Rep. Jessica Feldmark

Maddy summaryHB 1321 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program to protect certain low-income families from enrollment freezes. It prohibits enrollment freezes from applying to families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, children on Social Security Income, or homeless children - ensuring these groups maintain access. If a freeze occurs, the State Department of Education must create a waitlist prioritizing these protected individuals. The bill also limits copay increases for specific participants and requires the Department to identify applicants eligible for free prekindergarten.

Maddy summaryHB 849 prevents certain groups from being cut off from Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program if a freeze on new enrollments is implemented. It specifically protects families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, or Social Security Income; siblings of currently enrolled children; individuals who recently lost jobs (within 30 days); and government workers furloughed due to a shutdown lasting over 7 days. The bill adds these exceptions to the existing rules that would otherwise allow the program to freeze enrollment. This change ensures these vulnerable groups maintain access to child care assistance during enrollment freezes.

Maddy summaryHB 1300 updates Maryland's Commission for Women by changing how its executive director is appointed and clarifying the Commission's responsibilities. It removes the Secretary of Human Services' authority to appoint the director, stating the director will be a regular state employee (not a "special appointee") and receive standard state compensation. The bill revises the Commission's duties to focus on conducting studies, supporting programs, and advocating for policies that promote equality for women, including career development, violence prevention, and economic opportunities. These changes directly affect the Commission's operations and its executive director, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 reduces the total membership of the Maryland School for the Deaf's Board of Trustees from 19 to 13 members and increases the minimum number of deaf members required from 6 to 7. The bill also requires at least one board member to represent each geographic region of Maryland. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, directly affect the governance structure of the Maryland School for the Deaf by altering how the board is composed and appointed. The bill modifies existing law to ensure the board better reflects the deaf community it serves while maintaining geographic representation.

Maddy summaryHB 216 prohibits individuals from exploiting government benefits through deception, coercion, or exploitation of vulnerable people. It specifically bans recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining others to appropriate their benefits (including Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, and veterans benefits) for personal gain or to benefit others. The law also prohibits financial gain from such exploitation or aiding/abetting these acts, with penalties including up to 25 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It directly affects benefit recipients - particularly vulnerable populations like disabled or elderly adults - and those who exploit their benefits through threats, false promises, or controlling behavior. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 161 creates a property tax credit for property owners who convert former gas stations (retail service stations) to new uses like retail stores, homes, or mixed residential-retail spaces. Local governments (counties or cities) can grant this credit to offset property taxes, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost tax revenue. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up contamination. This applies to properties converted after June 30, 2026, and affects property owners making such conversions in Maryland jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHB 405 prevents condo and HOA governing bodies from unreasonably blocking electric vehicle (EV) charger installations in common or limited common use parking areas. It requires boards to follow regular budget processes and confirm sufficient parking availability before installing chargers. The law also allows boards to grant 3-year renewable licenses for necessary common elements (like electrical supply) for EV equipment. This applies retroactively to existing restrictions and takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting condo/HOA communities and their residents.

Maddy summaryHB 430 requires family child care providers who are members of the National Guard or military reserves to designate a substitute provider when they are away for required training or active duty. This applies specifically to providers operating registered family child care homes, which care for up to eight children in a home setting. The law limits substitute care to no more than 45 working days per year. The bill amends Maryland's child care licensing laws (adding Section 9.5-305.1) to establish this requirement, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 575 requires Maryland public schools to treat student absences as excused when students participate in specified civic activities during the General Assembly's regular session. It directly affects public school students by allowing absences for testifying at legislative hearings or engaging in activities like meeting with legislators, advocating for policies, or other department-approved civic work. The bill mandates that school systems adopt policies authorizing at least 15 hours or 2 school days per year for these activities, ensuring such absences do not count toward chronic absenteeism. This policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 340 would allow Maryland to join the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, enabling licensed school psychologists from member states to practice in Maryland without reapplying for separate state licenses. This directly affects school psychologists seeking to work across state lines, particularly in areas facing staffing shortages. The compact establishes standardized requirements for multistate licensure and creates a commission to manage the agreement, while ensuring states maintain authority to protect public safety through their own scope-of-practice laws. The goal is to improve access to school psychological services by streamlining licensing for qualified professionals.