IMPORTANT UPDATE - Inflatable Amusement Attraction Regulations

The Maryland General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative (AELR) has approved the emergency adoption of the proposed inflatable amusement attraction regulations effective March 4, 2026. The emergency action adopts the language of the proposed regulations which were published in the February 20, 2026 edition of the Maryland Register. This emergency action will be published in the March 20, 2026 Maryland Register. The emergency action will be in effect until August 31, 2026.

Simultaneously with the emergency action, and as previously indicated, the Department proposed the regulations which were published as proposed regulations in the February 20, 2026 Maryland Register. The proposed regulations incorporate by reference the American Society for Testing and Materials, F2374-22 and amend related regulations to include references to applicable sections of F237422, amend to include certain defined terms, clarify certain requirements related to weather and anchorage, amend certain reporting requirements, update fire extinguisher requirements, and amend to clarify location and clearance requirements. The proposed regulations are the culmination of the Safety Inspection Unit working with the Maryland Amusement Ride Safety Advisory Board (Board) over the past year to update the inflatable regulations. After approval of the proposed regulations by the Board, the Commissioner moved forward with promulgating the regulations.

The 30-day notice and comment period on the proposed regulations ends on March 23, 2026. Comments may be submitted to Jack Mirabella, Senior Policy Advisor, Division of Labor and Industry, Maryland Department of Labor, 10946 Golden West Drive, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031, or call 443-806-1116, or email to [email protected]. A public hearing has not been scheduled.