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Here are a few highlights of new state laws taking effect in Maryland on July 1, 2022.

Video above: Gas tax in Maryland goes up by 7 cents at midnight Thursday

ABORTION: The Abortion Care Access Act establishes the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program in the Maryland Department of Health to ensure that there are a sufficient number of health professionals to provide abortion care. It also:

ATHLETE SAFETY: The Elijah Gorham Act requires an automated external defibrillator program in public middle and high schools, requires actions be taken by county boards of education regarding heat acclimatization for student athletes; requires middle and high schools to develop venue-specific emergency action plans for the operation and use of automatic external defibrillators, heat acclimatization and coordination of care for other emergent injuries and severe weather for outdoor facilities.

TOLL VIOLATION PENALTIES: Senate Bill 59 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive certain civil penalties assessed for certain toll violations under certain circumstances, and requires the MDTA to reimburse certain civil penalties paid in error and notify certain individuals eligible for a certain reimbursement.

CLEAN CARS: The Clean Cars Act of 2022 establishes the Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Grant Program for certain vehicles and equipment to be administered by the Maryland Energy Administration. The act also:

Baby products: Exempting the sale of diapers, diaper rash cream and baby wipes from the sales and use tax.

Oral hygiene products: Exempting the sale of oral hygiene products from the sales and use tax, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, tooth powders, mouthwash, dental floss or similar oral hygiene products.

Medical devices: Exempting the sale of certain thermometers, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors and respirators from the sales and use tax.

Diabetic care products: Exempting certain diabetic care products from the sales and use tax, including insulin, glucose tablets, glucose drinks, glucose gels, blood and urine ketone meters and supplies, insulin pumps, insulin pump infusion sets, insulin pump reservoirs or cartridges, continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, syringes, insulin injection devices, insulin pens, insulin pen needles, lancets and lancet devices, and testing strips for measuring blood sugar.

INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR SENIORS: House Bill 1468 creates a nonrefundable credit against the state income tax for a resident who is at least age 65 and whose federal adjusted gross income does not exceed $100,000 ($150,000 if married filing jointly).

The amount of the tax credit is equal to $1,000 for an individual or if only one of the individuals filing a joint return is an eligible individual; and $1,750 if married filing jointly and both individuals are at least age 65.

The value of the tax credit is reduced for certain taxpayers if specified Board of Revenue Estimates are below a certain amount.

The bill also expands the state subtraction modification for retired law enforcement; correctional officer; and fire, rescue, and emergency services personnel.

The bill takes effect July 1, 2022, and applies to tax year 2022 and beyond.

988 TRUST FUND: Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services -- Establishes the 988 Trust Fund to provide reimbursement for costs associated with designating and maintaining 988 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.

This law requires the Maryland Department of Health to designate 988 as the primary phone number for the state's behavioral health crisis hotline. It also requires the department by Dec. 1 each year to report on the expenditure of funds and additional services provided by the funding.

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