Del. Teresa Reilly

Maddy summaryHB 1481 prevents hospitals and tissue banks from denying physician-ordered autologous (patient's own blood) or directed (designated donor) blood donations solely due to internal policies, provided all safety and regulatory requirements are met. It requires healthcare facilities to allow these donations for planned medical procedures if the treating physician deems them medically appropriate. Facilities may only refuse such requests when medical, logistical, or regulatory constraints make compliance impossible. The bill also mandates that hospitals provide clear information about blood donation options to patients, consistent with informed consent standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1334, the Maryland Public Education Parental Partnership Act, requires each county board of education to create a written parent and family engagement policy by the start of the 2027-2028 school year. This policy must include parental input, provide translation services, and outline how schools will collaborate with families. Additionally, starting in the 2028-2029 school year, every public school must develop a Parent-School Compact detailing shared responsibilities - such as school curriculum quality, parental support for learning, teacher qualifications, and regular communication between parents and staff. The bill directly affects all Maryland public school systems and their families by mandating structured, written frameworks for parental involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 1417, the Maryland Constitutional Carry Act, repeals Maryland’s requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public. It removes the need for a permit (previously required under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article) and eliminates age restrictions for carrying (previously prohibiting those under 21 from carrying handguns). The bill allows most adults to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit, though it maintains existing restrictions on carrying on school property, with intent to harm, or with a loaded firearm. Key provisions are updated in the Criminal Law Article (Sections 4-101(b) and 4-203), adding a new allowance for carrying "as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger" while preserving other prohibitions. This directly affects all Maryland residents who are not prohibited from owning firearms.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 increases the maximum deposit a home improvement contractor can require before signing a contract from one-third to one-half (50%) of the total contract price. This change directly affects home improvement contractors and consumers who enter into such contracts in Maryland. The bill amends Maryland's Business Regulation law (Section 8-617) to allow contractors to collect larger upfront payments. The new limit takes effect on October 1, 2026. The bill does not change other requirements for home improvement contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 1079 creates Maryland's Office of Regulatory Management to streamline state government processes. It requires all executive branch agencies to report on their regulatory permits, licenses, and certifications by December 2026, including processing times, fees, and online capabilities. Agencies must also develop strategies by December 2026 to reduce regulatory requirements by 25% and simplify application processes, aiming to cut approval times for permits and licenses. The bill directly affects state government agencies, not the public, and mandates annual reports starting July 2027 on upcoming regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1500 requires Maryland state agencies to finalize regulations implementing a program before collecting any fees under that program. It directly affects state agencies that collect fees for programs authorized by law, such as licensing or permitting services. The bill's key provision states agencies cannot collect fees until they have completed the regulatory adoption process. This change takes effect October 1, 2026, ensuring fees are only collected once rules are formally established. The law applies to all state programs requiring regulatory implementation under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 976 changes how Maryland calculates state education funding for public schools by altering the definition of "full-time equivalent enrollment." It replaces the previous method with an average of enrollment on September 30 and May 31 of the prior school year, directly affecting all public schools receiving state aid based on this metric. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to publish annual reports online and submit detailed data to legislative committees, showing enrollment counts, student categories (including "whereabouts unknown"), and funding allocations by county. These changes aim to standardize enrollment data used for funding calculations starting in fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 1478 amends Maryland law to require contractors working on state projects to pay subcontractors and suppliers at least 95% of any undisputed amount owed within 10 days of receiving payment from the state. This directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers involved in state procurement contracts by establishing a clear payment timeline and reducing delays. The bill specifies that "undisputed amount" includes retainage and excludes disputed sums, and requires contractors to provide written notice to subcontractors/suppliers and the procurement officer if payment is withheld. It replaces the previous 80% payment requirement with the new 95% standard, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1515 prohibits noncompete and conflict of interest clauses in employment contracts for certain healthcare workers if their employer relocates most operations outside Maryland after the employee leaves. It specifically applies to: - Employees earning ≤ $350,000 annually in licensed, direct patient care roles (or veterinary professionals), - *or* employees of employers who previously had >30 in-state employees but later move most operations out of state. For higher-earning healthcare workers ($350,000+), the bill limits noncompete terms to 1 year and a 10-mile geographic radius. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not apply to client/patient list restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis House Simple Resolution (HS 1) creates a legislative investigating committee to examine allegations of misconduct by state agencies involving federal funding. The committee will specifically investigate the Department of Transportation (for improperly charging $360 million in federal funds) and the Maryland Department of Health (for alleged SNAP payment errors), and may expand to other agencies with credible complaints. The committee, composed of eight House members (four Democrats appointed by the Speaker, four Republicans by the Minority Leader), has authority to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and gather evidence under existing law. It must submit a final report to the House of Delegates with findings and recommendations.