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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland requires fire code updates to permit trash and recycling in building corridors and exits
Last action · April 14, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 67Sponsors: Ron Watson and 1 other
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What This Bill Does
Senate Bill 621 requires the State Fire Prevention Commission to adopt regulations incorporating sections 30.7.5 and 31.7.5 of the 2024 National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code, allowing trash and recycling materials awaiting scheduled collection to be placed in corridors and exits. The took effect immediately upon being approved by the Governor on April 14, 2026.
Building occupants and property managers statewide are now legally permitted to place scheduled-collection waste and recyclables in specific egress pathways provided they comply with the newly incorporated national standards.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
building occupants
Building occupants are permitted to place trash and recycling awaiting scheduled collection in corridors and exits under the updated safety code.
State Fire Prevention Commission
The Commission is required to adopt regulations incorporating specific sections of the 2024 NFPA Life Safety Code.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
13 actions- Apr 14, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolledApproved by the Governor - Chapter 67
- Apr 10, 2026SenateFloorReturned Passed
- Apr 9, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (117-13)
- Apr 3, 2026HouseFloorFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- Apr 3, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable Report by Environment and Transportation
- Mar 25, 2026HouseHearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
Show 7 earlier actions
- Mar 21, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Environment and Transportation
- Mar 20, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (40-0)
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorFavorable Adopted
- Mar 19, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
- Feb 5, 2026SenateHearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 5, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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