Del. Kris Fair

Maddy summaryHB 1391 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to develop and update guidelines for safe, ethical AI use in K-12 classrooms by August 2026, emphasizing student and teacher-centered approaches. It mandates annual lists of approved AI tools (with privacy safeguards), requires each county school board to designate an AI facilitator, and establishes an AI needs assessment to identify support gaps for school systems. The bill also requires county boards to report annually on AI tool usage, student performance impacts, and compliance with data privacy laws. Additionally, it directs the Career and Technical Education Committee to integrate AI literacy into workforce preparation and funds professional development for teachers on AI tools and training. The legislation creates a Task Force on AI in K-12 Education to guide implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 493 designates November 14 each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" in Maryland public schools to commemorate Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of an all-white New Orleans elementary school. It requires each county board of education to create annual educational programs for this day, including symbolic walks, civil rights history lessons, and discussions on racial equality. The State Department of Education must also develop model educational resources, like lesson plans and discussion guides, to support schools in implementing these programs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects all Maryland public schools and their students.

Maddy summaryHB 596 requires Maryland county superintendents to allow advance enrollment for dependent children of active-duty service members relocating due to military orders, using a remote registration process without fees or in-person requirements. It mandates school systems to coordinate with parents and the sending state to prevent delays in enrolling children with disabilities who receive special education services. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to publish clear information about enrollment procedures and available support services. This applies to all public schools and specifically benefits military-connected families facing frequent relocations.

Maddy summaryHB 1439 exempts health benefit plans issued through professional employer organizations (PEOs), coemployers, or employee leasing organizations from certain Maryland health insurance requirements that apply to other plans. This directly affects small employers (defined as those with an average of 50 or fewer employees) who use PEOs to provide health benefits to their workers. The bill modifies Maryland’s insurance code to create a specific exemption, removing the need for PEOs to comply with standard health plan rules under Section 15-1204.1(a)(2). This change simplifies access to health benefits for small businesses using PEO services without altering the core requirements for other health plan providers.

Maddy summaryHB 1051 modifies Maryland law to allow tax-exempt non-profit organizations (501(c)(3) entities) to operate funeral homes and obtain licenses as "corporations" under the State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors. It directly affects non-profit funeral organizations that previously could not qualify for licensing under the existing definition of "corporation." The key provision expands the definition of "corporation" to include such non-profits, authorizing the Board to issue and renew licenses for these organizations if they meet specific requirements, including having "practicing funeral direction" as their purpose. This change creates a new pathway for non-profits to legally operate funeral services without needing a for-profit structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 proposes amending Maryland’s constitution to replace gendered pronouns (like "his" and "him") with gender-neutral language in sections describing constitutional officers. It specifically targets Articles II (Executive Department), V (Attorney General), VI (Treasury), and IX (Militia), updating phrases such as "his election" to "the Governor’s election" and "himself" to "themselves." The bill does not alter the roles, powers, or eligibility requirements for these offices - only the language used to describe them. This is a purely linguistic change aimed at modernizing constitutional text to be inclusive of all gender identities.

Maddy summaryHB 1055 establishes the Commission on Nondiscrimination in Maryland to study and monitor the state's nondiscrimination laws and their enforcement. The commission, composed of 14 members including legislative appointees, civil rights leaders, and representatives from local commissions and legal advocacy groups, will examine gaps in protections for individuals based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other categories. It must monitor federal government impacts on civil rights enforcement, identify inconsistencies or deficiencies in current laws, and recommend legislative solutions. The commission will submit annual reports with findings and proposals to the Governor and General Assembly, with the commission itself terminating on June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 1048 amends Maryland law to include historical horse races in the definition of "sporting event" for sports wagering purposes, allowing licensed sports betting facilities to accept wagers on past races. It specifically authorizes Class A-2 licensees - such as video lottery operators with 1,000 or fewer terminals and existing horse racing licensees - to offer these wagers under defined conditions. The bill expands the range of eligible events for sports betting without altering current licensing requirements or tax structures. This change affects the sports wagering industry by creating a new betting category for historical horse races, directly impacting licensed operators and consumers seeking this option.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Maryland public and private colleges and universities to adopt and enforce specific policies addressing racial, ethnic, and religious harassment, violence, and intimidation. Key provisions include mandating annual staff training on responding to hate incidents, creating anonymous complaint systems, publishing clear rules for campus expression, and holding yearly meetings with student organizations to discuss these policies. Institutions must also recognize the top five demographic groups most affected by hate crimes in Maryland based on annual state data. These requirements apply directly to all higher education institutions in Maryland, their students, faculty, and staff.