Del. Teresa Woorman

Maddy summaryHB 661 grants collective bargaining rights to specific faculty at Maryland's public higher education institutions, including full-time, part-time, and adjunct employees with academic responsibilities (such as teachers, researchers, and department heads) at the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. It establishes separate bargaining units for faculty at each institution but allows these units to voluntarily combine into a single bargaining unit. The bill excludes officers, supervisors, confidential employees, and student employees from coverage. This legislation amends Maryland’s labor laws to formally define "faculty" and create a framework for collective bargaining negotiations over wages, hours, and working conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 1398 (Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader’s Law) makes it a felony to distribute heroin, fentanyl, or their synthetic versions when that distribution causes death or serious bodily harm. It targets individuals selling or giving these drugs (excluding non-commercial sharing like exchanging for goods), with penalties including up to 20 years in prison and consecutive sentencing to other charges. The bill also provides immunity from prosecution for people who seek or provide medical assistance during an overdose emergency. This law directly affects drug distributors whose actions result in harm, not users or those aiding overdose victims.

Maddy summaryHB 940 requires Maryland courts to delay sentencing and place defendants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability on probation before judgment under specific conditions. This applies when a defendant pleads guilty or is convicted, has a diagnosis meeting Maryland’s legal definition (per DSM or §7-101 of Health - General), and the court finds their crime was a direct result of their disability. Courts must also determine probation serves both the defendant’s best interests and public safety. The bill directly affects eligible defendants in criminal cases, offering an alternative to immediate conviction.

Maddy summaryHB 852 requires Maryland public schools and colleges to update drug education programs to include specific information about naloxone and other opioid overdose-reversing medications, their effectiveness, and authorized possession. It mandates schools to stock naloxone, allow trained staff and students to possess it, and provide annual parent notifications about this policy. The bill also grants immunity from liability to school personnel or others acting in good faith to administer naloxone during an overdose emergency on school property. These requirements apply directly to all public schools, county boards of education, and institutions of higher education in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 requires the Maryland Department of Health to study the feasibility of installing and maintaining landline telephone systems in assisted living facilities, psychiatric facilities, and nursing homes. The study must examine current phone access, costs (equipment, installation, maintenance), benefits for residents (social interaction, emergency access), potential barriers (infrastructure, regulations), and funding options. It also mandates consulting facility staff, advocacy groups, and residents/families. The Department must submit findings and recommendations to legislative committees by September 30, 2026. This bill does not mandate phone installation but directs a comprehensive assessment of the issue.

Maddy summaryHB 499 (Expungement Reform Act of 2025) changes Maryland’s expungement process to make it easier for people with certain misdemeanor convictions to clear their records. It reduces waiting periods after completing a sentence (removing the previous 3-year limit for some offenses), expands eligibility to include more misdemeanor convictions, and requires courts to confirm restitution payments are made or unpayable before expungement. The bill also prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system from referencing expunged records. These changes directly affect individuals with eligible misdemeanor convictions who have completed their sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 1324 allows Maryland hospitals to sell unpaid patient medical debt to nonprofit organizations *only* if the nonprofit cancels the debt. This directly affects hospitals (requiring them to amend financial policies) and patients with outstanding medical bills who may have their debt forgiven through this process. Key provisions mandate hospitals to dismiss all pending legal actions for sold debt and prohibit any further collection efforts - including on judgments - on debt sold to qualifying nonprofits. The bill also updates hospital reporting requirements to include demographic data on debt collection practices, but its core change centers on enabling debt cancellation via nonprofit partnerships.

Maddy summaryHB 1431 restricts federal immigration enforcement agencies from accessing Maryland state and local government databases without a valid warrant. It requires state/local law enforcement agencies, DMV, and other government units to deny federal requests for personal information, photos, or facial recognition data unless accompanied by a federal or Maryland court warrant. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on all such federal requests received, including how many were denied or granted with warrants. This directly affects Maryland state agencies, local governments, and federal immigration officers seeking access to these databases.

Maddy summaryHB 464 requires Maryland local school systems to provide parents of children with disabilities with written information about secondary transition services during Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Specifically, it mandates this information be given at least once yearly and beginning when a student turns 14 years old. The bill also requires that materials be provided in the parent's native language if English is not their primary language. This applies directly to parents of students with IEPs in Maryland public schools, ensuring they receive clear, accessible planning resources for their child's post-secondary goals. The law amends existing Maryland education code sections to formalize these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1006, the "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act," requires Maryland's Attorney General to create guidelines limiting immigration enforcement at specific sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, childcare centers, and domestic violence shelters. State agencies operating at these locations must either adopt policies aligned with the guidelines or submit written justification and existing policies if they choose not to comply. The bill directly affects all Maryland state agencies managing facilities listed in the law, such as public schools, community health centers, and emergency shelters. Its key mechanism is mandating agency adherence to the guidelines or transparent documentation of non-compliance. The law aims to reduce immigration enforcement disruptions at places where vulnerable populations seek essential services.