Maryland SB 719 (Enrolled - Revised) prohibits land application of sewage sludge with total regulated PFAS (PFOA + PFOS) concentrations at or above 50 ppb, effective October 1, 2028. Sewage sludge with 25-50 ppb requires restricted application rates (≤3 dry metric tons per acre), enhanced setbacks, and 14-day advance notification. Generators with ≥25 ppb must complete source tracking studies and develop mitigation plans. MDE must provide technical assistance and may establish PFAS pretreatment standards for industrial users.
Chapter 329 (Senate Bill 719) establishes restrictions on the land application of sewage sludge or products containing sewage sludge with total concentrations of regulated PFAS equal to or greater than specified levels. The law prohibits land application of sewage sludge exceeding PFAS thresholds and establishes related requirements for the Maryland Department of the Environment and sewage sludge generators. Compliance teams managing biosolids or wastewater treatment byproducts in Maryland must monitor for these PFAS concentration limits.
Maryland SB 686 (2026 Session, First Reader) proposes comprehensive bans on products containing intentionally added PFAS. Starting January 1, 2028, the bill would ban sale/distribution of PFAS-containing cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, personal care products, feminine hygiene products, pet food packaging, juvenile products, and intimacy products. Additional product bans (fabric treatments, ski wax, textiles, mattresses, upholstered products, paint) would take effect January 1, 2029. Manufacturers would be required to register PFAS-containing products with MDE and pay registration fees. The bill was set aside after committee hearing but sponsors indicated willingness to revise and reintroduce.
Maryland SB 345 prohibits the use of PFAS pesticides (pesticides with PFAS chemicals as active ingredients) at healthcare facilities, schools, day care operations, residential lawn care, and commercial mosquito spraying operations, effective June 1, 2026. MDA must publish a list of registered PFAS pesticides by January 1, 2026. Beginning June 1, 2027, MDA is prohibited from registering new PFAS pesticides for sale in Maryland, with a complete statewide ban on PFAS pesticide use effective June 1, 2028.
House Bill 386 proposes prohibiting PFAS in pesticides with phased implementation. The bill would require the Maryland Department of Agriculture to distribute a list of registered PFAS pesticides to certified applicators and notify them of prohibitions on use at specified locations and for specified activities. All prohibitions begin in fiscal 2032. PFAS pesticides pose significant threats to Maryland waterways including the Patuxent River, Potomac River, Susquehanna River, and Chesapeake Bay. This is proposed legislation and compliance teams should monitor its progress.
Pursuant to Maryland SB 0956 (2024), MDE has identified Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) that currently and intentionally use PFAS chemicals and established PFAS monitoring and testing protocols for identified SIUs, effective January 1, 2025. The document details PFAS action levels for SIUs operating under pretreatment permits that discharge wastewater into sanitary sewer systems. MDE's Pretreatment Program has established monitoring requirements and testing protocols for facilities using PFAS chemicals.
Per the Protecting State Waters From PFAS Pollution Act (SB 0956, enacted 2024), MDE has identified Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) that currently and intentionally use PFAS chemicals (as of October 1, 2024) and established PFAS monitoring and testing protocols for identified SIUs (effective January 1, 2025). This document details the determination of PFAS action levels for SIUs operating under pretreatment permits that discharge wastewater into sanitary sewer systems. Compliance teams with industrial discharge permits in Maryland must implement PFAS monitoring protocols.