Del. Matt Morgan

Maddy summaryHB 122 requires Maryland state agencies providing grants or subsidies to nonprofits to verify that recipients meet four specific criteria: maintaining good standing with the IRS, being current on all federal/state/local taxes, having a valid state charter on file, and submitting required annual tax forms (Form 990 or personal property tax return). This bill directly affects nonprofits seeking state aid, including community organizations, social services groups, and cultural institutions that rely on state funding. The law, effective July 1, 2026, aims to ensure nonprofits are financially compliant before receiving state funds. It does not change the amount of aid provided but establishes standardized verification steps for all state aid recipients.

Maddy summaryHB 120 imposes a statewide ban on constructing new data centers and prohibits local governments from approving such projects. It directly affects developers seeking to build new facilities and local planning authorities. The ban automatically ends if the legislature passes new laws requiring all new data centers to be co-located with power generation facilities (like natural gas, nuclear, or small modular reactors) that provide sufficient energy. Existing projects with all required permits before the law takes effect are exempt. The bill is designed as a temporary measure until more comprehensive energy co-location rules are enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 201 exempts tips and gratuities from Maryland state income tax for workers in specific service industries. It directly affects employees in food service, hotels, limousine services, passenger-for-hire transportation, and taxicab services. The bill modifies Maryland tax law to exclude tips received in these roles from taxable income calculations. This change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 738 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to establish an oversight process for major information technology development projects. It directly affects state agencies planning significant IT investments, mandating that they undergo formal review before proceeding with major spending decisions. The key provision creates a structured framework for evaluating project scope, budget, and risks prior to approval. This law, enacted on May 25, 2025, ensures greater accountability for large-scale state IT initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 1292 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to maintain an updated online "provider directory" (replacing the previous "network directory" term to align with federal law). The bill mandates that carriers make this directory available online with a clear search function and include specific details for each provider, such as specialty, office locations, contact information, and whether they accept new patients. Carriers must verify and update the directory regularly, ensuring it accurately reflects participating providers and facilities. This directly affects health insurance companies and their members (enrollees) by improving access to current provider information.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 allows out-of-state licensed professional counselors to provide temporary telehealth counseling services to specific students enrolled at Maryland colleges. It directly affects out-of-state counselors and students who are out-of-state residents living near a Maryland institution of higher education (not established Maryland residents). Key provisions require an existing therapeutic relationship between counselor and student, limit services to 5 days per month or 15 days annually, and exclude students with in-state health insurance plans restricting coverage to local providers. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and will be superseded if the Interstate Counseling Compact begins issuing cross-state licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 819 creates a pilot program giving a price preference to bids from businesses using Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for contracts with specific Maryland entities: the Maryland Stadium Authority, University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College, and Baltimore City Community College. It requires contractors to disclose if they use an ESOP in their bid and applies to procurements valued under $80 million. This means state entities must consider ESOP-based bids more favorably during contract awards, while still following standard procurement rules. The bill amends Maryland’s procurement code to establish this preference program as a new section (Subtitle 8) under state finance law.

Maddy summaryHB 1244 establishes the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Advisory Council to advise the Developmental Disabilities Administration on Medicaid waiver programs. The council provides recommendations on system design, service delivery, and quality improvements, prioritizing input from individuals with lived experience in these programs. It requires 18 voting members with direct experience in waiver programs (including self-directed and traditional models), plus representatives from providers, advocacy groups, and state agencies like Health, Disabilities, and Human Services. The council must operate using person-centered, equitable, and data-driven approaches to enhance services for Medicaid waiver participants.

Maddy summaryHB 996, the Phenibut Consumer Protection Act, regulates the sale of phenibut products (containing beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid HCL) by requiring retailers to disclose factual claims on product labels and prohibiting sales of unsafe or mislabeled products. It bans selling phenibut to anyone under 21, prohibits advertising therapeutic benefits or marketing to minors (including restrictions on cartoons, superheroes, or youth-targeted imagery), and bans products adulterated with dangerous substances. Retailers violating these rules face civil penalties up to $1,000 for labeling issues or criminal fines up to $5,000 for safety or age violations. The bill also mandates the Maryland Department of Health to report on adverse health events linked to phenibut use by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1478 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain an online directory of home health care providers. The directory must let people search for providers by criteria like language skills, certifications, or special training, and include details such as provider names, licenses, training, and abuse reports. It directly affects individuals seeking home health care services (like nursing or therapy in their homes) and the home health care providers themselves. The bill does not change licensing rules but aims to make it easier for people to find qualified providers and supports provider recruitment through features like job listings and training connections.