Del. Charlotte Crutchfield

Maddy summaryHB 929 allows an individual accused of abuse to consent to a permanent protective order against themselves. This directly affects the alleged abuser (who can now agree to the order) and the victim (who may request it). The bill adds consent as a new legal basis for courts to issue permanent protective orders, alongside existing grounds like conviction for abuse or the victim's request. Any permanent order issued this way must mirror the original temporary order's protections and remains in effect unless the victim asks to terminate it.

Maddy summaryHB 1191 updates Maryland's child custody laws by requiring courts to consider specific factors when determining legal and physical custody. It strengthens protections for children by mandating courts to deny custody or visitation to parents with a history of abuse or neglect, and to prioritize safety arrangements if abuse is suspected. The bill also explicitly bars custody awards to parents convicted of murder (including out-of-state convictions) unless supervised visitation ensures the child's safety. These changes directly affect family courts and parents involved in custody disputes across Maryland. The law focuses on child safety and well-being, adding clear guidelines for judicial decisions without altering existing penalties or funding.

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 542 allows local Adult Protective Services (APS) departments in Maryland to request assistance from federal law enforcement officers during investigations of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. It clarifies that agencies involved in these investigations may share pertinent client information to protect vulnerable adults' welfare. The bill modifies disclosure rules to explicitly permit sharing APS-related information with relevant agencies (like law enforcement or aging services) during investigations. These changes directly affect vulnerable adults, APS departments, and agencies providing services to them, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 275 adjusts Maryland's child support calculation by adding a new deduction for parents with children living in their home for more than 92 nights annually. The bill requires courts to subtract a specific allowance - calculated as 75% of the basic child support obligation for those additional children - from a parent's actual income before determining support amounts. This change directly affects parents with children in their household who are subject to child support orders for other children. The policy aims to better account for the cost of supporting multiple households in child support determinations.

Maddy summaryHB 533 requires Maryland judges to consider whether a military protection order (issued under federal law by a commanding officer) exists when deciding on civilian peace or protective orders for the same alleged conduct. It also mandates that law enforcement officers notify the military agency that issued a military protection order if they suspect a service member violated it. This bill directly affects service members, their families, and civilian courts handling protection orders in Maryland. The key change is creating a formal link between military and civilian protection order systems to prevent conflicting orders and ensure military violations are properly reported. It does not create new penalties but streamlines coordination between military and civilian legal processes.

Maddy summaryHB 388 increases point assessments for repeat drunk and drugged driving offenses in Maryland. It adds 12 points to a driver's record for violations of Section 21-902(h) (second offense) and Section 21-902(i) (third offense), as specified in amended Section 16-402(a)(47) and (48) of the Maryland Vehicle Laws. This directly affects drivers convicted of multiple violations under these sections, which include prior DUI/DUI-related convictions. The bill modifies existing law to clarify the point penalties without changing the underlying offense definitions or criminal penalties.

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 678 establishes the Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library as the state's primary resource center for deaf-related library services. It requires the Governor to include $450,000 annually in the budget for the library and mandates that the library submit its operating budget to the State Library Agency by June 1 each year. The bill directs the library to conduct needs assessments, develop staff training on deaf services, create a shared website, and form partnerships with deaf organizations and county libraries. These provisions directly affect deaf and hard of hearing Marylanders, state and county libraries, and the State Library Agency.

Maddy summaryHB 497 prohibits youth transportation companies from using physical restraints (like handcuffs or blindfolds) or visual impairments when moving children to residential child care programs, except in emergencies with no less restrictive alternatives. It also bans pickups between 9 PM and 6 AM. The law directly affects companies transporting children to facilities such as wilderness programs, therapeutic boarding schools, or behavioral modification programs (excluding hospitals, foster homes, or secure facilities). Violations allow the Attorney General to seek injunctions or up to $1,000 in damages per offense.