Drinking Water - Regulation - Control and Prevention of Waterborne Disease

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0204*

HOUSE BILL 204
M3, J1 6lr1329
(PRE–FILED) CF 6lr1724
By: Delegate Allen
Requested: October 24, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Drinking Water – Regulation – Control and Prevention of Waterborne Disease 2

FOR the purpose of establishing minimum detectable disinfectant residual level 3
requirements, disinfectant residual testing requirements, and related requirements 4
for the control of Legionella bacteria and other pathogens in the public water supply; 5
requiring suppliers of wat er to provide certain notices and records regarding 6
disruptions in the water distribution system; establishing requirements for the 7
investigation of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease; requiring the owner or 8
operators of certain buildings to implement certain water management programs on 9
or before a certain date; requiring the Department of the Environment and the 10
Maryland Department of Health to make certain information required under this 11
Act available on their websites; requiring the Maryland Department of Health to 12
develop a public awareness campaign and targeted consumer education program 13
related to the prevention of Legionnaires’ disease; requiring any penalties collected 14
for a violation of this Act to be distributed to a special fund in the Maryland 15
Department of Health to be used for certain purposes; and generally relating to the 16
control and prevention of waterborne diseases including Legionnaires’ disease. 17

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 18
Article – Environment 19
Section 9–401(a), (l), and (m) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 22

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
Article – Environment 24
Section 9–412 and 9–413 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 27

2 HOUSE BILL 204

BY adding to 1
Article – Environment 2
Section 9 –429 through 9 –436 to be under the new part “Part III. Control and 3
Prevention of Waterborne Disease” 4
Annotated Code of Maryland 5
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 6

SECTION 1. BE IT ENAC TED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 8

Article – Environment 9

9–401. 10

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 11

(l) (1) “Public water system” means a system that: 12

(i) Provides to the public water for human consumption through 13
pipes or other constructed conveyances; and 14

(ii) 1. Has at least 15 service connections; or 15

2. Regularly serves at least 25 individuals. 16

(2) “Public water system” includes: 17

(i) Any collection, treatment, storage, or distribution facility that is 18
under the control of the operator of the system and is used primarily in connection with the 19
system; and 20

(ii) Any collection or pretreatment storage facility that is not under 21
the control of the operator of the system and is used primarily in connection with the 22
system. 23

(m) “Supplier of water” means any person who owns or operates a public water 24
system. 25

9–412. 26

(a) A supplier of water may not: 27

(1) Fail to comply with § 9–410 of this subtitle; 28

(2) Disseminate any false or misleading information in or about any notice 29
required under § 9 –410 of this subtitle or about any remedial action being undertaken to 30
achieve compliance with State primary drinking water regulations; 31
HOUSE BILL 204 3

(3) Knowingly make any false statement, representation, or certification in 1
any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or permit adopted or issued 2
under this subtitle; 3

(4) Fail to comply with the rules and regulations adopted under § 9–407 of 4
this subtitle; [or] 5

(5) Fail to comply with any conditions for variances or exemptions 6
authorized under § 9–409 of this subtitle; OR 7

(6) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART III OF THIS 8
SUBTITLE. 9

(b) A person may not: 10

(1) Fail to comply with any order issued by the Secretary under this 11
subtitle; or 12

(2) Falsify or knowingly render inaccurate any monitoring device or 13
method required to be maintained under this subtitl e or any rule, regulation, order, or 14
permit adopted or issued under this subtitle. 15

9–413. 16

(a) A person who willfully violates § 9 –412(a)(4) [or], (5), OR (6) of this subtitle 17
is subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each day on which the violation exists. 18

(b) A person who violates § 9 –412(a)(1), (2), or (3) of this subtitle is guilty of a 19
misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 for each day on 20
which the violation occurs or failure to comply continues. 21

(c) In an action brought in the appropriate court to enforce the order, a person 22
who willfully violates or fails or refuses to comply with any order issued by the Secretary 23
under this subtitle may be fined not more than $5,000 for each day on which the violation 24
occurs or failure to comply continues. 25

(d) (1) In addition to any other remedies available at law and after an 26
opportunity for a hearing, which may be waived in writing by the person accused of a 27
violation, the Department may impose a penalty for violatio n of any provision of this 28
subtitle or any order, regulation, or plan adopted or issued under this subtitle. 29

