Rep. Jared Solomon

Maddy summaryHB 1316 requires the University of Maryland's National Center for School Mental Health, in collaboration with Maryland's State Department of Education, to create and annually update a student technology and social media resource guide for public school students in PreK-12. The guide must cover common technology products (including social media, AI tools, and smart devices), explain privacy/safety risks, and provide age-appropriate best practices for safe usage. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, the guide will be published in phases (focusing first on personal tech, then educational tools, and finally as an interactive format), posted on school websites, and distributed to schools and parent-teacher organizations each year. The bill allocates $100,000 for 2027 and $125,000 annually for 2028-2029 to fund this initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 744 updates Maryland's traffic safety laws by increasing penalties for dangerous driving. It defines reckless driving as driving 30+ miles per hour over the speed limit (previously undefined), adds 2 points to a driver's record for negligent driving, and adds 6 points for speeding over 30 mph above the limit. The bill also redefines aggressive driving as committing two or more specific traffic violations (like tailgating or illegal passing) during a single driving period, with fines up to $1,000. These changes directly affect drivers convicted of these offenses, with the law taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 527 requires the Maryland Transit Administration to provide three months of free rides on the Purple Line for residents living within a quarter-mile of the tracks, and free advertising space on Purple Line vehicles and stations for businesses within the same quarter-mile radius. The program would begin when Purple Line service starts and last for three months, applying to all qualifying residents and businesses near the transit line. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and directly affects local residents and small businesses adjacent to the Purple Line corridor. The bill creates a temporary incentive to encourage ridership and support nearby commercial activity during the initial service period.

Maddy summaryHB 930 establishes Maryland's Public Health Abortion Grant Program to improve access to abortion care by redirecting excess funds from health insurance coverage. It requires insurance carriers in Maryland to transfer 90% of unused funds from their abortion coverage accounts (after covering patient costs) into a new special fund. This fund will support abortion clinical services, particularly where federal funding is restricted, benefiting individuals seeking abortion care in Maryland. The program mandates annual reporting by insurers and transfers existing excess funds starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 requires Maryland landlords to provide tenants with written notice at least 48 hours before entering rental properties for repairs, inspections, showings, safety checks, or government-mandated work. The notice must include the entry date/time and purpose, and can be delivered via mail, door notice, or electronic methods (email/text/portal) with proof of delivery. Tenants can sue landlords for violations, seeking court injunctions or damages for unauthorized entries, while landlords remain liable for agents' breaches. This law directly affects all residential landlords and tenants in Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 517 establishes the Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) Rail Authority to manage MARC rail operations, directly affecting Maryland's commuter rail service and its riders. The bill creates a new authority with a chair (the Transportation Secretary), appointed members with rail expertise, and an executive director, giving it authority over MARC facility projects including construction, maintenance, and operations. Key provisions include the authority's power to contract with the Department of Transportation, finance projects, apply for federal grants, and adhere to state transit plans. The bill does not create a workgroup as the title suggests but instead forms a formal governing body to oversee MARC rail services. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 establishes a one-year pilot program in Maryland's Department of Labor to connect unemployed individuals with overdue child support payments (arrears) to employment opportunities, including state government jobs. The program requires the Department of Labor to collaborate with the Departments of Human Services and Budget and Management to securely share participant information and implement procedures. It mandates a final report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2026, evaluating the program's effectiveness before its automatic expiration on June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects unemployed residents with child support arrears and state agencies managing workforce and social services. This policy change creates a structured pathway to address both unemployment and child support obligations through job placement.

Maddy summaryHB 1193 (Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act) requires large Maryland local governments (those with at least 150,000 residents or issuing 50+ annual residential permits) to submit monthly reports to the state Department of Planning starting January 2027. These reports must include specific details for each housing development permit, such as permit numbers, approval dates, housing type (e.g., apartments, single-family), unit counts, construction costs, and processing times. The state Department of Planning must then publish this data on a public, searchable website by July 2027, organized by housing type and county. The bill aims to increase transparency around housing development by making permit data accessible to the public and policymakers.

Maddy summaryHB 458 authorizes an annual $350,000 appropriation starting fiscal year 2027 for the University of Maryland, College Park's TerpsEXCEED Program, which serves students with intellectual disabilities. The funding provides dedicated resources to support academic success through course accommodations, peer mentoring, and career development services like internships and job placement. It also covers management of financial aid, self-directed waiver budgets, and cross-agency coordination for each student. This bill establishes a sustainable funding source for the program’s operations and future expansion, directly benefiting enrolled students with intellectual disabilities. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 538 transfers administration of Maryland's Federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) from the Secretary of Aging to the Family Investment Administration within the Department of Human Services. The bill updates state law to designate the Family Investment Administration as the central agency managing CSFP using federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (under 7 C.F.R. 247). It repeals the existing requirement that the Secretary of Aging administer the program, streamlining oversight under the Department of Human Services. This change directly affects how CSFP services - providing food packages to low-income pregnant women, infants, and children - are coordinated within the state government. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.