Rep. Matthew Schindler

Maddy summaryHB 632 removes psychiatry and all subcategories of psychiatric services from the definition of "medical service" requiring a Certificate of Need (CON) in Maryland. This exempts psychiatric health care facilities and providers of psychiatric or mental health services from needing state approval before establishing or operating these services. The bill amends Maryland law by deleting "psychiatry" from the list of medical services subject to CON requirements, which currently includes services like surgery, pediatrics, and rehabilitation. This change directly affects psychiatric hospitals, clinics, and mental health programs seeking to expand or open without prior state review. The policy shift simplifies regulatory requirements for mental health service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to create a statewide network of free financial empowerment centers across Maryland, targeting residents seeking assistance with personal financial management. Each center will provide one-on-one counseling on increasing savings, reducing debt, accessing banking services, and improving credit scores, with materials available in English, Spanish, and other required languages. The Comptroller’s Office will administer the program, requiring counselors to complete training meeting established standards, and the state will fund it through budget appropriations for fiscal years 2028 and 2029. The program will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029, after which it will automatically end without further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 506 establishes the Transformational Project Financing Program under Maryland's Economic Development Corporation. It allows local governments (political subdivisions) to apply for designation of specific areas as "State-supported development districts" to fund major development projects. The key mechanism redirects property tax revenue from increased property values ("tax increment") within these districts into a dedicated fund, rather than the general municipal budget, for approved projects. Priority areas include sustainable communities, transit-oriented developments, and designated enterprise zones. This program modifies existing law to create a structured process for economic development financing through tax increment funding.

Maddy summaryHB 631 increases penalties for threatening state or local officials, deputies, or public defenders in Maryland. It reclassifies violations from misdemeanors to felonies, raising maximum penalties to 10 years in prison or a $5,000 fine (up from 3 years/$2,500). The bill specifically targets threats involving taking life, kidnapping, or causing physical injury to the listed officials. It affects anyone making such threats against designated public officials and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 155 requires all Maryland law enforcement agencies to adopt policies prohibiting officers from wearing face coverings (like opaque masks or helmets) during routine duties, with specific exceptions. The Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission must create a model policy emphasizing transparency and excluding religious items, medical masks, or safety gear (such as helmets for motorcycle operations). Officers violating this rule face potential fines or loss of civil immunity, but exceptions cover religious garments, medical protection, and occupational safety needs. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 47 establishes a 24-member commission to identify Maryland state and local government properties (such as streets, parks, or buildings) bearing Confederate names, which commemorate the Confederacy or its figures. The commission must develop a framework to catalog these properties and recommend renaming options to state and local governments by October 1, 2033. Crucially, the commission cannot directly rename properties - it only provides recommendations for consideration by elected officials. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2034, after a 7-year term.

Maddy summaryHB 37 protects Maryland General Assembly members who have outside jobs by prohibiting employers from firing, punishing, or coercing them for taking time off to perform legislative duties, including travel time to sessions. It requires employers to grant automatic leave during legislative sessions and prevents them from forcing members to use vacation or sick leave for these duties. The law applies year-round, regardless of whether the Assembly is in session, and ensures members retain job benefits like seniority and promotional rights. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, and the law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 99 modifies Maryland's rules for how municipalities can develop land after annexing it from counties. For 5 years following annexation, municipalities would no longer need county approval to develop annexed land for uses or densities (up to 50% higher) that align with the county's existing comprehensive plan recommendations. However, municipalities would still require county approval to exceed those recommended land uses or densities. This bill directly affects Maryland municipalities and counties by altering the balance of planning authority after annexation, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 92 prohibits the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of beverage containers (like 6-packs of soda or beer) connected by plastic rings unless the ring is made of biodegradable material. It directly affects retailers and beverage sellers who currently use non-biodegradable plastic rings. The bill establishes civil penalties of $500 for a first violation (increasing to $2,000 for repeat offenses) and requires the Department to adopt enforcement regulations. Penalties collected under this law will fund the Maryland Clean Water Fund, with enforcement handled by the Department rather than local governments. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1315 requires Maryland health insurers to cover all childhood and adolescent immunizations recommended by either the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or the American Academy of Pediatrics' schedule, without deductibles. It directly affects health insurers offering family coverage in Maryland, mandating these vaccines as part of the required "minimum package of child wellness services." The bill expands current coverage to include all recommended vaccines under these two authoritative sources, rather than a limited list. This policy change takes effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed policies.