(2) The penalty imposed on a supplier of water serving a population of more 30
than 10,000 under this subsection shall be: 31

4 HOUSE BILL 204

(i) Up to $1,000 per day for each violation, but not exceeding 1
$25,000 total for each violation; and 2

(ii) Assessed with consideration given to: 3

1. The willfulness of the violation, the extent to which the 4
existence of the violation was known to but uncorrected by the violator, and the extent to 5
which the violator exercised reasonable care; 6

2. Any actual harm to the environment or to human health, 7
including injury to or impairment of the use of the waters of this State or the natural 8
resources of the State; 9

3. The cost of cleanup and the cost of restoration of natural 10
resources; 11

4. The nature and degree of injury to or interference with 12
general welfare, health, and property; 13

5. The extent to which the location of the violation, including 14
location near waters of this State or areas of human population, creates the potential for 15
harm to the environment or to human health or safety; 16

6. The available technology and economic reasonableness of 17
controlling, reducing, or eliminating the violation; 18

7. The degree of hazard posed by the particular pollutant or 19
pollutants involved; 20

8. The extent to which the current violation is part of a 21
recurrent pattern of the same or similar type of violation committed by the violator; and 22

9. Whether or not penalties were assessed or will be assessed 23
under other provisions of this subtitle. 24

(3) The penalty imposed on a supplier of water serving a population of 25
3,301 to 10,000 under this subsection shall be: 26

(i) Up to $500 per day for each violation, but not exceeding $12,500 27
total for each violation; and 28

(ii) Assessed with consideration given to the factors set forth in 29
paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection. 30

(4) The penalty imposed on a supplier of water serving a population of 501 31
to 3,300 under this subsection shall be: 32

HOUSE BILL 204 5

(i) Up to $250 per day for each violation, but not exceeding $6,250 1
total for each violation; and 2

(ii) Assessed with consideration given to the factors set forth in 3
paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection. 4

(5) The penalty imposed on a supplier of water serving a population of 500 5
or less under this subsection shall be: 6

(i) Up to $100 per day for each violation, but not exceeding $5,000 7
total for each violation; and 8

(ii) Assessed with consideration given to the fact ors set forth in 9
paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection. 10

(6) Each day a violation occurs is a separate violation under this 11
subsection. 12

(7) Any penalty imposed under this subsection is payable to the State and 13
collectible in any manner provided at law for the collection of penalties. 14

(8) (I) [All] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF 15
THIS PARAGRAPH , ALL penalties collected under this subtitle shall be paid into the 16
Maryland Clean Water Fund created under § 9–320 of this title. 17

(II) ANY PENALTIES COLLECT ED FOR A VIOLATION OF § 18
9–412(A)(6) OF THIS SUBTITLE SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO A SPECIAL FUND IN THE 19
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE S 20
SPECIFIED IN § 9–435 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 21

9–427. RESERVED. 22

9–428. RESERVED. 23

PART III. CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF WATERBORNE DISEASE. 24

9–429. 25

(A) IN THIS PART III OF THIS SUBTITLE , “DISRUPTION IN THE WA TER 26
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ” MEANS ANY DISRUPTION TO NORMAL WATER 27
TRANSMISSION WITHIN A PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. 28

(B) “DISRUPTION IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM” INCLUDES: 29

6 HOUSE BILL 204

(1) A CHANGE IN THE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS , INCLUDING 1
TEMPORARY CHANGES FROM THE USE OF CHLORI NE TO THE USE OF CHL ORAMINE 2
OR VICE VERSA; 3

(2) ANY PLANNED OR UNPLAN NED EVENT THAT REDUC ES WATER 4
DELIVERY PRESSURE BELOW 20 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH; 5

(3) A LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT; 6

(4) A NEW CONSTRUCTION TIE–IN; 7

(5) A SOURCE WATER CHANGE; 8

(6) WATER TREATMENT PLANT MAINTENANCE OR CHANGES; 9

(7) CHANGES IN DIRECTIONAL WATER FLOW; 10

(8) FLOODING; 11

(9) THE REPLACEMENT OF VALVES, HYDRANTS, OR METERS; 12

(10) PUMPING FAILURES; 13

(11) PIPELINE OR WATER MAIN BREAKS; 14

(12) SYSTEM REPAIRS; OR 15

(13) EMERGENCY CONDITIONS. 16

9–430. 17

(A) NOTWITHSTANDING § 9–407(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE , ON OR BEFORE 18
JANUARY 1, 2026, EACH SUPPLIER OF WATER SHALL: 19

