MD HB243

Restructures required elements of comprehensive plans for Maryland charter counties and local jurisdictions from the current framework (development regulations, housing, sensitive areas, transportation, water resources) to eight new elements: Land, Transportation, Housing, Economy, Equity, Resilience, Place, and Ecology

Requires plans to address new topics including overburdened and underserved communities (Equity element), climate resilience and disaster preparedness (Resilience element), public spaces and community cohesion (Place element), and greenhouse gas emissions from development patterns (Ecology element)

Mandates that each plan element be informed by specific state plans and requires state agencies (Planning, Transportation, Environment, Natural Resources, Commerce, Labor, Housing and Community Development) to provide data and technical assistance to local jurisdictions

Consolidates previous standalone elements into subelements, including sensitive areas, water resources, mineral resources, fisheries, community facilities, and municipal growth as subelements within the Land or Ecology elements

Applies prospectively only to comprehensive plans amended, revised, or readopted after the October 1, 2026 effective date, with no retroactive effect on plans already in process