Rep. Jamila Woods

Maddy summaryHB 810 establishes a two-year pilot program within Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to explore using blockchain technology for real property ownership records. The program, limited to up to three counties, will create a blockchain registry allowing property owners to opt in and receive digital titles that law enforcement and courts can verify in real time to resolve disputes like squatting. It requires the Department to coordinate with courts, police, and the Attorney General to develop secure systems, test smart contracts for title transfers, and educate users. The pilot must begin by January 1, 2027, and conclude with a final report by December 31, 2028, before the program automatically expires on July 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 753 would require Maryland's State Tax Sale Ombudsman to create a process allowing homeowners to designate family members or representatives to handle tax sale matters on their behalf. It mandates that dwellings be withheld from tax sale if the homeowner has a physician-documented terminal illness or medical hardship. The bill also increases the maximum home value eligible for the Homeowner Protection Program and grants priority enrollment in the program to homeowners with terminal illness or medical hardship. These changes directly affect Maryland homeowners facing tax sale proceedings, particularly those with serious health conditions or limited capacity to navigate the process.

Maddy summaryHB 1305 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to annually report specific data on students in the state's child welfare system, including school stability, graduation rates, college enrollment, and disciplinary rates. The report must break down data by county, age, gender, race, and ethnicity while protecting student confidentiality. Additionally, the Department of Education and Department of Human Services must submit a 2026 report identifying service gaps, best practices from other states, and recommendations to improve educational outcomes for foster youth. This bill directly affects foster youth in Maryland's child welfare system and the state agencies responsible for their education and care.

Maddy summaryHB 919 establishes the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The program provides grants directly to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities who aim to become real estate appraisers. Its key mechanisms include closing appraisal gaps in these communities, diversifying the appraisal field, and supporting individuals pursuing PAREA certification. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the grants starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 modifies Maryland's Family Investment Program to protect individuals receiving Temporary Cash Assistance from losing benefits due to noncooperation with child support. It establishes specific "good cause" exceptions - such as domestic violence, homelessness, housing crises, child care barriers, or situations where cooperation would harm a child (e.g., incest, rape, or pending adoption) - that prevent the Department of Human Services from denying, reducing, or terminating assistance. The bill requires the Secretary to define these criteria and allows individuals to prove good cause through a simple oral or written statement, without needing written evidence, third-party verification, or paying for notarization. This directly affects low-income families navigating child support requirements while maintaining access to critical cash aid.

Maddy summaryHB 1326 expands who can access child abuse and neglect reports in Maryland. It allows the Department of Human Services to disclose these records to school personnel (including principals and superintendents), child care facility operators, and higher education institutions when they need to investigate or take action against employees or contractors who interact with children. The bill requires safeguards to protect the identity of reporters and others whose safety could be endangered by disclosure. This directly affects schools, child care centers, and colleges by enabling them to address potential abuse concerns involving staff or contractors.

Maddy summaryHB 1300 updates Maryland's Commission for Women by changing how its executive director is appointed and clarifying the Commission's responsibilities. It removes the Secretary of Human Services' authority to appoint the director, stating the director will be a regular state employee (not a "special appointee") and receive standard state compensation. The bill revises the Commission's duties to focus on conducting studies, supporting programs, and advocating for policies that promote equality for women, including career development, violence prevention, and economic opportunities. These changes directly affect the Commission's operations and its executive director, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1096 requires Baltimore City and Maryland counties to include written notice of eligible property tax credits on property tax bills sent to taxpayers. This applies to existing property tax credits (such as those for seniors or veterans) that taxpayers may qualify for but might not be aware of. If someone other than the taxpayer receives the bill, the recipient must forward the notice to the actual taxpayer in writing. The bill does not create new credits but ensures taxpayers receive clear information about existing ones through their tax billing process.

Maddy summaryHB 894, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates qualifying transit-oriented developments (near rail stations with at least hourly service Monday-Friday 8am-6pm) as enterprise zones, granting tax incentives without separate approval. The bill requires the Maryland Development Corporation to prioritize redevelopment projects near transit in its loan programs and delays certain development fees for residential housing projects. It also changes local land use regulations near transit stations by altering municipal authority to restrict development in these areas.

Maddy summaryHB 738 establishes a legal mechanism for Maryland property owners to transfer real estate automatically to designated beneficiaries upon death, bypassing probate court. It creates "transfer-on-death deeds" (TODDs) with specific requirements for creation, revocation, and recording in county land records, while exempting these deeds from certain property transfer taxes. The bill directly affects Maryland homeowners who wish to simplify estate planning for real property, including those with existing life estate deeds that meet specific conditions. Key provisions include standardized forms for TODDs, retroactive application to qualifying pre-existing deeds, and updated recording rules for county clerks.