Rep. Emily Shetty

Maddy summaryHB 802 designates the Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea) as Maryland's official state carnivorous plant. The bill amends Maryland's state code by adding this designation to Section 7-302 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This is a ceremonial designation with no new regulations, funding, or direct impact on any individuals or groups. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1366 requires Maryland health insurance plans to cover cervical Pap tests for all individuals and ovarian cancer surveillance tests (CA-125, ultrasound, or pelvic exams) for those with specific risk factors, such as a family history of ovarian cancer or BRCA gene mutations. It prohibits insurers from charging copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these tests, except in high-deductible health plans where the plan's standard deductible still applies. The law applies to all health insurers and health maintenance organizations providing coverage in Maryland and takes effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects individuals seeking preventive cancer screenings, particularly those at higher risk for ovarian cancer.

Maddy summaryHB 694 requires Maryland county school boards to annually report (starting September 1, 2025) the number of public school main entrances not accessible for people with disabilities and not meeting federal ADA standards, publishing this data on their websites. It also mandates that local school systems send their updated emergency plans to the state Department of Education by September 1 each year (starting 2025), with the department analyzing these plans and reporting compliance status to the legislature by December 1 annually. The bill further ensures that students with disabilities have emergency evacuation plans included in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans. These provisions directly affect all Maryland public school systems and county boards of education.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 establishes a Youth Sports Safety Advisory Commission to study and recommend evidence-based safety practices for youth athletes, particularly those under 15 years old. The commission includes medical professionals (like pediatricians and orthopedists), sports organization representatives (such as youth soccer and athletic training groups), and state education officials. It will study injury prevention strategies, seek input from national youth sports organizations (e.g., US Youth Soccer), and submit findings and recommendations to state agencies by December 31, 2026. The commission will expire automatically on September 30, 2030, without requiring further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryHB 1287 prohibits manufacturing, selling, purchasing, receiving, or transferring "convertible pistols" in Maryland. A convertible pistol is defined as any semiautomatic pistol that can be converted into a machine gun solely by attaching a switch or auto-sear. The bill amends Maryland's Criminal Law to specifically target these firearms, directly affecting anyone handling such weapons or their conversion components. It does not ban all semiautomatic pistols, only those that meet this specific conversion definition. The law aims to prevent the use of devices that enable rapid-fire capabilities through simple attachment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.

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 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 1324 allows Maryland hospitals to sell unpaid patient medical debt to nonprofit organizations *only* if the nonprofit cancels the debt. This directly affects hospitals (requiring them to amend financial policies) and patients with outstanding medical bills who may have their debt forgiven through this process. Key provisions mandate hospitals to dismiss all pending legal actions for sold debt and prohibit any further collection efforts - including on judgments - on debt sold to qualifying nonprofits. The bill also updates hospital reporting requirements to include demographic data on debt collection practices, but its core change centers on enabling debt cancellation via nonprofit partnerships.