veteran” does not include an individual who has completed 12
active duty and has been discharged for more than 1 year before the license application, 13
renewal, or change of status is submitted.] 14
(b) To expedite the renewal or change of status of a license for [a] AN ACTIVE 15
service member, ELIGIBLE veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse, the Commissioner 16
may waive or suspend any licensing requirements to the extent that the waiver or 17
suspension does not result in the failure to meet the minimum licensing standards set forth 18
in 12 U.S.C. Chapter 51 and the regulations adopted under it. 19
(c) To expedite the issuance of a license to [a] AN ACTIVE service member, 20
ELIGIBLE veteran, or [military] ELIGIBLE spouse who holds a valid mortgage loan 21
originator license in another state, the Commissioner may waive or suspend any licensing 22
requirements to the extent that the waiver or suspension does not result in the failure to 23
meet the minimum licensing standards set forth in 12 U.S.C. Chapter 51 and the 24
regulations adopted under it. 25
12–119. 26
(b) (1) A licensee may not provide check cashing services to a customer unless 27
the customer presents a form of customarily acceptable identification. 28
(2) Acceptable forms of identification include: 29
(iv) A valid [military] UNIFORMED SERVICE S identification card. 30
Article – General Provisions 31
16 HOUSE BILL 895
1–101.1. 1
“ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 2
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 3
1–101.2. 4
“ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 5
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6
1–103.1. 7
“ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 8
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 9
1–114.1. 10
“RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 11
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 12
1–114.2. 13
“SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 14
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 15
1–116. 16
“UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 17
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 18
1–117. 19
With respect to any State program of benefits, rights, or privileges applicable to a 20
veteran under this Code, “veteran” includes[, if the individual is eligible under 38 U.S.C. § 21
101, a member of the commissioned corps of: 22
(1) the Public Health Service; or 23
(2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its 24
predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey] AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MEE TS THE 25
DEFINITION OF “VETERAN” UNDER § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 26
Article – Insurance 27
HOUSE BILL 895 17
1–101. 1
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 2
(A–1) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 3
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 4
(RR–1) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 5
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6
1–203.1. 7
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 8
(3) “Waiver of customer liability” means an optional agreement: 9
(i) between a utility provider and a customer of the utility provider; 10
(ii) that is contained in: 11
1. the agreement under which the utility provider provides 12
services to the customer; or 13
2. a separate agreement between the utility provider and the 14
customer; and 15
(iii) under which the utility provider agrees, in return for a specified 16
charge payable by the customer to the utility provider, to waive all or part of the customer’s 17
liability to the utility provider for incurred charges during a defined period in the event of 18
any of the following qualifying events or conditions involving the customer: 19
1. call to active [military] service IN THE UNIFORMED 20
SERVICES; 21
8–404. 22
(a) Except as provided in this section, this subtitle and the other insurance laws 23
of the State do not apply to: 24
(6) any association, whether or not a fraternal benefit society: 25
(i) that was organized before 1880; 26
(ii) the members of which are officers or enlisted, regular or reserve, 27
active, retired, or honorably discharged members of the [Armed Forces or the Sea Services 28
of the United States] UNIFORMED SERVICES ; and 29 18 HOUSE BILL 895
(iii) a principal purpose of which is to provide insurance and other 1
benefits to its members and the dependents or beneficiaries of its members. 2
10–101. 3
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 4
(o) (1) “Travel insurance” means insurance coverage for personal risk incident 5
to planned travel, including: 6
(i) interruption or cancellation of a trip or an event; 7
(ii) loss of baggage or personal effects; 8
(iii) damage to accommodations or a rental vehicle; 9
(iv) sickness, accident, disability, or death occurring during travel, if 10
issued as incidental to the coverage provided by item (i), (ii), (iii), (v), (vi), or (vii) of this 11
