Maryland lawmakers have signed off on a new consumer protection bill aimed squarely at shady travel outfits after a Bowie couple’s Hajj trip ended in tragedy. The measure, informally nicknamed the Don’t You Worry (Wurie) Act, cleared both chambers this spring and is headed to the governor. Backers say it is designed to make it tougher for fly‑by‑night operators to sell pilgrimage packages and other big-ticket trips to Maryland residents.
What the bill requires
Under the legislation, any business that sells travel services in Maryland or to Maryland residents would have to register with the Maryland Department of Labor and provide proof of at least $1,000,000 in professional liability and errors and omissions insurance. The bill also sets up a Sellers of Travel Services Registration Fund to collect registration fees and pay for the program’s administrative work, with an effective date of October 1, 2026. As laid out by the Maryland General Assembly, the department must write the implementing regulations and can set fees to support enforcement.
A family tragedy that sparked the law
The legislative push followed reporting on Alieu and Isatu Wurie, a Bowie couple who died in June 2024 while performing the Hajj. Their daughter has said the tour operator failed to deliver on key promises, including credentials, transportation and other services. The Washington Post detailed the family’s account and public records indicating the tour company was not in good standing with the state. Local station WJLA reported that the bill carries the Wurie name and that it was expected to be signed by Gov. Wes Moore.
Industry pushback
Trade groups for travel advisors argue the measure could pile new costs and paperwork onto legitimate small agencies, while doing little to guarantee that victims get their money back. The American Society of Travel Advisors has urged the governor to veto the bill, saying HB 994 “misses the mark” and would add burdens without meaningful enforcement, according to TravelPulse.
What travelers should do now
For now, consumers are still largely on their own. Travelers can check whether a company is registered or in good standing through the state’s Maryland Business Express entity search, and should ask tour operators for proof of insurance, detailed written contracts, and references from local vendors before putting down large deposits on group trips. Coverage of the Wurie case has underscored how quickly elaborate international pilgrimages can unravel when a tour provider does not follow through.
Legal and next steps
If Gov. Moore signs the bill, the Department of Labor will be responsible for drafting the rules, setting fee levels, and building out the registration system ahead of the October 1, 2026, start date. The bill’s fiscal and policy analysis projects modest fee revenue beginning in fiscal 2027 to cover staffing and start-up expenses, according to the enrolled bill materials.
