Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Edith Patterson was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced11
Out of committee9
Passed one chamber9
Passed both chambers7
Became law7
Never left committee2
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the House has 3 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Higher Education 5Awareness and Outreach 5Public Health 3Committees and Commissions 3Higher Education Commission 3Job Training 3
Gaming – Operation of Electronic Instant Bingo Machines and Report by State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
In plain English Allows electronic instant bingo machines to have up to 100 bingo cards instead of 54 and lets players skip printing paper tickets unless they choose otherwise.
Official synopsis: Altering the definition of "slot machine" to increase from 54 to 100 the number of bingo cards certain handheld devices may allow a user to play at the same time; providing that an electronic instant bingo machine is not required to print a paper ticket…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 669 · 2026-05-26
Education – Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program
In plain English Expands the Purple Star Schools Program's definition of military-connected students and creates a Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize colleges serving military-connected students.
Official synopsis: Altering the definition of "military-connected student" under the Purple Star Schools Program to conform with certain terms defined under State law; and establishing the Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize certain colleges that provide strong services and support for military-connected students.
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 670 · 2026-05-26
Vehicle Laws – Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice – Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces (Clear Before You Drive Act)
In plain English Requires drivers to make reasonable efforts to remove accumulated snow and ice from exposed vehicle surfaces before operating or towing a vehicle.
Official synopsis: Prohibiting a person from operating or towing a vehicle, subject to certain exceptions, without making reasonable efforts to remove from exposed vehicle surfaces accumulated snow and ice; and prohibiting a person from committing a violation of the Act that contributes to an accident resulting in…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 668 · 2026-05-26
Education – Dependent Children of Active Service Members – Advance Enrollment Procedures
In plain English Requires county school superintendents to allow dependent children of active service members to advance enroll remotely, with disability plan documentation options and state publication of enrollment information.
Official synopsis: Requiring a county superintendent of schools to allow a certain dependent child of an active service member to advance enroll in a school in the county in a certain manner; requiring the remote registration process to provide an opportunity for the service member or other…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 644 · 2026-05-26
Uniformed Services Spouses Act
In plain English Extends priority registration, community college support, scholarships, and hiring preferences to spouses of active service members and veterans.
Official synopsis: Applying certain provisions of law regarding priority registration at public institutions of higher education, resources and support at community colleges, senatorial and Delegate scholarships, and preferences in hiring by the Public Service Commission to the spouses of active service members and veterans; etc.
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 490 · 2026-05-12
Higher Education – Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship – Repeal of Termination Date
Repealing the prohibition on awarding the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship after June 30, 2030; and repealing the limitation on renewing the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship if the scholarship recipient…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 58 · 2026-04-14
Income Tax – Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers – Alteration
Altering a subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax for unreimbursed expenses paid or incurred by eligible teachers during a taxable year for the purchase of certain classroom supplies to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed in publicly funded prekindergarten programs at eligible public providers or…
Became lawApproved by the Governor – Chapter 61 · 2026-04-14
Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program Workgroup – Establishment
Requiring the University System of Maryland to develop, in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission, certain recommendations for a Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program and a teacher preparation pathway in a certain manner; establishing the Southern…
Passed one chamberReferred Rules · 2026-04-13
General Provisions – Commemorative Months – Water Safety Month
Requiring the Governor to annually proclaim the month of May as Water Safety Month; and requiring the proclamation to urge certain activities designed to raise awareness about drowning prevention and to promote safe practices around all bodies of water.
Not out of committeeHearing 3/17 at 1:00 p.m. · 2026-02-16
Sickle Cell Disease – Institutions of Higher Education – Policies, Procedures, and Educational Campaigns (Kaitlyn's Law)
Prohibiting an institution of higher education from denying access or services to a student based on the student's diagnosis of sickle cell disease; requiring an institution of higher education to provide reasonable accommodations for students with sickle cell disease; requiring the Maryland Department of Health…
Passed one chamberReferred Education, Energy, and the Environment Finance · 2026-02-13
Public Health – Sickle Cell Disease – Specialized Clinics and Scholarship Program for Medical Residents
Requiring the Maryland Department of Health to establish certain specialized clinics for the management and treatment of sickle cell disease and establish a scholarship program for medical residents who specialize in classical hematology with a focus on sickle cell disease; and requiring the Governor for…
Not out of committeeHearing 2/10 at 2:30 p.m. · 2026-02-10
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.