Rep. Greg Wims

Maddy summaryHB 1177 requires Maryland's State certification agency to create an outreach program, working with the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, the Military Department, and the Department of Veterans and Military Families. The program aims to increase participation by veteran-owned small businesses in Maryland's small business reserve program, which prioritizes contracts for qualifying businesses. The bill mandates annual reports to state officials detailing the outreach program's status and the number and value of contracts awarded to veteran-owned businesses. This bill amends Maryland law to implement these requirements, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1261, the Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act, requires manufacturers of AI toys marketed to children in Maryland to include specific safety features and data privacy protections. It mandates parental consent mechanisms, age-appropriate content filters to block harmful or inappropriate material (like violence or emotional manipulation), automatic "safe mode" that disables the toy during risky interactions, and prohibitions on using child data for marketing. The law directly affects toy manufacturers selling AI toys in Maryland, requiring them to conduct safety assessments and update software for vulnerabilities. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act, with enforcement handled by a new Review Panel under the Attorney General's office.

Maddy summaryHB 614 requires every county board of education in Maryland to collect monthly data on energy usage in school buildings and submit it to the Interagency Commission on School Construction. The Commission must then create rules specifying exactly what data to collect and how often to report it. After gathering this data, the Commission must analyze it and provide specific recommendations to county boards for improving school energy efficiency. This bill directly affects county school districts and the state Commission, aiming to standardize energy reporting and drive efficiency improvements in public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 444 prohibits Maryland state and local governments, including county sheriffs and agencies, from entering into new agreements with federal authorities to enforce civil immigration law. It requires existing agreements to be terminated by July 1, 2026, or immediately upon the law’s effective date (June 1, 2026). The bill specifically targets contracts, memorandums, or agreements that allow local entities to assist in federal immigration enforcement under federal laws like 8 U.S.C. § 1103 or § 1357. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies and government bodies that previously collaborated with federal immigration authorities. The law aims to prevent state/local resources from being used for immigration enforcement under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 683 modifies Maryland's real property law to clarify that implied warranties (warranties that a property is built properly and fit for use) do not apply to improvements that were incomplete or missing at the time a homebuyer receives the deed. This directly affects homebuyers purchasing properties where construction was unfinished at closing, as they cannot later claim the seller breached warranty for missing elements. The bill explicitly adds that such warranties "do not apply" to incomplete or missing improvements, removing ambiguity in current law. The change takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1131 (Pregnancy Outcome Protection Act) prohibits law enforcement and agencies from investigating, prosecuting, or imposing civil liability on individuals who experienced pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, or self-managed abortion), except when independent evidence of unrelated criminal conduct exists or the individual consents. It protects healthcare providers from liability for supporting patients during or after pregnancy loss and restricts disclosure of medical records related to pregnancy loss without evidence of abuse, unrelated criminal conduct, or patient consent. The bill creates a private right to sue for violations and establishes misdemeanor penalties for knowingly violating its provisions. These changes apply to all Maryland residents and healthcare providers within the state’s health system.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1575, the Community Trust Act, prohibits state and local correctional facilities and their employees from detaining individuals or sharing information with federal immigration authorities based on immigration status, except when required by a judicial warrant or for routine booking. It bans asking about citizenship, prolonging detention for immigration reasons, transferring individuals to immigration authorities without a warrant, or coercing people based on immigration status. Exceptions include when immigration status relates to legal protections under state/federal law or international treaties, allowing facilities to notify individuals or offer voluntary disclosure. Correctional facilities must adopt policies with penalties for violations, and affected individuals can seek damages or injunctions if harmed by a breach.

Maddy summaryHB 524 designates September as African Heritage Month in Maryland by requiring the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing African Americans' contributions to the state. The bill directs the Governor to urge educational and cultural organizations to host programs and activities during this month. It updates Maryland's legal code (specifically renumbering sections in Article 7 of the General Provisions) to include this requirement, effective July 1, 2026. This is a procedural recognition measure with no new funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland's Governor to annually proclaim May as Water Safety Month. It directs the Governor to urge educational and civic organizations to host events focused on drowning prevention and safe water practices. The law modifies Maryland's code to establish this annual designation, taking effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects the Governor's office and organizations coordinating public safety awareness.