Del. Gary Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 466 modifies Maryland's comparative negligence law for motor vehicle accident cases involving vulnerable individuals (as defined in § 21-901.3 of the Transportation Article, such as minors or elderly individuals). It prevents plaintiffs from being barred from recovering damages solely due to their own negligence, unless their negligence was both a direct cause of their injury and greater than the combined negligence of all defendants. Damages awarded under this law would be reduced proportionally based on the plaintiff’s share of fault. The law applies only to accidents occurring on or after October 1, 2026, and does not change existing rules about joint liability or the last clear chance doctrine.

Maddy summaryHB 1122 modifies Maryland's pension rules specifically for the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County. It requires sheriffs elected or appointed on or after July 1, 2026, to complete 8 years of service to earn pension vesting (down from 10 years under current rules). To retire with a full allowance, they must either reach 90 combined years of age and service or be age 65 with 8 years of service. The bill applies only to sheriffs taking office after the effective date, not current or past sheriffs.

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 summaryHB 1123 amends Maryland's criminal code to impose misdemeanor penalties for adults who store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where they knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. The law directly affects adult firearm owners responsible for storage safety, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. Key exemptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement use during duty, or minors with valid hunter safety certificates. The bill explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases involving firearm-related injuries or property damage. This bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1468 requires hospitals in Maryland to create a written "safe discharge labor plan" before discharging or transferring any patient in active labor (defined as a pregnant person showing labor signs per medical standards). The plan must include clinical justification for the discharge, travel safety assessment, a plain-language explanation of risks and warning signs, and proof the patient understands the plan. Hospitals must maintain these records for 21 years, provide annual staff training on maternal care and patient communication, and prominently post patient rights in labor departments. The bill also mandates annual reports to the health department tracking discharge practices and any adverse outcomes following discharge.

Maddy summaryHB 1505 expands Maryland’s existing loan repayment and scholarship programs to include correctional officers. It amends two programs: the "Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers" (for repaying education loans) and the "Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program" (for tuition assistance). Correctional officers who work in state correctional facilities for at least 2 years (for loan repayment) or commit to 5 years of service (for scholarships) become eligible. The bill directly affects current and future correctional officers pursuing or completing degrees in Maryland. It does not create new funding but extends existing benefits to this workforce.

Maddy summaryHB 630 prohibits private entities from operating immigration detention facilities in buildings not originally designed and constructed for housing or detaining people. It specifically bans converting existing structures (like warehouses or offices) into detention centers. The bill also prevents state/local governments from entering agreements, providing funding, or approving zoning for such facilities operated by private entities. This directly affects private operators seeking to establish immigration detention centers and local governments considering facility partnerships.

Maddy summaryHB 477 modifies Maryland's evidence rules to allow certain out-of-court statements in assault in the second degree cases where the defendant caused the witness's unavailability. It permits such statements as evidence if the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that the defendant engaged in wrongdoing to make the witness unavailable. The bill requires statements to have been given under oath, written and signed, or recorded verbatim, and mandates early notice to the defense about the statement's use. This directly affects criminal trials for assault in the second degree by expanding admissible evidence while adding procedural safeguards. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 95 (Family Law - Marriage License Applications - Appearance in Court) requires **both parties** to appear in person before a circuit court clerk to apply for a marriage license in Maryland, replacing the current requirement that only one party needs to appear. The bill mandates that both applicants provide full legal names, addresses, birth dates, relationship status, marital history, and documentation (like birth certificates or Social Security numbers) during this in-person visit. Non-resident couples may still use an affidavit sworn in their home jurisdiction, but the affidavit must now include all the same information required for the standard in-person application. This change applies to all marriage license applications processed in Maryland starting October 1, 2026, directly affecting anyone applying for a marriage license in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1491 establishes the Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission to coordinate and secure funding for safe routes for Maryland public school students traveling to and from school. The commission, made up of state education and transportation officials, school system representatives, local government members, students (including those with IEPs), parents, and infrastructure experts, will identify gaps in existing pathways, evaluate funding options, and develop strategic plans. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislative committees by December 1st, detailing current conditions, funding opportunities, and recommendations for infrastructure improvements. This bill directly affects public school students, their families, school systems, and local governments responsible for transportation infrastructure.