Rep. Jon Cardin

Maddy summaryHB 440 requires Maryland's Department of Health to create a new reimbursement system for Medicaid providers serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The system would allow higher payment rates for qualifying services, include recurring adjustments to support provider access and service quality, and prioritize rate increases for services needing extra time, communication support, or specialized training. However, the bill only takes effect if federal funds become available by December 31, 2036, under the Health Equity for Adults with Disabilities Act or similar programs; otherwise, it becomes void. If federal funding is secured, the new reimbursement structure would begin on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 935 requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals, directly affecting women eligible for prerelease programs at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. The bill mandates a separate facility meeting specific criteria: at least 3 acres, not within 1 mile of other prisons, and designed to house 1.25 times the 2024 prerelease-eligible population. It requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services (including gender-responsive programming) and report progress to legislative committees by a specified deadline. The facility must operate by June 1, 2023, with the Department of General Services directing procurement for its construction.

Maddy summaryHB 695 establishes the Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program to provide no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maryland. The program, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center, funds the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying renewable energy systems (like solar panels) and energy efficiency improvements (such as HVAC upgrades or window replacements). Eligible projects must support Maryland’s environmental and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The program is funded through a new special nonlapsing loan fund, with interest earnings reinvested into the fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to create a statewide network of free financial empowerment centers across Maryland, targeting residents seeking assistance with personal financial management. Each center will provide one-on-one counseling on increasing savings, reducing debt, accessing banking services, and improving credit scores, with materials available in English, Spanish, and other required languages. The Comptroller’s Office will administer the program, requiring counselors to complete training meeting established standards, and the state will fund it through budget appropriations for fiscal years 2028 and 2029. The program will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029, after which it will automatically end without further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 650, the Maryland Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, creates a procedural shield against strategic lawsuits meant to silence public debate. It allows individuals or groups who spoke about government matters or public issues (e.g., activists, journalists) to file a "special motion" within 60 days of being sued to dismiss the case, pausing all other court proceedings. The law covers communications in government proceedings, public issue discussions, or protected speech rights under state/federal constitutions, but excludes lawsuits by government entities, public health/safety enforcement, or commercial speech about goods/services. It replaces existing law (Section 5-807) with new provisions (Sections 5-1301 through 5-1313) to expedite dismissal of such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 31 allows police officers in Maryland who are denied a right under disciplinary rules to seek court intervention before a formal hearing. Specifically, officers can apply to a circuit court for an order requiring their law enforcement agency to explain why the right should not be granted. The bill specifies that countywide/local agency officers must file in their county’s circuit court, while statewide/bicounty agency officers file in Anne Arundel County circuit court. This process applies to disciplinary proceedings under Maryland’s Public Safety subtitle and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 349 requires specific Maryland law enforcement agencies to mandate body-worn cameras for all sworn officers during public duties while in uniform. It applies immediately to the State Police, Anne Arundel County Police, Howard County Police, and Harford County Sheriff’s Office, with all other county agencies required to comply by July 1, 2025. The law specifies officers must wear cameras "regardless of rank" during public interactions, subject to each agency’s existing camera policy. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter existing policies governing camera usage.

Maddy summaryHB 150 proposes constitutional changes to how circuit court judges are selected and retained. It would replace the current system of direct elections with a retention vote process: judges appointed by the governor to fill vacancies would face voter approval at the next general election one year after appointment, and every 10 years thereafter. This applies only to circuit court judges (not appellate or Supreme Court judges) and does not affect judges elected to initial terms. The bill requires voter approval for these retention votes, with "yes" meaning continued service for 10 years. It is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a regular bill, and would require voter ratification after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryHB 510 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to partner with Virginia to obtain data on Maryland residents who own vehicles improperly registered in Virginia. The bill creates a searchable database of this information, making it available to law enforcement for automated speed enforcement citations. It increases penalties for drivers or owners of such vehicles, raising the maximum fine for speeding violations from $40 to $250 for offenses recorded by automated systems. This directly affects Maryland residents who register vehicles in Virginia instead of Maryland, impacting how speed violations are enforced and fined for these specific vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 82 amends Maryland tax law to expand an existing exemption from recordation and transfer taxes to include transfers involving common law trusts between related business entities. It modifies the definition of "business entity" to explicitly include common law trusts, allowing tax-free transfers of real property between entities like parent companies and wholly-owned subsidiaries or related trusts. This change applies to transfers for no consideration, nominal consideration, or where consideration involves only ownership interest changes. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects business entities and common law trusts conducting such intra-group real estate transfers.