Rep. Mike Griffith

Maddy summaryHB 1215 extends the deadline for homeowners associations, condominiums, and cooperative housing corporations to reach recommended reserve funding levels after an initial reserve study. Currently, these groups must meet the funding target within 3 fiscal years of completing the study, but the bill would extend this period to 5 fiscal years. The change applies only to the initial reserve study requirement, not to ongoing annual reviews or funding levels. This affects all Maryland community associations that have completed an initial reserve study and must adjust their funding plans accordingly.

Maddy summaryHB 1451, the Climate Solutions Affordability Act of 2025, modifies Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act to require certain climate measures "to the extent economically practicable." It directs building owners to annually measure and report direct emissions data to the Department of the Environment starting in 2025, and sets goals for covered buildings to achieve a 20% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 (compared to 2025 levels) and net-zero emissions by 2040. The bill also updates statewide targets to reduce emissions 60% below 2006 levels by 2031 and reach net-zero statewide emissions by 2045, while adding provisions for zero-emission state vehicle fleets and school buses. These changes apply to building owners, utility contractors, and state agencies implementing climate programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1319 makes it a felony to knowingly steal redeemable digital reward points, such as credit card points, frequent flyer miles, or retail rewards. It specifically prohibits obtaining unauthorized control over these points with the intent to deprive the owner, directly affecting individuals who steal such points and the businesses or consumers who own them. The law imposes penalties of up to 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, plus requiring the thief to pay the owner the points' value. This amendment to Maryland’s Criminal Law (Article 7, Section 7-111) clarifies that digital reward systems are protected under theft statutes. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1340 modifies Maryland's unpaid parental leave law by changing the definition of "employer" to exclude businesses already covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This means employers with 15-49 employees who comply with federal FMLA requirements will no longer need to provide additional state-mandated unpaid parental leave. The bill directly affects small-to-midsize Maryland businesses (15-49 employees) that are FMLA-covered, removing a separate state obligation. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not create new benefits but adjusts existing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1288 invalidates noncompete agreements for most healthcare employees earning $350,000 or less annually, including licensed professionals providing direct patient care (such as nurses, doctors, and veterinary technicians). For higher-earning healthcare workers ($350,000+), the bill limits noncompete restrictions to a maximum one-year period and a 10-mile geographic radius from their primary workplace. It also requires employers to notify patients if a former employee begins practicing nearby. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to employment contracts regardless of where they were signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's retirement rules to allow state employees with military service to count that service toward their pension. It requires that individuals haven't already received military credit from another retirement system (with exceptions for Social Security, railroad retirement, or certain law enforcement/correctional systems), caps total military credit at 5 years, and specifies rates for National Guard/reserve service (4 months per year, max 3 years) and service academy attendance (max 16 months). The policy change applies to current and former state employees in retirement systems who haven't yet met certain service thresholds.

Maddy summaryHB 734, the Real Time for Violent Crime Act, prohibits incarcerated individuals convicted of first- or second-degree murder from earning sentence reduction credits (diminution credits) that shorten their prison time. It also limits sentence reductions for violent crimes to no more than 10% of the total sentence for those convicted of crimes of violence (as defined in Maryland law), and restricts judges from granting pretrial release to defendants charged with violent crimes if they have pending charges or recent convictions for specific violent offenses. The bill directly affects people serving sentences for murder or violent crimes in Maryland correctional facilities and changes how courts handle sentence reductions and pretrial releases for these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 732 increases the required classroom teaching time for Maryland public school teachers on career ladder levels one, two, or three from 60% to 80% of their working time. This change directly affects teachers who are certified but not yet at the highest career levels (such as those pursuing a master’s degree or National Board Certification). The bill specifies that the remaining 20% of their time must be spent on activities like improving instruction, tutoring students, or participating in professional development. The policy takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 951 expands Maryland’s definition of "school system" to include higher education institutions where students participate in dual enrollment programs. It adds specific offenses - such as crimes of violence, certain drug violations, and sexual offenses - to the list of "reportable offenses" that law enforcement must notify school personnel about. The bill requires law enforcement to inform the State’s Attorney when a student is a suspect in these offenses, and authorizes the State’s Attorney to notify school superintendents if a student is suspected or arrested for such offenses. These changes apply to both traditional K-12 schools and dual enrollment programs, aiming to improve communication between law enforcement and schools regarding student safety.

Maddy summaryHB 885 requires that investigation records related to police misconduct complaints found "unfounded" (allegations not factually supported) or "exonerated" (officer followed law/policy) be removed from an officer’s personnel record three years after the finding by an administrative committee or trial board. This directly affects police officers whose complaints are dismissed, as it limits the duration those records remain in their official files. The bill amends Maryland law to mandate this removal, ensuring such records do not permanently impact an officer’s personnel history. It does not change how complaints are investigated or processed, only the retention period for dismissed cases. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.