Gov. Wes Moore signed about 275 state bills leftover from this spring’s legislative session late last month, addressing topics including artificial intelligence, youth civic engagement, housing and healthcare.

In a public statement earlier this month, Moore said the goal of his May 26 signing — the last during his current term — was to strengthen the state’s economy, affordability and overall protection. June 2 marked the last day Moore could sign or veto bills presented to him after the session.

“My signature may be on these bills, but your hands hold the pen,” Moore wrote.

Here’s a look at some of the key legislation Moore signed into law.

Housing

Moore signed bills aimed at furthering fair housing initiatives in Maryland. One bill allows the state’s housing and community development department to create regulations prohibiting actions from landlords that have a “discriminatory effect,” regardless of intent.

Under the bill, these actions would include any that perpetuate segregated housing patterns on the basis of identity or financial status.

Moore also signed bills restricting landlords from refusing to rent to prospective tenants that use income-based housing subsidies to pay their rent.

Under these bills, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is allowed to investigate and punish landlords who do not adhere to these regulations.

They do not eliminate tenant screening or place “unreasonable burdens” on landlords, according to Sen. Sara Love (D-Montgomery), who sponsored one of the bills in the Senate.

These bills also require landlords to offer tenants the option to report a positive rental payment history to credit bureaus to help renters build their credit history.

“Families with limited incomes still need to find a way to handle life’s crises and the cost for caring for a family,” Love said at a bill hearing in February. “For those without other options, that can mean credit issues.”

All of these bills will go into effect Oct. 1.

Higher Education Healthcare

All public higher education institutions – including community colleges – will be required to provide free menstrual hygiene products and contraceptives to on-campus residents beginning in July.

During the contraceptive bill’s March hearing, sponsor Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery) said easy access is necessary for students who may not have the time or ability to leave campus for contraceptives.

According to the bill, the institutions must also submit a report to the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the General Assembly regarding access to contraceptives on campus.

The report will detail how they are provided to students, the number of them on the institution’s campus and how it is collaborating with student organizations to increase accessibility.

“Decisions of when and whether to bear a child fundamentally affect a young person’s trajectory, whether they get an education, whether they have a good start on their career,” Kagan said at the March hearing.

Civic Engagement

Moore also signed identical House and Senate bills to establish the Maryland Civic Excellence Program, which will recognize public school students’ civic readiness.

The State Board of Education will, by the 2027-28 school year, create program criteria and regulations, including the mandatory completion of a capstone project through an extracurricular activity focused on civic service in local, state or county government.

Kagan, who also sponsored this bill, said it aims to increase young people’s connection to and involvement in their communities.

Students will receive a cord, a medal to wear at graduation or an insignia on their high school diploma recognizing their civic contributions, according to the bill.

“We want it to be something that’s serious, that people will be proud to put on their diploma, on their resume,” she said at the bill’s February hearing.

Another bill allows public school students who participate in civil engagement activities, such as testifying at a legislative hearing, meeting with legislators or helping develop legislation, to be excused from class.

Artificial Intelligence

The governor signed a bill recognizing the necessity for the state to utilize and understand AI so that Maryland stays competitive with other states.

This bill establishes the Maryland Artificial Intelligence Partnership within the University System of Maryland, which aims to connect and accelerate AI initiatives and increase resources in AI literacy training for people entering the workforce.

An Artificial Intelligence Public Services Fellowship will also be created within the University System of Maryland, which will match students with state agencies to assist with AI projects.

The partnership will connect innovators beyond college campuses to boost the state’s economic growth, sponsor Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery) said at the bill’s hearing in March.

Moore also signed a bill requiring the state’s education department to guide students, parents, educators and school systems on how to use AI. It also requires the department to create guidelines and evaluate tools that assist school systems in assessing different AI programs.

The bill establishes the Maryland AI Education Collaborative on Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education, which will include the state superintendent.

The collaborative will study AI usage in every local school system and provide recommendations about the best practices for professional development and utilization of AI systems.

“Artificial intelligence will transform every sector of our economy,” Hester said. “Maryland is well-positioned to benefit from that transformation.”

Contact junior staff writer Clare Roth at croth124@terpmail.umd.edu.