Del. Kent Roberson

Maddy summaryHB 1371 establishes the Maryland-Africa and the Caribbean Investment and Development Program within the Department of Commerce to study and promote trade and investment between Maryland's African diaspora communities and Africa/Caribbean nations. The program creates an Advisory Board (with members from diaspora businesses, community groups, academic institutions, labor, and finance) to study trade opportunities and recommend actions to the Department. It also creates the Maryland African Diaspora Investment and Development Fund, a permanent fund providing grants, low-interest loans, and business support services to diaspora-owned businesses for expansion, startup capital, and job creation - particularly focusing on Northeast Baltimore communities. The bill directly affects businesses owned by Maryland residents of African or Caribbean descent, defined as first-generation immigrants and their descendants.

Maddy summaryHB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1528 would allow Maryland public schools to permit homeschool students to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities (like sports or clubs) under specific conditions. It requires homeschool students to follow Maryland’s COMAR guidelines for home instruction and gives public school students priority over homeschoolers if spaces are limited. The bill does not require schools to offer participation but establishes clear rules for when it may occur. This directly affects homeschool families seeking access to public school activities and public school administrators managing program enrollment.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct studies measuring problem and pathological gambling rates for both in-person and mobile gambling, with the mobile gambling study due by July 2031. The bill redirects 1% of proceeds from fantasy sports competitions and 1% of sports wagering revenue to the Problem Gambling Fund, altering prior distribution rules that directed most funds to education. These funds will support treatment and prevention services for problem gamblers, including inpatient care, outpatient services, and educational programs. The legislation amends Maryland law to mandate these studies and fund allocations, directly affecting the Department of Health and the Problem Gambling Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1146, the "Sacred Places Safety Act," prohibits committing any crime of violence (as defined in Maryland law) within medical facilities or places of worship. It directly affects individuals who commit such acts in these locations, which include hospitals, clinics, and nonresidential religious gathering spaces. The bill increases penalties by making such violations a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, in addition to penalties for the underlying violent crime. This law takes effect June 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant locations statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 825 (Tahjai's Law) requires Maryland's Governor to annually proclaim May as "Brain Health and Chronic Headache Awareness Month," aligning with national brain tumor awareness efforts. It establishes a permanent Maryland Brain Health Grant Fund to provide financial support to nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community programs for brain health awareness, screening, prevention, and services like treatment for brain tumors, chronic headaches, and traumatic brain injury. The Maryland Department of Health must develop guidelines for incorporating brain health evaluations into routine physical exams and recommend insurance coverage parity for necessary diagnostic tools. Additionally, the Department must submit annual reports on brain tumor prevalence, emergency visits related to brain conditions, access to diagnostic imaging, and barriers to care.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1575, the Community Trust Act, prohibits state and local correctional facilities and their employees from detaining individuals or sharing information with federal immigration authorities based on immigration status, except when required by a judicial warrant or for routine booking. It bans asking about citizenship, prolonging detention for immigration reasons, transferring individuals to immigration authorities without a warrant, or coercing people based on immigration status. Exceptions include when immigration status relates to legal protections under state/federal law or international treaties, allowing facilities to notify individuals or offer voluntary disclosure. Correctional facilities must adopt policies with penalties for violations, and affected individuals can seek damages or injunctions if harmed by a breach.

Maddy summaryHB 1358 requires Maryland's Department of Labor to allocate funds from the Hospital Employees Retraining Fund to local workforce development boards when hospitals close, downsize, or merge. It also mandates that these local boards provide grants to employers through the Apprenticeship Career Training in Our Neighborhoods Program. Additionally, the bill requires the Department to fund local workforce boards for direct worker services under the State's quick response program when job losses occur due to business reductions. This bill directly affects local workforce development boards, hospitals facing operational changes, and workers impacted by layoffs or closures.

Maddy summaryHB 1350 changes how child abuse and neglect reports are handled in Maryland. It requires mandatory reporters (like teachers, healthcare workers, and social service staff) to submit reports directly to the State Department of Human Services (DHS) instead of local social services or police. The bill creates a centralized DHS intake system to record, assess report validity, and assign cases to local departments for investigation. It specifically updates reporting procedures for substance-exposed newborns and cases involving individuals registered for child-related offenses. This reform aims to streamline reporting while maintaining direct oversight by local agencies for investigations.