Del. April Miller

Maddy summaryHB 988 repeals Maryland's existing building energy performance standards for commercial and multifamily buildings over 35,000 square feet. It removes requirements for these buildings to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040, as well as annual reporting of emissions data. The bill specifically repeals Sections 2-1601 and 2-1602 of the Environment Article and amends Section 4-211(d)(1) and (2) of the Housing and Community Development Article. This eliminates the state's regulatory framework for building energy efficiency, directly affecting owners of covered commercial and multifamily properties.

Maddy summaryHB 967 prohibits Maryland electric companies from collecting certain environmental surcharges or fees during the year following any year when residential electricity bills rise faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers. It directly affects residential electricity customers by preventing additional charges if their bills outpace general inflation. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to annually calculate the annual growth in both the CPI and average residential electricity bills (using data ending June 30) and to block environmental fees if bill growth exceeds CPI growth. This applies to most environmental fees but excludes three specific fee types listed in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 4 sets a minimum age requirement of 25 years (model year 1999 or earlier) for vehicles to qualify as historic motor vehicles in Maryland. It requires owners to certify that such vehicles will not be used for daily transportation, commercial purposes, or employment, and instead be maintained for exhibitions, club activities, or occasional use. The bill establishes annual registration fees ($45.50 before July 1, 2025; $55.50 after) and mandates that vehicles 60+ years old pay a one-time $50 fee (non-transferable). Additionally, it directs the Motor Vehicle Administration to automatically reinstate historic registrations suspended due to prior definition changes, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Maryland Department of Health to create regulations ensuring that drug and alcohol treatment programs discharge patients only when it is appropriate for their mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis. It specifically prohibits discharging patients who would become homeless or need residential care, while requiring programs to refer such individuals to halfway houses or recovery residences if they agree to that level of care. The legislation also mandates that treatment programs establish referral agreements for medical, mental health, legal, and social services within three working days after creating an individualized treatment plan, and ensures these agreements remain valid even if a patient is discharged. These standards apply to medium-intensity and high-intensity residential treatment programs in Maryland.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes licensing requirements for energy salespeople and vendors who sell electricity and gas to residential customers in Maryland. It also eliminates the Public Service Commission's authority to discipline these suppliers and adjusts the civil penalties for violations. The legislation abolishes a specific division within the Commission and transfers certain employees to other departments. Additionally, it repeals several reporting requirements for electricity suppliers and removes restrictions on offering and selling certain energy supply services.

Maddy summaryHB 459 modifies Maryland's education enforcement procedures by changing how the State Board of Education reviews county school board decisions. It establishes that appeals of county board actions must be judged based on whether the decision was an "abuse of discretion" (e.g., unreasonable, without guiding rules, or illogical) or illegal. The bill also limits the State Superintendent’s temporary halts to county actions to a maximum of 90 days. These changes directly affect county school boards, the State Board of Education, and the State Superintendent when enforcing education rules under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 449, the Juvenile Justice Restoration Act, requires law enforcement officers to consult with an attorney before questioning a child (under 18) in custody. It mandates that officers first notify the child’s parent/guardian and ensure the child speaks with an attorney - either one retained by the parent or provided by the Office of the Public Defender - before any interrogation. Exceptions only apply if an officer believes immediate public safety is threatened (with limited questions) or if a parent consents to skip the attorney consultation. The bill also requires detailed records of notifications and attorney contact, and creates a strong presumption that any statement obtained without compliance is inadmissible in court. The Office of the Public Defender must develop policies to guide attorneys on these new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1085 establishes the Maryland Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to enhance state government efficiency and accountability. It creates a State Transparency Commission (comprising the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker) to appoint and oversee the Inspector General (IG), who must have qualifications in auditing, public administration, or related fields and serve a 6-year term. The bill requires all state agencies to cooperate with the IG during investigations and audits, protects IG records from public disclosure under the Public Information Act, and extends whistleblower protections to state employees reporting issues to the OIG. The IG will have authority to conduct efficiency reviews and track key performance indicators across state units.

Maddy summaryHB 1250 regulates how chatbots are designed, operated, and made available to users in Maryland. It requires developers and operators to obtain clear user permission before collecting data, display specific safety warnings (especially for minors), and follow strict privacy rules for handling personal information. The bill also treats chatbots as "products" for liability purposes, meaning users can pursue legal claims if chatbots cause harm, and mandates that state agencies develop educational materials about behavioral health services. These rules apply to all chatbots used in Maryland, including those operated by government entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1538, the Maryland Generational Housing Act of 2026, requires Maryland counties and municipalities to adopt local laws by October 1, 2026, permitting at least one internal accessory dwelling unit (ADU, like a converted basement) and one external ADU (like a backyard cottage) on single-family residential properties. The bill directly affects homeowners, local governments, and utility providers by prohibiting localities from imposing off-street parking requirements on ADUs, banning utility fees for shared meters/services, and exempting ADUs from property taxes. Key provisions include removing ADUs from density calculations for zoning purposes and ensuring they meet basic safety standards without requiring additional parking. This law aims to increase housing options for multi-generational households while streamlining development for existing single-family lots.