Del. Jen Terrasa

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Qualified Resident Enrollment Program to help individuals in Maryland who currently lack health insurance access enroll in qualified plans. It defines "qualified residents" as people living in the state who are not incarcerated, regardless of their immigration status, and who do not qualify for existing federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The program allows the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to manage enrollment, potentially with help from a third-party contractor, and requires a specific federal waiver approval before it can begin. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the program's operations and administration, ensuring it has the necessary resources to function.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill redefines consent in sexual crime laws to mean a clear and voluntary agreement, explicitly stating that past relationships, clothing choices, or submission due to fear do not constitute consent. It removes the requirement for force or threats to prove a crime, instead making the lack of consent a standalone element that can be shown through words or actions. The law also clarifies that consent can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be documented in writing. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Maryland Judiciary report annual statistics on sexual crime charges and convictions, broken down by county and demographic factors, until 2029.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires the state's medical assistance program to cover remote ultrasound procedures and fetal nonstress tests for eligible pregnant women and their families. To qualify, patients must be at home or in a location other than their provider's office, and the provider must follow the same safety standards as if the test were done in person. The bill mandates that these remote services use FDA-approved digital technology to securely transmit health data for interpretation by a doctor elsewhere. Additionally, the program must reimburse remote fetal nonstress tests at the same rate as on-site tests, provided the equipment is FDA-cleared for monitoring fetal, maternal, and uterine activity. The law takes effect on October 1, 2024, and the state will issue guidance to help providers implement these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Maryland Deaths in Custody Oversight Board within the Governor's Office to investigate and analyze deaths of incarcerated individuals. The board will consist of members including formerly incarcerated citizens, family members of inmates, community justice reform representatives, and medical professionals. It requires correctional facilities to provide specific documents and information to the board for every death, including incident reports, complaints, and medical records. The board will conduct administrative and clinical reviews to assess facility conditions, staff responses, and medical care quality, then publish findings and recommendations online within 30 days of a death. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of State Police post certain investigation information on its website and report to the Governor and General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill officially changes the common name of the northern snakehead to "Patuxent Fish" or "Chesapeake Channa" in state laws and department publications. It creates a specific commercial fishing license for catching this fish in tidal waters, allowing the use of bow and arrow or hook and line methods with certain safety restrictions near swimmers and divers. The license costs $15 per year, is valid for one year, and cannot be transferred to another person. The Department of Natural Resources must update all its materials to use the new names by January 1, 2025, while the law itself takes effect on October 1, 2024.