paragraph; 12
(v) emergency evacuation; 13
(vi) repatriation of remains; and 14
(vii) any other contractual obligations to indemnify or pay a specified 15
amount to the traveler on determinable contingencies related to travel as the Commissioner 16
approves. 17
(2) “Travel insurance” does not include a major medical plan that provides 18
comprehensive medical protection for a traveler on a trip lasting 6 months or longer, such 19
as an individual working outside the United States or [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES 20
personnel being deployed. 21
10–111. 22
(a) A person who applies for a license as a resident insurance producer shall: 23
(1) in the case of an applicant who is an individual, submit to the 24
Commissioner a uniform application and declare under penalty of refusal, suspension, or 25
revocation of the license that the statements made in the uniform application are true, 26
correct, and complete to the best of the individual’s knowledge and belief; 27
(2) in the case of an applicant that is a business entity, submit to the 28
Commissioner a uniform business entity application; 29
(3) pay the applicable fee required by § 2–112 of this article for a license; 30 HOUSE BILL 895 19
(4) file on the form and in the manner that the Commissioner provides: 1
(i) any trade name to be used by the applicant; 2
(ii) the business address of the applicant; and 3
(iii) the name and residence address of each individual who holds a 4
license and does business under the trade name; and 5
(5) submit to the Commis sioner any additional information or 6
documentation that the Commissioner requires, including any information or 7
documentation to determine the professional competence, good character, and 8
trustworthiness of the applicant. 9
(b) [An applicant who has experience in the armed forces of the United States 10
and qualifies under § 10–104(h)(3) of this subtitle must file an application within 1 year 11
after the date of discharge from the armed forces. 12
(c)] (1) This subsection does not apply to a motor vehicle rental company that 13
applies for a limited lines license to sell insurance in connection with, and incidental to, the 14
rental of a motor vehicle under Subtitle 6 of this title. 15
(2) In addition to any other information required on the application, an 16
applicant that is a business entity must: 17
(i) identify the licensed insurance producer who is designated to act 18
as the business entity’s principal contact with the Administration; and 19
(ii) provide the name and address of each licensed producer 20
employed by the business entity, each individual who has direct control over its fiscal 21
management, and each owner, member, or manager of the business entity and each director 22
of a business entity that is a corporation. 23
10–116.1. 24
(f) The Commissioner may waive the reinstatement procedures of this section for 25
an insurance producer who is unable to comply with the renewal and reinstatement 26
procedures due to: 27
(1) [military] service IN THE UNIFORMED SER VICES; or 28
10–408.1. 29
(b) (1) The fee for a reinstatement under this section shall be: 30
20 HOUSE BILL 895
(i) the amount charged for a full renewal period for the type of 1
license held by the person seeking the reinstatement; and 2
(ii) a reinstatement fee of $100. 3
(2) The Commissioner may limit the reinstatement fee to the amount of the 4
renewal fee in cases where the reinstatement applicant did not make timely renewal 5
because of [military] service IN THE UNIFORMED SER VICES, temporary incapacity, 6
hospitalization, or other hardship. 7
18–109. 8
(b) A policy or certificate of long–term care insurance may limit or exclude 9
coverage of: 10
(8) illness, treatment, or medical conditions arising out of: 11
(iii) service in the [armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES or 12
auxiliary units; 13
20–502. 14
(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section does 15
not apply to a person to the extent that the person: 16
(i) leases a covered vehicle that is a private passenger vehicle to an 17
individual who does not meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section; or 18
(ii) garages the covered vehicle principally outside of the State. 19
(2) This section applies to a person described in paragraph (1) of this 20
subsection who is: 21
(i) a member, on active duty, of the [armed forces of the United 22
States or the United States Public Health Service] UNIFORMED SERVICES ; or 23
(ii) a student enrolled in an accredited school, college, or university 24
or serving a medical internship. 25
27–501. 26
(o) (1) With respect to private passenger motor vehicle insurance, an insurer 27
may not deny, refuse to renew, or cancel coverage or increase rates for applicants or 28
policyholders who are [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES personnel returning from active 29
duty overseas solely because they fail to meet underwriting standards that require 30
