Del. Jen Terrasa

Maddy summaryHB 1129 proposes amending Maryland’s constitution to replace gendered pronouns (like "his" and "him") with gender-neutral language in sections describing constitutional officers. It specifically targets Articles II (Executive Department), V (Attorney General), VI (Treasury), and IX (Militia), updating phrases such as "his election" to "the Governor’s election" and "himself" to "themselves." The bill does not alter the roles, powers, or eligibility requirements for these offices - only the language used to describe them. This is a purely linguistic change aimed at modernizing constitutional text to be inclusive of all gender identities.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryHB 912 requires Maryland colleges and universities to train instructors on federal disability laws (the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) and how to provide academic accommodations for students with disabilities. New instructors must complete this training before teaching, and current instructors must do so by October 1, 2026. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will develop a model training program for institutions to adopt. This law applies to all higher education institutions in Maryland, except those already offering training that meets the required standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1317 requires Maryland county school boards to include specific termination terms in contracts with county superintendents. If a contract ends before its full term, the superintendent must receive a cash settlement equal to one year’s pay (plus one month per additional full year remaining), or just the remaining term’s pay if less than one year remains. The bill also mandates that superintendents retain health benefits for one year after termination or until they secure new employment, whichever comes first. These provisions apply to all new contracts signed on or after July 1, 2025, and exclude superintendents removed under specific disciplinary procedures. The law directly affects county superintendents and school boards in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1496 requires new multifamily housing buildings and certain significant renovations to include electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Specifically, it mandates that new buildings with separate parking per unit must include either one fully installed EV charging space or one "EV-ready" space (with wiring capacity for future installation). For common parking areas, developers must provide one EVSE-installed space per 25 units, plus increasing percentages of EV-ready spaces (10% by 2025, 20% by 2031, 30% by 2036) for new projects. This applies to multifamily housing subject to the International Residential Code, directly affecting developers and builders of new residential properties in Maryland. The bill defines technical terms like "EV-ready" to ensure consistent implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1088 imposes a $13 fee per short ton on coal transporters in Maryland, with revenue funding the new Fossil Fuel Mitigation Fund. The fee applies to the first carrier transporting coal in the state, excluding coal solely for farm use. The permanent fund supports programs reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel impacts, administered by the Department or Maryland Clean Energy Center. It directly affects coal transportation companies and targets activities benefiting overburdened communities defined by environmental health indicators.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 927 requires that fiscal notes for bills reducing health and community support services funded by the Maryland Department of Health must include three specific elements: an estimate of the number of people who will lose services (by location), an assessment of how the loss affects health and well-being, and an evaluation of the financial impact on state health and social services costs. This applies to any bill that cuts funding for such services, ensuring these impacts are documented in the state's financial analysis. The bill amends existing law to add these requirements to the fiscal note process, which is used by the General Assembly to evaluate budget proposals. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 233, the Maryland Worker Freedom Act, prohibits employers from penalizing employees or job applicants who decline to attend or participate in mandatory workplace meetings where the employer expresses views on religious or political topics. It specifically bans actions like firing, disciplining, or refusing to hire someone for such refusal, covering matters like elections, political parties, religious practices, or support for organizations. The law does not apply to religious employers or schools exempt under federal civil rights law, nor does it restrict voluntary meetings or legally required communications. This bill directly affects all Maryland workers and job seekers in non-exempt workplaces by protecting their choice to opt out of such employer-sponsored discussions.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 amends Maryland's Public Ethics Law to update reporting requirements for regulated lobbyists. It changes the deadlines for filing lobbying activity reports to February 15, March 15, May 31, and November 30 annually, covering specific time periods. The bill also expands the required report details, including new categories for expenses like meals, gifts, and professional research related to influencing government actions. These changes directly affect entities and individuals registered as lobbyists under Maryland law who must submit these reports to the State Ethics Commission.