Del. Denise Roberts

Maddy summaryHB 596 requires Maryland county superintendents to allow advance enrollment for dependent children of active-duty service members relocating due to military orders, using a remote registration process without fees or in-person requirements. It mandates school systems to coordinate with parents and the sending state to prevent delays in enrolling children with disabilities who receive special education services. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to publish clear information about enrollment procedures and available support services. This applies to all public schools and specifically benefits military-connected families facing frequent relocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to study how the House v. NCAA settlement may impact revenue sharing at Maryland universities and to examine future name, image, and likeness (NIL) programs for student athletes. The task force includes legislative members, University of Maryland athletic department representatives, and Governor-appointed experts with relevant experience. It must report its findings and recommendations to key legislative committees by December 1, 2025, and the bill expires on June 30, 2026. The task force itself has no authority to enact policy changes - its role is strictly to study and recommend.

Maddy summaryHB 609 modifies Maryland's legislative scholarship programs to exempt students planning to complete the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria program from standard exam requirements. It specifically allows senatorial and delegate scholarships to cover costs for the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal Program (administered by the Appraisal Foundation). This change directly affects students pursuing real estate appraisal licensure who would otherwise need to meet typical scholarship exam rules. The bill amends Sections 18-402(4) and 18-405(b)(3) of the Maryland Annotated Code to include this program under eligible scholarship uses.

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 House Joint Resolution (HJ 6) is a symbolic statement by Maryland's General Assembly expressing support for nuclear disarmament efforts. It formally joins 73 other jurisdictions (including seven states and over 75 counties/municipalities) that have passed similar "Back from the Brink" resolutions. The resolution urges Maryland's U.S. Congressional delegation to cosponsor a federal resolution supporting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the five key policies of the Back from the Brink initiative (like ending hair-trigger alerts and ending first-use nuclear policies). It also calls on the U.S. President and Senate to endorse the international treaty banning nuclear weapons. As a resolution, it has no legal effect but serves as a formal position statement.

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 1373 removes a prohibition that previously prevented Maryland county school boards from contracting with for-profit companies to operate virtual schools. The bill specifically revises Maryland law to allow county boards to contract with either for-profit or nonprofit entities for virtual school management, while maintaining existing requirements like no pre-K/kindergarten classes and compliance with all public school laws. This change directly affects county school boards, which now have expanded options for virtual school operators. The bill does not alter other operational rules for virtual schools, such as department approval requirements or the prohibition on serving early childhood grades. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1042 requires that the restrictions on who can serve as an absentee ballot agent be clearly displayed on each specimen ballot. The bill prohibits a candidate's representative (including campaign staff or volunteers) from acting as an agent to pick up or deliver absentee ballots, with an exception allowing a family member of a candidate to designate the candidate or their representative. This directly affects voters who choose to use an agent for absentee ballots and election officials who must provide the required displays. The bill also mandates the State Board of Elections adopt regulations by January 1, 2026, and takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1256 establishes Maryland’s first regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles (level 4-5 systems) operating without human drivers on state highways. It requires manufacturers to provide safety certification labels, owners to submit law enforcement interaction plans detailing emergency procedures, and vehicles to achieve a "minimal risk condition" during system failures. The bill defines the automated driving system as the legal "operator" for traffic law compliance and mandates adherence to federal safety standards. This affects vehicle manufacturers, owners, and transportation companies seeking to deploy autonomous fleets in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1097 establishes a 10-member workgroup to examine mail-in ballot accessibility, specifically focusing on the impact of requiring paper returns on voters with disabilities. The workgroup includes election officials, disability advocates (like Common Cause Maryland and the National Federation of the Blind), and experts in voting accessibility, security, and cybersecurity. It must assess current processes, research accessible alternatives from other jurisdictions, and evaluate options considering security, privacy, cost, and potential discrimination. The group must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 31, 2025, with the bill expiring June 30, 2026.