Del. Jheanelle Wilkins

Maddy summaryHB 493 designates November 14 each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" in Maryland public schools to commemorate Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of an all-white New Orleans elementary school. It requires each county board of education to create annual educational programs for this day, including symbolic walks, civil rights history lessons, and discussions on racial equality. The State Department of Education must also develop model educational resources, like lesson plans and discussion guides, to support schools in implementing these programs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects all Maryland public schools and their students.

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 609 modifies Maryland's legislative scholarship programs to exempt students planning to complete the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria program from standard exam requirements. It specifically allows senatorial and delegate scholarships to cover costs for the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal Program (administered by the Appraisal Foundation). This change directly affects students pursuing real estate appraisal licensure who would otherwise need to meet typical scholarship exam rules. The bill amends Sections 18-402(4) and 18-405(b)(3) of the Maryland Annotated Code to include this program under eligible scholarship uses.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 requires Maryland county boards of education to provide free access to post-college and career readiness pathways (including college prep programs, early college/dual enrollment, and career tech programs) for all students meeting college and career readiness standards. It specifically allows counties to set income eligibility guidelines for covering costs of competitive college prep programs (like IB or AP), but mandates free access to all pathways for students with family incomes below 400% of the federal poverty level. The bill also requires schools to provide counseling to help students choose pathways and guarantees high school credit for completed programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1513 prohibits school resource officers and school security employees in Maryland public schools from engaging in federal immigration investigation or enforcement activities. It directly affects school security personnel, including law enforcement officers assigned to schools under memorandums of understanding and non-officer security staff. The bill adds Section 7-1508.1 to Maryland’s education code, explicitly banning the use of school security staff for federal immigration enforcement functions under Section 287(g) of federal law. The prohibition takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1287 prohibits manufacturing, selling, purchasing, receiving, or transferring "convertible pistols" in Maryland. A convertible pistol is defined as any semiautomatic pistol that can be converted into a machine gun solely by attaching a switch or auto-sear. The bill amends Maryland's Criminal Law to specifically target these firearms, directly affecting anyone handling such weapons or their conversion components. It does not ban all semiautomatic pistols, only those that meet this specific conversion definition. The law aims to prevent the use of devices that enable rapid-fire capabilities through simple attachment.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 4) is a non-binding ceremonial measure affirming Maryland's support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as foundational to the American Dream. It does not create new laws or policies but formally encourages state, local, and federal entities to uphold DEI principles. The resolution directs certified copies to federal leaders including the President, Vice President, and congressional leadership, citing DEI's historical role in civil rights advancements. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact on constituents or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1346, the PACE Act, protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents from having their creative works (like music, poetry, art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. The bill requires courts to make four specific findings before admitting such expression: that the creator intended it literally (not figuratively), it directly relates to the specific crime, it addresses disputed facts, and it has unique value not available through other evidence. This applies to all criminal and juvenile proceedings, with an exception allowing creative expression to be used in juvenile cases for mental health evaluations. The law aims to prevent artistic expression from being misinterpreted as confessions or evidence of guilt without strong judicial scrutiny.