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MarylandSB 06532026 Regular SessionSenate

State Board of Architects - Grounds for Discipline and Anonymous Complaints

Sponsored By: Cheryl C. Kagan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Business Occupations and ProfessionsArchitects and ArchitectureBuilding CodesBuilding PermitsCommerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc.Committees and CommissionsConstructionCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.DisciplineElectronic CommunicationElectronic GovernmentEthicsEvaluations and ReviewsLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsNoticesPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyPermits -see also- Building PermitsPrivacyReportsStandards and Best PracticesWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Architect credentials checked before building permits

Beginning October 1, 2026, code officials reviewing architectural plans for building-code compliance must check credentials before processing a permit. They must verify the signing architect’s seal and license directly with that architect. The Board must maintain a roster of licensed architects’ names and mailing addresses and send it to code officials annually. Anyone can request the roster for a reasonable fee set by the Board. Architects must provide a mailing address when first licensed and at each renewal. The Board must send license applicants and code officials the Maryland Architects Act and Board rules. At renewal, architects must receive amendments that took effect during the two years ending on their renewal date. Code officials must also receive those amendments. The Board must provide twice-yearly activity newsletters to architects and code officials and publish them on the Department website with related professional boards.

Stronger oversight and penalties for architects

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland’s State Board of Architects must take action when legal grounds for discipline are met. Actions include denying a license, reprimanding an architect, or suspending or revoking a license. Grounds include license or permit fraud, false claims of holding credentials, gross negligence, incompetence, misconduct, and violations of architecture laws or Board rules. Helping someone practice without authorization and certain criminal convictions also qualify. Discipline in another state qualifies when Maryland recognizes the grounds, except for failure to pay a license fee. Action requires a majority vote of the Board’s authorized membership, and hearing rules apply. The Board can also impose penalties up to $5,000 per violation, with the money going to Maryland’s General Fund. Penalty decisions must consider seriousness, harm, good faith, and past violations. For criminal convictions, the Board considers the crime’s nature, connection to architecture, relevance to qualifications, time since conviction, and prior behavior. The Board must notify every county’s code official about license suspensions or revocations under these rules. The law also allows, but does not require, an online portal for anonymous and confidential reports of suspected violations of Sections 3-601 through 3-604.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Cheryl C. Kagan

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 129 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 245

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (129-0)

    4/8/2026House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/8/2026House

  5. Favorable Report by Economic Matters

    4/8/2026House

  6. Referred Economic Matters

    3/13/2026House

  7. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    3/12/2026Senate

  8. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/10/2026Senate

  9. Favorable with Amendments {473023/1 Adopted

    3/10/2026Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/9/2026Senate

  11. Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/11/2026Senate

  12. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/6/2026

    PDF

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