Del. Joe Vogel

Maddy summaryHB 1452 amends Maryland law to clarify definitions related to hate crimes and hate bias incidents. It updates the definition of "sexual orientation" to mean an individual's identity or others' perception of that identity regarding gender attraction, explicitly stating this differs from "gender identity." The bill also defines "hate bias incident" to include non-criminal acts like slurs, offensive displays, or online posts targeting protected classes (including sexual orientation, gender, disability, and homelessness). It requires the Department of State Police to collect, analyze, and report quarterly data on such incidents to the Commission on Civil Rights. This bill affects law enforcement agencies, the Department of State Police, and the Commission on Civil Rights by standardizing terminology and data collection processes.

Maddy summaryHB 233, the Maryland Worker Freedom Act, prohibits employers from penalizing employees or job applicants who decline to attend or participate in mandatory workplace meetings where the employer expresses views on religious or political topics. It specifically bans actions like firing, disciplining, or refusing to hire someone for such refusal, covering matters like elections, political parties, religious practices, or support for organizations. The law does not apply to religious employers or schools exempt under federal civil rights law, nor does it restrict voluntary meetings or legally required communications. This bill directly affects all Maryland workers and job seekers in non-exempt workplaces by protecting their choice to opt out of such employer-sponsored discussions.

Maddy summaryHB 582 updates Maryland's overtime pay exemptions for workers in administrative, executive, or professional roles by raising the minimum salary threshold to $1,128 per week (or the current federal standard under 29 C.F.R. § 541.600). It directly affects employers who classify such employees as exempt from overtime, requiring them to meet this new compensation standard. The bill modifies existing law to align Maryland's threshold with federal guidelines and takes effect October 1, 2025. This change ensures these exempt workers earn at least the updated minimum salary before overtime pay is required.

Maddy summaryHB 555 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program eligibility rules. It requires children to reside in Maryland, be under 13 (or under 19 with a verified disability), and live in a household meeting income and need requirements. Crucially, the bill prohibits the State Department of Education from considering a parent, guardian, or child's immigration status when determining eligibility. The bill also establishes a temporary subsidy process allowing families to receive immediate assistance while completing full applications within 15 days.

Maddy summaryMaryland's HB 914 provides state employees (including temporary and part-time workers across all government branches) with up to 4 hours of paid leave annually for cancer screenings. Employees must request and receive prior approval from their supervisor to use this leave. The bill requires the Secretary to establish regulations governing how employees request and obtain this leave, effective July 1, 2025. It directly affects all state employees seeking routine cancer screenings during work hours.

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 1081, titled the "Unmask Hate Act," prohibits intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening another person while hiding or concealing their face with a mask or other device to conceal identity. It directly affects individuals who use face coverings to intimidate others, making such acts a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail or $1,000 in fines for repeat offenses. The bill includes exceptions for mask-wearing during religious observances, occupational safety, holidays, weather protection, or medical reasons like limiting illness spread. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 709 allows Maryland counties to adopt local laws requiring landlords to have a valid "good cause" reason (like nonpayment or lease violations) to evict tenants or refuse lease renewals, rather than allowing no-cause evictions. If a county adopts such a law, landlords must disclose in writing whether they are subject to it and provide specific ownership details (including property counts) using forms developed by the state Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. The bill also mandates that landlords include this disclosure in leases and court filings related to evictions. This applies only to tenants and landlords in counties that choose to implement these local protections, not statewide.

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 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.