Rep. David Moon

Maddy summaryHB 809 creates a temporary exception to standard child placement limits for foster care providers when a child enrolled in college must leave campus due to academic breaks, temporary closures, or approved leave. The exemption applies only if the child, foster care provider, and agency agree to the living arrangement. This directly affects youth in foster care attending college and their foster care providers. The law requires the state to update placement regulations by July 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 413 allows adults aged 21 or older to manufacture their own personal-use cannabis products or concentrated cannabis at home without using volatile solvents (like butane), provided they stay within defined limits (e.g., 1.5 ounces of cannabis or 12 grams of concentrate). It increases penalties for large-scale cannabis offenses, making possession of 50 pounds or more a felony, and similarly raises thresholds for cocaine offenses (448 grams or more). The bill also creates a new process for certain inmates convicted of cannabis or cocaine-related offenses to request sentence modifications. These changes directly affect individuals growing cannabis at home, large-scale distributors, and eligible incarcerated individuals, while clarifying "adult sharing" (gifts between adults 21+) as legal.

Maddy summaryHB 302 expands Maryland's legal process for filing criminal charges against certain professionals by adding "Adult Protective Services Workers" and "Child Welfare Case Workers" to the list requiring State's Attorney review before charges can be filed. The bill mandates that for offenses allegedly committed while performing job duties, the State’s Attorney must investigate and recommend to a District Court Commissioner whether a "statement of charges" should proceed. This applies specifically to workers in public adult protection programs and child welfare roles, creating a mandatory review step before criminal charges are filed against them. The change modifies existing law to ensure these human service workers receive the same procedural safeguards as law enforcement officers and educators under Maryland Code § 2-608.

Maddy summaryHB 301 modifies Maryland's requirements for law enforcement to use forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis (FGGS) in criminal investigations. It mandates that a sworn affidavit must be submitted to a court, stating: (1) the perpetrator's identity is unknown, (2) the crime involves murder, rape, sexual offenses, or an ongoing public safety threat, (3) the biological sample came from a crime scene or related location, and (4) a standard DNA profile from the sample was already tested in state and national databases without identifying a suspect. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies conducting FGGS, requiring judicial authorization before initiating these searches. It does not change the investigative use of FGGS but clarifies the factual basis needed for court approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1424, the "Protect Our Federal Workers Act," expands state financial assistance to Maryland residents affected by federal government disruptions beyond just shutdowns. It renames the "Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund" to the "Federal Government Employee Assistance Loan Fund" and broadens eligibility to include current federal employees not paid during shutdowns *and* Maryland residents recently terminated due to federal office closures, relocations, or mass layoffs. The bill allows funds from the state’s Catastrophic Event Account to cover costs for these individuals, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor. This changes existing law to provide loans for both ongoing shutdowns and post-layoff financial hardship from federal facility changes.

Maddy summaryHB 579 modifies Maryland's certification process for U Nonimmigrant Status visas (U visas), which help victims of certain crimes access legal immigration status. The bill expands who can certify victim helpfulness to include agencies like child protective services, adult protective services, and the Commission on Civil Rights (not just police). It requires certifying officials to provide specific details about the crime and victim's cooperation when completing Form I-918, Supplement B. This directly affects crime victims seeking U visas and the state agencies that issue these certifications. The bill aligns Maryland's process with federal U visa guidelines to streamline eligibility verification.

Maddy summaryHB 604 prohibits caregivers, family members, or household members from knowingly stealing property from vulnerable or senior adults with the intent to deprive them of it. It classifies such theft as a consumer fraud under Maryland law, enabling the Attorney General’s Senior and Vulnerable Adult Asset Recovery Unit to recover stolen assets and block offenders from inheriting victims’ property. The bill creates new criminal penalties, requires District Court jurisdiction for these cases, and allows prosecutors to freeze defendants’ assets early in proceedings. These changes directly affect vulnerable seniors, their families, and caregivers who commit financial exploitation.

Maddy summaryHB 1061 requires Maryland state agencies to submit inventories of their owned properties to the Department of Planning. The Department must then assess each property for suitability for affordable housing or solar energy production, considering factors like size, utilities, access, and location within designated priority areas. If suitable for housing, agencies must propose donating or selling the property to nonprofits or buyers committed to affordable housing (or mixed-use developments containing affordable housing), or lease for solar energy if applicable, with public notice of the process. The bill updates state law to formalize this inventory, assessment, and disposition process for state-owned property.

Maddy summaryHB 1545 allows Maryland to withhold state payments to the federal government when the federal government fails to pay overdue funds that courts have ruled it must pay. The Board of Public Works would first determine if the federal government is delinquent in paying funds owed to Maryland, based on court decisions upholding congressionally approved spending. The Comptroller could then withhold up to the amount of the overdue funds, after consulting with the Board. This bill directly affects how Maryland manages its financial transactions with the federal government when payments are overdue.

Maddy summaryHB 1546 requires Maryland's Central Collection Unit (CCU) to collect delinquent federal funds owed to the state, specifically when the federal government fails to comply with court decisions upholding congressionally approved spending. The Board of Public Works gains authority to officially declare the federal government delinquent in these cases, and the CCU can place liens on federal property within Maryland under those circumstances. This bill amends existing state law (sections 3-302, 3-304, and 10-208 of the State Finance and Procurement Article) to formalize these collection procedures and lien mechanisms. It directly affects how Maryland handles unpaid federal obligations, streamlining the state's ability to recover funds through established legal channels.