Rep. Mike Griffith

Maddy summaryHB 208 establishes that certain documents - such as deeds submitted for recordation or HUD-1 settlement forms - may create a rebuttable presumption of real property ownership in court cases. This applies during the processing time for deed recordation, helping new owners protect property while formal paperwork is finalized. The bill directly affects property owners, buyers, and lenders involved in disputes over ownership during this interim period. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and modifies Maryland’s evidence rules for real property cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's juvenile sex offender registry to include specific offenses like child pornography violations, sexual acts against minors, and certain sexual offenses that would be crimes if committed by adults. It requires juveniles (at least 14 years old at the time of the offense) found guilty in court for these offenses to be registered in a separate juvenile registry, distinct from the adult registry. The bill also allows school superintendents or their designees to access the registry for safety purposes, in addition to law enforcement. Juveniles on the registry must update their information and provide a digital photo every three months until they turn 18 or lose juvenile court jurisdiction, whichever occurs later. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2 increases the Maryland income tax deduction for retirement income from $15,000 to $20,000 annually for retired public safety employees. It specifically affects individuals who are at least 55 years old during the tax year and received retirement income from employment as correctional officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue personnel, or emergency medical technicians (paramedics). The bill modifies Section 10-207(mm) of Maryland's tax code to expand this deduction, reducing taxable income for qualifying retirees. The change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and applies to all eligible public safety retirees meeting the age requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 328 allows Maryland's State Lottery Director to issue licenses for up to five instant lottery machines to eligible veterans' organizations and fraternal organizations (like non-profits with 300+ members under IRS 501(c)(7) or (8) status). It changes how proceeds are distributed: veterans' groups keep 50% of machine sales revenue after payouts, while fraternal organizations' proceeds go to the lottery fund (with 50% split between the agency for machine costs and education funding). The bill removes a requirement that veterans' groups purchase or lease machines and prohibits fraternal organizations from operating machines in nine specific counties. This modifies existing lottery licensing rules to expand access for these groups while clarifying revenue sharing.

Maddy summaryHB 962 addresses pediatric hospital overstay cases where children under 22 remain hospitalized after being medically cleared for discharge. It requires hospitals to place these patients in the least restrictive setting possible, allowing concurrent exploration of both in-state and out-of-state placement options. The bill establishes a Pediatric Hospital Overstay Coordinator within the Governor’s Office for Children to oversee this process and mandates a state study on residential treatment center and respite facility rates. This law directly affects hospitals, pediatric patients, and state agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to automatically renew disability reduced fare program certifications for enrolled individuals who are permanently disabled, eliminating the need for them to reapply annually. It directly affects people with permanent disabilities who use MTA services and currently must manually renew their reduced-fare status each year. The key provision mandates the MTA to implement an automatic renewal process through regulations, streamlining access to discounted transit fares. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and updates existing MTA regulations under Maryland Code, Transportation Article § 7-718.

Maddy summaryHB 809 creates a temporary exception to standard child placement limits for foster care providers when a child enrolled in college must leave campus due to academic breaks, temporary closures, or approved leave. The exemption applies only if the child, foster care provider, and agency agree to the living arrangement. This directly affects youth in foster care attending college and their foster care providers. The law requires the state to update placement regulations by July 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 857 allows licensed Maryland deer hunters who wound a deer during legal hunting hours to pursue and kill it after hours, provided they use only the same hunting method authorized for their season (e.g., archery or firearms). The bill amends Maryland’s natural resources law (Section 10-428 of the Annotated Code) to create this exception to standard hunting hour restrictions. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources must adopt regulations to implement the new rule, which takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed deer hunters who wound deer during legal hours but cannot complete the harvest before closing.

Maddy summaryHB 1080 establishes paid disaster service leave for employees of Maryland counties and municipalities. It allows eligible employees - such as certified American Red Cross volunteers or members of volunteer fire/rescue teams - to take up to 15 days of paid leave annually for disaster response, with prior approval required. During prolonged disasters, local governments may waive approval requirements or increase the leave limit if it benefits the public. The bill specifically targets government employees in emergency response roles, ensuring they can serve without losing pay during declared disasters.

Maddy summaryHB 1443 allows Maryland counties and municipalities to create local laws granting hiring and promotion preferences to eligible veterans and specific family members. It authorizes a 10-point credit on selection tests for veterans, spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities, spouses of active service members, and surviving spouses of veterans. The bill specifies that current government employees and veterans convicted of crimes after military service are excluded from these preferences. Local governments must adopt a formal local law before implementing these hiring or promotion options.