Rep. Matthew Schindler

Maddy summaryHB 942 allows local governments in Maryland to designate *noncontiguous* (non-connected) areas as development districts for tax increment financing, specifically targeting blighted areas. It directly affects counties and cities (including Baltimore City, which gains new authority under this bill) by expanding existing tax increment financing rules to cover disconnected parcels. The key mechanism permits the Community Development Administration in the Department of Housing and Community Development to issue bonds for development projects in these designated noncontiguous blighted areas. This bill amends Maryland’s Economic Development law to explicitly include noncontiguous areas in the definition of "development district" and authorizes bond financing through the Community Development Administration.

Maddy summaryHB 1420 requires each county and Baltimore City Register of Wills to develop a method for people without government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) to prove their identity as heirs or beneficiaries when claiming inheritance. This directly affects individuals who lack standard identification but need to access estate assets through probate. The bill mandates that Registers work with the Maryland Registers of Wills Association to create these verification methods. The law takes effect October 1, 2025. (Note: The bill title mentions "noncitizens," but the actual text focuses on identity verification regardless of citizenship status.)

Maddy summaryHB 1181 establishes a 17-member task force to study the feasibility of creating a Maryland state park dedicated to veterans' care in Washington County. The task force, including veterans' agency representatives, county officials, and a landowner, will analyze costs, recommend park services (like recreation and therapy), and propose funding models for both startup and ongoing operations. It must report findings to the Governor and relevant committees by December 1, 2026, and the bill expires June 30, 2027, without creating the park itself. This bill directly affects veterans seeking therapeutic services and Washington County residents involved in the proposed park location. The task force’s work is strictly advisory, with no immediate policy changes or funding allocated.

Maddy summaryHB 694 requires Maryland county school boards to annually report (starting September 1, 2025) the number of public school main entrances not accessible for people with disabilities and not meeting federal ADA standards, publishing this data on their websites. It also mandates that local school systems send their updated emergency plans to the state Department of Education by September 1 each year (starting 2025), with the department analyzing these plans and reporting compliance status to the legislature by December 1 annually. The bill further ensures that students with disabilities have emergency evacuation plans included in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans. These provisions directly affect all Maryland public school systems and county boards of education.

Maddy summaryHB 1163 establishes a 14-member task force to study fencing requirements for bodies of water and playgrounds, primarily focusing on preventing injuries and drownings involving individuals with autism. The task force includes state officials (like Housing Secretary, State Superintendent), autism advocates, recreation representatives, and industry/homeowner association members, chaired by the State Coordinator for Autism Strategy. It will review best practices, assess injury data, and recommend potential fencing interventions by July 1, 2026, but does not mandate any fencing or funding. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2027, after the task force submits its report.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 establishes a Youth Sports Safety Advisory Commission to study and recommend evidence-based safety practices for youth athletes, particularly those under 15 years old. The commission includes medical professionals (like pediatricians and orthopedists), sports organization representatives (such as youth soccer and athletic training groups), and state education officials. It will study injury prevention strategies, seek input from national youth sports organizations (e.g., US Youth Soccer), and submit findings and recommendations to state agencies by December 31, 2026. The commission will expire automatically on September 30, 2030, without requiring further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 982, the "Gun Theft Felony Act of 2025," reclassifies the theft of any firearm as a felony regardless of the firearm's value. Currently, firearm theft could be charged as a misdemeanor if the value was below $1,500, but this bill makes all firearm thefts automatically felonies. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Law to require that anyone convicted of stealing a firearm must restore the firearm to the owner or pay its value, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $25,000 based on the firearm’s value. This change directly affects individuals who steal firearms, increasing penalties for this specific offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1517 creates a tuition exemption for dependent children of Maryland public safety employees who died while performing their duties. It allows these children to attend public colleges in Maryland without paying out-of-state or out-of-county tuition fees, regardless of where they currently reside. The exemption applies to children of firefighters, police officers, paramedics, correctional officers, and Maryland National Guard members who died in the line of duty. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish implementation rules.

Maddy summaryHB 687, the Community-Oriented Policing Act, prohibits Maryland law enforcement agencies from setting or using arrest, citation, or warrant quotas for officer evaluations, promotions, or discipline. The bill specifically bans agencies from requiring officers to meet specific activity targets (like a set number of arrests) or using those numbers as the primary factor in personnel decisions. It also clarifies that agencies may still use quantitative data for management purposes, as long as it doesn’t dictate officer evaluations. The law amends Maryland’s Public Safety Code and takes effect October 1, 2025. It directly affects all local and state law enforcement agencies and their officers in Maryland.