Maryland Creates $1,000 Refundable State Income Tax Credit for Parents of Stillborn Children

Original title: Income Tax Credit - Parent of a Stillborn Child

Last action · March 16, 2026: Hearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsors: Jeff Waldstreicher and 8 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Maryland establishes a $1,000 refundable state income tax credit for parents of a stillborn child, applicable for births where a or fetal death has been issued. The measure applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Eligible parents can reduce their state tax liability or receive a direct cash refund of $1,000 for each qualifying stillbirth starting with the 2027 tax year.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

parents of stillborn children

Parents become eligible to claim a $1,000 refundable income tax credit and receive a cash refund for qualifying stillbirths.

Key Facts

Parents of a stillborn child may claim a $1,000 credit against the Maryland State income tax for each qualifying birth.
The credit requires a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth issued under § 4-213.1 of the Health - General Article, or an equivalent certificate of fetal death issued by another state.
The tax credit can be claimed exclusively for the taxable year in which the stillbirth occurred.
If the $1,000 credit exceeds the parent's state income tax liability for that year, the parent may claim a refund for the excess amount.

Show all 5 facts

The act takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the $1,000 tax credit?

Parents of a stillborn child for whom a or a certificate of fetal death has been issued are eligible.

Can I receive a refund if the $1,000 credit is more than my state income tax?

Yes, the credit is refundable, meaning if the credit exceeds your state income tax for that year, you may claim a refund for the remaining amount.

When can taxpayers begin claiming this credit?

The act applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

8 actions

Mar 16, 2026House
Hearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m.
Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred Ways and Means
Feb 17, 2026SenateFloor
Third Reading Passed (40-1)
Feb 12, 2026SenateFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Feb 12, 2026Senate
Favorable with Amendments { 863225/1 Adopted
Feb 11, 2026SenateCommittee
Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

Show 2 earlier actions

Jan 28, 2026Senate
Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.
Jan 23, 2026SenateIntroduced
First Reading Budget and Taxation

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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