Del. Joe Vogel

Maddy summaryHB 501 (RAISE Act) simplifies licensing for workers who complete approved apprenticeships. It allows the State Board of Plumbing to waive the journey plumber exam for those who finish an approved program, and authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive exams for other licensed trades under similar conditions. The bill creates new programs, including the Maryland Office of Registered Apprenticeship Development and an Apprenticeship Incentive Program, funded by a nonlapsing special fund for interest earnings. These changes directly affect apprentices, licensed trades workers (like plumbers), and employers participating in approved training programs. The law applies retroactively to existing apprenticeship completions.

Maddy summaryHB 973, the Better Buildings Act of 2025, requires new buildings and major renovations (costing 50%+ of a structure's replacement value) in Maryland to meet all space heating, water heating, and laundry demands without fossil fuels. It mandates energy conservation standards and requires buildings to be "electric- and solar-ready," meaning they must have sufficient electrical capacity, wiring, and physical space for future installation of electric appliances and solar panels. The bill amends Maryland law to adopt these standards through the Department of Labor, aligning with but allowing stricter energy efficiency requirements than the International Energy Conservation Code. This directly affects developers, builders, and property owners constructing or significantly renovating buildings in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 891 creates a state income tax credit for qualifying local newsrooms in Maryland. It allows eligible news organizations - defined as those covering local communities, employing at least one full-time local reporter, operating for over a year, and carrying insurance - to claim a credit against their state income tax. The credit equals $25,000 for the first year an employee is covered and $15,000 annually thereafter, capped at five years per employee. This directly benefits small local newsrooms by reducing their tax burden, with credits applied against state income tax or, for exempt organizations, against payroll tax withholdings. The bill excludes newsrooms funded by political advocacy groups.

Maddy summaryHB 583 requires every Maryland county school board to establish a virtual school serving elementary, middle, and high school students by July 2025. It sets a 10% enrollment cap for virtual schools (limiting students to 10% of those who would attend a single public school), mandates reasonable enrollment criteria that cannot unduly block access, and requires equitable outreach campaigns to promote diverse participation. The bill also establishes appeal processes for county boards denied virtual school approval and allows exceptions to the 10% cap with "just cause" justification. This directly affects county school boards (who must create virtual schools) and public school students (who gain a new enrollment option under defined rules).

Maddy summaryHB 519 requires all Maryland hospitals to provide free parking for inpatients during their hospital stay and for outpatients during scheduled medical appointments. Hospitals must also display clear signage at all public entrances and parking areas informing patients about this free parking benefit. The law applies to every hospital facility owned, operated, or leased by a hospital and takes effect on October 1, 2025. This policy directly affects hospitals statewide and all patients receiving care at those facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 69 establishes a new "Postconsumer Recycled Content Program" for Maryland, requiring producers of certain plastic beverage containers and rigid plastic containers to meet minimum recycled content standards before selling in the state. Producers must register annually with the Department of the Environment and pay a fee, with funds supporting the program and a dedicated recycling trust fund. The bill sets specific recycled content percentages for covered products, allows limited waivers for producers facing supply challenges, and mandates the Department to publish compliance data online. It amends existing environmental laws to implement these requirements and strengthen recycling markets.

Maddy summaryHB 232 establishes Maryland's Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. It requires beverage producers to register, pay fees, and join a stewardship organization to manage recycling, while mandating that containers sold in Maryland display refund information and that retail prices include the refund value (with limited exceptions). Retailers must include refund details on sales receipts, and local governments can create redemption facilities to help meet state recycling targets. The program aims to increase beverage container recycling, reduce litter, and fund public water refill stations through a new grant program, directly affecting producers, retailers, and consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 630, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, requires all Maryland county school boards to create and implement policies by the 2026-2027 school year that limit student cell phone use during instructional time (excluding lunch). The policy must prohibit phone use and require secure storage, ban social media apps during school hours, and include disciplinary measures like warnings for first violations. Exceptions allow phone use for students with IEPs/504 plans, health monitoring, emergencies, or for educational purposes directed by staff. The bill directly affects public school students and county boards of education across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 612 establishes Maryland's Lifesaver Schools Program, which recognizes public schools that provide specific health and safety training to students and staff. To qualify, schools must offer evidence-based first aid training, mental health support programs, schoolwide mental health assemblies, and professional development opportunities for staff during school hours. Schools must also maintain online resources for mental health support and host community outreach events, with recognition requiring reapplication every four years. The program, administered by the Maryland Department of Education, takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 456 extends the time victims have to file civil lawsuits for nonsexual child abuse or neglect. It allows claims to be filed up to 20 years after the victim turns 18, or 3 years after the abuser is convicted of a related crime (like child neglect or physical injury). The bill also caps noneconomic damages at $1.5 million per claimant against a single defendant for cases that would have been barred before October 2025. This affects victims seeking compensation and defendants (including government entities) facing liability. The law specifically excludes sexual abuse cases from these provisions.