Rep. Greg Wims

Maddy summaryHB 1129 requires provider agencies that contract with Maryland's Medicaid program (specifically for services like Community First Choice and Community Personal Assistance) to pay personal care aides a minimum wage of $17 per hour and provide written wage notices. It mandates these agencies to offer 24 hours of paid sick leave annually (or upon hire) and additional paid leave at a rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked after 720 hours in a year. The Maryland Department of Health can enforce compliance through corrective plans, program suspension, or termination for noncompliance. This bill directly affects personal care aides employed by Medicaid-reimbursed agencies, aiming to improve their compensation and leave benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 1423 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create a workgroup focused on improving home- and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities. The workgroup, including state agency representatives and community stakeholders, will review five specific programs (like the Community First Choice Program and Home and Community-Based Options Waiver) to assess eligibility, wait times, access barriers, and provider rates. It must make recommendations to improve these services and submit a final report to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by October 1, 2027. This bill directly affects the Department of Health’s oversight of these programs and aims to address systemic issues in service delivery.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their nursing and residential care revenue on direct care staff wages and benefits, including nurses, dietary workers, and therapists. It also mandates that nursing homes submit detailed annual cost reports by September 1 (starting in 2027) to the Maryland Department of Health, including proof of wage payments and other required data. Failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions such as corrective plans or suspension from the Maryland Medicaid program. The bill directly affects all nursing homes operating in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1055 requires Maryland’s Department of Health to add Gaucher disease to the state’s mandatory newborn screening program, effective October 1, 2026. This bill directly affects all newborns in Maryland by expanding the list of conditions screened during routine newborn testing, unless parents or guardians object. The key mechanism is amending Maryland’s Health Code (Section 13-111) to explicitly mandate screening for Gaucher disease, which is currently not included in the standard panel. The bill does not alter existing screening protocols or costs but ensures Gaucher disease is screened for alongside other core conditions listed in federal recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 807 requires all Maryland teacher preparation programs to integrate specific training in teaching English language learners (ELLs) into their curricula. This includes adding dedicated instruction on ELL competencies - such as language development, equitable literacy opportunities, and working with linguistically diverse students - starting in the 2028-2029 academic year, along with a mandatory three-credit course focused on ELL teaching methods. The bill directly affects all undergraduate and graduate teacher preparation programs in Maryland, mandating they incorporate these competencies throughout their coursework, not just in a single course. It aims to ensure future teachers gain practical skills to support ELL students in classrooms across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 962 allows Maryland counties to create public campaign financing systems specifically for elected members of county boards of education. It expands existing law by adding county board of education seats to the list of offices eligible for public financing, alongside county executive and legislative positions. Key provisions require the system to be voluntary for candidates, restrict public funds to local elections only, mandate separate campaign finance entities for financed campaigns, and require counties to provide necessary funding and oversight. The bill does not mandate implementation - counties must choose to adopt the system - and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 704 establishes Maryland's Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program within the State Department of Education. It provides state funding to cover the difference between federal reimbursement rates for free and paid school meals, directly supporting Maryland schools with high poverty rates (25%+ students qualifying for free meals) that participate in the federal child nutrition program. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028 to complement federal funds, with funds distributed based on school poverty concentration and geographic diversity. Schools must report on program outcomes, meal debt resolution, and reasons for opting out of federal eligibility, with annual reports published online.

Maddy summaryHB 897 (the "Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026") requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (>69,000 volts) in Maryland to join regional transmission organizations. It mandates new application details for certain utility projects, creates a Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration, and redirects funds from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential electricity customers. The bill also requires studies on siting transmission lines and battery storage systems within existing rights-of-way and sets deadlines for the Public Service Commission to review project certificates. These provisions directly affect electric utilities, the Public Service Commission, and residential electricity customers through cost adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 341 establishes the Maryland Commission for Boys’ and Men’s Health within the Maryland Department of Health. The 18-member commission, appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, will review health data on conditions like heart disease and cancer, promote preventive care through public awareness, and develop strategies to reduce health disparities affecting boys and men. The commission must collaborate with community partners to address issues like suicide rates and limited access to screenings, while ensuring culturally responsive health approaches. It will operate without paid membership but can accept federal or private funding for its work. The bill creates a coordinating body to guide state efforts, not a new service or funding program.

Maddy summaryHB 27 creates a Maryland Long COVID Research Fund administered by the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) to provide grants and loans for Long COVID innovation. The program directly supports Maryland-based public and private entities conducting research, product development, and manufacturing related to Long COVID treatments, using the National Academy of Sciences' 2024 definition of Long COVID. Key mechanisms include establishing a nonlapsing fund (funded by state appropriations and interest earnings), requiring an independent scientific review committee to evaluate proposals, and mandating annual reports on funded projects and program effectiveness. The bill specifies that funds may only be used for research, development, and commercialization of Long COVID treatments, with strict oversight to ensure alignment with scientific and medical goals. It takes effect July 1, 2026.