Del. Gabriel Acevero

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 6) is a symbolic statement by Maryland's General Assembly expressing support for nuclear disarmament efforts. It formally joins 73 other jurisdictions (including seven states and over 75 counties/municipalities) that have passed similar "Back from the Brink" resolutions. The resolution urges Maryland's U.S. Congressional delegation to cosponsor a federal resolution supporting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the five key policies of the Back from the Brink initiative (like ending hair-trigger alerts and ending first-use nuclear policies). It also calls on the U.S. President and Senate to endorse the international treaty banning nuclear weapons. As a resolution, it has no legal effect but serves as a formal position statement.

Maddy summaryHB 1059 creates the HEALTH Fund to provide supplemental financial assistance for Maryland Medicaid recipients and privately insured residents facing healthcare costs impacted by federal funding restrictions. It establishes an optional income tax checkoff on state tax returns, allowing residents to make voluntary contributions to the fund. The Comptroller would collect these donations, deduct administrative costs, and deposit the remaining funds into the HEALTH Fund. The fund can only be used for direct healthcare assistance (not administrative expenses) and must supplement, not replace, existing state healthcare funding for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 927 requires that fiscal notes for bills reducing health and community support services funded by the Maryland Department of Health must include three specific elements: an estimate of the number of people who will lose services (by location), an assessment of how the loss affects health and well-being, and an evaluation of the financial impact on state health and social services costs. This applies to any bill that cuts funding for such services, ensuring these impacts are documented in the state's financial analysis. The bill amends existing law to add these requirements to the fiscal note process, which is used by the General Assembly to evaluate budget proposals. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 661 grants collective bargaining rights to specific faculty at Maryland's public higher education institutions, including full-time, part-time, and adjunct employees with academic responsibilities (such as teachers, researchers, and department heads) at the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. It establishes separate bargaining units for faculty at each institution but allows these units to voluntarily combine into a single bargaining unit. The bill excludes officers, supervisors, confidential employees, and student employees from coverage. This legislation amends Maryland’s labor laws to formally define "faculty" and create a framework for collective bargaining negotiations over wages, hours, and working conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 697 requires Maryland health insurance carriers to submit quarterly reports to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner about their use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems. Specifically, carriers must report details on AI system deployment (including training data sources, purpose, and bias testing), as well as expanded demographic data on grievances and adverse decisions (broken down by zip code, race, ethnicity, gender, and age). The bill also updates existing reporting rules to include the monetary value of grievance decisions and timeframes for handling cases. These reports will enable the Commissioner to compile annual oversight summaries and identify potential disparities in insurance practices.

Maddy summaryHB 311 repeals the requirement for the Governor to approve medical parole decisions for incarcerated individuals serving life sentences. It directly affects people in Maryland prisons who have severe, chronic medical conditions making them physically incapable of posing a safety risk. The key change removes the Governor’s 180-day review period (previously required under Section 7-309(i)), allowing the Maryland Parole Commission to make final decisions on medical parole without gubernatorial oversight. The bill updates the process so the Commission’s approval becomes effective immediately, streamlining release for eligible individuals while maintaining existing medical evaluation and safety review standards.

Maddy summaryHB 818 allows courts to award reasonable attorney fees and expenses to winning plaintiffs who sue to correct violations of rights protected by Maryland's Constitution or Declaration of Rights (e.g., cases against state agencies or local governments). It also permits fees to winning defendants only if the plaintiff's case was filed in bad faith or without legal basis. Courts must use factors from Maryland Rule 2-703(F)(3) to determine fees, and the law explicitly overrides standard fee limits under Maryland's Tort Claims Act for these cases. The bill applies only to cases filed after its October 1, 2025, effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 607 establishes the PAREA Grant Program to provide financial assistance to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities for training to become real estate appraisers. The program aims to close appraisal gaps in these areas, diversify the appraisal profession, and support individuals pursuing real estate appraisal careers. Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the grants directly target residents in communities historically excluded from the appraisal field. This policy creates a concrete pathway for career development in a specific profession while addressing documented disparities in real estate services.

Maddy summaryHB 941 requires the Governor to include at least $5 million annually in the state budget for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) starting in fiscal year 2027, continuing until a total of $321,181,312 is appropriated. This addresses a historical funding disparity identified by the state legislature, where UMES (as Maryland’s 1890 land-grant institution) received less per-student state funding than UM College Park (the 1862 land-grant institution) from 1987-2020. Funds must be supplemental to existing appropriations and can be used for infrastructure, faculty, scholarships, or other institutional needs identified by UMES. The bill aims to fully remedy the $321 million shortfall over time through mandatory annual appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 requires the Maryland Department of Health to study the feasibility of installing and maintaining landline telephone systems in assisted living facilities, psychiatric facilities, and nursing homes. The study must examine current phone access, costs (equipment, installation, maintenance), benefits for residents (social interaction, emergency access), potential barriers (infrastructure, regulations), and funding options. It also mandates consulting facility staff, advocacy groups, and residents/families. The Department must submit findings and recommendations to legislative committees by September 30, 2026. This bill does not mandate phone installation but directs a comprehensive assessment of the issue.