Del. Gabriel Acevero

Maddy summaryHB 1268 requires new or renewed environmental permits for facilities in Maryland neighborhoods identified as "at-risk" (based on high pollution levels or proximity to pollution sources like power plants or landfills) to include a "burden report" detailing existing environmental health issues. The state Department of the Environment must deny permits if approval would worsen pollution stressors in these areas, using Maryland’s Environmental Justice Tool to define "at-risk" census tracts. It applies specifically to air quality permits for construction and water discharge permits for facilities like power plants, waste sites, or mining operations. The bill mandates public participation in permit reviews for these facilities and requires the Department to document its assessment for judicial review.

Maddy summaryHB 1184 prohibits Maryland-registered 501(c)(3)/(4) nonprofit organizations from knowingly providing support for certain Israeli settlement activities banned under the Geneva Conventions. It specifically targets actions like unlawful civilian transfers into occupied territories, violence against protected persons, destruction of Palestinian property (including homes and farms), and forced evictions. The law allows the Maryland Attorney General or affected individuals to sue violators for at least $1 million in damages and requires the Secretary of State to remove offending nonprofits from charitable solicitation registries. This directly affects nonprofits operating in Maryland that receive charitable donations and engage in activities deemed unlawful under international law.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 requires behavioral health programs (like mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities) operating inpatient facilities to verify if residents are required to register under Maryland’s sex offender registry. Specifically, facilities must ask residents directly about registration status and confirm if they are listed on the registry. If a resident is required to register, facilities must help them comply by informing them of legal obligations, coordinating with authorities, and documenting these efforts. Non-compliance can result in fines up to $10,000 per violation or licensing penalties for repeated failures.

Maddy summaryHB 832, the "ICE Breaker Act," prohibits Maryland state law enforcement agencies from hiring individuals who were hired as sworn officers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after January 20, 2025. It applies specifically to agencies defined in the bill, including the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, and others listed in Section 3-535 of the Maryland Annotated Code. The law only affects new hires after its effective date (October 1, 2026), with no retroactive application to current employees hired before that date. The bill creates a clear hiring restriction for these state agencies regarding individuals with recent ICE employment.

Maddy summaryHB 1382 prohibits Maryland state procurement officers from requiring bidders or contractors to certify they are not boycotting foreign countries as a condition of bidding or contracting. It specifically amends procurement laws to ban such certification requirements in bid proposals (Section 13-212.2) and contract terms (Section 13-230), reversing a prior executive order related to boycotts of Israel. The bill affects all state agencies, contractors, and bidders involved in Maryland procurement processes. State agencies must update procurement policies by June 1, 2027, and revise conflicting contracts, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 establishes the right to strike for specific public school and library employees in Maryland, including certificated and noncertificated staff like substitute teachers, nurses, and JROTC instructors in certain counties. The bill prohibits public school and library employers from taking disciplinary action against employees who participate in or support strikes. It repeals the Public Employee Relations Board’s authority to deny or revoke a union’s certification as an exclusive bargaining representative under certain circumstances. These changes apply to defined groups of employees under Maryland’s Education Article, ensuring their collective bargaining rights are protected from employer retaliation.

Maddy summaryHB 1271 establishes the Maryland Reparations Fund as a permanent fund to provide grants to people impacted by historic inequality. It creates a Reparations Board (appointed by legislative leaders and the governor) to study reparations and recommend grant programs. The bill imposes an excise tax on nonpublic institutions (like private universities) with endowments above a set threshold, requiring all tax revenue to fund the Reparations Fund. This directly affects large-endowment institutions through the tax obligation and historically marginalized communities through the grant program. The fund’s interest earnings will also remain within the fund, not flowing to the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 3) is a policy statement, not a binding law, acknowledging Maryland's commitment to inclusive education. It resolves that elementary and secondary school curricula should include the history of communities that have experienced discrimination (based on disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, indigenous affiliation, or sexual orientation) to ensure all students feel represented. The resolution directs education officials to adopt this inclusive approach but does not mandate specific curriculum changes or allocate funding. It primarily affects state education leaders, school boards, and curriculum developers by setting a policy direction for curriculum content.

Maddy summaryHB 987 increases the minimum annual funding for Maryland’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund from $3 million to $10 million starting fiscal year 2028. It establishes new geographic allocation rules: 40% of funds must go to Baltimore City and County, 40% to Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, and the remainder to other jurisdictions disproportionately affected by violence. The bill directly affects local governments and nonprofits administering violence prevention programs across Maryland by changing how funding is distributed. Key provisions clarify the fund’s composition (including state appropriations and investment earnings) and require the Governor to include the $10 million minimum in annual budget bills. The changes aim to standardize funding based on regional violence levels and application strength.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 9) is a formal statement by the Maryland General Assembly condemning violence against civilians and violations of international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, and Sudan. It specifically addresses ongoing crises involving mass civilian harm, displacement, and credible reports of war crimes and genocide risk, urging the U.S. government to take four concrete actions: secure immediate ceasefires, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, release unlawfully detained civilians, and support independent accountability mechanisms. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses Maryland’s position and urges federal action, emphasizing the protection of civilians and adherence to international law. It was introduced by multiple Maryland delegates and aligns with the state’s prior statements on global humanitarian crises.