"2024 Ushers in New Laws for DC and Maryland: Wage Hikes, Plastic Bans, and Health Reforms"

Maryland is introducing several new laws in 2024, including a plastic bag ban in Anne Arundel County, with a transition period until February 1st, after which stores will charge for paper bags. Energy bill assistance programs will expand to support more low-income households with heating and electric bills. Health insurance coverage will now include biomarker testing and certain cancer screenings. House Bill 235 extends the foreclosure complaint filing period from six to nine months for unpaid property taxes. The state is also cracking down on spam telemarketing calls, requiring prior express written consent for automated calls. Additionally, Maryland's minimum wage is increasing to $15, impacting around 163,000 employees, a change that was expedited from the originally planned date in 2025.