Del. Anne Kaiser

Maddy summaryHB 1235 requires Maryland state agencies to use standardized evaluation criteria when awarding competitive procurement contracts, replacing the previous focus on lowest price. It mandates that all bid invitations include these criteria and that responsive bids must contain a State and local economic impact statement detailing how the contract would benefit Maryland's economy. This bill directly affects state agencies issuing procurement contracts and businesses bidding on those contracts by changing how bids are evaluated to prioritize the "most favorable" option based on predefined factors. The law amends Maryland's procurement statutes (Sections 13-103 and 13-104 of the Annotated Code) to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 524 designates September as African Heritage Month in Maryland by requiring the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing African Americans' contributions to the state. The bill directs the Governor to urge educational and cultural organizations to host programs and activities during this month. It updates Maryland's legal code (specifically renumbering sections in Article 7 of the General Provisions) to include this requirement, effective July 1, 2026. This is a procedural recognition measure with no new funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1385 requires health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers using artificial intelligence (AI) for medical treatment reviews (utilization review) to include licensed healthcare professionals in key evaluations. Specifically, it mandates that AI decisions must be reviewed by a licensed professional who can question, modify, or override AI determinations based on a patient’s full medical history and individual circumstances. The bill also requires quarterly reviews of AI performance using human assessments of real-world health outcomes to improve accuracy and safety. These provisions apply to all AI tools used in utilization review processes within Maryland’s health insurance system, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1153 prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, HMOs, and managed care organizations in Maryland from unilaterally lowering medical claim payments (downcoding) without clinical justification. The bill requires these entities to notify providers within 30 days if they intend to downcode, including specific reasons, references to clinical guidelines, and the original vs. revised codes. It bans practices like downcoding based solely on diagnosis codes, using AI without reviewing medical records, or targeting providers treating complex conditions, and mandates emergency claims be downcoded based on documented symptoms - not final diagnoses. A downcoding decision resulting in nonpayment is treated as a coverage denial, allowing providers to appeal under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1114 allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense HIV prevention drugs (PrEP) to patients under specific guidelines, expanding access beyond traditional doctor visits. It requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) to cover FDA-approved HIV prevention drugs, including PrEP and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), starting January 1, 2027. The bill also prohibits insurers and managed care organizations from requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or cost-sharing for these medications. This directly affects pharmacists, Medicaid recipients, and health insurers by removing financial and administrative barriers to HIV prevention care. The policy aligns with CDC guidelines for PrEP and PEP use, ensuring coverage for medically appropriate HIV prevention drugs.

Maddy summaryHB 1209 prohibits licensed mental health providers from offering conversion therapy or making false claims about it, directly affecting providers and helping victims who suffered psychological harm. The bill creates a private legal cause of action for individuals harmed by conversion therapy, removes limits on noneconomic damages in such cases, and extends the statute of limitations to account for delayed recognition of harm. It also requires insurers covering providers who perform conversion therapy to charge a surcharge, with funds going to a new "Conversion Therapy Surcharge Fund." These changes aim to provide legal recourse and financial accountability for the psychological injuries linked to conversion therapy.

Maddy summaryHB 1055 requires Maryland’s Department of Health to add Gaucher disease to the state’s mandatory newborn screening program, effective October 1, 2026. This bill directly affects all newborns in Maryland by expanding the list of conditions screened during routine newborn testing, unless parents or guardians object. The key mechanism is amending Maryland’s Health Code (Section 13-111) to explicitly mandate screening for Gaucher disease, which is currently not included in the standard panel. The bill does not alter existing screening protocols or costs but ensures Gaucher disease is screened for alongside other core conditions listed in federal recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 704 establishes Maryland's Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program within the State Department of Education. It provides state funding to cover the difference between federal reimbursement rates for free and paid school meals, directly supporting Maryland schools with high poverty rates (25%+ students qualifying for free meals) that participate in the federal child nutrition program. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028 to complement federal funds, with funds distributed based on school poverty concentration and geographic diversity. Schools must report on program outcomes, meal debt resolution, and reasons for opting out of federal eligibility, with annual reports published online.

Maddy summaryHB 916 establishes three new regional transportation funds for Baltimore, the Capital region, and Southern Maryland. It directs specific tax revenues - including 70% of sales tax surcharges and hotel surcharges collected in each region - to these funds, while the remaining 30% is distributed to local jurisdictions based on sales activity. The funds are designated as special, nonlapsing accounts, meaning they carry over year-to-year, and interest earned on these funds must be credited back to the same accounts. This bill creates the legal framework for regional transportation authorities to develop and implement transportation plans using these dedicated revenue streams.