Del. Joe Vogel

Maddy summaryHB 128 requires Maryland county school boards to permit therapy dogs in public schools, subject to specific policies they must create. The bill mandates that all therapy dogs must be certified, accompanied by a handler, and used only in designated areas with clear guidelines for managing allergies or discomfort among students and staff. Each county board must adopt a policy covering certification standards, handler responsibilities, allowed locations, and allergy protocols. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects county school systems, therapy dog handlers, and students with allergies.

Maddy summaryHB 86 would require Maryland state and local government employers to provide up to 4 hours of paid leave annually for employees to attend cancer screening appointments (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies). This applies to all state employees (including temporary and part-time staff across executive, judicial, and legislative branches) and county/municipal employees. Employees must obtain supervisor approval before using the leave, and employers must establish procedures for requests and approvals. The bill, scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, does not cover cancer treatment, only preventive screenings.

Maddy summaryHB 215 requires Maryland’s Department of Aging to conduct annual financial stress tests for continuing care retirement communities, examining factors like occupancy rates, liquidity, and infrastructure age to assess financial health. It mandates providers to hold quarterly meetings with resident associations, share meeting agendas and minutes publicly, and elect resident representatives to governing bodies (rather than selecting them via internal criteria). The bill also requires that elected resident members have equivalent financial responsibilities as other governing body members. These changes directly affect retirement communities and their residents, aiming to improve transparency and resident input in facility governance. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 144 establishes the Fair Pricing and Market Competition Fund to support Maryland's Antitrust Division within the Attorney General's Office. The fund is funded by civil penalties assessed against businesses violating anti-competitive laws (like price discrimination or monopolistic practices under §11-204), plus state budget appropriations and other designated revenues. It operates as a permanent, supplemental funding source specifically for the Antitrust Division's enforcement activities, not replacing existing budget allocations. The bill also mandates, starting in fiscal year 2028, a dedicated full-time investigator position within the division funded through this mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 179 requires Maryland's Department of Commerce to create an online portal where businesses and nonprofits can report government delays exceeding 60 days in processing licenses, permits, or registrations. The bill mandates annual reports to legislative committees by September 15 each year, listing the government agencies involved in each complaint while anonymizing data to protect privacy. It excludes cases where state or local laws already permit longer processing times. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, aiming to increase transparency around bureaucratic delays.

Maddy summaryHB 119 requires public bodies (including state agencies, counties, schools, and hospitals) to work with designated "navigators" when creating energy performance contracts - agreements where a company improves building energy efficiency in exchange for a share of savings. The Maryland Clean Energy Center must hire or contract with navigators in all Maryland regions using $1.5 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, providing assistance with grant applications, energy assessments, and navigating the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Program. Navigators help public bodies secure funding, review energy efficiency measures, and ensure compliance with reporting requirements for these contracts. The bill also updates state law to establish the navigator program and adjust funding mechanisms for energy efficiency initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 148 prohibits businesses from using surveillance data (like personal behavior or biometric information) with automated systems to set customized prices for individual consumers or groups. It also bans employers from using such data to set customized wages for employees. The bill allows price/wage customization based on actual costs or standard, publicly available discounts (e.g., student or senior rates) that are openly disclosed. Violations would be enforced under Maryland’s existing consumer protection laws, with remedies including fines or injunctions. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 18 requires app-based ride services (like Uber or Lyft) operating in Maryland to pay drivers a minimum rate for passenger trips starting July 1, 2026. Drivers must receive at least $1.66 per mile, $0.40 per minute, a $5 minimum per trip regardless of distance, and additional pay for wheelchair-accessible vehicle trips. The minimum rates automatically adjust yearly based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, to maintain purchasing power. This bill directly affects drivers who provide transportation through digital platforms in Maryland, ensuring baseline compensation for their work.

Maddy summaryHB 207 requires Maryland's State Board of Elections to add a new option on congressional candidates' certificate of candidacy forms. Candidates for U.S. House or Senate seats would need to indicate whether they and their spouses will avoid buying, selling, or exchanging individual stocks during their term if elected. The State Board must then publish this disclosure on its website, increasing transparency about potential stock trading conflicts. The bill affects all Maryland candidates running for Congress and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 87 creates a Maryland income tax credit allowing homeowners to claim up to 30% of costs for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements, capped at $3,200 annually. It covers specific items like home energy audits ($150 limit), exterior windows ($600 total), doors ($500 total), heat pumps, and biomass stoves ($2,000 limit), all applied to the primary residence. The credit excludes improvements paid for with subsidized energy financing and requires documentation for verification. This policy takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.