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MarylandHB 11392026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

State Retirement and Pension System - Administration and Clarification

Sponsored By: Catherine M. Forbes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Pensions and RetirementAdministrative AgenciesCertificationsCommittees and CommissionsComptrollerCorrectional OfficersCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.FormsInterestLaw Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PoliceRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRetirement -see also- Mandatory RetirementRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Salaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. RatesState Documents -see also- Maryland RegisterState EmployeesWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Auto-enroll and full credit for corrections

Units that join must offer enrollment to all local detention center officers. If you do not return the election form, you are enrolled by default. Your agency can file an affidavit if you do not return the form. Paperwork must clearly say join or opt out. Joining usually starts on July 1 of the year after the unit’s election, and it is pushed back one more year if required documents are late. If you join on the effective date, you get 100% service credit for your prior service with that unit. These rules take effect June 1, 2026.

Auto-enroll and full credit for public safety

Units that join must let all law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs sign up. If you do not return the election form, you are enrolled by default. Your agency can file an affidavit if you do not return the form. Paperwork must clearly say join or opt out. Joining usually starts on July 1 of the year after the unit’s election, and it is pushed back one more year if required documents are late. If you join on the effective date, you get 100% service credit for your prior service with that unit. These rules take effect June 1, 2026.

Employees’ pension access and defaults

A unit can join the Employees’ Pension System only if all its eligible workers can enroll. Workers must file forms to join or opt out; if a form is not returned, the worker is treated as having joined. The appointing authority must send an affidavit showing the form was given. If you join on your unit’s effective date, you get 100% credit for prior service with that unit. Some listed positions lose the chance to join if they miss the deadline, while another listed group is enrolled by default if they miss it.

Local governments must pay pensions quarterly

The State Retirement Board certifies each local employer’s pension charges by December 1 for the next fiscal year. Local governments must pay 25% of their annual charge on October 1, January 1, April 16, and June 1. For teacher plans, counties pay by January 1, 2026 for FY2026, and by September 1 each year starting in FY2027. If a payment is late, the Comptroller withholds the money plus 7.75% annual interest from funds due to the locality and sends it to the pension board.

Immediate pension vesting for key offices

People who take certain named State offices get pension vesting right away. These include the Special Secretary for Children, the State Archivist, the State Prosecutor, and the State Superintendent of Schools. The prior listing for the Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs office is removed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Catherine M. Forbes

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 305 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 134 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/21/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 130 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 291

    4/28/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/10/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (134-0)

    4/10/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/10/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (41-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {523421/1 Adopted

    4/8/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

    4/8/2026Senate

  9. Referred Budget and Taxation

    3/23/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (130-0)

    3/21/2026House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/20/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments {413120/1 Adopted

    3/20/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

    3/20/2026House

  14. Hearing 3/18 at 12:45 p.m.

    3/18/2026House

  15. Hearing canceled

    3/18/2026House

  16. Hearing 3/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/17/2026House

  17. First Reading Appropriations

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/11/2026

    PDF

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