continuous coverage unless the failure to maintain continuous coverage existed prior to the 31
applicant’s or policyholder’s assignment to active duty overseas. 32 HOUSE BILL 895 21
(2) With respect to homeowner’s insurance, an insurer may not deny, 1
refuse to renew, or cancel coverage or increase rates for applicants or policyholders who are 2
[military] UNIFORMED SERVICES personnel returning from active duty overseas solely 3
because they fail to meet: 4
(i) underwriting standards that require continuous coverage unless 5
the failure to maintain continuous coverage existed prior to the applicant’s or policyholder’s 6
assignment to active duty overseas; or 7
(ii) occupancy requirements if the [military] UNIFORMED 8
SERVICES personnel can demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken to maintain and 9
protect the property during the applicant’s or policyholder’s assignment to active duty 10
overseas. 11
Article – Labor and Employment 12
1–101. 13
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
(A–1) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF 15
THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 16
(D–1) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 17
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 18
(D–2) “SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–901 OF THE 19
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 20
(F) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 21
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 22
3–708. 23
(a) An application for renewal of a license, certificate, permit, or other 24
authorization that an individual is required by law to hold to engage in a profession or trade 25
is considered timely if the application is submitted within 1 year after the end of the 26
individual’s active service in the [armed forces of the United States] UNIFORMED 27
SERVICES. 28
(b) An individual applying to work in a trade or profession is entitled to credit 29
toward a period of service as an apprentice in, or in preparation for, the profession or trade 30
if: 31
(1) the period is required by law for the profession or trade; 32 22 HOUSE BILL 895
(2) the applicant performed work or received training pertaining to the 1
profession or trade while in the [armed forces of the United States] UNIFORMED 2
SERVICES; and 3
(3) the applicant submits evidence of time and nature of the work or 4
training satisfactory to the entity that has approval authority under the law. 5
(c) This section shall be construed liberally. 6
3–714. 7
(a) [(1)] In this section [the following words have the meanings indicated. 8
(2) “Eligible service member” means a full–time active duty member of any 9
branch of the uniformed services of the United States. 10
(3) “Eligible veteran” means a veteran of any branch of the uniformed 11
services of the United States who has received an honorable discharge or a certificate of 12
satisfactory completion of service, including: 13
(i) the National Guard; 14
(ii) the military reserves; 15
(iii) the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service; and 16
(iv) the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and 17
Atmospheric Administration], “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–901 OF 18
THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 19
(b) An employer may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to: 20
(1) [an eligible] A veteran; 21
(2) the spouse of [an eligible] A veteran who has a service–connected 22
disability; 23
(3) the spouse of an [eligible] ACTIVE service member; or 24
(4) the surviving spouse of a deceased [eligible] veteran. 25
(c) Granting a preference under subsection (b) of this section does not violate any 26
State or local equal employment opportunity law. 27
3–803. 28 HOUSE BILL 895 23
(b) An employee may take leave from work on the day that an immediate family 1
member of the employee is leaving for, or returning from, active duty outside the United 2
States as a member of the [armed forces of the United States] UNIFORMED SERVICES . 3
8–906. 4
(a) An individual who otherwise is unemployed may not be considered to be 5
employed because the individual is engaged in inactive duty for training as a member of 6
the National Guard or other reserve component of the [United States armed forces] 7
UNIFORMED SERVICES . 8
(b) An individual who otherwise is available for work as required in § 9
8–903(a)(1)(ii) of this subtitle may not be considered to be unavailable for work because the 10
individual is engaged in inactive duty for training as a member of the National Guard or 11
other reserve component of the [United States armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES . 12
(c) Compensation that an individual receives for participation in inactive duty for 13
training as a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the [United 14
States armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES may not be deducted from the weekly benefit 15
