Rep. Wayne Hartman

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 1390 requires Maryland public schools to excuse student absences for observing Veterans' Day, directly affecting all public school students and their families. The bill amends Maryland's education code to explicitly add Veterans' Day to the list of excused absences, alongside existing holidays like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. Schools must now excuse absences for Veterans' Day observance without requiring a specific reason or documentation. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies uniformly across all Maryland public school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1103 designates the Freedom Flag, created by Richard Nicholas Melito, as Maryland's official symbol of remembrance for the September 11 attacks. The bill amends the Maryland Annotated Code to add a new section (7-320) formally recognizing this flag for commemorating the 2001 attacks. The designation takes effect on September 11, 2026, and serves as a symbolic state recognition without altering existing laws or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1437 creates a Maryland income tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums paid by residents aged 45 or older. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 100% of eligible premiums (capped at $250 per year per insured person), covering the taxpayer, spouse, or certain family members. The credit is restricted to policies purchased after December 31, 2026, and cannot be claimed for individuals already covered before January 1, 2027, or for multiple taxpayers claiming the same person. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature on credit usage and its impact on state medical assistance savings.

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 1212 creates a workgroup to examine challenges and opportunities in Maryland's seafood marketing sector. The workgroup, convened by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will include two Senate members, two House members, agency representatives, seafood industry stakeholders, and other necessary stakeholders. The workgroup must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2027, after a one-year, one-month term.

Maddy summaryHB 964, the Secure the Vote Act of 2026, repeals existing requirements for ballot drop boxes (including those at Baltimore City's centralized booking facility) and modifies election rules. It adds new requirements: voters must provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register (per Section 3-201.1), obtain photo ID for in-person voting (Section 2-111), and restricts absentee voting to those unable to vote in person due to specific circumstances. The bill also mandates signature verification for absentee ballots, establishes new audit procedures for voter registration lists, and prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote in municipal elections. These changes apply to all Maryland voters and election officials statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 970 renames Maryland's "Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard" to the "Clean Energy Portfolio Standard" and changes related terms like "renewable energy credits" to "clean energy credits." The bill explicitly adds electricity generated from certain nuclear power plants as an eligible Tier 2 source for meeting the standard, expanding the types of energy that can count toward compliance. This change directly affects utilities and energy providers required to meet the state's clean energy targets, applying retroactively to prior compliance periods. The bill focuses on updating terminology and eligibility criteria within existing energy policy frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 454, the "SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026," requires Maryland to join the federal SAVE Program (Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement) to verify U.S. citizenship for voter registration applicants. It directly affects individuals applying to register to vote in Maryland, mandating that the State Board of Elections use the federal SAVE system to confirm citizenship during the registration process. Key provisions include requiring the State Administrator to enroll in SAVE, establishing a verification process for applicants, and creating an appeal mechanism for voters who dispute citizenship determinations. The bill replaces current self-declaration requirements with federal verification, amending election law sections governing voter registration eligibility and processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland election laws to require voters presenting their names at the polls to prove their identity before receiving a regular ballot. To do this, voters must show a valid government-issued photo ID or, if they lack one, provide a non-government photo ID along with a document like a utility bill or bank statement that shows their name and address. If a voter cannot provide the required identification, the election judge must refer them to vote using a provisional ballot instead. The legislation also clarifies rules for assistance, allowing voters to bring written materials into the polling place and specifying who may help those with disabilities or language barriers.