Del. April Miller

Maddy summaryHB 986 requires every Maryland county school district to create a new teacher retention program for educators with fewer than two full years of experience. The program must include cohort-based support groups, assign each new teacher a mentor (including retired teachers), survey teachers on challenges, and provide principals with resources to support new teachers. Counties must prioritize support for new teachers from diverse backgrounds and those in schools with high teacher turnover rates, and must compensate mentors and program overseers through additional pay or leave. This bill directly affects new teachers, school principals, and county school districts across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1427 amends Maryland’s Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council by adding the Secretary of State Police (or their designee) to its membership and requiring the council to study safety design elements and reliability of public charging stations. The bill does not change the council’s existing duties - such as developing infrastructure plans, streamlining permitting, or promoting EV adoption - but adds this specific safety and reliability focus to its recommendations. The council, which includes state agency leaders, industry representatives, and community stakeholders, will now evaluate how charging stations are designed and function to ensure public safety and consistent service. This directly affects electric vehicle charging station operators, state agencies managing infrastructure, and EV users relying on public charging networks.

Maddy summaryHB 1325 establishes a 5-year pilot program (2026-2030) to create regional pools of substitute child care providers for Maryland child care facilities. The program, administered by a state-selected nonprofit, will recruit and support qualified providers to fill temporary staffing gaps in licensed centers, family homes, or large family child care homes. Key mechanisms include organizing pools across rural, suburban, and urban regions; helping providers meet background checks, training, and credential requirements; and developing a digital matching platform to connect providers with facilities. The program requires annual $350,000 grants to the nonprofit and $375,000 in annual state budget appropriations, with final reporting due to the legislature in 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 1391 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to develop and update guidelines for safe, ethical AI use in K-12 classrooms by August 2026, emphasizing student and teacher-centered approaches. It mandates annual lists of approved AI tools (with privacy safeguards), requires each county school board to designate an AI facilitator, and establishes an AI needs assessment to identify support gaps for school systems. The bill also requires county boards to report annually on AI tool usage, student performance impacts, and compliance with data privacy laws. Additionally, it directs the Career and Technical Education Committee to integrate AI literacy into workforce preparation and funds professional development for teachers on AI tools and training. The legislation creates a Task Force on AI in K-12 Education to guide implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1392 prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in the passenger area of a motor vehicle when a minor (under 18) is present. It directly affects drivers transporting minors, making it a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill amends Maryland’s transportation code to add Section 21-903.1, explicitly defining the prohibited conduct and penalties. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 596 requires Maryland county superintendents to allow advance enrollment for dependent children of active-duty service members relocating due to military orders, using a remote registration process without fees or in-person requirements. It mandates school systems to coordinate with parents and the sending state to prevent delays in enrolling children with disabilities who receive special education services. The bill also requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to publish clear information about enrollment procedures and available support services. This applies to all public schools and specifically benefits military-connected families facing frequent relocations.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 requires Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover the full duration of long-term antibiotic treatment (over 4 weeks) for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses (like Babesiosis or Ehrlichiosis) when ordered by a licensed physician for therapeutic purposes. It prohibits these entities from imposing quantity limits on such coverage or denying it solely because the treatment is labeled "unproven," "experimental," or "investigational." The law applies to all health insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026. This directly affects patients diagnosed with Lyme disease or related illnesses who require extended antibiotic therapy, ensuring insurers must cover medically necessary treatment without arbitrary restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1188 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies, agents, and local detention facilities to run a national criminal database search when taking custody of an individual. If the search reveals someone not lawfully present in the U.S. has an outstanding criminal warrant, the agency must notify federal immigration authorities and may hold the person for up to 48 hours to facilitate transfer. The bill prohibits local governments or agencies from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities in these cases. It directly affects police departments, sheriffs' offices, and jail facilities across Maryland, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1374 expands eligibility for publicly funded prekindergarten to include 3-year-olds in certain private providers. It modifies the definition of "Tier I child" to include 3-year-olds whose families meet income requirements (≤300% federal poverty level) or are homeless, live in counties where private providers have opted to enroll them, and choose full-day programs. Eligible private providers (licensed, charging tuition ≤ "cost of quality," meeting quality standards) must sign a memorandum of understanding with the State Department of Education and county boards to enroll these children. The bill directly affects qualifying 3-year-olds, eligible private prekindergarten providers, and local departments responsible for notifying families about enrollment options.

Maddy summaryHB 1403 changes how Maryland calculates state education funding for public schools by altering the definition of "full-time equivalent enrollment." It replaces the previous 3-year average enrollment method with an average of daily enrollment counts on specific dates (September 30, December 31, March 31, and the last day of the prior school year). The bill also excludes the 2020-2021 school year from calculations if it appears in the 3-year average, addressing pandemic-era enrollment disruptions. This directly affects all Maryland school districts receiving state education aid, as it will determine their funding amounts starting in fiscal year 2027.