Rep. Matthew Schindler

Maddy summaryHB 1041 prohibits Maryland's Department of Health from issuing or renewing certificates for youth camps if any structures used to house campers are located in a flood hazard area. This affects all youth camps (as defined by Maryland law) that operate in areas at risk of flooding, including day camps, residential camps, and travel camps. The bill amends health regulations to require the Department to deny certifications for camps meeting this criterion, rather than accepting alternative accreditation. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1385 requires health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers using artificial intelligence (AI) for medical treatment reviews (utilization review) to include licensed healthcare professionals in key evaluations. Specifically, it mandates that AI decisions must be reviewed by a licensed professional who can question, modify, or override AI determinations based on a patient’s full medical history and individual circumstances. The bill also requires quarterly reviews of AI performance using human assessments of real-world health outcomes to improve accuracy and safety. These provisions apply to all AI tools used in utilization review processes within Maryland’s health insurance system, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1134 prohibits pharmaceutical and medical device sellers from giving healthcare professionals gifts exceeding $50 in total retail value per calendar year. It directly affects drug/device manufacturers and healthcare professionals who prescribe or recommend products, including their organizations and employees. The bill defines "gifts" broadly to include payments, food, travel, and entertainment (excluding peer-reviewed medical literature) and sets a clear annual $50 limit. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors with fines up to $5,000 or six months in jail. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1552 establishes a new "Class L" license for alcohol sales, directly affecting existing beverage manufacturers (like breweries or wineries) who already hold a manufacturer’s license. The license allows these businesses to sell their own beer, wine, and liquor, or products from other manufacturers, for on-premises consumption at their facility, including providing free samples. It sets an annual fee of $250 and requires sales hours to match those of the underlying manufacturer’s license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1127 expands Maryland's homestead property tax credit to include "Washington County Additional Residences." This means homeowners in Washington County who own a second home (like a vacation house or additional residence) in the county can now qualify for the credit, which previously only applied to primary residences. The bill defines a "Washington County Additional Residence" as a house and its lot in Washington County, including condominium units or cooperative apartments occupied by the owner. This change modifies specific sections of Maryland's property tax code to add these properties to the list of eligible residences for the credit.

Maddy summaryHB 1027 requires Maryland's State Board of Elections to establish a telephone voting system for absentee ballots, specifically for voters who certify having a print disability (a condition preventing reading standard printed materials). The bill mandates the State Board to select, certify, and acquire a system meeting strict security and accessibility standards - including ballot secrecy, accuracy, paper trail requirements, and toll-free access - after independent testing by a federally approved lab. Eligible voters must submit a form certifying their disability to be added to a list, and the State Board must send them detailed instructions, a toll-free number, and voting dates 75 days before absentee ballots are mailed. The bill also requires the State Board to implement a public education campaign about the system and report progress to legislative committees by December 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 341 establishes the Maryland Commission for Boys’ and Men’s Health within the Maryland Department of Health. The 18-member commission, appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, will review health data on conditions like heart disease and cancer, promote preventive care through public awareness, and develop strategies to reduce health disparities affecting boys and men. The commission must collaborate with community partners to address issues like suicide rates and limited access to screenings, while ensuring culturally responsive health approaches. It will operate without paid membership but can accept federal or private funding for its work. The bill creates a coordinating body to guide state efforts, not a new service or funding program.

Maddy summaryHB 728 creates an exception to standard state procurement rules for specific Maryland departments (including the Department of General Services, Housing and Community Development, Planning, and Transportation) when contracting with nonprofits for historic preservation, archaeology, or conservation projects. The bill requires these contracts to include three key provisions: transparent competitive procurement of subcontracted work, annual reports on project outcomes and spending, and efforts to maximize community engagement. This exception applies only to the listed departments and services, leaving most other state procurement processes unchanged. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 834 amends Maryland's definition of child neglect to explicitly include a parent or caregiver's failure to provide a child with education required by law. This change directly affects parents or guardians responsible for a child's schooling, making educational neglect a specific form of neglect under state law. The bill alters Section 5-701(s)(2) of Maryland's Family Law code to state that "neglect" includes "the failure or refusal to provide to a child the education required by law." The updated definition takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all children under 18. This is a technical legal change to the existing neglect definition, not a new program or funding measure.

Maddy summaryHB 777, the "Hot Cars Act," requires new motor vehicles with rear seating (like passenger cars, trucks, and multipurpose vehicles) sold in Maryland after October 1, 2029, to include a rear occupant alert system. This system must alert drivers to check the back seat after turning off the engine, meeting federal standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The law prohibits dealers from selling non-compliant vehicles and bars the Motor Vehicle Administration from registering such vehicles. It directly affects car manufacturers, dealers, and vehicle buyers in Maryland, with compliance tied to upcoming federal safety rules.