(1) MAINTAIN IN ALL ACTIVE PARTS OF THE PUBLI C WATER SYSTEM 20
A DETECTABLE DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL LEVEL OF AT LEAST: 21

(I) 0.5 MILLIGRAMS OF FREE CHLORINE PER LITER; OR 22

(II) 1.0 MILLIGRAMS OF MONOCHLORAMINE PER LITER; AND 23

(2) CONDUCT DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL TESTING AT FREQUENT AND 24
REGULAR INTERVALS TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF DETECTAB LE 25
HOUSE BILL 204 7

DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL EXISTING AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THE PUBL IC WATER 1
SYSTEM. 2

(B) (1) ON OR BEFO RE OCTOBER 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT, IN 3
CONSULTATION WITH TH E MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SHALL ADOPT 4
REGULATIONS TO: 5

(I) REQUIRE NITRIFICATION PLANS FOR PUBLIC WAT ER 6
SYSTEMS THAT UTILIZE MONOCHLORAMINE; AND 7

(II) ESTABLISH REQUIREMENT S FOR THE MO NITORING OF A 8
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM DURING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES THAT MAY IMPACT THE 9
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. 10

(2) IN ADDITION TO THE ME ASURES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (1) 11
OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND 12
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO: 13

(I) INCREASE MINIMUM DETECTABLE D ISINFECTANT 14
RESIDUAL LEVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS; OR 15

(II) ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL DISINFECTANT OR TEST ING 16
REQUIREMENTS FOR PUB LIC WATER SYSTEMS TO MINIMIZE THE GROW TH AND 17
TRANSMISSION OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA. 18

(3) THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT REDUCE THE MINIMUM DETECTABLE 19
DISINFECTANT RESIDUA L LEVEL REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED UNDER 20
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 21

(C) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, IF A SUPPLIER 22
OF WATER FAILS TO ME ET THE MINIMUM DETEC TABLE DISINFECTANT R ESIDUAL 23
REQUIREMENTS ESTABLI SHED UNDER THIS SECT ION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 24
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF THE VIOLATION. 25

(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY AUTHORIZE A THIRD –PARTY ENTITY TO 26
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. 27

(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP PROCEDURES AND 28
GUIDELINES REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION OF SUPPLIERS OF WATER U NDER 29
THIS SUBSECTION, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE: 30

8 HOUSE BILL 204

(I) A DEFINITION OF WH AT CONSTITUTES A REPEAT ED 1
FAILURE TO MEET MINI MUM DETECTABLE DISIN FECTANT RESIDUAL 2
REQUIREMENTS; 3

(II) REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF MINIMUM 4
DETECTABLE DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL REQUIREMENTS; 5

(III) GUIDANCE ON WHEN TO I NITIATE INITIAL AND 6
SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS OF VIOLATION S OF MINIMUM DETECTABL E 7
DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL REQUIREMENTS; 8

(IV) THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NOTICE TO INFORM THE PERSONS 9
SERVED BY A SUPPLIER OF WATER IF THE SUPPLIER OF WATER FAILS TO MAINTAIN 10
THE MINIMUM DETECTAB LE DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL LEVELS REQUIRED UN DER 11
THIS SECTION; AND 12

(V) IF APPLICABLE, THE CRITERIA USED BY THE DEPARTMENT 13
TO SELECT THIRD –PARTY ENTITIES TO CO NDUCT INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THIS 14
SUBSECTION. 15

9–431. 16

(A) (1) A SUPPLIER OF WATER SHALL PROVIDE TIMELY WRITTEN NOTICE 17
OF ANY DISRUPTION IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THAT COULD RESULT IN 18
INCREASED LEVELS OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA TO ALL RESIDENTIAL , 19
COMMERCIAL, AND INSTITUTIONAL CU STOMERS SERVED BY THE PUBLIC WATER 20
SYSTEM AND LOCATED IN THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE DISRUPTION. 21

(2) THE NOTICE SHALL BE I N THE FORM AND MANNE R PRESCRIBED 22
BY REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION. 23

(3) THE NOTICE SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, INCLUDE: 24

