Rep. Lily Qi

Maddy summaryHB 308 allows Maryland corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and limited liability partnerships to legally use an address provided by a commercial mail receiving agency (like a virtual office service) as their official "principal office" address, instead of a physical location. The bill requires these mail agencies to share the business's contact information (via USPS Form 1583) with the state Department of Assessments or law enforcement upon request. It amends Maryland’s Corporations and Associations code to clarify this option and the disclosure requirement. This change simplifies registration for businesses using third-party mail services while ensuring authorities can access necessary contact details.

Maddy summaryMaryland's HB 643 updates requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure by increasing the minimum on-the-job training hours needed. It raises the required practical experience from 1,000 hours to 2,000 hours for most applicants (applying on or after October 1, 2000), and sets a 4,000-hour requirement for those seeking higher-level licensure. The bill also specifies that applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree with an accounting concentration from an accredited institution, plus meet the new hour thresholds. These changes directly affect individuals seeking initial CPA licenses in Maryland, effective October 1, 2026. The law modifies existing sections of Maryland's Business Occupations and Professions code without altering exam or character requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1071 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations and a model ordinance for local stormwater management programs to enforce rules on agricultural land. It mandates that local programs must work with soil conservation districts to implement these rules and specifies that farm-related uses (like on-farm processing) must be clearly distinguished from commercial development in stormwater regulations. The bill also adds flexibility for enforcing stormwater management on agricultural land, rather than applying standard commercial development rules. This directly affects farmers, local governments, and soil conservation districts by changing how agricultural land is regulated under stormwater management.

Maddy summaryHB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Maddy summaryHB 993 prohibits Maryland counties and municipalities from banning short-term rentals solely because the operator (e.g., a tenant or subtenant) rents the property, not because they own it. It allows local governments to restrict operators who are lessees or sublessees to operating only one short-term rental property within their jurisdiction. The bill defines "short-term rental" as housing offered for less than 31 consecutive days (excluding hotels, motels, or student housing) and clarifies that property owners can still set their own rules about rentals. This directly affects local governments' ability to regulate rentals by tenants and operators who lease the property. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 817 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create permitting regulations for certified carbon removal technologies and practices by January 1, 2028. It mandates all state agencies to use existing funding to support carbon removal projects using technologies certified by internationally recognized third parties. The bill directly affects state agencies (which must allocate funds) and carbon removal technology providers (which must meet certification standards to qualify for permits). It aims to streamline regulatory processes by replacing outdated solid waste rules with new, technology-specific requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 883 prohibits AI developers from making or causing AI to make claims that the AI is a behavioral health provider or can deliver behavioral health care services. It requires AI sold to Maryland consumers to include clear notices stating users are interacting with AI (not a human) and to detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm, automatically referring users to crisis services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1 million per offense, with funds directed to Maryland’s Behavioral Health Workgroup Investment Fund. The law directly affects AI developers and sellers operating in Maryland, focusing on preventing misleading AI interactions in mental health contexts.

Maddy summaryHB 386 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA and Maryland's budget process, mandating that the Governor withhold funds if WMATA fails to submit required reports (like safety assessments and financial data) or if it doesn't develop a rail signaling workforce transition plan by July 2028. The bill also requires WMATA to provide detailed annual reports on safety, ridership, finances, and capital investments to trigger full funding. If WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, or misses the workforce plan deadline, the Governor must withhold the funds until these conditions are met.

Maddy summaryHB 952 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to meet social needs through human-like interactions) to establish safety protocols, including preventing harmful content like self-harm discussions and sexually explicit material for minors. Operators must publish these protocols online, display clear warnings that chatbots are AI (not human), and provide crisis resource referrals for users expressing suicidal thoughts. The bill also mandates that operators of chatbots used by minors display mandatory break reminders after 3 hours of continuous use. It excludes business customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements.