Del. Joe Vogel

Maddy summaryHB 493 designates November 14 each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" in Maryland public schools to commemorate Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of an all-white New Orleans elementary school. It requires each county board of education to create annual educational programs for this day, including symbolic walks, civil rights history lessons, and discussions on racial equality. The State Department of Education must also develop model educational resources, like lesson plans and discussion guides, to support schools in implementing these programs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects all Maryland public schools and their students.

Maddy summaryHB 596 requires Maryland county superintendents to allow advance enrollment for dependent children of active-duty service members relocating due to military orders, using a remote registration process without fees or in-person requirements. It mandates school systems to coordinate with parents and the sending state to prevent delays in enrolling children with disabilities who receive special education services. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to publish clear information about enrollment procedures and available support services. This applies to all public schools and specifically benefits military-connected families facing frequent relocations.

Maddy summaryHB 1120 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to update state licenses, permits, and forms on the Maryland OneStop online portal by December 1, 2025, and every two months thereafter. It also mandates that all counties and municipalities add their local licenses, permits, and forms to the portal by July 1, 2026, with quarterly updates required starting September 1, 2026. The bill directly affects state agencies, counties, and cities by standardizing how local government services are made accessible online. This creates a centralized platform for residents to find and access government services across all levels of local and state government. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1447 establishes the Maryland STEM Program, which provides additional compensation to public school educators who teach STEM subjects (science, math, technology, or computer science) at private schools. Nonpublic schools must partner with eligible public school teachers and apply to the State Department of Education to participate, while local school systems can object if teaching hours conflict with public school duties or impact instruction quality. The program requires annual reporting from participating schools, shares teacher interest surveys with educators, and aims to improve statewide STEM access to meet workforce demands. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1048 amends Maryland law to include historical horse races in the definition of "sporting event" for sports wagering purposes, allowing licensed sports betting facilities to accept wagers on past races. It specifically authorizes Class A-2 licensees - such as video lottery operators with 1,000 or fewer terminals and existing horse racing licensees - to offer these wagers under defined conditions. The bill expands the range of eligible events for sports betting without altering current licensing requirements or tax structures. This change affects the sports wagering industry by creating a new betting category for historical horse races, directly impacting licensed operators and consumers seeking this option.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Maryland public and private colleges and universities to adopt and enforce specific policies addressing racial, ethnic, and religious harassment, violence, and intimidation. Key provisions include mandating annual staff training on responding to hate incidents, creating anonymous complaint systems, publishing clear rules for campus expression, and holding yearly meetings with student organizations to discuss these policies. Institutions must also recognize the top five demographic groups most affected by hate crimes in Maryland based on annual state data. These requirements apply directly to all higher education institutions in Maryland, their students, faculty, and staff.

Maddy summaryHB 1513 prohibits school resource officers and school security employees in Maryland public schools from engaging in federal immigration investigation or enforcement activities. It directly affects school security personnel, including law enforcement officers assigned to schools under memorandums of understanding and non-officer security staff. The bill adds Section 7-1508.1 to Maryland’s education code, explicitly banning the use of school security staff for federal immigration enforcement functions under Section 287(g) of federal law. The prohibition takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 4) is a non-binding ceremonial measure affirming Maryland's support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as foundational to the American Dream. It does not create new laws or policies but formally encourages state, local, and federal entities to uphold DEI principles. The resolution directs certified copies to federal leaders including the President, Vice President, and congressional leadership, citing DEI's historical role in civil rights advancements. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact on constituents or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.