(I) NOTIFICATION THAT PLA NNED CONSTRUCTION , 25
MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, OR REPLACEMENT OF A PART OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTION 26
SYSTEM MAY AFFECT AN D TEMPORARILY INCREA SE THE LEVELS OF LEGIONELLA 27
BACTERIA IN THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM; 28

(II) THE ESTIMATED LENGTH OF TIME T HAT THE LEVEL OF 29
LEGIONELLA BACTERIA M AY REMAIN ELEVATED , AS DETERMINED BY THE 30
DEPARTMENT; 31

HOUSE BILL 204 9

(III) GENERAL INFORMATION O N THE POSSIBLE SOURC ES OF 1
LEGIONELLA BACTERIA IN THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND THE HEALTH EFFECTS 2
OF LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE AND RELATED ILLNESSES ON AT–RISK POPULATIONS; 3
AND 4

(IV) INFORMATION ON MEASUR ES CONSUMERS CAN TAK E TO 5
REDUCE OR ELIMINATE EXPOSURE TO LEGIONELLA BACTERIA, INCLUDING: 6

1. ENSURING HOT WATER HE ATERS ARE WORKING 7
PROPERLY AND MAINTAI NING A TEMPERATURE O F AT LEAST 130 DEGREES 8
FAHRENHEIT AT THE WATER HEATER OUTLET; 9

2. FLUSHING WATER LINES , INCLUDING THE HOT 10
WATER HEATER DRAIN A ND EXTERNAL HOSE CON NECTIONS, DURING AND AFTER 11
COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION WORK; 12

3. REMOVING AND CLEANING FAUCET AERATOR 13
SCREENS AND SHOWERHEADS; AND 14

4. INSTALLING A WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM OR WATER 15
TREATMENT DEVICE CERTIFIED TO REMOVE LEGIONELLA BACTERIA. 16

(B) (1) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE , AND NOT LATER THAN 24 HOURS AFTER 17
THE OCCURRENCE OF A DISRUPTION IN THE WA TER DISTRIBUTION SYS TEM, A 18
SUPPLIER OF WATER SHALL PROVIDE A WRITTEN RECORD OF THE DISR UPTION TO 19
THE DEPARTMENT. 20

(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH ON ITS WEBSITE A 21
PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE DATABASE OF THE RECORDS OF DISRUPTIONS IN THE WATER 22
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. 23

(C) (1) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT, IN 24
CONSULTATION WITH TH E MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SHALL ADOPT 25
REGULATIONS SPECIFYING THE FORM AND MANNER OF NOTICES REQUIRED UNDER 26
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 27

(2) THE REGULATIONS SHALL INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION 28
TO BE INCLUDED IN NOTICES REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 29

(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUB LISH REGULATIONS ADO PTED 30
UNDER THIS SUBSECTION ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE. 31

9–432. 32
10 HOUSE BILL 204

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 1
INDICATED. 2

(2) “DE–IDENTIFIED DATA” MEANS INFORMATION: 3

(I) THAT DOES NOT IDENTIFY ANY INDIVIDUAL; 4

(II) FOR WHICH THERE IS NO REASONABLE BASIS TO BELIEVE 5
THAT THE INFORMATION CAN BE USED TO IDENTIFY ANY INDIVIDUAL; AND 6

(III) THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DE–IDENTIFICATION 7
OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION UNDER THE FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE 8
PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996 AND IMPLEMENTING 9
REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 10
SERVICES. 11

(3) “WATER EXPOSURE POINT ” MEANS A LOCATION WHE RE AN 12
INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE RESIDED, WAS EMPLOYED, 13
OR FREQUENTLY VISITE D WITHIN THE 14 DAYS IMMEDIATELY PRE CEDING THE 14
INDIVIDUAL’S DIAGNOSIS. 15

(B) FOR EACH REPORTED DIAGNOSIS O F LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE, THE 16
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL: 17

(1) CONDUCT A COMPREHENSI VE INVESTIGATION INT O THE 18
REPORTED CASE; AND 19

(2) ADVISE THE INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH LEGIONNAIRES’ 20
DISEASE ABOUT THE AV AILABILITY OF TESTING BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT 21
OF HEALTH OF THE FIXTURES AND WATER–USING EQUIPMENT AT WATER EXPOSURE 22
POINTS IDENTIFIED BY THE INDIVIDUAL. 23

