Del. Tiffany Alston

Maddy summaryHB 1449 requires dairy farms selling raw milk directly to consumers in Maryland to obtain a permit from the Secretary of Health. To qualify, applicants must pass farm inspections, provide veterinary health reports confirming animals are free of brucellosis and tuberculosis, test water quality, and submit three separate milk samples for bacteria testing over seven days. Small farms with three or fewer cows or ten or fewer goats are exempt from these requirements. Permits expire annually and require renewal with a fee and updated compliance documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 1306 requires Maryland’s Department of Health to establish three specialized clinics for sickle cell disease treatment in Montgomery County, Harford County, and an Eastern Shore county by 2027. These clinics must operate under a hub-and-spoke model, providing comprehensive care including pain management, mental health services, genetic counseling, and telehealth access to specialists, while addressing social barriers like transportation and housing. The bill also creates a scholarship program for medical residents specializing in hematology with a sickle cell focus, requiring them to practice in Maryland after training. Funding of $6 million for fiscal year 2027 must cover clinic operations, staffing, social support services, and prioritizes hiring specialists and addressing health disparities. The Department must annually report on clinic outcomes, patient access, and efforts to reduce health disparities.

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 prohibits violent acts in medical facilities and places of worship by adding a felony penalty for such offenses. It defines "medical facilities" broadly to include hospitals, clinics, and health agencies, and "places of worship" as nonresidential religious gathering spaces. Violating this law subjects offenders to up to 10 additional years in prison, with penalties running consecutively to sentences for the underlying violent crime. The law directly affects anyone committing violence in these locations, enhancing penalties for crimes committed in these specific settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1031 requires health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations in Maryland to cover prescription weight loss drugs for people diagnosed with obesity and at least one related health condition (like diabetes or high blood pressure) that can be treated with these medications. It applies to all individual, group, and blanket health insurance policies issued or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026. The law directly affects covered individuals with obesity and specific comorbidities, as well as the insurers obligated to provide this coverage. It does not change existing coverage for weight loss drugs unrelated to obesity or other qualifying conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 1522 exempts certain religious educational institutions in Maryland from needing a certificate of approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to operate. It applies to schools established for religious purposes that offer only sectarian instruction aligned with a specific faith, provide programs solely for religious vocations, and state the religious nature of their awards. However, institutions established before January 1, 2013, and those accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized body remain subject to the approval requirement. The bill amends Maryland’s Education Article (§11-202.1(b)) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 697 requires Maryland health insurance carriers to submit quarterly reports to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner about their use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems. Specifically, carriers must report details on AI system deployment (including training data sources, purpose, and bias testing), as well as expanded demographic data on grievances and adverse decisions (broken down by zip code, race, ethnicity, gender, and age). The bill also updates existing reporting rules to include the monetary value of grievance decisions and timeframes for handling cases. These reports will enable the Commissioner to compile annual oversight summaries and identify potential disparities in insurance practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1505 establishes a rebuttable presumption in Maryland child custody cases that joint legal custody and joint physical custody (with approximately equal time) are in a child's best interest. Courts must consider specific factors like a child's preference (if mature enough), parental work schedules, school proximity, and ability to assist with after-school care when determining custody. If a court decides joint custody isn't appropriate, it must provide clear evidence for overriding the presumption and document its reasoning on the record. The bill also requires courts to ensure frequent, continuing contact between the child and the noncustodial parent through visitation arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 985 allows Maryland counties to establish a second administrative charging committee for reviewing police misconduct complaints, if the county governing body determines one committee is insufficient to serve all countywide and local law enforcement agencies. This bill amends existing law by adding a new provision (Section 3-104(a)(1)(II)) that permits counties to authorize a second committee under specific circumstances. The key mechanism requires county officials to formally decide that a single committee cannot adequately handle the volume of cases, without changing the committee composition or disciplinary standards. The bill directly affects county governments and law enforcement agencies by providing administrative flexibility in handling misconduct investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 1006, the "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act," requires Maryland's Attorney General to create guidelines limiting immigration enforcement at specific sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, childcare centers, and domestic violence shelters. State agencies operating at these locations must either adopt policies aligned with the guidelines or submit written justification and existing policies if they choose not to comply. The bill directly affects all Maryland state agencies managing facilities listed in the law, such as public schools, community health centers, and emergency shelters. Its key mechanism is mandating agency adherence to the guidelines or transparent documentation of non-compliance. The law aims to reduce immigration enforcement disruptions at places where vulnerable populations seek essential services.