Rep. Mike Griffith

Maddy summaryHB 111 expands Maryland's legal definitions of "abuse" and "sexual abuse" under family law to better address child welfare concerns. It specifically adds "labor trafficking" to the definition of abuse and clarifies that "sexual abuse" includes acts like exploitation, incest, and sex trafficking, with detailed examples. The bill also explicitly defines who must report suspected abuse, requiring educators, social workers, counselors, and probation officers to report. These changes directly affect child welfare agencies, mandated reporters, and law enforcement handling abuse cases involving children under 18. The updated definitions aim to improve reporting accuracy and investigation protocols for child abuse and neglect.

Maddy summaryHB 459 modifies Maryland's education enforcement procedures by changing how the State Board of Education reviews county school board decisions. It establishes that appeals of county board actions must be judged based on whether the decision was an "abuse of discretion" (e.g., unreasonable, without guiding rules, or illogical) or illegal. The bill also limits the State Superintendent’s temporary halts to county actions to a maximum of 90 days. These changes directly affect county school boards, the State Board of Education, and the State Superintendent when enforcing education rules under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 449, the Juvenile Justice Restoration Act, requires law enforcement officers to consult with an attorney before questioning a child (under 18) in custody. It mandates that officers first notify the child’s parent/guardian and ensure the child speaks with an attorney - either one retained by the parent or provided by the Office of the Public Defender - before any interrogation. Exceptions only apply if an officer believes immediate public safety is threatened (with limited questions) or if a parent consents to skip the attorney consultation. The bill also requires detailed records of notifications and attorney contact, and creates a strong presumption that any statement obtained without compliance is inadmissible in court. The Office of the Public Defender must develop policies to guide attorneys on these new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 823 establishes a two-year pilot program in Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to test blockchain technology for recording real property ownership. The program allows property owners in up to three selected counties to opt into having their titles represented as secure digital records on a blockchain registry, which law enforcement and courts could use to verify ownership and resolve disputes involving squatting. Key provisions include creating a secure blockchain registry, developing real-time validation tools for authorities, testing smart contracts for title transfers, and requiring coordination with courts and police. The pilot begins January 1, 2027, with a final report due December 2028 assessing the system's potential for broader use. This affects participating property owners, local law enforcement, and courts in pilot jurisdictions, but does not change existing property laws.

Maddy summaryHB 609 repeals a requirement that $25 million of State Transfer Tax revenue be allocated to the General Fund for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. Instead, the bill redirects this funding to remain in the Land Preservation Special Fund, increasing resources for conservation programs. The fund's revenue is allocated as follows: 75.15% for Program Open Space land acquisition, 17.05% for Agricultural Land Preservation, 5% for Rural Legacy, and 1.8% for Heritage Conservation. This change directly affects state land conservation efforts by ensuring more funds stay dedicated to these programs during the specified years.

Maddy summaryHB 1601 requires that deeds for residential property transactions include the name of the title insurance company and the policy number when title insurance was obtained for the sale. This applies directly to home buyers, sellers, and title insurers during the property transfer process. The bill amends Maryland law to add this specific detail as a mandatory requirement for deeds presented to county recorders. The change takes effect October 1, 2026, aiming to improve transparency in residential property records.

Maddy summaryHB 966 sets a 90-day maximum timeframe for appeals regarding county board decisions to remove a county superintendent or county board member. It directly affects county school boards, superintendents, and the State Board of Education by requiring their established appeals process to resolve such cases within 90 days. Exceptions allow extensions if due process demands it or if the State Board determines an extension is necessary for public health or safety. The bill amends Maryland’s education code to add this specific deadline to the State Board’s enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1023 prohibits the sale, distribution, manufacturing, or offering for sale of lab-grown meat (defined as meat cultured from animal cells outside the animal) for human consumption within Maryland. It directly affects businesses producing or selling lab-grown meat products in the state. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation and authorizes the Secretary to seize or condemn prohibited products. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1308 modifies Maryland's homeowners' property tax credit program by raising eligibility thresholds. It increases the assessed value cap for qualifying homes from $300,000 to $480,000, raises the income threshold for the first tax credit bracket from $8,000 to $12,500, and raises the combined gross income limit from $60,000 to $95,000. The bill also raises the net worth limit for eligibility from $200,000 to $320,000. These changes will directly affect more middle-income homeowners who previously exceeded the lower limits, expanding access to the credit starting June 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1244 allows residential property owners within 300 feet of where overhead transmission lines are constructed to sue for diminished property value caused by the project. It modifies Maryland law to let these owners recover damages and seek reasonable attorney fees if they win their case. The bill also requires courts to award defendant attorney fees and costs to the property owner if the final court decision finds the property's assessed value exceeded the appraised value in transmission line condemnation cases. This applies specifically to cases involving overhead transmission lines under Maryland's Public Utilities Article. The law would take effect October 1, 2026.