Del. Terri Hill

Maddy summaryHB 941 requires public restrooms in state and local government buildings, public transportation facilities (like stations), and public parks or recreation centers to provide specific hygiene products. It mandates an adequate supply of hand soap, toilet paper, towels or drying devices, water, waste containers, and menstrual hygiene products (such as tampons, sanitary napkins, and pads). The bill applies to all "public buildings" as defined - excluding schools - but covers facilities owned, leased, or operated by the state or political subdivisions. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, ensuring consistent access to essential hygiene items in publicly accessible spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 1263 establishes a workgroup to study the regulation of postoperative cosmetic care provided by non-physician practitioners (such as estheticians or massage therapists), focusing on patient safety, consumer protection, and access to qualified providers. The workgroup, composed of health officials, patient advocates, and care providers, will examine current rules, identify gaps in care access, review risks from unregulated services, and evaluate best practices from other states. It must submit interim and final reports by December 2026 and 2027, respectively, and cannot recommend new licensing without legislative approval. The workgroup expires on June 30, 2028, unless extended.

Maddy summaryHB 1068 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to provide a 60-day special enrollment period for individuals who become newly hired by small businesses that do not offer employer-sponsored health plans. This applies to people purchasing coverage through the state’s health insurance marketplace (Individual Exchange) or outside it. The special enrollment period begins on the first day of employment and allows new hires to enroll in health insurance without waiting for the standard open enrollment period. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, directly benefiting newly employed workers at small businesses without health benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 599 requires hospitals seeking a new license or undergoing ownership changes after October 1, 2026, to be federally recognized nonprofit organizations registered with the state. Specifically, it mandates that hospitals qualifying for licensure on or after that date must operate as nonprofits under federal law and maintain that status as a condition of their license. The bill also prohibits transferring ownership of any licensed hospital after October 1, 2026, to any entity other than another nonprofit organization. This directly affects hospitals seeking new licenses, renewing licenses, or changing ownership in Maryland after the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1597 establishes a 3-year pilot project (2026-2029) allowing up to five Maryland hospitals to create unregulated operating room space within regulated facilities. Participating hospitals must follow specific criteria: maintain charity care, charge comparable rates to regulated services, reduce costs for Medicaid/Medicare, and avoid duplicating services in regulated spaces. The Health Services Cost Review Commission administers the pilot, requires annual reports on procedures, costs, and impacts on healthcare efficiency, and mandates data sharing from associated surgical centers. This directly affects participating hospitals, patients using unregulated space, and payers (including Medicaid/Medicare), with no changes to existing regulated hospital services.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires property managers handling residential properties with four or more rental units to hold a state real estate broker license, expanding the definition of real estate brokerage services to include certain property management activities. The legislation mandates that landlords cannot use unlicensed property management services for qualifying residential properties and requires licensed property managers to complete continuing education on property management topics. Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for violations and creates a process for the State Real Estate Commission to investigate inadequate property management services after receiving a formal notice. These changes directly affect property management companies, landlords managing multi-unit residential properties, and the regulatory oversight provided by the State Real Estate Commission.

Maddy summaryHJ 8 is a symbolic resolution apologizing for Maryland's historical role in racial terror lynchings. It formally acknowledges the state's complicity in 38 documented lynchings between 1854-1933, including failures to protect Black citizens, colluding with local governments to conceal perpetrators, and failing to pass anti-lynching laws. The resolution commits Maryland to taking reparative actions as recommended by the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, though it does not establish new programs or allocate funds. It directly addresses the legacy of harm experienced by Black Marylanders and their descendants. This is a procedural resolution, not a law with enforceable provisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 9) is a formal statement by the Maryland General Assembly condemning violence against civilians and violations of international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, and Sudan. It specifically addresses ongoing crises involving mass civilian harm, displacement, and credible reports of war crimes and genocide risk, urging the U.S. government to take four concrete actions: secure immediate ceasefires, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, release unlawfully detained civilians, and support independent accountability mechanisms. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses Maryland’s position and urges federal action, emphasizing the protection of civilians and adherence to international law. It was introduced by multiple Maryland delegates and aligns with the state’s prior statements on global humanitarian crises.

Maddy summaryHB 971 creates a workgroup to study whether Maryland should adopt a fee-for-service model for all Medicaid services, meaning providers would be paid directly per service (instead of through managed care organizations). The workgroup, composed of two legislators, a health care commission representative, and three Governor-appointed members (including a provider and an advocate), will assess the feasibility of this change. The study will examine how a fee-for-service model could work across the entire Medicaid program, including its impact on access and costs. The bill does not change current Medicaid policy but mandates this study to inform future decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1157 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to annually report detailed data on mental health and substance use coverage to the Insurance Commissioner using a standardized template. This data includes access to services by facility type (e.g., outpatient, inpatient), provider type (e.g., psychiatrists, psychologists), and demographics (e.g., youth vs. adult, in-person vs. telehealth), along with network accuracy and availability. The Commissioner must make this data publicly accessible via a website with interactive dashboards. The law directly affects all health insurance companies offering plans in Maryland, aiming to improve transparency about coverage gaps in mental health care.