Six new laws that go into effect in Maryland today

Many new laws are set to take effect in Maryland on Monday.

From alcohol delivery to a ban on indoor vaping , the Old Line State has new laws going into effect on July 1. Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) signed 1,049 bills following the Maryland General Assembly's 90-day session this year. Roughly 140 bills went into effect on June 1, and more than 480 will go into effect on Oct. 1.

Here are six new laws going into effect now.

Alcohol delivery

A permit is now available for alcoholic beverages to be delivered from establishments that already have alcohol permits. Delivery drivers can apply for a permit for a fee of $1,000.

Marylanders can order alcohol for delivery via third-party apps such as Doordash, Instacart, and others.

"We're thrilled to be bringing alcohol delivery to Maryland, providing even more consumers with a convenient, responsible way to enjoy their favorite drinks at home," Erik Ragotte, DoorDash's general manager of alcohol and convenience, said in a statement Monday.

Ban on indoor vaping

In tandem with the ban on indoor smoking, Maryland is banning vaping indoors in public places, public transportation, and workplaces. It amends the 2007 Maryland Clean Indoor Act to include vaping in its ban.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, the existing law was updated to include a ban on vaping to "persevere and improve the health, comfort, and environment of the people of Maryland by limiting the exposure to environmental smoke."

Ticket sales and resales

Customers will now be protected against bad-faith ticket sellers in Maryland. The new law bans speculative tickets, requires the seller to disclose information about the ticket, and requires additional fees and taxes to be included upfront with the total price.

Maryland is being hailed as a model state for protecting customers against shady ticket sellers as President Joe Biden’s administration looks to end junk fees .

"What we want to do by this is taking out the deception, taking out this huge profit, taking out this manipulated market, and create this fair environment for purchasing tickets," Maryland state Sen. Dawn Gile said earlier this year.

New vehicle fees

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is setting up new fees and increases on registration rates . Maryland drivers could see increases up to 60%-70%.

A typical passenger car will now cost a driver $110 per year for Maryland license plates. Maryland drivers currently pay about $135 to register their vehicles for two years.

Electric vehicle owners will also see their fees increase and will have to pay a $250 biannual surcharge.

Ending legacy status in college admissions

Maryland will become the third state to end college legacy admissions. The new law will prohibit higher education institutions in Maryland that receive state funds from considering the legacy status of a prospective student as a mark for admission.

“I’m a Terp. I would love for my son to go there,” Maryland state Del. Jazz Lewis said of the University of Maryland at College Park. “But I just think, as a matter of public policy, state money shouldn’t be helping fulfill these types of preferences.”

The move comes after the Supreme Court ruled that race can no longer be used as a factor for a prospective student’s admission.

Pava Marie LaPere Act

Those convicted of first-degree rape and most violent sex crimes will now be prohibited from earning early release diminution credits for good behavior while incarcerated under the Pava Marie LaPere Act.

Pava LaPere, for whom the act was named, was murdered by Jason Billingsley. Billingsley is a convicted felon and registered sex offender who was released in 2022 on parole. He was originally sentenced to 15 years in 2015, but he earned enough diminution credits while in prison to be released.

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April Hurley is now suing the property company that hired Billingsley upon his release. LaPere’s family lobbied the Maryland government over the past few months for the bill to pass.

"Even a cursory background check would have prevented my clients from enduring such a harrowing ordeal," an attorney representing Hurley said. "In inadequately vetting this candidate, they granted access to a violent criminal who inflicted unimaginable harm on Baltimore City residents."