Del. Chris Adams

Maddy summaryHB 763 requires Maryland public and qualifying nonpublic schools to include age-appropriate material about human and sex trafficking awareness and prevention in health curricula for students in grades 6 through 8. This amendment to existing education law builds upon current sexual abuse and assault prevention programs by adding specific content about trafficking. The law mandates that this material be taught by trained instructors and integrated into standard health education. The policy change applies to all schools participating in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants Program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1399 prohibits licensed health care practitioners in Maryland from prescribing, dispensing, or administering cross-sex hormones (like estrogen or testosterone) or providing cross-sex hormone therapy to minors for the treatment of gender dysphoria. It defines "cross-sex hormone therapy" as treatment developing secondary sex characteristics for gender transition and explicitly targets therapy for gender-related mental health conditions in minors under 18. Violations are classified as a felony punishable by up to life imprisonment. The law, titled the "Protect the Kids Act," takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1374 expands eligibility for publicly funded prekindergarten to include 3-year-olds in certain private providers. It modifies the definition of "Tier I child" to include 3-year-olds whose families meet income requirements (≤300% federal poverty level) or are homeless, live in counties where private providers have opted to enroll them, and choose full-day programs. Eligible private providers (licensed, charging tuition ≤ "cost of quality," meeting quality standards) must sign a memorandum of understanding with the State Department of Education and county boards to enroll these children. The bill directly affects qualifying 3-year-olds, eligible private prekindergarten providers, and local departments responsible for notifying families about enrollment options.

Maddy summaryHB 1166 requires state agencies and contractors to pay undisputed retention proceeds within 90 days of a project's substantial completion. It limits retainage (the portion of payment held back) to 5% of the total contract value for construction projects when contractors provide full payment and performance security. The bill also mandates that withheld funds be placed in an interest-bearing escrow account and prevents contractors from retaining more than the state does from subcontractors. This applies to all Maryland state construction procurement contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 1417 establishes a Clean Energy Procurement Program within Maryland's Department of General Services by January 1, 2026. The program requires the department to competitively solicit and potentially contract for biogas to replace fossil natural gas in state transportation and building operations, aiming to evaluate environmental and economic impacts. Key provisions mandate collecting natural gas usage data, conducting a lifecycle analysis of biogas (funded by the Power Plant Research Program), and analyzing costs/benefits of expanding biogas use. The program applies only if biogas is competitively priced, of sufficient quality, and available, and will terminate December 31, 2028. It directly affects state agencies managing transportation and facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 982, the "Gun Theft Felony Act of 2025," reclassifies the theft of any firearm as a felony regardless of the firearm's value. Currently, firearm theft could be charged as a misdemeanor if the value was below $1,500, but this bill makes all firearm thefts automatically felonies. The bill amends Maryland’s Criminal Law to require that anyone convicted of stealing a firearm must restore the firearm to the owner or pay its value, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $25,000 based on the firearm’s value. This change directly affects individuals who steal firearms, increasing penalties for this specific offense.

Maddy summaryHB 653 mandates that Maryland correctional facilities must transfer undocumented immigrants serving sentences for specific offenses to U.S. Homeland Security. It directly affects undocumented immigrants incarcerated in Maryland who are convicted of terrorism/espionage threats, gang-related crimes (under federal definitions), aggravated felonies, or certain sexual offenses requiring registration. The bill requires transfer if an individual meets any of five specified conditions, including active gang participation or conviction for an aggravated felony. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and adds these requirements to Maryland's Correctional Services code.

Maddy summaryHB 1263 establishes a designated public clam fishery area in the Chesapeake Bay by requiring Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to define it through regulation. The DNR must base this area on three years of commercial harvest data (pre-June 1, 2025), department surveys, and other quantitative data, in consultation with the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission. The bill prohibits leasing this designated area for commercial shellfish aquaculture (farming), while allowing clam harvesting outside the area by licensed operators unless otherwise restricted. This directly affects DNR (which must implement the area) and commercial shellfish aquaculture operators (who cannot lease the defined zone).

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 989 removes a $40,000 annual sales limit on food processed under on-farm home processing licenses. The bill prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from restricting revenue from food sold by farm owners using home kitchens on their property. It requires the Department to update regulations (COMAR 10.15.04.15) by October 1, 2025, to eliminate the revenue cap. This directly affects Maryland farm owners who process and sell food from their homes.