Del. Frank Conaway

Maddy summaryHB 763 requires Maryland public and qualifying nonpublic schools to include age-appropriate material about human and sex trafficking awareness and prevention in health curricula for students in grades 6 through 8. This amendment to existing education law builds upon current sexual abuse and assault prevention programs by adding specific content about trafficking. The law mandates that this material be taught by trained instructors and integrated into standard health education. The policy change applies to all schools participating in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants Program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 667 establishes November 1 as a permanent state legal holiday and employee holiday in Maryland, replacing the current requirement that the Governor annually proclaim the date. The bill repeals Section 7-420 (which mandated the Governor’s yearly proclamation for Maryland Emancipation Day) and updates two key sections of Maryland law to include November 1 as a fixed holiday for state employees and government operations. This means state offices will close and employees will receive the day off every year on November 1, without needing a new gubernatorial order each year. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 468 establishes a 5-day initial limit for emergency mental health evaluation petitions in Maryland, allowing courts to extend them in 5-day increments (up to a 30-day total) for "good cause." It requires courts to include expiration dates on petitions and clarifies when peace officers may use reasonable force to execute them. The bill directly affects individuals seeking emergency evaluations, courts issuing petitions, and law enforcement officers carrying out the process. Key changes standardize timeframes, mandate expiration dates, and specify extension procedures for mental health emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 194 requires merchants to refund consumers' full shipping costs within 30 days if a customer receives an incorrect item during a retail sale. This applies to any merchant selling consumer goods directly to a buyer for personal use, not for resale. Violating this rule would be treated as an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Maryland's existing consumer protection law, subject to enforcement and penalties. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 609 modifies Maryland's legislative scholarship programs to exempt students planning to complete the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria program from standard exam requirements. It specifically allows senatorial and delegate scholarships to cover costs for the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal Program (administered by the Appraisal Foundation). This change directly affects students pursuing real estate appraisal licensure who would otherwise need to meet typical scholarship exam rules. The bill amends Sections 18-402(4) and 18-405(b)(3) of the Maryland Annotated Code to include this program under eligible scholarship uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1346, the PACE Act, protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents from having their creative works (like music, poetry, art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. The bill requires courts to make four specific findings before admitting such expression: that the creator intended it literally (not figuratively), it directly relates to the specific crime, it addresses disputed facts, and it has unique value not available through other evidence. This applies to all criminal and juvenile proceedings, with an exception allowing creative expression to be used in juvenile cases for mental health evaluations. The law aims to prevent artistic expression from being misinterpreted as confessions or evidence of guilt without strong judicial scrutiny.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland county Departments of Public Works to publish four specific details about water main breaks or leaks on their public websites: the date notified of the break, relevant water utility requirements, the repair date, and estimated water loss. Departments must update this information within 30 days of any changes related to the incident. The law applies to all counties experiencing such breaks and takes effect October 1, 2025. It focuses on transparency without altering water service standards or utility responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1550 requires law enforcement agencies to notify sexual assault victims within 30 days when their evidence kits are sent to a crime lab and provide status updates upon request. It mandates forensic labs to screen, test, and analyze kits within specific timeframes (replacing vague "timely" requirements) and eliminate untested kit backlogs by 2026. Victims may also pay for private testing of their kits at any time. The bill applies directly to sexual assault victims, law enforcement agencies, and forensic laboratories, with annual reporting requirements to the House Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 establishes new requirements for reporting workplace harassment and intimidation in Maryland. It requires employees to report incidents to their employer, the Commissioner of Labor and Industry using a standardized form, or through an electronic tip program. Employers must report verified incidents to the Commissioner, and all information shared through these channels is protected as confidential. The bill directly affects all employers and employees covered under Maryland's labor laws, including government workers, temporary help agencies, and taxicab drivers. It creates concrete reporting mechanisms to improve workplace psychological safety without changing existing penalties for harassment.