Rep. Stuart Schmidt

Maddy summaryHB 229 modifies Maryland's landlord-tenant law to provide faster court proceedings for military-connected landlords. It requires District Courts to schedule a hearing within 45 days if the landlord or their spouse is on active military duty (and meets specific conditions like relocation due to duty), rather than waiting for standard timelines. The bill also allows private process servers to deliver summonses if regular court officers fail to serve within 10 days. This directly affects active-duty military members who own rental properties and tenants holding over after leases end. The law applies only when landlords submit required documentation proving military service status.

Maddy summaryHB 137 prohibits students charged with a crime of violence (as defined in Maryland law) from attending public schools in person until the charge is dismissed or the student is found not delinquent. The bill requires local school systems to provide separate, alternative learning options for these students, such as home-based instruction or specialized programs, distinct from regular classrooms. These options must align with existing policies for students under similar legal supervision. The law applies specifically to public school students in Maryland and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Task Force to study how Maryland can improve support for people returning to society after incarceration. The group includes government officials, legal representatives, and individuals with personal experience in the criminal justice system, such as former inmates and family members of those currently in prison. The Task Force will evaluate current reentry services, identify missing resources, and create a plan to form a new Division of Returning Citizens within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. This proposed division would coordinate existing programs and expand access to housing, employment, socialization, and health services for individuals after their release.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maryland's tax exemption for parts and equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade aircraft. It keeps the exemption in place for smaller planes under 12,500 pounds and larger planes used primarily in interstate or foreign commerce. The law removes the requirement for the state Comptroller to report annually on lost tax revenue and job changes related to the exemption. Additionally, it extends the exemption's expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill establishes funding for the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program to help firefighters access advanced cancer screening. It mandates that the state budget include at least $100,000 annually for the program from fiscal years 2021 through 2024, with an option to increase funding to at least $500,000 per year starting in fiscal year 2025. The legislation also ensures that all funds used for this program are subject to audits by the Office of Legislative Audits to maintain financial accountability.

Maddy summaryThis law, known as Gabriel's Law, requires Maryland law enforcement and emergency medical services to immediately respond to wellness check requests from healthcare providers or others with credible information about a life-threatening safety concern. When a life-threatening condition is reported, fire, rescue, or emergency medical teams must conduct the check at the same time as police officers. The bill applies to individuals within the agency's jurisdiction and mandates that requests be forwarded without delay to the appropriate agency if the person is located elsewhere. These provisions take effect on October 1, 2024, and aim to streamline the process for ensuring the well-being of individuals in crisis.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes requirements for Maryland county school boards to ensure blind and visually impaired students receive textbooks in specialized formats like braille, audio, or digital text. It mandates that textbook publishers provide electronic files to a state center for conversion into these accessible formats and requires the state to cover costs when specialized versions are unavailable. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that students with some remaining vision cannot be denied braille instruction solely based on their vision level, while also setting new standards for teachers of these students.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Jaycee Webster Victims' Rights Act, requires Maryland commitment units to inform victims, their representatives, and witnesses when a defendant or child respondent is released from confinement. When sending these notifications, the facility must include the name and phone number of a specific victim services employee from the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center to assist those affected. The law also mandates that commitment units notify these individuals about other significant events, such as escapes, transfers, or the death of the person in custody. Additionally, the legislation protects the privacy of witnesses and victims by prohibiting commitment units from sharing their contact information with the defendants.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires circuit court clerks to record and index discharge papers for anyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces, with the option to use either a physical book or an electronic record. The law prohibits clerks from charging fees for recording or indexing these documents and establishes that the records or certified copies are admissible as evidence in state and federal courts. Access to the records is restricted to parties involved in legal proceedings, the individuals themselves, or relatives of the service member if at least 70 years have passed since the discharge papers were filed. Additionally, the bill mandates that clerks must redact social security numbers from all portions of the records to protect personal privacy.