Del. Andrea Harrison

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 1525 prohibits Maryland municipalities from annexing land located in a different legislative district than the municipality itself. This directly affects cities and towns seeking to expand their boundaries, as they can no longer annex adjacent land if it falls in a separate legislative district. The bill amends Maryland’s local government code (Section 4-401(c)(2)) to explicitly ban such annexations, while maintaining existing rules requiring contiguous boundaries and preventing unincorporated areas. It does not change other annexation requirements, such as land being adjacent to the municipality’s current boundaries. The law takes effect immediately as an emergency measure.

Maddy summaryHB 8 requires Maryland food manufacturers, processors, and retailers to replace "sell by" dates on food labels with standardized terms starting July 1, 2026. Specifically, "Best if Used By" (or "BB" for small items) must indicate quality dates, and "Use By" (or "UB") must indicate safety dates for perishable foods. The bill prohibits selling food labeled "sell by" or lacking these terms after the effective date, while exempting infant formula, eggs, and alcoholic beverages. It also mandates the Maryland Department of Health to create public education materials about the new labeling system by July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 529 requires health insurers, HMOs, and nonprofit health plans in Maryland to post their prescription drug coverage lists (formularies) clearly on their websites without requiring login or account access. Insurers must display drug tiering, coverage restrictions, and update changes within 30 days of implementation. The bill also mandates that these insurers cover certain generic drugs and biosimilars with specific cost-sharing terms (e.g., copays or coinsurance). This directly affects all health plan providers operating in Maryland and makes drug coverage information more transparent for enrollees.

Maddy summaryHB 1491 clarifies that Maryland public employers (like state and local government agencies) may only deduct money from public employees' wages if explicitly authorized in a written compensation or benefit plan, such as a retirement plan. The bill amends Maryland's Wage Payment and Collection Law to add this specific exception, ensuring deductions cannot be made arbitrarily. It maintains existing rules allowing deductions for court orders or employee consent but restricts public employers to plan-authorized deductions only. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1365 amends Maryland's Commercial Law to limit how businesses (referred to as "controllers") can collect personal data online. It requires businesses to collect only data that is "adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary" for the specific purpose disclosed to consumers, and to establish easy consumer opt-out mechanisms for data consent. The bill also mandates businesses to implement reasonable security practices to protect collected data. These changes apply to businesses processing personal data in Maryland and take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits local governments to allowing no more than 10 cents per paper carryout bag charged by retailers. It applies to all counties and municipalities that have enacted laws requiring or permitting such fees. Retailers, including stores and restaurants, would be restricted to charging this maximum fee under local ordinances. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 608 requires Maryland county school boards to grant temporary school admission to students when parents or guardians cannot immediately provide proof of required immunizations. This temporary enrollment lasts up to 60 days, during which parents must schedule an appointment with a health provider or local health department to obtain immunizations, reconstruct lost records, or get evidence of age-appropriate immunity. Parents must then submit proof of the immunization on the next school day following the appointment. The bill directly affects public school students and their families in Maryland, balancing school safety with practical barriers to documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 613 requires Maryland courts to remove identifying information (like names, addresses, or phone numbers) from court documents in sexual assault cases, unless a judge finds "good cause" to disclose it. It specifically protects victims of sexual assault (defined as alleged victims of certain crimes under Maryland's Criminal Law Article) by mandating redaction of their personal details from all filings, including existing case documents, upon written request. The law also requires the Supreme Court of Maryland to establish rules for implementing this redaction process. This applies to both new court filings and existing cases in criminal or juvenile delinquency proceedings involving sexual assault. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 534 creates the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists licensed in Maryland to practice in other participating states without reapplying for separate licenses. The bill establishes a Commission to oversee the compact, requiring all participating states to accept the same national licensing exam (ADEX) and share disciplinary records to ensure public safety. It specifically benefits military personnel and their spouses by eliminating fees and expediting licensure during relocations. The compact also eliminates duplicate paperwork and costs for licensees moving between states, streamlining access to dental care across participating jurisdictions.