Four new Maryland laws kick in on July 1, reshaping rules on certain retail consumables, electric‑vehicle charging, cancer screenings for volunteer firefighters, and what school resource officers are allowed to do on campus. Passed during the 2026 General Assembly session and signed by Gov. Wes Moore, the measures add new enforcement powers, record‑keeping obligations, and potential criminal or civil penalties for retailers, counties, and school systems. Here is a breakdown of what changes and who will be responsible for following the new requirements.
Ban on 'unauthorized consumable' products targets kratom and others
House Bill 1523 defines “unauthorized consumable products” to include specified kratom, tianeptine, and phenibut products and bars retailers from distributing, selling, displaying, or advertising those items. The measure authorizes the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission’s enforcement division to seize, confiscate, or destroy products offered for sale and creates forfeiture and civil liability pathways for violations. Retailers face misdemeanor charges and fines as well as potential civil damages for harm tied to violations, as detailed by LegiScan.
EV charging must be metered and sold in kilowatt‑hours
House Bill 969 requires that electricity sold at retail as vehicle fuel be measured and sold in units of kilowatt‑hours, and it says customers may be charged only for the kilowatt‑hours actually dispensed during a charging session. The law allows owners or operators of charging equipment to impose certain ancillary fees, but only at the conclusion of a session and only if those fees are itemized on the customer’s receipt. The bill also requires charging stations to display the name, address and phone number of a local responsible party, as outlined by the Maryland General Assembly.
Counties must offer no‑cost cancer screenings for volunteer firefighters
Senate Bill 579 directs each county that hosts a volunteer fire company to offer no‑cost preventive cancer screenings to volunteer and retired volunteer firefighters in accordance with the latest International Association of Fire Fighters screening guidelines. Volunteer fire companies must keep up‑to‑date lists of volunteer and retired volunteer firefighters and provide those rosters to counties annually or on request, and counties may satisfy the requirement by providing an annual exam or by seeking grants for multicancer early‑detection technologies. The bill text and status are available from LegiScan.
School resource officers prohibited from sexual activity with students where assigned
House Bill 329 (cross‑filed as SB 81) adds an explicit prohibition on sexual contact, a sexual act, or vaginal intercourse between a law‑enforcement officer assigned as a school resource officer and any student enrolled at the school where the officer serves. The offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $3,000, or both, and the statute takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill language and chaptered text are published by the Maryland General Assembly.
What to watch and who should prepare
Retailers that sell herbal supplements or novelty consumables are expected to audit inventories, update labeling, and pull any items that meet the new “unauthorized” definitions if they want to avoid seizure or penalties. Public‑facing EV charger owners are on the hook to confirm that meters, receipts, and signage comply with the kilowatt‑hour requirement. Counties that rely on volunteer fire companies will need to plan how to deliver screenings and maintain the required rosters.
Gov. Wes Moore signed hundreds of bills this session, many with July 1 effective dates, as reported by Maryland Matters.
Legal notes for officials and businesses
The unauthorized‑consumables law creates a presumption that seized products are contraband unless a seller can show approval from the Maryland Department of Health or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and it combines criminal penalties with possible civil liability, which could carry meaningful costs for small sellers. Counties implementing the firefighter‑screening requirement are expected to review screening guidelines, budget implications, and grant options and to coordinate with local health officials. For county‑level implementation concerns and practical guidance, see analysis from policy staff at ConduitStreet.
