Rep. Jared Solomon

Maddy summaryHB 156 allows unaffiliated voters in Maryland to affiliate with a political party during early voting for primary elections. Specifically, unaffiliated voters can request to change their party affiliation at an early voting center and receive a provisional ballot for their chosen party. The bill amends election law to permit this change during early voting periods, requiring election judges to verify the voter's county residency before issuing the provisional ballot. This change applies only to primary elections and does not alter standard voter registration rules or deadlines for affiliation. The bill does not affect voting eligibility for other elections or nonpartisan contests.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 requires behavioral health programs (like mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities) operating inpatient facilities to verify if residents are required to register under Maryland’s sex offender registry. Specifically, facilities must ask residents directly about registration status and confirm if they are listed on the registry. If a resident is required to register, facilities must help them comply by informing them of legal obligations, coordinating with authorities, and documenting these efforts. Non-compliance can result in fines up to $10,000 per violation or licensing penalties for repeated failures.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 3) is a policy statement, not a binding law, acknowledging Maryland's commitment to inclusive education. It resolves that elementary and secondary school curricula should include the history of communities that have experienced discrimination (based on disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, indigenous affiliation, or sexual orientation) to ensure all students feel represented. The resolution directs education officials to adopt this inclusive approach but does not mandate specific curriculum changes or allocate funding. It primarily affects state education leaders, school boards, and curriculum developers by setting a policy direction for curriculum content.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with enforceable policy changes. Maryland's General Assembly formally joins other states (like California and Oregon) and local jurisdictions in endorsing the "Back from the Brink" initiative. It urges Maryland's congressional delegation to cosponsor a federal resolution supporting the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and asks the U.S. President and Senate to endorse that treaty. The resolution expresses concern about nuclear risks but does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1303, the "Alcoholic Beverages Modernization Act of 2026," allows qualifying food retailers (with at least 5 food categories and 4,000 sq ft), pharmacies, and retail service stations (with electric vehicle charging) to obtain Class A alcohol sales licenses. It permits these businesses to purchase licenses from existing holders or apply directly to local licensing boards, with approval presumed to be in the community’s best interest. The bill restricts sales to 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (Mon-Sat), prohibits self-checkout systems for alcohol, and bans selling small mixed drinks or exterior alcohol advertising. Existing license holders must be at least 3,000 feet away from the new applicant’s location, and all licensees must complete alcohol awareness training and employ security for alcohol sales areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1356, the Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act, prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against employees for engaging in off-duty civic activities, political expression, or lawful online speech. It protects all employees - including interns, part-timers, and temporary workers - from retaliation such as termination, demotion, or denial of promotion for activities like protesting, volunteering, or sharing opinions online outside work hours. The law bans employers from coercing political contributions, forcing attendance at political events, or maintaining policies that restrict protected activities, with exceptions only for conduct that disrupts job duties or reveals trade secrets. Employees can pursue civil lawsuits for violations without exhausting administrative remedies first.

Maddy summaryHB 1419 establishes a Centralized Background Check Division within Maryland’s Department of State Police to standardize background checks for certain government roles. It requires all state and local government units to appoint a "Designated Individual" to manage background investigations for "regulated positions" (jobs requiring checks by law, such as those involving vulnerable populations). The division mandates that these investigations include enrollment in the FBI’s Rap Back program for ongoing criminal record monitoring, and it sets procedures for handling disqualifying events like arrests or convictions. This affects all state/local government employers and their employees, contractors, and volunteers in positions subject to background checks.

Maddy summaryHB 1488 proposes amending the Maryland Constitution to replace gendered terms like "man," "his," and "him" with gender-neutral language such as "person" and "their." It specifically targets multiple articles and sections across the Constitution (including the Declaration of Rights, Executive Department, and Judiciary Department) to update outdated terminology. The bill does not change substantive rights or policies but modernizes the language to be inclusive. This is a procedural constitutional amendment focused solely on terminology, not on altering legal obligations or government functions.

Maddy summaryHB 1220 establishes a mandatory annual registry for data brokers operating in Maryland. It requires businesses that collect, sell, or license "brokered personal data" (such as names, addresses, biometric information, or Social Security numbers) to register with the Comptroller each year. The bill excludes credit reporting agencies, financial institutions under federal law, and certain nonprofit organizations assisting law enforcement or emergency responders. This registry aims to increase transparency about how personal data is collected and shared by businesses that sell it.

Maddy summaryHB 1429 requires car and farm equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair shops and vehicle owners with the tools, information, and data needed for diagnosis, service, and repair. Specifically, it mandates that manufacturers install open data platforms in vehicles with wireless diagnostic systems to allow third parties access to repair data, and prohibits farm equipment makers from withholding or misrepresenting part numbers. The bill also requires manufacturers to give consumers a document explaining their rights to access vehicle data at the time of purchase. These provisions aim to make repairs more accessible by reducing manufacturer control over repair information.