(C) (1) IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSENT PROVIDED BY THE 24
INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE OR THE OWNER OF THE 25
PROPERTY, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL SAMPLE A ND TEST 26
FIXTURES AND WATER –USING EQUIPMENT AT THE WATER EXPOSUR E POINTS 27
IDENTIFIED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION FOR THE PRESENCE OF 28
LEGIONELLA BACTERIA. 29

(2) EACH TEST SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY A LABORATORY CERTIFIED 30
FOR THIS PURPOSE BY THE DEPARTMENT. 31

HOUSE BILL 204 11

(D) (1) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL DEVELOP 1
PROCEDURES AN D GUIDELINES REGARDI NG THE INVESTIGATION OF EACH 2
REPORTED DIAGNOSIS O F LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 3
SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 4

(2) THE PROCEDURES AND GU IDELINES SHALL , AT A MINIMUM , 5
INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING: 6

(I) THE DOCUMENTATION OF ANY DISRUPTION IN THE WATER 7
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SERVING WATER EXPOSURE POINT S IDENTIFIED UNDER 8
SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE RELEASE 9
OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA INTO THE WATER EXPOSURE POINTS; 10

(II) THE INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL SOURCES OF 11
EXPOSURE TO LEGIONELLA BACTERIA FROM FIXTURES, WATER–USING EQUIPMENT, 12
OR FEATURES AT THE I NDIVIDUAL’S RESIDENCE , INCLUDING WATER EXPO SURES 13
EXTERNAL TO THE RESI DENCE SUCH AS IRRIGA TION, HOSES, OR WATER –BASED 14
EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES; AND 15

(III) THE I NVESTIGATION OF POTE NTIAL SOURCES OF 16
EXPOSURE TO LEGIONELLA BACTERIA FROM OTHER IDENTIFIED WATER EXPOSURE 17
POINTS, SUCH AS: 18

1. VISITS TO BUILDINGS , WATER FEATURES , OR CAR 19
WASHES; AND 20

2. EXPOSURE TO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS , PRESSURE 21
WASHING, CAR WINDSHIELD FLUID S, PUBLIC FOUNTAINS OR TOILETS, OR OTHER 22
ASPECTS OF DAILY TRAVEL AND ACTIVITIES. 23

(E) AS THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DEEMS APPROPRI ATE, 24
THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MAY DELEGATE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES 25
REGARDING TESTING AND INVESTIG ATIONS UNDER THIS SECTION TO THE LOCAL 26
HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THE JURISDICTION WHERE A PATIENT DIAGNOSED WITH 27
LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE LIVES, FREQUENTLY VISITS, OR IS EMPLOYED. 28

(F) (1) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL ESTABLISH ON 29
ITS WEBSITE A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE REGISTRY OF DE–IDENTIFIED DATA RELATED 30
TO EACH CASE OF LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE REPORTED TO THE DEPARTMENT. 31

(2) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL MAKE EVERY 32
EFFORT TO PROVIDE IN FORMATION THROUGH THE REGISTRY ON THE 33
12 HOUSE BILL 204

APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF EACH CASE OF LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE TO THE 1
NEAREST CITY BLOCK OR GENERAL NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION. 2

9–433. 3

(A) (1) THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL IMMEDIATELY 4
NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF ANY REP ORTED DIAGNOSIS OF LEGIONNAIRES’ 5
DISEASE. 6

(2) A NOTICE PROVIDED UNDE R THIS SUBSECTION SH ALL INCLUDE 7
ADDRESSES WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE 8
RESIDED, FREQUENTLY VISITED, OR WAS EMPLOYED IN THE MONTH IMMEDIATELY 9
PRECEDING THE INDIVIDUAL’S DIAGNOSIS. 10

(B) (1) UPON RECEIPT OF A NOTICE UNDER SUBSE CTION (A) OF THIS 11
SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SAMPLE AND TEST THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM 12
FOR THE PRESENCE OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA AT ALL LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED IN 13
THE NOTICE. 14

(2) ALL TESTING REQUIRED UNDER THIS S UBSECTION SHALL BE 15
CONDUCTED: 16

(I) BY A LABORATORY CERTI FIED FOR THIS PURPOS E BY THE 17
DEPARTMENT; AND 18

(II) IN ACCORDANCE WITH TH E SAMPLING AND TESTI NG 19
METHODS ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT. 20

(C) IF THE PRESENCE OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA IS DETECTED THROUGH 21
INITIAL TESTING COND UCTED UNDER SUBSECTI ON (B) OF THIS SECTION , THE 22
DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT, OR REQUIRE THE SUPPLIER OF WATER FO R THE 23
APPLICABLE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM TO CONDUCT, FURTHER TESTING TO CONFIRM 24
THE PRESENCE OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA IN ANY SOURCE AS DET ERMINED 25
NECESSARY BY THE DEPARTMENT. 26