amount to which the individual is entitled. 16
8–1001. 17
(a) (1) An individual who otherwise is eligible to receive benefits is disqualified 18
from receiving benefits if the Secretary finds that unemployment results from voluntarily 19
leaving work without good cause. 20
(2) A claimant who is otherwise eligible for benefits from the loss of 21
full–time employment may not be disqualified from the benefits attributable to the 22
full–time employment because the claimant voluntarily quit a part–time employment, if 23
the claimant quit the part–time employment before the loss of the full–time employment. 24
(c) (1) A circumstance for voluntarily leaving work is valid only if it is: 25
(iii) caused by the individual leaving employment to follow a spouse 26
if: 27
1. the spouse: 28
A. serves in the [United States military] UNIFORMED 29
SERVICES; or 30
B. is a civilian employee of the [military] UNIFORMED 31
SERVICES or of a federal agency involved in [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES operations; 32
and 33 24 HOUSE BILL 895
2. the spouse’s employer requires a mandatory transfer to a 1
new location. 2
8.3–101. 3
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 4
(A–1) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 5
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6
(g) “Deployment” means [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member acting under official 7
orders who, on any day, is performing service in a training exercise or operation at a 8
location or under circumstances that make it impossible or infeasible for the ELIGIBLE 9
service member to spend off–duty time in the housing in which the ELIGIBLE service 10
member resides when on garrison duty at the ELIGIBLE service member’s permanent duty 11
station or homeport. 12
(G–1) “ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN ACTIVE SERV ICE MEMBER OR 13
FORMER SERVICE MEMBE R. 14
(m) “Qualifying exigency” means any of the following reasons for which leave may 15
be needed by a family member of [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member: 16
(1) because the ELIGIBLE service member has received notice of 17
deployment within 7 days before the deployment is to begin; 18
(2) to attend [military] UNIFORMED SERVICES events and related 19
activities including family support programs related to the active duty of the ELIGIBLE 20
service member; 21
(3) to arrange, provide, or attend child care or school activities only when 22
the ELIGIBLE service member is on active duty call or active duty status; 23
(4) to make financial and legal arrangements for the ELIGIBLE service 24
member’s absence or because of the absence; 25
(5) to attend counseling that: 26
(i) is needed due to the active duty or call to active duty status of 27
the ELIGIBLE service member; and 28
(ii) is provided by an individual who is not a licensed health care 29
provider; 30
HOUSE BILL 895 25
(6) to spend up to 15 calendar days with [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member 1
who is on short–term temporary rest and recuperation leave during the period of 2
deployment; 3
(7) to attend postdeployment activities including reintegration services for 4
a period of 90 days immediately following the termination of active status; 5
(8) to attend to matters related to the death of the ELIGIBLE service 6
member while on active duty status; 7
(9) to arrange for or provide alternative care for a parent of the ELIGIBLE 8
service member when the parent is incapable of self–care and the covered active duty or 9
call to active duty necessitates a change; or 10
(10) because of any other issues that arise out of active duty or a call to 11
active duty that an employer and covered employee agree should be covered. 12
[(p) “Service member” means an individual who is an active duty or former 13
member of: 14
(1) the United States armed forces; 15
(2) a reserve component of the United States armed forces; or 16
(3) the National Guard of any state.] 17
8.3–302. 18
The purpose of the Program is to provide temporary benefits to a covered individual 19
who is taking leave from employment: 20
(4) to care for [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member for whom the covered 21
individual is next of kin; or 22
(5) because the covered individual has a qualifying exigency arising out of 23
the deployment of [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member who is a family member of the covered 24
individual. 25
8.3–403. 26
(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a covered individual under 27
§ 8.3–302(2), (3), (4), or (5) of this title shall provide certification for a claim for benefits 28
under this title. 29
(2) A certification for a claim for benefits for a covered individual under § 30
8.3–302(2), (3), or (4) of this title shall include: 31 26 HOUSE BILL 895
(ii) the date on which the serious health condition of the family 1
member, covered individual, or ELIGIBLE service member commenced; 2
(vi) 1. for a certification for intermittent leave under § 8.3–302(2) 3
