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Bill Summary · SB 263

SB 263 — Heating, Ventilation, Air‑Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors — License Restoration (Maryland)

Status: Approved by the Governor — Chapter 86 (approved April 8, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025 (pre‑filed Oct 12, 2024)
Effective date: October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

To extend the period during which an expired HVACR (heating, ventilation, air‑conditioning, and refrigeration) contractor license may be restored without re‑qualifying as a new applicant. The change is intended to reduce undue burdens on former licensees (for example, those sidelined by injury or without timely electronic access) by aligning HVACR reinstatement rules with other mechanical licensing boards.

Key provisions

  • Amends Article — Business Regulation (Annotated Code of Maryland), Section 9A‑309(e).
  • Changes the license restoration window from 90 days after expiration to 4 years:
    • If an application for restoration is made within 4 years after the license expiration, the Board may restore the license upon payment of the required renewal or reinstatement fee.
    • If application for restoration is not made within the 4‑year period, the State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air‑Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors may require the applicant to complete the initial‑application process (i.e., as if never licensed), which may include examination and other original licensing requirements.
  • Definitions: the statute’s existing definitions of “Board” and “License” (including master, master restricted, limited, journeyman, journeyman restricted, and apprentice licenses) remain applicable.

Who is affected

  • Primary: individuals who previously held an HVACR contractor license in Maryland whose license has expired.
  • Secondary: the State Board of HVACR Contractors (administrative workload) and employers/contractors who rely on licensed personnel.
  • No direct local government fiscal effects reported.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • The Department of Legislative Services and Maryland Department of Labor indicate the Board can implement the change with existing budgeted resources; revenues and expenditures are not expected to be materially affected.
  • Small business impact: assessed as minimal or none.
  • Fees: current renewal/original licensing fees (per the fiscal analysis) range by license type (e.g., apprentice ≈ $12 to master/limited ≈ $94.50) and are paid into the State Occupational Mechanical Licensing Boards’ Fund; restoration requires payment of the applicable renewal/reinstatement fee.

Implementation / timeline

  • Law takes effect October 1, 2025 — from that date forward expired HVACR licenses may be restored under the revised 4‑year rule.
  • If a licensee seeks restoration after the 4‑year window, the Board retains discretion to require full compliance with initial licensing requirements.

Context / notes

  • SB 263 was a departmental bill requested by the Maryland Department of Labor to harmonize HVACR reinstatement timelines with other mechanical licensing boards and address practical circumstances (e.g., medical recovery, access issues) that can prevent timely renewal under the prior 90‑day limit.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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