Del. Aaron Kaufman

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 1458 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee that tipped workers in Maryland earn at least the state minimum wage regardless of tips received. It directly affects service industry workers (like servers and bartenders) currently paid below minimum wage under "tip credit" systems. The amendment would bar the state from denying this right unless justified by a compelling interest using the least restrictive means. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, it would require employers to pay the full minimum wage without counting tips toward that amount. This changes current practice where employers can pay a lower base wage if tips make up the difference.

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 697 requires Maryland health insurance carriers to submit quarterly reports to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner about their use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems. Specifically, carriers must report details on AI system deployment (including training data sources, purpose, and bias testing), as well as expanded demographic data on grievances and adverse decisions (broken down by zip code, race, ethnicity, gender, and age). The bill also updates existing reporting rules to include the monetary value of grievance decisions and timeframes for handling cases. These reports will enable the Commissioner to compile annual oversight summaries and identify potential disparities in insurance practices.

Maddy summaryHB 113 would repeal Maryland's current dollar limits on noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Specifically, it removes the $350,000 cap for personal injury cases (effective since 1986) and the $500,000 cap for newer cases (with annual $15,000 increases), allowing juries to award higher amounts for non-monetary harms like pain, suffering, or loss of companionship. This change directly affects plaintiffs in these cases and defendants (such as insurance companies) who previously benefited from the caps. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to cases arising after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1398 (Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader’s Law) makes it a felony to distribute heroin, fentanyl, or their synthetic versions when that distribution causes death or serious bodily harm. It targets individuals selling or giving these drugs (excluding non-commercial sharing like exchanging for goods), with penalties including up to 20 years in prison and consecutive sentencing to other charges. The bill also provides immunity from prosecution for people who seek or provide medical assistance during an overdose emergency. This law directly affects drug distributors whose actions result in harm, not users or those aiding overdose victims.

Maddy summaryHB 940 requires Maryland courts to delay sentencing and place defendants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability on probation before judgment under specific conditions. This applies when a defendant pleads guilty or is convicted, has a diagnosis meeting Maryland’s legal definition (per DSM or §7-101 of Health - General), and the court finds their crime was a direct result of their disability. Courts must also determine probation serves both the defendant’s best interests and public safety. The bill directly affects eligible defendants in criminal cases, offering an alternative to immediate conviction.

Maddy summaryHB 837 establishes a 10-member task force to study forced infant separation from incarcerated parents in Maryland. The task force, including appointed members like formerly incarcerated individuals and nonprofit advocates, will examine data on pregnant/postpartum inmates, prison facility planning, separation impacts, and best practices from other states. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2026, focusing on reducing separation and improving family bonds. The bill expires June 30, 2027, without requiring further legislative action. This is a procedural study bill, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 805, introduced on January 29, 2025, by Delegates Solomon, Kaufman, and Shetty, would create new criminal prohibitions in Maryland for stealing mail or packages under specific circumstances and for possessing an arrow key in certain situations. The bill amends the Criminal Law Article to add sections 3-905 and 3-905.1, while changing court jurisdiction to allow both District and Circuit Courts to handle these cases. It repeals existing sections of Maryland law related to mail theft and criminal jurisdiction, replacing them with these new provisions. The exact circumstances triggering these prohibitions are not detailed in the provided bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 594 modifies Maryland's comparative negligence rules for motor vehicle accident cases involving "vulnerable individuals" (as defined in state law). It prevents a plaintiff from being barred from recovery solely due to their own negligence, unless their negligence was both a direct cause of their injury and greater than all defendants' combined negligence. Damages awarded under this law must be reduced proportionally based on the plaintiff's share of fault. The law applies only to cases arising on or after October 1, 2025, and does not affect past cases.