Del. Jason Buckel

Maddy summaryHB 1383 requires Maryland's State Board of Education to establish minimum technical standards for the state's online special education systems, specifically the Maryland Online Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Maryland Online Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). It directs the State Department of Education to study and report on security, real-time monitoring capabilities, document processing, and compliance with privacy laws by October 2025. The State Board must then report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 2025 on the study results and proposed regulations. This bill directly affects public schools, educators, and families using these online systems by mandating functional improvements to ensure reliable, accessible special education services. The policy change focuses on concrete technical requirements rather than program content.

Maddy summaryHB 1558 restricts fundraising activities for Maryland state elected officials during legislative sessions. It prohibits the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer, and state legislators (or their staff acting on their behalf) from receiving contributions, hosting events, soliciting funds, or depositing money raised during the session - except for specific cases. Exceptions include activities solely for their own federal or local election campaigns, contributions made electronically before the session began, and gubernatorial campaign financing under the Public Financing Act. Violations result in civil penalties paid into the Fair Campaign Financing Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1314 prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (collectively "carriers") from using artificial intelligence to automatically deny prior authorizations for medical treatments. It also bans healthcare providers from charging patients or facilities fees to obtain prior authorizations from these carriers. The bill directly affects patients seeking medical care, healthcare providers (like doctors and hospitals), and insurance companies. Key provisions take effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed health benefit plans in Maryland. The law aims to reduce administrative barriers to care by eliminating both AI-driven denials and out-of-pocket fees for authorization requests.

Maddy summaryHB 1210 authorizes licensed certified social workers-clinical (LCSW-Cs) to evaluate permanent impairments involving behavioral or mental disorders for workers' compensation claims. It directly affects workers with mental/behavioral health claims, LCSW-Cs seeking to provide these evaluations, and the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission. The bill amends existing law to require LCSW-Cs to follow Commission regulations for expert witnesses when conducting these evaluations. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1053 clarifies that parents, other family members, or legal guardians may provide self-directed services to individuals with developmental disabilities under the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration, directly affecting recipients who choose this option. The bill amends Maryland's Health General Code (Section 7-409(a)(4)) to require two conditions: the recipient or their decision-maker must select the family provider, and the recipient must hire a support broker. This change expands existing self-directed service options without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to all current and future recipients of self-directed services under the Administration.

Maddy summaryHB 587 allows veterans honorably discharged after withdrawing from high school to earn a high school diploma if they enlisted during specific military conflicts. It updates Maryland law to cover veterans who left accredited public or private high school to serve in any armed conflict authorized by the U.S. President or Congress (replacing the previous list of specific conflicts like WWII, Korea, and Vietnam). To qualify, veterans must apply to their county school board, which will establish procedures for awarding diplomas. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, directly affecting veterans who left school early for military service.

Maddy summaryHB 1325 establishes a 5-year pilot program (2026-2030) to create regional pools of substitute child care providers for Maryland child care facilities. The program, administered by a state-selected nonprofit, will recruit and support qualified providers to fill temporary staffing gaps in licensed centers, family homes, or large family child care homes. Key mechanisms include organizing pools across rural, suburban, and urban regions; helping providers meet background checks, training, and credential requirements; and developing a digital matching platform to connect providers with facilities. The program requires annual $350,000 grants to the nonprofit and $375,000 in annual state budget appropriations, with final reporting due to the legislature in 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 1392 prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in the passenger area of a motor vehicle when a minor (under 18) is present. It directly affects drivers transporting minors, making it a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill amends Maryland’s transportation code to add Section 21-903.1, explicitly defining the prohibited conduct and penalties. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 596 requires Maryland county superintendents to allow advance enrollment for dependent children of active-duty service members relocating due to military orders, using a remote registration process without fees or in-person requirements. It mandates school systems to coordinate with parents and the sending state to prevent delays in enrolling children with disabilities who receive special education services. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to publish clear information about enrollment procedures and available support services. This applies to all public schools and specifically benefits military-connected families facing frequent relocations.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 requires Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover the full duration of long-term antibiotic treatment (over 4 weeks) for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses (like Babesiosis or Ehrlichiosis) when ordered by a licensed physician for therapeutic purposes. It prohibits these entities from imposing quantity limits on such coverage or denying it solely because the treatment is labeled "unproven," "experimental," or "investigational." The law applies to all health insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026. This directly affects patients diagnosed with Lyme disease or related illnesses who require extended antibiotic therapy, ensuring insurers must cover medically necessary treatment without arbitrary restrictions.