Del. Mary Lehman

Maddy summaryHB 1151 allows sellers of residential property to request a second appraisal if an initial appraisal values the property below its current market value. The bill requires lenders to provide a written copy of this additional appraisal to the seller at no cost. It directly affects residential property sellers who disagree with an initial appraisal, giving them a formal process to seek a revised valuation. The key provision ensures sellers receive a free, written copy of the second appraisal, addressing concerns about appraisal discrepancies during sales transactions. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 339 requires landlords of non-historic residential rental apartments in Maryland to provide air-conditioning starting June 1, 2025 for new units and October 1, 2025 for units with qualifying HVAC system upgrades. Landlords must maintain temperatures within specific ranges during June-September: 90% of ASHRAE Standard 55 thresholds normally, and 80% thresholds if daily highs exceed 92.3°F. The law applies only to apartment buildings (excluding National Register historic properties) and distinguishes between landlord-controlled and tenant-controlled AC systems. It does not affect buildings with permits issued before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 219 allows Baltimore City to tow, remove, or impound vehicles owned by new Maryland residents who fail to register with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and display valid Maryland license plates within 60 days of moving to the city. It directly affects new residents who do not comply with the existing 60-day registration grace period for out-of-state vehicles. The bill amends Maryland law to specifically authorize Baltimore City to enforce this requirement through towing or impoundment, rather than relying on general vehicle parking regulations. This change clarifies Baltimore City's authority to act during the 60-day registration window, aligning with current state law but specifying the city's enforcement power.

Maddy summaryHB 1198, the Monica Cooper Prerelease Act, requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals in Baltimore City (on at least 3 acres) by 2027. The facility must serve women with low violence/escape risk and satisfactory behavior, offering evidence-based programs like education, vocational training, trauma-informed healthcare, and family reunification support. It mandates the Department of Public Safety to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services - including help with public health benefits applications - and report progress to lawmakers by 2026. This bill directly affects female inmates eligible for prerelease status, aiming to reduce recidivism through gender-responsive reentry planning.

Maddy summaryHB 644 expands the statewide application of speed monitoring systems in residential districts, requiring all such systems to comply with existing rules previously limited to specific counties. It mandates that speed limit signs in residential areas include specific signage indicating the presence of speed monitoring systems and requires local jurisdictions to provide public notice through websites and newspapers before activation. The bill also specifies that real-time speed displays must be visible at certain locations, including highways in residential zones with 35 mph limits, to inform drivers of speed monitoring activity. These changes standardize requirements across Maryland while maintaining the existing definition of "residential district" and procedural safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 76 amends Maryland law to expand death benefit eligibility for public safety officers. It specifically adds "9-1-1 specialists" to the list of covered personnel under Section 1(b)(1)(viii), meaning they now qualify for a $125,000 death benefit if killed while performing duties. The bill also modifies definitions of "performance of duties" for firefighters, hazardous material response teams, and other public safety roles. These changes apply to officers serving in Maryland's uniformed services, including those in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts. The bill does not alter benefit amounts but clarifies eligibility criteria for existing benefit programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1434 establishes a 13-member Food Deserts Workgroup to study areas in Maryland with limited access to affordable, nutritious food (known as "food deserts"). The Workgroup, including state agency secretaries, county representatives, and community stakeholders, must analyze health and economic impacts of food deserts and assess strategies to attract grocery stores by November 1, 2025. It will produce a report with recommendations for eliminating food deserts, to be submitted to the Governor and relevant legislative committees. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2026, and does not create new funding or regulations - only a study process.

Maddy summaryHB 610 expands expungement eligibility in Maryland by allowing certain criminal charges to be cleared from records when dismissed without a conviction. Specifically, it adds that charges may be expunged if the court issued a "no finding" or terminated the case without a finding - rather than resulting in a conviction. This applies to charges already listed as eligible under current law (such as specific misdemeanors and felonies), without changing the list of offenses. The bill does not alter existing eligibility criteria but broadens the circumstances under which expungement is possible for dismissed cases.

Maddy summaryHB 386 prohibits the use of pesticides containing PFAS chemicals (a class of fluorinated chemicals) at specific locations, including schools, healthcare facilities, day cares, residential lawns, and commercial mosquito spraying, beginning June 1, 2026. The Maryland Department of Agriculture must create and maintain a list of all PFAS pesticides by January 1, 2026, and distribute it to certified applicators. The bill also bans new registrations of PFAS pesticides for sale in Maryland starting June 1, 2027, and prohibits all use of these pesticides statewide after June 1, 2028. This directly affects pesticide manufacturers, certified applicators, and entities using pesticides in the specified locations.

Maddy summaryHB 42 establishes two grant programs to reduce food waste and promote organics recycling in Maryland. It creates a surcharge on the final disposal of solid waste collected from waste disposal operators, with funds deposited into a dedicated "Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Fund" to support these programs. The On-Farm Organics Grant Program (managed by the Department of Agriculture) provides grants to farmers, urban farmers, soil conservation districts, and related entities for composting, food rescue, and waste prevention on agricultural operations. The Wasted Food Reduction Grant Program (managed by the Department of the Environment) funds community projects - like infrastructure, education, and food rescue initiatives - that prevent, rescue, and divert wasted food across the state.