Rep. Ken Kerr

Maddy summaryHB 895 prohibits large food retailers (defined as those with at least 15,000 square feet selling tax-exempt food) from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data to set prices for individual shoppers. It also bans retailers from using data about protected characteristics (like race or gender) to deny discounts or services to specific customers. The bill further protects union rights by preventing retailers from weakening employee benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements without negotiation. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1017 prohibits Maryland state or local governments from approving private entities to operate immigration detention facilities unless the facility’s use is explicitly permitted under applicable zoning laws. It defines such facilities as buildings housing individuals for immigration violations (including those with security features like perimeter fencing or locked areas), and clarifies that general "government/institutional" zoning does not cover them. Private operators violating this face civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, and the Attorney General can enforce the law through court actions. The law applies retroactively to existing agreements for facilities intended for immigration detention, regardless of prior permits or investments.

Maddy summaryHB 557 creates a pre-approval review process for individuals with non-violent criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (e.g., cosmetology, contracting, healthcare roles) in Maryland. It requires state departments (excluding Public Safety and Correctional Services) to provide a binding determination on whether an applicant’s criminal history would block their license *before* they formally apply, based on specific criteria like the nature of the offense, time since conviction, and rehabilitation evidence. The bill prohibits denial solely for past non-violent convictions unless a direct relationship to the job or safety risk exists, and establishes a $100 fee (waivable for low-income applicants) for the review. It applies to most occupational licenses but excludes sex offense convictions and automatically allows licenses after 7 years without new offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 413 modifies Maryland's Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission by reducing its legislative membership from two to one member each from the Senate and House of Delegates, while extending the commission's operational lifespan from 2026 to 2028. The bill alters the commission's structure to require one Senate appointee (with Irish affairs expertise) and one House appointee (with similar expertise), alongside existing members including the Secretary of State, higher education representatives, business leaders, and Irish-American community members. The commission must continue studying Maryland-Ireland trade promotion, report findings annually to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, and remain active until September 30, 2028. This change directly affects the commission's composition and duration without altering its core purpose of advancing bilateral trade and investment.

Maddy summaryHB 322 changes the membership structure of Maryland's Health Care Commission. It reduces the number of non-healthcare-related members from nine to eight and adds a required hospital representative (defined in state law) to the seven provider-focused seats. The bill also revises geographic requirements, mandating four members from large-population counties (instead of five) and specifying representation from the Eastern Shore, western counties, and Southern Maryland. These changes take effect October 1, 2026, aiming to adjust the commission's composition to better reflect healthcare provider perspectives.

Maddy summaryHB 420, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses in Maryland to practice in their profession under an out-of-state license during certain circumstances, without needing full Maryland licensure. It also updates the definition of "eligible veteran" to include former service members discharged over a specific period before applying for a license. The bill creates a new licensing framework (Subtitle 14A) across multiple Maryland law sections to streamline these processes. This directly affects military personnel, spouses, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions like healthcare, education, or trades within Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 417 (Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act) regulates the sale of veterinary drugs medetomidine and xylazine. It prohibits retailers from selling these products without proof the buyer intends to use them for veterinary, scientific, or institutional purposes, and bans sales to anyone under 21. Retailers must maintain records of sales, including age verification and proof of intended use. Violations carry civil fines up to $6,500 per offense, with penalties deposited into Maryland's Substance Abuse Fund. The bill directly affects pharmacies, veterinary suppliers, and online retailers selling these specific products.

Maddy summaryHB 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1604 prohibits Maryland public school systems from including 10 specific provisions in contracts, such as requiring schools to pay for others' legal costs without funding, mandating binding arbitration, or limiting liability for negligence. If a contract contains any prohibited term, that term is void and the contract is treated as if it never existed. The law applies only to new contracts signed after July 1, 2026, and does not affect existing contracts or their renewals. This ensures school systems cannot be bound by unfair or legally problematic contract terms.

Maddy summaryHB 617 authorizes the City of Frederick to use noise monitoring systems to enforce existing motor vehicle noise limits. The bill allows Frederick to deploy up to three fixed or mobile systems that automatically capture images of vehicles exceeding noise thresholds (by at least 5 decibels), along with decibel readings and license plate details. Before use, the city must post locations online and install visible signage, and vehicle owners can request reviews of issued notices. This directly affects drivers whose vehicles exceed noise limits in Frederick, with enforcement handled through the city’s designated official. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle code to add these specific monitoring procedures for Frederick.