Del. Marvin Holmes

Maddy summaryHB 1541 requires residential condominium unit owners in Maryland to maintain specific insurance coverage for their units. The policy must include key provisions like waiver of subrogation against the condominium council, $500,000 personal liability coverage, 12 months of loss-of-use coverage, and dwelling coverage for owner improvements. Unit owners must provide annual proof of this insurance to the condominium council. If a unit owner fails to comply, the council may purchase the required insurance and charge the cost as an assessment, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 303 creates a State Board of Common Ownership Community Managers within the Maryland Department of Labor to license and regulate professionals managing residential common ownership communities (like condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations). It requires community managers to hold licenses, mandates that communities register with the Board under certain conditions, and requires contracts for management services to include specific provisions. The bill also imposes duties on contracting parties to maintain fidelity bonds or theft insurance and establishes a special fund to cover the Board’s operational costs. These changes directly affect community managers, property owners, and management companies operating in Maryland’s residential common ownership communities.

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 1352 prohibits Maryland institutions of higher education from denying students access to facilities or services due to sickle cell disease diagnosis and requires them to provide reasonable accommodations. The bill mandates the Maryland Department of Health to develop an education campaign for campuses about sickle cell disease challenges, create uniform procedures with the Maryland Higher Education Commission for supporting affected students, and compile training materials for faculty and staff. Institutions must also establish clear reporting procedures for violations and publicly share accommodation policies. These requirements take effect October 1, 2025, directly impacting all Maryland colleges and universities and students with sickle cell disease.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 expands the powers of Maryland land bank authorities to better manage properties. It allows land banks to create special funds to attract private investment, make loans or grants for community projects, and form partnerships. The bill also requires land banks to include specific agreements in property sales/leases covering maintenance, use, and other conditions, and permits them to reenter properties if buyers breach these terms (e.g., failing to complete improvements or obtain permits). Additionally, it clarifies that counties or municipalities can authorize land banks to foreclose on vacant, tax-delinquent properties through a specific legal process. These changes aim to strengthen land banks’ ability to revitalize communities while protecting public interests.

Maddy summaryHB 769 delays residential foreclosure filings by requiring a 90-day waiting period after a payment default and mandating a 45-day notice of intent to foreclose before filing. It requires lenders to provide written loan details (including payment history and current balance) in foreclosure filings and allows homeowners to raise a defense if lenders delay filing excessively. The bill specifically affects Maryland homeowners with owner-occupied residential properties (up to four units) and lenders seeking to foreclose on mortgages that are significantly overdue. These changes amend Maryland's foreclosure law to add procedural safeguards before foreclosure actions can proceed.

Maddy summaryHB 164 makes it a misdemeanor to fraudulently claim or possess residential property you don’t legally own or possess, targeting individuals who intend to defraud property owners. It establishes penalties of up to 90 days in jail or $500 for a first offense, increasing to 1 year or $2,500 for repeat violations within 2 years. Property owners can submit a sworn affidavit to a sheriff, who must then remove occupants found to be fraudulently occupying the property unless the occupant proves lawful possession. The bill explicitly states it does not affect existing civil wrongful detainer lawsuits under Maryland law. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 615 clarifies procedures for condominium associations and homeowners associations in Maryland. It requires condominium associations to adopt budgets at open meetings and share the adopted budget with unit owners within 30 days via email, website, or newsletter. For homeowners associations, it specifies that owners can petition the local circuit court to appoint a receiver when vacancies prevent a quorum, and clarifies the court location for such petitions. The bill directly affects condominium and homeowners associations managing their finances and governance, with changes taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1429 authorizes Maryland's youth services bureaus (community-based organizations providing youth prevention programs) to conduct criminal history checks on their employees, volunteers, and interns. The bill requires bureaus to submit fingerprints, federal processing fees, and state access fees to the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository. It mandates that results remain confidential, cannot be shared outside the hiring context, and must be provided directly to both the bureau and the individual. The law also establishes procedures for contesting results and updating records if new information emerges after the initial check.

Maddy summaryHB 802 designates the Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea) as Maryland's official state carnivorous plant. The bill amends Maryland's state code by adding this designation to Section 7-302 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This is a ceremonial designation with no new regulations, funding, or direct impact on any individuals or groups. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.