Del. Jen Terrasa

Maddy summaryHB 277 requires new construction and specific renovations to include water bottle filling stations - defined as fixtures for filling personal water bottles (at least 10 inches tall) that may combine with drinking fountains - starting October 1, 2025. It mandates these stations in all new buildings requiring drinking fountains under plumbing codes, when replacing existing drinking fountains in renovations, and when renovations require new drinking fountains. The Maryland Department of Labor must create implementing regulations, and the law applies only to projects under contract after July 1, 2025. This affects building developers, contractors, and public facilities subject to plumbing code requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 375 (Jay's Law) modifies Maryland's transportation code to allow bicyclists, riders of play vehicles, and unicyclists to ride on sidewalks or sidewalk areas unless prohibited by local ordinance. It requires these riders to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and users of electric personal assistive mobility devices when on sidewalks or in crosswalks. The bill directly affects cyclists, pedestrians, and local governments (which retain authority to ban sidewalk riding). Key provisions amend sections 21-1103 and 21-1202 of Maryland's Annotated Code, taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 creates income-based installment payment plans for drivers who owe $250 or more in unpaid tolls and civil penalties. It requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to establish this program, allowing eligible individuals to pay gradually based on their income instead of paying the full amount upfront. The bill amends existing law to replace the previous 30-day payment deadline with this new payment option, which can prevent license suspension for non-payment. Drivers must qualify by meeting income requirements and applying through the new program.

Maddy summaryHB 930 establishes Maryland's Public Health Abortion Grant Program to improve access to abortion care by redirecting excess funds from health insurance coverage. It requires insurance carriers in Maryland to transfer 90% of unused funds from their abortion coverage accounts (after covering patient costs) into a new special fund. This fund will support abortion clinical services, particularly where federal funding is restricted, benefiting individuals seeking abortion care in Maryland. The program mandates annual reporting by insurers and transfers existing excess funds starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 requires landlords of residential rental properties in Maryland to publicly disclose their pet policies in specific ways. Landlords must provide a link to the policy on the property’s website, in digital advertisements, and in rental search engine listings, plus include a written summary in rental applications. The disclosure must detail breed/weight restrictions, all fees (upfront, deposits, monthly), pet limits, vaccination requirements, insurance needs, and other landlord-specific rules. This directly affects landlords of residential rentals and their prospective tenants who own pets. The bill amends Maryland’s real property code to implement these transparency requirements, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1371, the Maryland Mobile ID Enhancement Act, allows drivers to use electronic credentials (mobile IDs) instead of physical licenses when renting vehicles in Maryland. It directly affects renters (including nonresidents with compatible mobile IDs from states with agreements) and rental companies, which must verify the electronic credential matches the driver's identity and license status. Key provisions require the Motor Vehicle Administration to create verified electronic credentials and mandate rental companies to confirm the mobile ID's validity through electronic means, including matching signatures and physical descriptions. The bill does not change general driver's license rules but specifically enables mobile IDs for vehicle rental transactions starting October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 requires Maryland landlords to provide tenants with written notice at least 48 hours before entering rental properties for repairs, inspections, showings, safety checks, or government-mandated work. The notice must include the entry date/time and purpose, and can be delivered via mail, door notice, or electronic methods (email/text/portal) with proof of delivery. Tenants can sue landlords for violations, seeking court injunctions or damages for unauthorized entries, while landlords remain liable for agents' breaches. This law directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 785 prevents cooperative housing corporations, condominium associations, and homeowners associations in Maryland from banning or restricting family child care homes in their governing documents. It prohibits these groups from limiting the number of children served in such homes below the state-approved maximum of eight children. The bill also stops local governments from imposing similar restrictions through ordinances or rules. It allows associations to charge a reasonable annual fee of up to $50 per home and require basic liability insurance, but cannot demand higher insurance amounts than state law requires.

Maddy summaryHB 939 requires the Maryland Commission for Women to establish a collaborative group focused on improving access to over-the-counter birth control. The collaborative, including representatives from health departments, insurance, pharmacies, reproductive health organizations, and consumer groups, will study and recommend ways to implement existing coverage requirements. Specifically, it will examine pharmacy coverage, point-of-sale options, public health initiatives for underserved individuals, and consumer education to enhance access for Maryland residents who currently face barriers to obtaining over-the-counter birth control.

Maddy summaryHB 185 modifies the fiscal years when the Governor must include a $3.7 million annual appropriation for Maryland's Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program in the state budget. The bill does not change the program's funding distribution rules, which require $1.283 million for existing providers, $1.917 million for expanded services, and $500,000 for new or additional provider enrollment. This affects the state's budget process and child care providers serving children under six with developmental delays, physical disabilities, or behavioral challenges. The change adjusts the timeline for mandatory funding without altering the program's core structure or eligibility.