Rep. Greg Wims

Maddy summaryHB 1445, the "Maryland Protecting People With Disabilities Act," changes eligibility rules for home- and community-based services under Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program). It requires the state to continue services uninterrupted during appeals if an individual loses eligibility, prohibits automatic termination solely due to administrative errors (procedural disenrollment), and mandates data sharing between providers and the Department of Health. The bill directly affects people receiving Developmental Disabilities Administration services and Medicaid beneficiaries who risk losing community-based care due to eligibility disputes. Key provisions include extending appeal timelines (replacing 90-day deadlines with continuous service until appeal resolution) and requiring the state to reserve waiver slots for those who lost eligibility unfairly. These changes aim to align with the Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court ruling protecting community integration rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1117 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain insurers to cover approved "elopement response devices" for specific individuals. These devices - such as door sensors, wearable location trackers, or alert systems - prevent people with cognitive, developmental, or neurological conditions from wandering unsafely (e.g., leaving a supervised area without the ability to return safely). Coverage is mandated when ordered by a qualified healthcare provider and documented in a qualifying plan (like an individualized education plan or dementia care plan) for eligible recipients: those under 21 with early screening eligibility, on home-based waiver programs, or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The bill defines these devices as medical equipment or assistive technology under state programs, ensuring coverage without regard to when the program was established.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create online resources for schools, teachers, and students on the safe, ethical, and equitable use of artificial intelligence in education. It mandates that school districts develop AI policies by December 2027, appoint AI coordinators, and use only AI tools certified by Morgan State University as meeting state guidelines. The law also requires statewide teacher training on AI literacy by July 2027 and includes AI education in workforce preparation standards. These requirements directly affect public K-12 schools, educators, students, and administrators across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 139 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) starting in 2026, allowing veterans to purchase items under $2,000 without paying Maryland's sales tax. To qualify, veterans must show a driver's license or ID card noting veteran status at the point of sale. The Comptroller can suspend the tax-free day at their discretion. This law directly affects veterans shopping for qualifying items on Veterans Day, creating a temporary sales tax exemption with specific verification requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 518 requires Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to create a voluntary exclusion list for individuals seeking to limit their gambling access, with consent-based sharing of contact information with the Maryland Center for Excellence on Problem Gambling. It prohibits fantasy sports betting for those under 21 years old and bans sports wagering licensees from offering player-specific proposition bets (e.g., wagers on individual player performance). The bill also mandates that sports wagering licensees provide transactional data to certain universities for unspecified purposes. These provisions directly affect gamblers, fantasy sports operators, and sports betting businesses across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1037 (Broadband Accountability and Affordability Act) gives Maryland's Public Service Commission authority to oversee broadband and internet-based phone service (VoIP), which it previously could not regulate. The bill requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to report on network reliability, outages, pricing, and emergency preparedness plans, and to maintain infrastructure meeting safety and reliability standards. The Commission can audit providers and order corrective actions if services are deemed unsafe, unreliable, or inadequate. ISPs must submit annual reports on progress, with the Commission reporting to the legislature each year starting in 2028 on improvements in service quality and network resilience.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 requires all child care providers in Maryland to complete mandatory training on identifying, preventing, and reporting child abuse within six months of starting employment and every two years thereafter. Child care entities (licensed facilities) must annually certify to the State Department of Education by July 1 that all providers meet these training requirements. Violations by providers may lead to corrective actions, employment suspension/termination, or license revocation, while entities failing to certify may face license suspension or revocation. This bill directly affects licensed child care providers and their employers, amending existing child abuse reporting laws to strengthen training and compliance mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1000 requires Maryland public schools receiving funding through the School Mapping Data Program to include specific labeling in their mapping data. The bill mandates that maps must show a 1-mile radius around school grounds - including bodies of water - and include detailed building features like room labels, hazard locations, emergency equipment (defibrillators), and surrounding roads. Maps must also be compatible with emergency services software, verified via physical walkthroughs, oriented true north, and overlaid with current aerial imagery. These requirements apply to all school mapping data produced with state funds, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1438 requires Maryland's State Board of Education to review and update public high school graduation requirements at least every five years. After approval, the Board must implement changes for students entering high school in the school year following the review. This bill directly affects all public high school students in Maryland by establishing a regular cycle for updating graduation standards. The law amends Section 7-205.1(b) of the Maryland Annotated Code and takes effect July 1, 2026. It does not change current requirements but mandates periodic review and implementation for future student cohorts.

Maddy summaryHB 531 establishes a task force to study existing STEM and robotics programs in Maryland public schools and other states. The task force, composed of state officials, school representatives, and nonprofit leaders, will collect data on program structures, funding, and impacts to assess the feasibility of creating statewide competitive robotics programs in public high schools. It must submit recommendations by December 15, 2026, including whether robotics should be established as a varsity sport in all public high schools. The bill directly affects Maryland public schools by initiating a formal review process for potential program expansion.