Del. Lesley Lopez

Maddy summaryHB 1398 (Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh, and Yader’s Law) makes it a felony to distribute heroin, fentanyl, or their synthetic versions when that distribution causes death or serious bodily harm. It targets individuals selling or giving these drugs (excluding non-commercial sharing like exchanging for goods), with penalties including up to 20 years in prison and consecutive sentencing to other charges. The bill also provides immunity from prosecution for people who seek or provide medical assistance during an overdose emergency. This law directly affects drug distributors whose actions result in harm, not users or those aiding overdose victims.

Maddy summaryHB 940 requires Maryland courts to delay sentencing and place defendants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability on probation before judgment under specific conditions. This applies when a defendant pleads guilty or is convicted, has a diagnosis meeting Maryland’s legal definition (per DSM or §7-101 of Health - General), and the court finds their crime was a direct result of their disability. Courts must also determine probation serves both the defendant’s best interests and public safety. The bill directly affects eligible defendants in criminal cases, offering an alternative to immediate conviction.

Maddy summaryHB 670 prohibits sending unsolicited obscene images or videos via electronic means (like text or email) to someone who didn't consent to receive them. It directly affects individuals who send such material, making them liable for civil lawsuits. Victims can seek economic damages, emotional distress compensation, and up to $30,000 in statutory damages (with a minimum of $1,500) if the recipient had explicitly forbidden the material. The law exempts internet service providers, streaming services, and healthcare providers sending medical images. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 663 creates a new civil lawsuit for people harmed by realistic deepfake images or revenge porn. It allows victims to sue if someone distributes a computer-generated image that looks real (and isn’t a drawing, cartoon, or sculpture) falsely showing them with intimate parts exposed or engaged in sexual activity. The bill clarifies that victims can seek damages, attorney fees, and court orders to stop the distribution. It also updates criminal law to clarify that revenge porn distribution without consent - especially when the victim expected privacy - is a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in jail or a $5,000 fine. The law specifically excludes artistic works like drawings or paintings from coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 852 requires Maryland public schools and colleges to update drug education programs to include specific information about naloxone and other opioid overdose-reversing medications, their effectiveness, and authorized possession. It mandates schools to stock naloxone, allow trained staff and students to possess it, and provide annual parent notifications about this policy. The bill also grants immunity from liability to school personnel or others acting in good faith to administer naloxone during an overdose emergency on school property. These requirements apply directly to all public schools, county boards of education, and institutions of higher education in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 536 updates Maryland's school health policies to allow school personnel to administer emergency epinephrine for anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) without requiring a student to have a prior diagnosis or prescription. It changes the term "auto-injectable epinephrine" to "emergency use epinephrine" and renames the program to "Emergency Use Epinephrine Program" to include all FDA-approved delivery devices. The bill requires schools to train staff on recognizing anaphylaxis symptoms and administering epinephrine, and mandates reporting incidents to the state education department. These changes directly affect public and nonpublic schools, school nurses, and staff who may need to respond to allergic emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 1324 allows Maryland hospitals to sell unpaid patient medical debt to nonprofit organizations *only* if the nonprofit cancels the debt. This directly affects hospitals (requiring them to amend financial policies) and patients with outstanding medical bills who may have their debt forgiven through this process. Key provisions mandate hospitals to dismiss all pending legal actions for sold debt and prohibit any further collection efforts - including on judgments - on debt sold to qualifying nonprofits. The bill also updates hospital reporting requirements to include demographic data on debt collection practices, but its core change centers on enabling debt cancellation via nonprofit partnerships.

Maddy summaryHB 464 requires Maryland local school systems to provide parents of children with disabilities with written information about secondary transition services during Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Specifically, it mandates this information be given at least once yearly and beginning when a student turns 14 years old. The bill also requires that materials be provided in the parent's native language if English is not their primary language. This applies directly to parents of students with IEPs in Maryland public schools, ensuring they receive clear, accessible planning resources for their child's post-secondary goals. The law amends existing Maryland education code sections to formalize these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1006, the "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act," requires Maryland's Attorney General to create guidelines limiting immigration enforcement at specific sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, childcare centers, and domestic violence shelters. State agencies operating at these locations must either adopt policies aligned with the guidelines or submit written justification and existing policies if they choose not to comply. The bill directly affects all Maryland state agencies managing facilities listed in the law, such as public schools, community health centers, and emergency shelters. Its key mechanism is mandating agency adherence to the guidelines or transparent documentation of non-compliance. The law aims to reduce immigration enforcement disruptions at places where vulnerable populations seek essential services.

Maddy summaryHB 1476 prohibits Maryland employers from disclosing or threatening to disclose an employee’s immigration status to government agencies to hide violations of labor, wage, or tax laws. It directly affects employers who might use immigration status to conceal issues like unpaid wages (under Maryland’s Wage and Hour Law) or failure to provide benefits. The bill authorizes Maryland’s Commissioner of Labor and Industry to investigate complaints, attempt mediation within 90 days, and impose civil fines up to $10,000 for repeated violations. Employers can request an administrative hearing within 15 days of a penalty notice. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.