or (4) of this title, a statement that the covered individual needs to care for a family member 4
or ELIGIBLE service member and the expected frequency and duration of the intermittent 5
leave; or 6
8.3–701. 7
(a) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, beginning July 1, 2026, a 8
covered individual taking leave from employment may submit a claim for benefits: 9
(iv) to care for a service member with a serious health condition 10
resulting from [military] service IN THE UNIFORMED SER VICES for whom the covered 11
individual is next of kin; or 12
(v) to attend to a qualifying exigency arising out of the deployment 13
of [a] AN ELIGIBLE service member who is a family member of the covered individual. 14
8.3–702. 15
(d) (1) A covered individual may not be required to use or exhaust paid 16
vacation, paid sick leave, or other paid time off under an employer policy before, or while, 17
receiving benefits under this title. 18
(2) A covered individual and an employer may agree to use paid vacation, 19
paid sick leave, or other paid time off while a covered individual is receiving benefits 20
available under this title to replace the covered individual’s wages up to 100% of the covered 21
individual’s average weekly wage during the period of leave for which benefits are received 22
under this title. 23
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, an employer may 24
require that benefit payments under this title be made concurrently, or otherwise 25
coordinated with payments made or leave that is allowed under the terms of a separate 26
employer–provided leave policy due to parental care, family care, or [military] 27
UNIFORMED SERVICES leave or under a disability policy. 28
(4) This subsection may not be construed to reduce any weeks of leave for 29
which benefits may be paid under this title. 30
11–503. 31
(a) In this subtitle the definitions set forth in § 3 of the federal Act shall apply; 32
definitions set forth below shall have the meanings indicated. 33 HOUSE BILL 895 27
(b) “Dislocated worker” means an individual who: 1
(6) is the spouse of [a] AN ACTIVE SERVICE member [of the armed forces 2
on active duty, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(d)(1),] and who has experienced a loss of 3
employment as a direct result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty 4
station of the member; or 5
(7) is the spouse of [a] AN ACTIVE SERVICE member [of the armed forces 6
on active duty, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(d)(1),] and who has been providing unpaid 7
services to a family member in the home and is unemployed or underemployed and 8
experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment. 9
Article – State Finance and Procurement 10
6–226. 11
(a) (2) (ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 12
to the following funds: 13
83. the [Military] UNIFORMED SERVICES Personnel and 14
Veteran–Owned Small Business No–Interest Loan Fund; 15
14–601. 16
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 17
(b) “Veteran” means an individual who is verified [as having served on active duty 18
in the armed forces of the United States, other than for training, and was discharged or 19
released under conditions other than dishonorable] TO BE A VETERAN , AS DEFINED IN § 20
9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 21
Article – State Government 22
9–901. 23
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
(B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 25
(C) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS: 26
(1) AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE UNIFORMED S ERVICES; OR 27
(2) SERVING IN A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNI FORMED 28
SERVICES ON ACTIVE DUTY ORDER S. 29 28 HOUSE BILL 895
(D) “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 10 U.S.C. § 101. 1
[(b)] (E) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Veterans Trust. 2
[(c)] (F) “Department” means the Department of Veterans and Military 3
Families. 4
(G) “MILITARY FAMILY ” INCLUDES THE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT 5
CHILDREN OF A SERVIC E MEMBER OR VETERAN RELATED BY BLOOD , MARRIAGE, OR 6
ADOPTION. 7
(H) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 8
[(d)] (I) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families. 9
(J) “SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MEMBER OF : 10
(1) THE UNIFORMED SERVIC ES; OR 11
(2) A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNIFORMED SER VICES. 12
[(e)] (K) “Trust” means the Maryland Veterans Trust. 13
(L) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 14
[(f)] (M) Except as otherwise provided [in this subtitle], “veteran” [means an 15
individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than 16
for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable] HAS 17
THE MEANING STATED I N 38 U.S.C. § 101. 18
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 19
October 1, 2025. 20