New MD Laws On Beer, Tax Credits, Plastic Foam Ban Begin July 1

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Dozens of new laws take effect Monday, July 1, in Maryland that will change your take-out food service with a ban on plastic foam cups and food containers, allow Johns Hopkins University to create the state's first public police force at a college, establish a board that will cap prescription drug costs, allow breweries to serve more beer, boost child care tax credits and more.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the Maryland laws that kick in on Monday:

Ban on plastic foam cups and food containers: The ban that affects take-out food and drink starts Monday but companies have until July 1, 2020, to meet the terms of the new law.

Johns Hopkins University police: The acclaimed Baltimore university can now establish its own public police force to help protect students from violence after several armed robberies around the main campus. The force of 100 officers will patrol the university's academic and main medical campus in Baltimore.

Prescription drug affordability board: This is the nation's first oversight board created to lower prescription drug costs. The board will cap the costs of certain prescription drugs when purchased by state and local government employers, which could be expanded to other employers.

Preventing child abuse: Any applicant for a county school board or other school in the state who will work with children must submit information from previous jobs they held where kids were involved so those hiring can check to see if the former employee was disciplined, fired, or asked to resign during an investigation of child sexual abuse or misconduct, and whether any allegations were substantiated.

More beer: Breweries can now to serve up to 5,000 barrels a year in taprooms. Other laws allow some liquor license holders in St. Mary’s County sell drinks Sunday at bars, and let Montgomery County liquor stores to sell kegs or growlers of chilled beer.

Increased child care tax credit: The cap for the state tax credit raises from $50,000 of annual income to $92,000 for single parents and $143,000 for married couples filing taxes jointly, The Baltimore Sun reports. Parents are eligible for credits worth up to 32.5 percent of the value of the federal credit; it can also be used toward the cost of caring for disabled adults or elderly dependents.

Student athlete complaints: Colleges and universities must adopt a written policy to let students report concerns about the programs and school administrator. The reports can be anonymous and the law bans retaliation against students who raise concerns.

New regents: Four new members will join the University of Maryland Board of Regents, including another student. Going forward, some board of regents meetings must be publicly available through video streaming.

Oyster sanctuaries: The environmental law to create five oyster sanctuaries in Chesapeake Bay is a way to help revive the water, supporters said. The sites are in Harris Creek and the Little Choptank, Tred Avon, St. Mary’s and Manokin rivers. Legislators override Gov. Larry Hogan's veto of the bill.

Electric car credit: The tax credit for qualified plug-in electric vehicles increases to $3,000.

Opioid restitution fund: Creates a fund to be spent on treatment programs and efforts to prevent addiction and overdoses. Money for the fund would come from any settlement or judgment the state reaches with opioid manufacturers.

Includes reporting from WTOP.com, The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post.