Del. Gabriel Acevero

Maddy summaryHB 606 requires real estate professionals - such as developers, builders, brokers, and agents - to report the final sale price of new homes sold in Maryland into a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or similar public database within 30 days of the sale. This applies specifically to new home sales and directly affects those selling new properties. The key provision mandates that final sale prices, not initial listings, be entered into existing MLS systems used by real estate professionals. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, aiming to increase transparency in new home pricing data without creating new reporting systems.

Maddy summaryHB 635 requires police officers to document the specific reason for every traffic stop (e.g., speeding, broken taillight) on the citation or police report. It limits enforcement of certain vehicle law violations (like expired registration) to "secondary" actions only - officers must first stop a driver for a primary violation (e.g., speeding) before citing a secondary issue. If an officer fails to document the reason or violates the secondary enforcement rule, evidence from the stop may be excluded in court, and the officer could face administrative discipline. This bill directly affects police procedures during traffic stops and the admissibility of evidence in legal cases.

Maddy summaryHB 632, the Maryland Workplace Fraud Act of 2025, expands workplace fraud protections to cover all private employers - not just those in construction or landscaping. It removes the current industry-specific limitation by repealing Section 3-902 and revising related sections to apply broadly. The bill directly affects workers who may be misclassified (e.g., as independent contractors when they should be employees), ensuring employers properly classify all workers for benefits and labor rights. Key provisions require employers to correctly classify workers under state law, with penalties for violations, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 358 establishes the Soccer Opportunities Program within Maryland's State Department of Education to increase soccer participation for minority students in their communities. The program funds youth soccer nonprofits meeting specific criteria: at least 50% minority players or 50% students qualifying for free school lunches, with grants capped at 50% of a program’s annual cost (requiring matching funds). It mandates a minimum $100,000 annual appropriation for fiscal years 2027-2029, administered by the State Superintendent. The bill directly affects qualifying youth soccer nonprofits and minority students in Maryland public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 381, the "Healing Our Scars Act," requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers, HMOs, and managed care organizations to cover aesthetic services and restorative care for victims of domestic violence starting January 1, 2026. The bill applies specifically to services treating physical injuries caused by domestic violence, as defined in Maryland law (including injuries from current or former spouses or cohabitants), and mandates coverage only when a licensed physician determines the care is medically necessary. It amends existing health and insurance laws to include this requirement, applying to all relevant health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026. The law aims to address physical injuries sustained in domestic violence cases by expanding access to necessary medical and cosmetic recovery services.

Maddy summaryHB 383, the "So Every Body Can Move Act," requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) and certain private health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs to cover orthoses - custom devices treating neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions - starting January 1, 2026. The bill mandates coverage for the devices themselves, components, repairs, and replacements without lifetime limits or higher copays than other medical benefits. It specifies that replacements must be covered if a healthcare provider determines they’re needed due to physiological changes, irreparable damage, or repair costs exceeding 60% of replacement costs. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and insured individuals in Maryland requiring orthotic devices for daily living, work, or physical activity. The law amends Maryland’s Health and Insurance Articles (sections 15-103 and 15-820) to establish these coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 364 updates Maryland's criminal law to prohibit possessing or viewing certain child pornography, including realistic computer-generated images that appear to depict actual minors under 16 engaged in sexual conduct, sadomasochistic abuse, or sexual excitement. The bill explicitly bans such materials while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, and paintings from coverage. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties (up to 5 years or $2,500) for first offenses and felony penalties (up to 10 years or $10,000) for repeat offenses. A person may avoid liability by promptly reporting the material to law enforcement or destroying it. The law directly affects anyone possessing or viewing these materials, with no requirement to identify the minor in the material for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 441 modifies sentencing for minors convicted as adults in Maryland by creating a specific pathway to transfer their case to juvenile court under limited circumstances. The bill requires courts to consider transferring a minor to juvenile court if they find, by clear and convincing evidence, that the victim of the minor’s offense previously committed a sex crime or human trafficking against the minor within three months before the current offense. If transferred, the juvenile court must impose a juvenile disposition instead of an adult sentence. This bill directly affects minors convicted of crimes where the victim was also their abuser, changing sentencing options for those specific cases.

Maddy summaryHB 451 requires owners of private construction projects and contractors to include specific payment terms in contracts. It mandates that owners pay contractors within 60 days of receiving a valid invoice after work completion, and if payment is withheld, they must provide written notice explaining the reason within 60 days. Unpaid amounts accrue 9% annual interest starting on the 60th day. Subcontractors must also be paid within 60 days of invoice or 7 days after the contractor receives payment from the owner. This law directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and property owners involved in Maryland construction projects.

Maddy summaryHB 165 establishes a rebuttable presumption that a minor’s statement during a custodial police interrogation is involuntary and inadmissible in juvenile or criminal court if law enforcement intentionally used false information to obtain it. This directly affects minors facing criminal or juvenile charges where police interrogated them while in custody. The bill requires prosecutors to overcome this presumption with clear, convincing evidence showing the statement was voluntary despite the false information used. It amends Maryland’s judicial code to clarify admissibility standards for minors’ statements during police questioning. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.