Del. Kris Fair

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the Renters' Property Tax Relief Program by clarifying which financial items count toward a renter's asset total. Specifically, it removes the cash value of qualified retirement savings plans and individual retirement accounts from the list of assets used to determine eligibility. The change ensures that renters with significant retirement savings are not disqualified from receiving tax credits solely because of those funds. The legislation also maintains existing limits, such as capping the credit at $1,000 and restricting benefits to renters with a net worth of $200,000 or less. These adjustments take effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances in Maryland to study and make recommendations about the regulation of naturally derived psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline, while explicitly excluding peyote. The task force will be composed of state officials, healthcare experts, researchers, and community representatives appointed by various leaders to ensure diverse input. Its primary duties include analyzing current laws and data on the benefits and risks of these substances and proposing changes to create a state access program that covers permitting, education, and production rules. The group is tasked with developing specific requirements for a future permit system, such as training curricula and limits on how much individuals can possess or grow. Members of the task force will serve without pay but can be reimbursed for travel expenses, and the Maryland Department of Health Cannabis Administration will provide staff support.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Maryland Deaths in Custody Oversight Board within the Governor's Office to investigate and analyze deaths of incarcerated individuals. The board will consist of members including formerly incarcerated citizens, family members of inmates, community justice reform representatives, and medical professionals. It requires correctional facilities to provide specific documents and information to the board for every death, including incident reports, complaints, and medical records. The board will conduct administrative and clinical reviews to assess facility conditions, staff responses, and medical care quality, then publish findings and recommendations online within 30 days of a death. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of State Police post certain investigation information on its website and report to the Governor and General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially renames the State Advisory Council on Quality Care at the End of Life to the State Advisory Council on Serious Illness Care in Maryland. The change updates the council's title in state laws and modifies the form used for Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment to reflect the new name. While the bill does not alter the council's existing duties, membership composition, or operational rules, it ensures all official references to the group use the updated terminology. The legislation takes effect on October 1, 2024, and applies to the state's health and aging departments as well as other relevant agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 1092 requires the Maryland 9-1-1 Board to create training standards for public safety answering point personnel that include high-quality telecommunications cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction. This training must follow current national emergency care guidelines, cover recognition protocols for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and teach compression-only CPR techniques. The bill also updates the 9-1-1 Trust Fund to allow money from this source to pay for these specific CPR training costs. These changes aim to better equip 9-1-1 operators to provide life-saving guidance during cardiac emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the sunset date for a Maryland income tax deduction that allows residents and corporations to subtract donations made to diaper banks and other specific charitable entities. The law defines eligible recipients as nonprofit organizations that collect or distribute diapers, hygiene products, and feminine care items to individuals in need. To claim the deduction, taxpayers must file their tax returns with the names of the organizations and proof of the donation value, while the state Comptroller is tasked with creating rules for entity registration. By updating the expiration date from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2027, the legislation ensures this tax benefit continues for three more years without requiring further legislative action.