Rep. Gary Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 548, the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, requires local governments to approve housing development projects based solely on land-use laws and regulations in effect when a developer submits a "substantially complete" application. It grants developers "vested rights" to build under those original rules for a set period, protecting projects from future regulatory changes. The bill also prohibits localities from collecting development excise taxes or impact fees until a project is fully completed. This directly affects housing developers and local planning authorities across Maryland, streamlining approvals for new housing while limiting fee collection during construction.

Maddy summaryHB 606 expands eligibility for property tax payment deferrals on residential properties in Anne Arundel County to include members of certain reserve military components, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Public Health Service. The bill amends existing law to add these groups to the list of qualifying individuals who qualify for deferrals under the same disability or age criteria already in place (e.g., permanent disability or age 62+). It does not change income requirements or other existing provisions. The change applies to tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 497 extends the effective duration of temporary protective orders from 7 to 14 days after service and requires final protective order hearings to occur within 14 days (previously 7 days) after service. It allows courts to order respondents to pay victims for specific abuse-related costs, including medical/dental care, property repairs, temporary shelter, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that monetary awards under this provision do not prevent victims from seeking additional compensation later for unawarded expenses. These changes apply to Maryland’s family law system, directly affecting victims of abuse, respondents in protective order cases, and courts handling such petitions.

Maddy summaryHB 623 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize colleges providing strong support for military-connected students, while updating the existing Purple Star Schools Program. The bill directly affects military-connected students (including service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents) and colleges, including both public/private higher education institutions and private career schools. Key provisions require colleges to appoint a military liaison to assist new military-connected students with transitions, and maintain an easily accessible website with resources on relocation, enrollment, academic planning, and support services. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the program and establish minimum criteria for colleges to earn Purple Star designation.

Maddy summaryHB 634 (LEAD Act of 2026) requires Maryland police training programs to include specific instruction on interacting with individuals with dementia or autism. It directly affects all entrance-level and in-service police training curricula across state, county, and municipal departments. Key provisions mandate training in six areas: locating wandering individuals, searching near water, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination. The law amends Maryland's Public Safety Code to add these requirements, effective October 1, 2026. It focuses on practical, life-saving protocols rather than broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 727 modifies Anne Arundel County's Class C (veterans' organization) alcohol license requirements. It removes the current rule that members must have served in a war and instead expands eligibility to include members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Public Health Service. This change directly affects veterans' organizations seeking these licenses in Anne Arundel County by broadening who qualifies as a member. The bill amends Maryland's Annotated Code (Sections 11-1009(b)(1) and 11-1009(a)) to update the membership criteria to align with "uniformed services" rather than war service. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 680 renames Maryland's "Children's Cabinet Fund" to the "Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund" and mandates specific annual funding increases for grants to local management boards. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the Governor must appropriate $3 million above the 2027 level, with $2 million increases each subsequent year through 2031. These funds support local boards in implementing coordinated services for children and families, including youth development, prevention, crisis intervention, and reducing out-of-home placements. The bill directly affects local management boards that coordinate child welfare services, requiring them to align with state and local plans when applying for these grants.

Maddy summaryHB 677 creates legal immunity for registered reduction operators and veterans service organizations that handle unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains (from natural organic reduction) of veterans or their eligible dependents, provided they act in good faith. It amends Maryland law to replace references to "cremated remains" with "hydrolyzed or soil remains" in liability protections, ensuring these entities cannot be held civilly responsible for transferring or receiving such remains for proper disposition. The bill directly affects reduction facilities operating under Maryland's natural organic reduction process and veterans service organizations managing veteran remains. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and updates existing legal language to reflect this new disposal method.

Maddy summaryHB 752 modifies Maryland law to clarify how gift card theft and fraud are treated. It defines "closed-loop" (store-specific) and "open-loop" (network-branded) gift cards and sets a new standard for determining their value in theft cases: the highest of the face value, the defendant’s claimed value, or the actual loss incurred. The bill also prohibits altering or tampering with gift cards or packaging with intent to defraud, creating a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $500 fine. This directly affects individuals committing gift card theft or forgery and law enforcement prosecuting such offenses. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires law enforcement agencies to issue protective body armor to officers before assigning them to any duties other than administrative work. The armor must meet current National Institute of Justice ballistic standards and have not passed its manufacturer-suggested replacement date. Agencies must replace expired armor within 31 days and notify the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission if they fail to do so. The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy will withhold grant funds from agencies that do not comply with these replacement and reporting requirements. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.