9–434. 27

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “COVERED BUILDING ” MEANS A BUILDING THA T 28
MEETS THE CRITERIA S ET FORTH IN THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, 29
REFRIGERATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING ENGINEERS (ASHRAE) STANDARD 30
188–2018. 31

HOUSE BILL 204 13

(B) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2027, THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A 1
COVERED BUILDING SHALL IMPLEMENT A WA TER MANAGEMENT PROGR AM TO 2
MINIMIZE THE GROWTH AND TRANSMISSION OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA IN THE 3
BUILDING’S WATER SYSTEM, CONSISTENT WITH ASHRAE STANDARD 188–2018. 4

(C) THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A COVERED BUILDING SHALL MAKE THE 5
WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO AN EMPLOY EE OF 6
THE DEPARTMENT, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, OR ANY OTHER 7
STATE OR LOCAL DEPARTMENT WITH LICENSE OR INSPECTION AUTHORITY FOR THE 8
COVERED BUILDING. 9

(D) THE DEPARTMENT, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, OR ANY 10
OTHER STATE OR LOCAL DEPARTMENT WITH LICENSE OR INSPECTION AUTHORITY 11
MAY ENFORCE THIS SECTION CONSISTENT WITH ITS EXISTING AUTHORITY. 12

9–435. 13

(A) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF 14
HEALTH SHALL DEVELOP A PUBLIC AWARENESS C AMPAIGN AND TARGETED 15
CONSUMER EDUCATION P ROGRAM TO EDUCATE CO NSUMERS, ESPECIALLY 16
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, ON: 17

(1) THE ENVIRONMENTAL SOURCES OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA; 18

(2) THE MOVEMENT OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA THROUGH WAT ER 19
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS; 20

(3) THE NOTIFICATION REQU IREMENTS OF THIS PART III OF THIS 21
SUBTITLE AND HOW THE REQUIREMENTS IMPACT CONSUMERS; AND 22

(4) THE METHODS TO CONTROL LEGIONELLA BACTERIA IN A 23
PERSON’S HOME. 24

(B) THE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND EDUCATION PROGRAM SHALL, 25
AT A MINIMUM, INCLUDE: 26

(1) INFORMATION ON THE RE LATIONSHIP BETWEEN T HE RISKS OF 27
THE PROLIFERATION OF LEGIONELLA BACTERIA AND WATER TEMPERATURE; 28

(2) THE TEMPERATURE REQUI REMENTS FOR MEDICAL DEVICES, 29
EXPANSION TANKS , HOT TUBS , WHIRLPOOLS, SPAS, POOLS, AIR–CONDITIONING 30
EQUIPMENT, ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT OR DEVICES THAT 31
14 HOUSE BILL 204

RELEASE WATER AEROSO LS IN A PERSON ’S HOME OR ON A PERSON’S PROPERTY; 1
AND 2

(3) THE RELATED RISKS ASS OCIATED WITH THE INH ALATION BY 3
VULNERABLE POPULATIO NS OF WATER DROPLETS CONTAINING LEGIONELLA 4
BACTERIA. 5

9–436. 6

ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2027, AND EACH YEAR THEREA FTER, THE 7
DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, 8
SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE 9
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 10

(1) THE NUMBER OF CASES OF LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE IN THE 11
STATE REPORTED IN EACH OF THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS; 12

(2) THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF VIOLATIONS OF THIS PART III OF THIS 13
SUBTITLE FOR WHICH PENALTIES WERE ASSESSED; AND 14

(3) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR L EGISLATIVE ACTI ON AS MAY BE 15
NECESSARY TO FURTHER CONTROL LEGIONELLA BACTERIA A ND OTHER 16
WATERBORNE PATHOGENS IN THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY AND AFFECTED 17
BUILDINGS, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING WHETHER THE MINIMUM 18
DETECTABLE DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL LEVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC WATER 19
SYSTEMS SHOULD BE INCREASED. 20

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21
October 1, 2026. 22