Del. Karen Simpson

Maddy summaryHB 417 establishes the Commission on Universal Health Care to study the feasibility of creating a state-run health care program covering all Maryland residents through a single-payer system. The commission, composed of appointed members from government, labor unions, healthcare organizations, and community groups, will examine how to provide comprehensive, equitable coverage - including preventive, mental, reproductive, and hospital care - regardless of income, immigration status, or health needs. It will analyze cost containment strategies, health equity gaps, and models from other states, but does not create the program itself. The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Maryland General Assembly by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 364 updates Maryland's criminal law to prohibit possessing or viewing certain child pornography, including realistic computer-generated images that appear to depict actual minors under 16 engaged in sexual conduct, sadomasochistic abuse, or sexual excitement. The bill explicitly bans such materials while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings from coverage. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties (up to 5 years or $2,500) for first offenses and felony penalties (up to 10 years or $10,000) for repeat offenses. A person may avoid liability by promptly reporting the material to law enforcement or destroying it. The law directly affects anyone possessing or viewing these materials, with no requirement to identify the minor in the material for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 441 modifies sentencing for minors convicted as adults in Maryland by creating a specific pathway to transfer their case to juvenile court under limited circumstances. The bill requires courts to consider transferring a minor to juvenile court if they find, by clear and convincing evidence, that the victim of the minor’s offense previously committed a sex crime or human trafficking against the minor within three months before the current offense. If transferred, the juvenile court must impose a juvenile disposition instead of an adult sentence. This bill directly affects minors convicted of crimes where the victim was also their abuser, changing sentencing options for those specific cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes fees on telephone and mobile service providers to fund Maryland's behavioral health crisis response system. It requires traditional phone companies to pay a fee per subscriber and prepaid wireless providers to pay a fee on each retail transaction, with all collected money going into a dedicated state trust fund. The fund is designated to cover the costs of maintaining the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline and supporting statewide crisis services such as call centers, mobile teams, and stabilization facilities. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state Comptroller audit how these fees are collected and limits the amount of revenue that can be used for administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Task Force to study how Maryland can improve support for people returning to society after incarceration. The group includes government officials, legal representatives, and individuals with personal experience in the criminal justice system, such as former inmates and family members of those currently in prison. The Task Force will evaluate current reentry services, identify missing resources, and create a plan to form a new Division of Returning Citizens within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. This proposed division would coordinate existing programs and expand access to housing, employment, socialization, and health services for individuals after their release.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law updates rules on how contraceptives are sold and allows registered nurses to provide certain nonprescription medications without a doctor's order. The bill removes criminal penalties for selling contraceptives through vending machines in schools and clarifies that only natural membrane condoms, not all nonlatex condoms, are banned from such machines. It also authorizes a committee to create a list of over-the-counter drugs and devices that registered nurses can dispense at local health departments. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms like "dispense" and "authorized prescriber" to guide how nurses handle these medications. These changes aim to improve access to reproductive health products and expand the role of nurses in public health settings.

Maddy summaryHB 575 reformulates Maryland's Criminal Injuries Compensation Board by expanding it from five to seven members and mandating that the new composition reflect the state's racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity. The bill specifically requires at least one board member to be a survivor of violence from a community facing high rates of violence and incarceration, while another must represent an organization assisting victims with compensation applications. It also updates the definition of "victim" to include individuals who suffer physical or psychological injury while trying to prevent a crime, apprehend an offender, or assist law enforcement or emergency services. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which crimes are eligible for compensation and outlines the qualifications for third-party professionals who can assist in claims. Finally, the act grants the Governor the authority to include funding for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund in the annual state budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Qualified Resident Enrollment Program to help individuals in Maryland who currently lack health insurance access enroll in qualified plans. It defines "qualified residents" as people living in the state who are not incarcerated, regardless of their immigration status, and who do not qualify for existing federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid or Medicare. The program allows the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to manage enrollment, potentially with help from a third-party contractor, and requires a specific federal waiver approval before it can begin. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the program's operations and administration, ensuring it has the necessary resources to function.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires parties and nonparties filing documents in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases to remove the name and other identifying details of any victim who was a minor at the time of the offense. Under this law, courts cannot share these redacted filings with the public unless the identifying information has been properly removed, with limited exceptions for good cause. The legislation also allows the state's Supreme Court to create rules requiring that unredacted versions of these documents be filed separately under seal to preserve legal access while protecting privacy. Effective October 1, 2024, these measures aim to prevent the accidental exposure of minor victims' identities in public court records.

Maddy summaryThis law, known as Gabriel's Law, requires Maryland law enforcement and emergency medical services to immediately respond to wellness check requests from healthcare providers or others with credible information about a life-threatening safety concern. When a life-threatening condition is reported, fire, rescue, or emergency medical teams must conduct the check at the same time as police officers. The bill applies to individuals within the agency's jurisdiction and mandates that requests be forwarded without delay to the appropriate agency if the person is located elsewhere. These provisions take effect on October 1, 2024, and aim to streamline the process for ensuring the well-being of individuals in crisis.