Del. Brian Chisholm

Maddy summaryHB 573 updates Maryland's requirements for expanded function dental assistants (EFDA). It requires the State Board of Dental Examiners to approve specific types of training programs (like accredited college courses or programs from the Dental Assisting National Board) for EFDA certification, and mandates that initial certification courses offer online options when appropriate. The bill also sets clear rules for reinstating expired EFDA certifications, requiring completion of continuing education (which must include online options), timely renewal applications, and payment of fees. These changes directly affect dental assistants seeking or renewing their EFDA certification in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1027 creates a workgroup to study implementing a statewide 3-1-1 nonemergency telephone system in Maryland. The workgroup, composed of 12 members including state agency representatives, county officials, and industry stakeholders, will review existing 3-1-1 services, best practices from other states, and potential solutions for a statewide system. It will develop recommendations on oversight, feasibility, and a virtual portal, reporting findings to the Governor and legislature by November 1, 2025. This bill does not establish the 3-1-1 system itself but directs a study to inform future policy. The workgroup expires June 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires boaters involved in accidents causing injury or death to stop near the scene, return to remain there until assisting others, and provide their name, address, and vessel ID to injured persons. It defines "serious bodily injury" (e.g., risk of death, permanent disfigurement) and sets penalties: up to 1 year/$3,000 for injury, 5 years/$5,000 for death, or 10 years/$10,000 if the operator knew injury/death was likely. Boaters must also report serious accidents (death, disappearance, injury requiring medical care beyond first aid) within 48 hours to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources. The law applies to all vessel operators in Maryland waters who cause accidents meeting these injury/death thresholds.

Maddy summaryHB 429 allows counties in Maryland to request the Department of Health to delegate authority for inspecting nursing homes (including site visits and full surveys) to county staff. If a county makes such a request, the Department and the county must equally share the costs of these inspections. This bill directly affects nursing homes (which may be inspected by county staff instead of state staff) and counties that choose to assume this responsibility. It does not change existing inspection frequency requirements but adds a new option for conducting inspections.

Maddy summaryHB 892 requires Maryland's daily bag limit for Canada geese during the migratory hunting season to match the annual federal limit set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. Department of the Interior). This applies specifically to the Atlantic population of Canada geese, including those hunted in both migratory and resident population zones within the state. The bill amends Maryland law to ensure state regulations conform to the federal rule adopted each year, rather than allowing separate state limits. It affects hunters of Canada geese in Maryland and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1558 restricts fundraising activities for Maryland state elected officials during legislative sessions. It prohibits the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer, and state legislators (or their staff acting on their behalf) from receiving contributions, hosting events, soliciting funds, or depositing money raised during the session - except for specific cases. Exceptions include activities solely for their own federal or local election campaigns, contributions made electronically before the session began, and gubernatorial campaign financing under the Public Financing Act. Violations result in civil penalties paid into the Fair Campaign Financing Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1544 establishes the Maryland Law Enforcement Public Service Medal, the state's highest honor for officers demonstrating extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, or impact on public safety during critical incidents. It requires a law enforcement agency to grant a one-grade promotion to medal recipients and creates a review committee to evaluate nominations from agencies, officials, or community groups. The bill also mandates an annual state ceremony honoring six specific workers who died in the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, listing them on a permanent honor roll at the State House. This affects current and future law enforcement officers eligible for the medal and directly memorializes the Key Bridge victims.

Maddy summaryHB 188 prohibits Maryland state and local governments from contracting with entities owned, operated, or controlled by governments of countries subject to a federal arms embargo under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. It requires the Board of Public Works to maintain a public list of such "scrutinized entities" and mandates that all bidders or contractors certify they are not on this list. The bill includes procedures for entities to contest inclusion on the list (with 90 days' notice and opportunity to provide evidence) and allows state agencies to report false certifications to the Attorney General for potential penalties. This applies to all state/local government procurement for goods or services, preempting conflicting local laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1314 prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (collectively "carriers") from using artificial intelligence to automatically deny prior authorizations for medical treatments. It also bans healthcare providers from charging patients or facilities fees to obtain prior authorizations from these carriers. The bill directly affects patients seeking medical care, healthcare providers (like doctors and hospitals), and insurance companies. Key provisions take effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed health benefit plans in Maryland. The law aims to reduce administrative barriers to care by eliminating both AI-driven denials and out-of-pocket fees for authorization requests.

Maddy summaryHB 1555 requires funeral homes, crematories, and reduction facilities in Maryland to maintain adequate refrigerated storage for human remains. It mandates the Office of Cemetery Oversight to create online databases tracking violations, inspections, and complaints, and to conduct unannounced inspections after sanitation issues or mishandling of remains. The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for the Office to submit annual reports to state legislative committees detailing inspection results and complaint resolutions. These changes directly affect funeral and cremation businesses, state oversight agencies, and the public by increasing transparency and accountability in handling human remains.