Del. Nic Kipke

Maddy summaryHB 572 requires health care providers issuing standing orders for opioid overdose reversal drugs to let patients choose any FDA-approved type of these drugs. It directly affects patients at risk of opioid overdose and the health care providers, clinics, or community organizations that prescribe or dispense these drugs. The bill prohibits entities from being forced to stock or dispense all FDA-approved reversal drug types, instead allowing them to offer available options. This law amends Maryland's health code to clarify patient choice and reduce administrative burdens on providers.

Maddy summaryHB 763 requires Maryland public and qualifying nonpublic schools to include age-appropriate material about human and sex trafficking awareness and prevention in health curricula for students in grades 6 through 8. This amendment to existing education law builds upon current sexual abuse and assault prevention programs by adding specific content about trafficking. The law mandates that this material be taught by trained instructors and integrated into standard health education. The policy change applies to all schools participating in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants Program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 418 sets minimum payment rates that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) must pay non-contracted healthcare providers (like doctors or hospitals not under formal agreement with the HMO) for services provided to HMO enrollees. It requires HMOs to pay trauma physicians treating trauma patients at least 140% of the Medicare rate for similar services, or the 2001 rate adjusted for inflation. For other providers, HMOs must pay at least 125% of the rate they paid contracted providers in 2019 (adjusted by the Medicare Economic Index), or 140% of the 2008 Medicare rate (also adjusted). All payments must be made within 30 days of receiving a claim.

Maddy summaryHB 828 modifies Maryland law to allow comprehensive and extended care facilities to use specific physical restraints (like bed rails or geri chairs) and certain medications (sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs) for residents receiving hospice care, under a prescriber's order. This exception applies only to hospice patients and overrides the general prohibition against such restraints for other residents. The bill amends existing law (Section 19-343(b)(viii) of the Maryland Health Code) to explicitly permit these measures when authorized for hospice care. It directly affects hospice patients in care facilities and their providers, ensuring these tools can be used for comfort during end-of-life care. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 668 designates November 7 as "Victims of Communism Memorial Day" in Maryland, requiring the Governor to annually proclaim this day. The bill directs the Department of Legislative Services to send a copy of the act to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. This ceremonial observance, effective October 1, 2025, does not impose new taxes or regulations but formally recognizes the historical impact of communist regimes. The legislation aligns with existing federal recognition of the day, as established by President Trump in 2017.

Maddy summaryHB 468 establishes a 5-day initial limit for emergency mental health evaluation petitions in Maryland, allowing courts to extend them in 5-day increments (up to a 30-day total) for "good cause." It requires courts to include expiration dates on petitions and clarifies when peace officers may use reasonable force to execute them. The bill directly affects individuals seeking emergency evaluations, courts issuing petitions, and law enforcement officers carrying out the process. Key changes standardize timeframes, mandate expiration dates, and specify extension procedures for mental health emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 1399 prohibits licensed health care practitioners in Maryland from prescribing, dispensing, or administering cross-sex hormones (like estrogen or testosterone) or providing cross-sex hormone therapy to minors for the treatment of gender dysphoria. It defines "cross-sex hormone therapy" as treatment developing secondary sex characteristics for gender transition and explicitly targets therapy for gender-related mental health conditions in minors under 18. Violations are classified as a felony punishable by up to life imprisonment. The law, titled the "Protect the Kids Act," takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1374 expands eligibility for publicly funded prekindergarten to include 3-year-olds in certain private providers. It modifies the definition of "Tier I child" to include 3-year-olds whose families meet income requirements (≤300% federal poverty level) or are homeless, live in counties where private providers have opted to enroll them, and choose full-day programs. Eligible private providers (licensed, charging tuition ≤ "cost of quality," meeting quality standards) must sign a memorandum of understanding with the State Department of Education and county boards to enroll these children. The bill directly affects qualifying 3-year-olds, eligible private prekindergarten providers, and local departments responsible for notifying families about enrollment options.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 requires dairy farms selling raw milk directly to consumers in Maryland to obtain a permit from the Secretary of Health. To qualify, applicants must pass farm inspections, provide veterinary health reports confirming animals are free of brucellosis and tuberculosis, test water quality, and submit three separate milk samples for bacteria testing over seven days. Small farms with three or fewer cows or ten or fewer goats are exempt from these requirements. Permits expire annually and require renewal with a fee and updated compliance documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 403 requires Maryland correctional facilities to transfer undocumented immigrants serving sentences for certain crimes to U.S. Homeland Security (DHS) under specific circumstances. It directly affects undocumented immigrants incarcerated in Maryland facilities who have been convicted of or suspected of: terrorism/espionage, gang-related offenses under federal law, gang participation as a minor, or aggravated felonies. The bill mandates transfer if the individual meets any of these four criteria, creating a legal mechanism for state-federal coordination. It takes effect October 1, 2025.