Del. April Miller

Maddy summaryHB 411 increases Maryland's standard income tax deduction amounts for 2026 and beyond. It raises the standard deduction to $4,100 for single filers (from $3,350), $8,200 for heads of household or surviving spouses (from $6,700), and $8,200 for married couples filing jointly (from $6,700). The bill also establishes an automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment starting in 2026, tying future increases to inflation as measured by the IRS formula. This directly affects Maryland residents who claim the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions on their state tax returns.

Maddy summaryHB 189 requires all Maryland public middle schools to begin instruction no earlier than 8:00 AM and high schools no earlier than 8:30 AM starting in the 2028-2029 school year. It also mandates that county school boards and public charter schools implement a public awareness campaign starting in 2027-2028 to educate communities about sleep deprivation impacts and benefits of later start times. Waivers for earlier start times are only permitted for specific emergencies like natural disasters, not routine scheduling. The bill directly affects public middle and high schools, charter schools, and their communities through these timing requirements and outreach obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 116 requires Maryland public school systems (including county boards, superintendents, and individual schools) to publicly report and post certain agreements online. Specifically, it mandates that school systems submit annual reports by September 1 each year to the State Superintendent detailing all procurement contracts, memoranda of understanding, and in-kind services agreements entered into during the prior fiscal year. Starting July 1, 2026, school systems must post these agreements on their websites within 30 days of signing, making them accessible to the public. The bill aims to increase transparency around school spending and partnerships without altering the content of the agreements themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 1355 requires health insurers in Maryland to cover medically necessary hearing aids for adults if the devices are ordered, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed hearing aid dispenser (in addition to coverage when prescribed by an audiologist). Insurers must cover up to $1,400 per hearing aid per ear every three years, but enrollees can choose more expensive devices and pay the difference without penalty. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026. This directly affects adults with hearing loss covered by health insurance plans subject to Maryland’s insurance regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to automatically renew disability reduced fare program certifications for enrolled individuals who are permanently disabled, eliminating the need for them to reapply annually. It directly affects people with permanent disabilities who use MTA services and currently must manually renew their reduced-fare status each year. The key provision mandates the MTA to implement an automatic renewal process through regulations, streamlining access to discounted transit fares. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and updates existing MTA regulations under Maryland Code, Transportation Article § 7-718.

Maddy summaryHB 1223 creates a new limited license specifically for eyelash extension services under Maryland's cosmetology licensing system. It directly affects professionals who want to offer eyelash extensions by requiring them to obtain this specialized license instead of using general cosmetology or esthetician licenses. The bill adds "providing eyelash extension services" to key definitions in Maryland law, including the scope of "practice cosmetology," "provide esthetic services," and creates a precise definition of the service itself (cleaning eyes, applying primers/adhesives/extensions, and drying). This change formalizes a separate licensing pathway for eyelash technicians, aligning their practice with existing regulatory categories.

Maddy summaryHB 185 modifies the fiscal years when the Governor must include a $3.7 million annual appropriation for Maryland's Therapeutic Child Care Grant Program in the state budget. The bill does not change the program's funding distribution rules, which require $1.283 million for existing providers, $1.917 million for expanded services, and $500,000 for new or additional provider enrollment. This affects the state's budget process and child care providers serving children under six with developmental delays, physical disabilities, or behavioral challenges. The change adjusts the timeline for mandatory funding without altering the program's core structure or eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 782 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to study how public middle and high schools can better detect deadly weapons and rapidly report findings to law enforcement. The study mandates a comprehensive audit of all schools' current security systems - including physical measures, technology gaps, and potential improvements - and specifically evaluates unused detection methods, AI software integration, optimal camera placement, and expanded metal detector use. The Department must complete this study and submit findings to the House Speaker and Ways and Means Committee by December 1, 2025, with the bill automatically ending on June 30, 2026. This bill affects all Maryland public middle and high schools by directing a formal review of their security protocols, without implementing new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1121 establishes a temporary pilot program to help foster youth aged 16-22 access childcare subsidies. It directly affects youth who were in state foster care at age 18 or older, removing specific barriers like proof of employment, parental information, or parental authorization from the application process. The program, running from 2026-2028, requires the Department to track subsidy usage monthly and report annually to the legislature on progress. It aims to simplify access to childcare support during critical transitions to adulthood. The bill does not change subsidy amounts but streamlines eligibility for this specific group.

Maddy summaryHB 1475 (Mixed Delivery Model Viability Act) requires Maryland's Office of Child Care Advisory Council to study the state's publicly funded prekindergarten system, which serves children through a mix of public and private providers. The analysis will assess policy differences between public/private providers, reimbursement methods, administrative processes, language accessibility, quality rating procedures, and opportunities for resource-sharing among private providers. The Council must submit an interim report by June 1, 2026, and a final report by December 31, 2027, to the State Board of Education and General Assembly. This bill does not change current law but directs a review to identify potential improvements in program efficiency and equity for providers and families.