Rep. William Valentine

Maddy summaryHB 765 amends Maryland's criminal code to explicitly prohibit counterfeiting or possessing counterfeit leases and rental agreements with intent to defraud. It adds "lease" (subsection a(7)) and "rental agreement" (a(13)) to the list of items protected under counterfeiting laws, which previously covered items like bonds and checks. Creating or aiding in creating such counterfeits becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, while knowingly possessing them is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who fraudulently create or use fake rental documents, such as those attempting to evade rent or commit property fraud.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 establishes Maryland's Education Savings Account Program, providing state-funded accounts for parents of eligible K-12 students to cover approved education expenses. Eligible students include those who attended public school for at least 100 days last year (or military-connected students), with funding set at 75% of per-pupil state/local funding for families below 500% of the federal poverty level, and 50% for others. Parents must sign agreements committing to use funds only for approved costs (like private school tuition or licensed tutoring), not double-bill insurance, and return unused funds upon graduation or withdrawal. The bill also adds a state income tax deduction for deposits into these accounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1266 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault evidence collection kits (physical evidence gathered from victims' bodies/clothing after an assault) to forensic labs within 30 days of receipt. It clarifies that kits must include all requested reference standards within this timeframe and specifies exceptions where submission isn’t required (e.g., if evidence disproves the assault, the victim declines consent, or the suspect’s DNA is already in CODIS). The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault cases and ensures timely forensic analysis for victims. It amends Maryland’s Criminal Procedure law (Section 11-926) and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1231 expands eligibility for two Maryland higher education grant programs to include Washington County homeschool students and students at nonpublic secondary schools. The bill amends definitions in Maryland law to explicitly include these students in the terms "dually enrolled student" and "full-time equivalent enrollment." This change allows them to qualify for the Part-Time Grant Program and the Early College Access Grant, which previously only covered students from public schools. The legislation updates specific sections of the Education Article (5-201(g), 15-127, 18-1401, and 18-14A-01) to reflect these eligibility changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1334, the Maryland Public Education Parental Partnership Act, requires each county board of education to create a written parent and family engagement policy by the start of the 2027-2028 school year. This policy must include parental input, provide translation services, and outline how schools will collaborate with families. Additionally, starting in the 2028-2029 school year, every public school must develop a Parent-School Compact detailing shared responsibilities - such as school curriculum quality, parental support for learning, teacher qualifications, and regular communication between parents and staff. The bill directly affects all Maryland public school systems and their families by mandating structured, written frameworks for parental involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 1417, the Maryland Constitutional Carry Act, repeals Maryland’s requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public. It removes the need for a permit (previously required under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article) and eliminates age restrictions for carrying (previously prohibiting those under 21 from carrying handguns). The bill allows most adults to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit, though it maintains existing restrictions on carrying on school property, with intent to harm, or with a loaded firearm. Key provisions are updated in the Criminal Law Article (Sections 4-101(b) and 4-203), adding a new allowance for carrying "as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger" while preserving other prohibitions. This directly affects all Maryland residents who are not prohibited from owning firearms.

Maddy summaryHB 1079 creates Maryland's Office of Regulatory Management to streamline state government processes. It requires all executive branch agencies to report on their regulatory permits, licenses, and certifications by December 2026, including processing times, fees, and online capabilities. Agencies must also develop strategies by December 2026 to reduce regulatory requirements by 25% and simplify application processes, aiming to cut approval times for permits and licenses. The bill directly affects state government agencies, not the public, and mandates annual reports starting July 2027 on upcoming regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryHB 976 changes how Maryland calculates state education funding for public schools by altering the definition of "full-time equivalent enrollment." It replaces the previous method with an average of enrollment on September 30 and May 31 of the prior school year, directly affecting all public schools receiving state aid based on this metric. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to publish annual reports online and submit detailed data to legislative committees, showing enrollment counts, student categories (including "whereabouts unknown"), and funding allocations by county. These changes aim to standardize enrollment data used for funding calculations starting in fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summaryThis House Simple Resolution (HS 1) creates a legislative investigating committee to examine allegations of misconduct by state agencies involving federal funding. The committee will specifically investigate the Department of Transportation (for improperly charging $360 million in federal funds) and the Maryland Department of Health (for alleged SNAP payment errors), and may expand to other agencies with credible complaints. The committee, composed of eight House members (four Democrats appointed by the Speaker, four Republicans by the Minority Leader), has authority to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and gather evidence under existing law. It must submit a final report to the House of Delegates with findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 1349 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to develop a plan converting formerly operational fossil fuel power plants to natural gas facilities. The plan must include feasibility studies, cost assessments, solutions for legal/engineering barriers, a conversion timeline balancing costs and reliability, and draft legislation needed for implementation. The Commission must gather input from energy agencies, utilities, local governments, and advocacy groups through a public stakeholder process. The final plan must be submitted to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects the Public Service Commission and indirectly impacts utility companies, ratepayers, and communities hosting former fossil fuel plants.