Maryland House approves dozens of bills in packed March 16 session; vaccine bill clarified as nondiscriminatory option

Annapolis — The Maryland House of Representatives met in session on March 16, 2026, approving a large group of bills on third reading and setting several measures for further consideration tomorrow. Lawmakers recorded roll‑call votes on dozens of measures, including the passage of House Bill 797 (medical‑cannabis employment protections for fire and rescue and other public safety employees) and House Bill 1223 (Prince George’s County farmers‑market and street‑vending workgroup). The House also special‑ordered several bills for amendment or further action at the appropriate time tomorrow.

The session opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer offered by the chair of the Rules Committee from Prince George’s County, followed by the clerk’s reading of the journal. Committees presented multiple reports; members adopted favorable reports and amendments on a number of bills before moving into third‑reading roll calls.

Why it matters: The string of votes advances bills across policy areas — labor and employment, health care, judicial and criminal provisions, and local governance — toward final enactment when companion actions in the Senate (where applicable) are complete. Several measures affect state programs and county‑level rules, and some create or modify state administrative obligations.

Votes at a glance (selected results announced on the floor): - House Bill 797, Employment Discrimination — Fire and Rescue/Public Safety Employees, Medical Cannabis: Passed 99–32 on final passage. (Clerk announced the tally; the bill was declared passed.) - House Bill 1223, Prince George’s County workgroup on farmers markets and street vending zones (PG 411‑26): Passed 129–1 on final passage. - Senate Bill 32, State Athletic Commission blood testing timing: Passed 132–0 on final passage. - Senate Bill 43, Community Investment Venture Fund and related revisions: Passed 122–10 on final passage. - Senate Bill 133, Sunset extensions for state boards and commissions: Passed 127–5 on final passage. - Senate Bill 197, Land‑use comprehensive plan alterations: Passed 95–37 on final passage. - Senate Bill 24, AED (automated external defibrillator) program revisions: Passed 123–10 on final passage (member remarks noted a personal testimony supporting the bill). - Senate Bill 773, Pharmacist Vaccination Orders: Passed 112–22 on final passage; members clarified the bill does not mandate any vaccine, only expands the option for parents to have certain vaccines provided by pharmacists, including intranasal administration when appropriate.

Exchange on SB 773: During floor consideration, the minority leader asked the floor leader, “it doesn't require anyone to get any particular vaccination including a COVID vaccine. Is that correct?” The floor leader replied, “That's correct,” and additional delegates noted that the bill preserves parental choice and does not impose vaccine mandates.

Other business: The House adopted committee reports that put multiple bills on the calendar for third reading and ordered several bills (including HB 299 and HB 45) specially into tomorrow’s session for potential amendment and continued consideration. Members paused briefly to address an electronic voting system glitch that affected roll calls before confirming votes resumed.

Procedure and next steps: Committee chairs announced afternoon and evening hearings and vote sessions across appropriations and subject committees; the majority leader moved, and the House agreed, to stand adjourned until Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (legislative date March 18).