Del. Lorig Charkoudian

Maddy summaryHB 368 designates May as "Maryland Native Plant Month" by requiring the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the environmental benefits of native plants. The bill directs the Governor to urge educational organizations, environmental groups, and businesses to host events and activities during this month. It does not create new programs or funding but formally establishes this annual observance through a simple legislative change to Maryland state law. This commemorative measure affects the Governor’s annual actions and encourages voluntary participation from relevant organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 1055 establishes the Commission on Nondiscrimination in Maryland to study and monitor the state's nondiscrimination laws and their enforcement. The commission, composed of 14 members including legislative appointees, civil rights leaders, and representatives from local commissions and legal advocacy groups, will examine gaps in protections for individuals based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other categories. It must monitor federal government impacts on civil rights enforcement, identify inconsistencies or deficiencies in current laws, and recommend legislative solutions. The commission will submit annual reports with findings and proposals to the Governor and General Assembly, with the commission itself terminating on June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 827 establishes a new "distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity" required for constructing small-scale solar projects (like rooftop or ground-mounted systems under 20 MW). It directly affects solar developers, local governments, and utility regulators by requiring this permit before construction begins and prohibiting counties from using zoning laws to block ground-mounted solar installations. The bill also creates a Small Solar Siting Workgroup to develop statewide model policies and best practices for solar facility siting. These changes aim to streamline solar development while supporting Maryland's renewable energy goals, without altering existing permitting for larger power plants.

Maddy summaryHB 419 requires natural gas companies in Maryland to submit detailed plans to the Public Service Commission for infrastructure replacement projects. These plans must include project descriptions, safety analyses, leak reduction potential, cost comparisons with alternatives (like leak repair), and 2-year advance notices to customers about upcoming construction. The bill allows gas companies to recover costs through a capped monthly surcharge - maximum $2 per residential account - with non-residential rates set at least equal but subject to the same cap. It prioritizes projects based on public safety risk and cost-effectiveness, excluding projects that connect to new customers or increase company revenue. The law directly affects gas companies (requiring new filings) and ratepayers (via the surcharge), while ensuring transparency for customers near construction sites.

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 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 summaryHB 1112 extends the time limit for filing lawsuits related to PFAS chemical exposure, allowing claims to be filed within 10 years of exposure or 3 years after discovering the injury, whichever is sooner. It also prohibits the sale of consumer products containing PFAS chemicals in Maryland starting July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals seeking compensation for PFAS-related health issues and businesses manufacturing or selling such products. Key provisions include updated legal deadlines for civil actions and a clear ban on PFAS in consumer goods not already regulated under other environmental or health laws. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with the sales prohibition beginning in 2026.

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 555 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program eligibility rules. It requires children to reside in Maryland, be under 13 (or under 19 with a verified disability), and live in a household meeting income and need requirements. Crucially, the bill prohibits the State Department of Education from considering a parent, guardian, or child's immigration status when determining eligibility. The bill also establishes a temporary subsidy process allowing families to receive immediate assistance while completing full applications within 15 days.

Maddy summaryHB 661 grants collective bargaining rights to specific faculty at Maryland's public higher education institutions, including full-time, part-time, and adjunct employees with academic responsibilities (such as teachers, researchers, and department heads) at the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. It establishes separate bargaining units for faculty at each institution but allows these units to voluntarily combine into a single bargaining unit. The bill excludes officers, supervisors, confidential employees, and student employees from coverage. This legislation amends Maryland’s labor laws to formally define "faculty" and create a framework for collective bargaining negotiations over wages, hours, and working conditions.