Del. Teresa Reilly

Maddy summaryHB 623 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize colleges providing strong support for military-connected students, while updating the existing Purple Star Schools Program. The bill directly affects military-connected students (including service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents) and colleges, including both public/private higher education institutions and private career schools. Key provisions require colleges to appoint a military liaison to assist new military-connected students with transitions, and maintain an easily accessible website with resources on relocation, enrollment, academic planning, and support services. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the program and establish minimum criteria for colleges to earn Purple Star designation.

Maddy summaryHB 1372 requires the Maryland Health Care Commission, working with the Office of Health Care Quality, to create a process for publishing health facility inspection data (including inspection dates, quality ratings, next inspection dates, and compliance statements) on a public website. It establishes the Maryland Department of Health Centralization Commission, composed of legislators, department officials, and health board leaders, to advise on improving efficiency between the Department and health occupations boards. The bill also mandates that all health occupations boards meet minimum cybersecurity standards set by the Secretary of Information Technology. These changes directly affect health care facilities subject to inspections, health occupations boards, and the Maryland Department of Health.

Maddy summaryHB 1523 prohibits retailers from selling, distributing, advertising, or exposing for sale "unauthorized consumable products," defined as tianeptine products and specific kratom products (as outlined in Maryland Health law). It directly affects businesses like stores, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and food/drink companies that handle these products. The bill authorizes the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission to seize, confiscate, or destroy such products and requires the Maryland Department of Health to report related changes to the Commission. These changes amend enforcement provisions to strengthen oversight of products not legally permitted under existing cannabis and health regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 564, the Pet Cremation and Burial Services Consumer Protection Act, requires businesses that provide pet cremation services to give pet owners a written description of available services. This applies specifically to registered cemeterians, cemetery operators, and permit holders selling or offering pet cremation services for pet remains. The written description must be provided to the owner of a deceased pet or their agent when arranging for cremation. The bill aims to increase transparency and ensure pet owners receive clear information about service options before making arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 721, the Uniformed Services Spouses Act, extends existing Maryland benefits for military service members and veterans to include their spouses. It adds "eligible spouse" as a defined term to priority registration at public colleges (within 15 years of service member’s last active duty, max four academic years), community college resource centers with tailored support, and senatorial/Delegate scholarships for spouses of active service members. The bill also modifies hiring preferences for state public service roles to include spouses of veterans. These changes directly affect spouses of active-duty service members and veterans living in Maryland who seek education, career support, or scholarships. The law updates multiple sections of Maryland’s education and employment codes to include spouses in eligibility criteria previously limited to service members themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 1400 creates penalties for shellfish aquaculture permit and registration card holders who violate specific regulations. It directly affects commercial shellfish harvesters in Maryland who hold these permits. Key violations include harvesting oysters too close to closed areas, using prohibited gear, exceeding time restrictions, harvesting from leased areas without authorization, or taking oysters commercially without proper permits. For a first violation, permits may be suspended for up to 5 years; repeat violations result in permanent revocation. During suspension or revocation, individuals cannot work in any aquaculture activity, even if unrelated to shellfish.

Maddy summaryHB 1377 establishes a 18-month pilot program to redirect unused, unopened prescription drugs to a state repository program. It requires participating pharmacies (repositories) to collect eligible medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, package them properly, and transfer them to designated drop-off sites for distribution to eligible patients - while sending controlled substances directly to the DEA. The program aims to expand medication access for underserved communities, reduce pharmaceutical waste, and ensure drug safety through collaboration between Maryland’s Secretary of Health and the federal DEA. The pilot runs from July 2026 through December 2027, with mandatory reporting on collected medications by October 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1376 requires Maryland's Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and Children's Health Program to provide a review within 3 business days for transfer requests to special pediatric hospitals when requested by the hospital or referring provider. It mandates retrospective reviews if a transfer is denied as "not medically necessary," with providers reimbursed for "administrative days" (days a patient remains without transfer) during the review process. The bill directly affects special pediatric hospitals - facilities serving children under 22 or those 2+ years old with co-occurring physical/behavioral health conditions - and their referring providers. Key provisions include eliminating prior authorization requirements for transfers while establishing strict timelines and reimbursement for administrative delays during appeals. This bill updates existing Medicaid and insurance rules to streamline transfers to specialized pediatric care facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1395 requires farmers who purchase new agricultural equipment to provide written notice (via certified mail) to manufacturers or dealers about defects during the warranty period. It mandates that manufacturers or dealers correct defects within 30 days at no cost to the farmer, even if repairs occur after the warranty expires. If repeated repair attempts fail to fix issues that substantially impair the equipment’s use or value, farmers can choose a replacement or refund. The bill applies to self-propelled farm vehicles (excluding lawn mowers, ATVs, or off-road vehicles) sold on or after January 1, 2026, and makes warranty violations subject to enforcement under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 amends Maryland's Family Law to streamline voluntary placement agreements for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses in out-of-home care. The bill requires local departments to schedule an assessment meeting with families and providers within 5 business days of receiving a request, and issue a written eligibility decision within another 5 business days. It clarifies that local departments cannot seek legal custody solely to obtain treatment for these children, while allowing placements to exceed 180 days if a juvenile court finds continued placement is in the child's best interest. These changes aim to reduce current delays (often 60-90 days) that contribute to extended hospital stays and family distress.