Del. Jen Terrasa

Maddy summaryHB 986 requires nursing license applicants (both new and those seeking endorsement) to provide evidence that their nursing education meets Maryland's standards, including official transcripts. It directly affects registered nurses and licensed practical nurses applying for or renewing licenses in Maryland. The bill adds a new provision (§ 8-316(a)(37)) allowing the State Board of Nursing to take disciplinary action - such as reprimands, probation, suspension, or revocation - against licensees who fail to complete required educational standards. This clarifies the Board’s authority to enforce education requirements, including investigating applicants' qualifications and taking disciplinary steps for non-compliance. The bill amends existing sections of Maryland’s Health Occupations law and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 53 bans the import, sale, trade, possession, breeding, or exchange of specific wild animals in Maryland, including foxes, bears, alligators, non-domestic cats/dogs, primates, poisonous snakes, kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, and zebras. It directly affects owners of these animals, with exceptions for research facilities, licensed animal exhibitors, nonprofit sanctuaries meeting strict criteria, veterinarians, and short-term travelers. Existing owners of most banned animals may continue possession if they notify local authorities by August 1, 2006, while kangaroo/zebra owners have until December 1, 2026. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and modifies existing criminal prohibitions without creating new penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 194, the Incarcerated Job Training Act, requires Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to create a paid apprenticeship program for incarcerated individuals in skilled trades. The bill mandates that participants earn at least the state minimum wage, with earnings deposited into their personal accounts for use after release. Employers - such as state agencies, local governments, or private businesses - can participate, but may reject assignments or withdraw from the program. Successful completers receive a certificate within 30 days of release, and the program must prioritize developing marketable job skills. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 166 establishes the Henrietta Lacks Commission in Maryland to address the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and the ethical use of HeLa cells. The commission, composed of appointed state officials and representatives from health, tourism, and economic development agencies, will review medical research ethics, promote education about Lacks' story, curate tributes to her, integrate her legacy into tourism, and support economic development in Dundalk's Turner Station community. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature starting in 2027. This bill creates a procedural framework for oversight and commemoration but does not enact new regulations or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 628 establishes a program providing $1,000 monthly payments for three years to young adults who were in out-of-home care (like foster care) on their 18th birthday, with birthdays on or after October 1, 2026. Payments cannot be counted as income for Medicaid, the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, or state/federal financial aid for education. The Department of Human Services must report annually on participants' income, location, employment, and housing status starting October 2027. The program will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, with automatic termination after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1108 grants collective bargaining rights to workers in Maryland greenhouses (controlled-environment agricultural operations), allowing them to form unions and negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions with employers. The bill requires the state Labor Secretary to establish regulations for union elections, certification, and resolving bargaining disputes, while mandating greenhouse employers to provide rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness. This law directly affects greenhouse workers and their employers, creating a formal process for union representation and heat protection. It amends Maryland's labor code to include these specific protections for greenhouse workers, who previously lacked these rights under state law.

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 410 requires food manufacturers, processors, and retailers in Maryland to use standardized date labels on packaged food starting July 1, 2027. It mandates replacing "Sell By" with "Best If Used By" for quality dates and "Use By" for safety dates, while prohibiting the sale of items labeled with "Sell By" after that date. The bill also requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and post educational materials about these labels online by July 2027. This affects all food businesses selling packaged products to consumers, excluding infant formula, beer, and malt beverages.

Maddy summaryHB 941 requires public restrooms in state and local government buildings, public transportation facilities (like stations), and public parks or recreation centers to provide specific hygiene products. It mandates an adequate supply of hand soap, toilet paper, towels or drying devices, water, waste containers, and menstrual hygiene products (such as tampons, sanitary napkins, and pads). The bill applies to all "public buildings" as defined - excluding schools - but covers facilities owned, leased, or operated by the state or political subdivisions. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, ensuring consistent access to essential hygiene items in publicly accessible spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 543 allows landlords to charge up to two months' rent as a security deposit if a tenant operates a family child care home (defined as caring for up to eight children in a residence). It prohibits landlords from unreasonably restricting or banning such homes on single-family rental properties and shields landlords from civil liability related to the child care operation. Tenants must provide written notice 60 days before starting, share their child care registration, and supply insurance naming the landlord and property owners as additional insureds. The bill also requires tenants to notify landlords immediately if they stop operating the home and permits landlords to mandate $1 million liability insurance coverage.