Del. Aaron Kaufman

Maddy summaryHB 179, the "Organized Retail Theft Act of 2025," defines and prohibits a series of retail thefts from multiple merchants over 90 days with a total value exceeding $1,500, intended to permanently deprive merchants, return for gain, or resell the merchandise. It classifies violations as felonies with penalties increasing based on total value: up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine for $1,500-$25,000, up to 10 years or $15,000 for $25,000-$100,000, and up to 20 years or $25,000 for $100,000+. The bill requires courts to determine if a theft qualifies as "organized" for sentencing purposes and mandates restitution to victims. This directly affects retailers, repeat offenders, and courts handling theft cases.

Maddy summaryHB 438 (Buddy's Law) increases the maximum compensatory damages for pet owners when someone negligently causes injury or death to their domesticated pet. It raises the cap from $10,000 to $25,000, covering costs like veterinary care and the pet’s fair market value before death. The law specifically applies to domesticated pets (excluding livestock) and affects owners in Maryland whose pets are harmed by negligence. The bill amends Maryland’s tort law and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 293 allows courts in Maryland to order child victims of abuse to testify via closed-circuit TV outside the courtroom when their presence with the defendant would cause serious emotional distress that prevents them from communicating. This applies to cases under Maryland’s Family Law or Criminal Law regarding child abuse, but only if the defendant has legal representation. The bill specifies that defendants cannot be in the same room as the child during testimony, and limits who may be present (attorneys, therapists, or others supporting the child). It also prohibits two-way video that would let the child see or hear the defendant during testimony. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1440 requires Maryland circuit courthouses built or renovated after October 1, 2025, to provide private lactation rooms with specific amenities (lockable doors, sink, refrigerator, and electrical outlet for breast pumps). It also allows breastfeeding mothers and individuals with legal custody of children under age 4 requiring continuous care during court hours to be excused from jury service. The bill amends Maryland law to mandate these accommodations and establishes clear criteria for jury excusal, limiting excusals to twice per person unless extraordinary circumstances exist. These changes directly affect parents, nursing individuals, and court operations.

Maddy summaryHB 260 modifies Maryland's criminal penalties for drug paraphernalia by reducing fines and jail terms for most violations. It lowers maximum penalties for first-time offenses (to $500 fines) and subsequent violations (to 1 year imprisonment or $1,000 fines), removes certain possession prohibitions, and clarifies that items like scales or strainers near paraphernalia may indicate illegal use. The bill directly affects individuals using, possessing, or selling drug paraphernalia (e.g., pipes, syringes) to administer controlled substances. It also increases penalties for selling such items to minors (up to 8 years in prison or $15,000 fine). The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1424, the "Protect Our Federal Workers Act," expands state financial assistance to Maryland residents affected by federal government disruptions beyond just shutdowns. It renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and broadens eligibility to include current federal employees not paid during shutdowns *and* Maryland residents recently terminated due to federal office closures, relocations, or mass layoffs. The bill allows funds from the state’s Catastrophic Event Account to cover costs for these individuals, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor. This changes existing law to provide loans for both ongoing shutdowns and post-layoff financial hardship from federal facility changes.

Maddy summaryHB 579 modifies Maryland's certification process for U Nonimmigrant Status visas (U visas), which help victims of certain crimes access legal immigration status. The bill expands who can certify victim helpfulness to include agencies like child protective services, adult protective services, and the Commission on Civil Rights (not just police). It requires certifying officials to provide specific details about the crime and victim's cooperation when completing Form I-918, Supplement B. This directly affects crime victims seeking U visas and the state agencies that issue these certifications. The bill aligns Maryland's process with federal U visa guidelines to streamline eligibility verification.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires boaters involved in accidents causing injury or death to stop near the scene, return to remain there until assisting others, and provide their name, address, and vessel ID to injured persons. It defines "serious bodily injury" (e.g., risk of death, permanent disfigurement) and sets penalties: up to 1 year/$3,000 for injury, 5 years/$5,000 for death, or 10 years/$10,000 if the operator knew injury/death was likely. Boaters must also report serious accidents (death, disappearance, injury requiring medical care beyond first aid) within 48 hours to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources. The law applies to all vessel operators in Maryland waters who cause accidents meeting these injury/death thresholds.

Maddy summaryHB 604 prohibits caregivers, family members, or household members from knowingly stealing property from vulnerable or senior adults with the intent to deprive them of it. It classifies such theft as a consumer fraud under Maryland law, enabling the Attorney General’s Senior and Vulnerable Adult Asset Recovery Unit to recover stolen assets and block offenders from inheriting victims’ property. The bill creates new criminal penalties, requires District Court jurisdiction for these cases, and allows prosecutors to freeze defendants’ assets early in proceedings. These changes directly affect vulnerable seniors, their families, and caregivers who commit financial exploitation.

Maddy summaryHB 153 lowers the minimum age for voter registration in Maryland from 16 to 15 years and 9 months. It requires election officials to send registered minors (ages 15-17) a notification card containing information about when they will become eligible to vote (at age 18). Additionally, it mandates that election directors send eligible minors who become 18 a notice about upcoming primary elections, available voting methods, and early voting locations. The bill directly affects minors registering to vote and election officials responsible for voter communications. It amends Maryland’s Election Law sections 3-102 and 3-301, effective October 1, 2025.