Rep. Frank Conaway

Maddy summaryHB 932 requires the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to complete construction of its fifth bus division facility by June 30, 2032. The bill directly affects the MTA, mandating it to identify necessary funding in the 2027-2033 Consolidated Transportation Program to ensure the facility is operational by the deadline. Key provisions include a fixed completion date and annual funding planning requirements for the MTA’s capital budget. This bill does not alter service operations but sets a concrete timeline and funding process for a new infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 1512 requires merchants to remit the difference when rounding cash transactions up to the nearest 5 cents to the State Comptroller. It directly affects merchants selling goods or services who round cash payments (e.g., rounding $1.99 to $2.00), excluding transactions where customers explicitly consent to rounding for donation purposes. The Comptroller must distribute all collected revenue to the State’s General Fund. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to cash transactions (not gift cards or other payment methods).

Maddy summaryHB 1521 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for individuals and businesses that support at-risk youth through donations, volunteering, or hiring. It allows a 50% credit on contributions to certified organizations (max $5,000 for individuals, $100,000 for businesses), $25 per volunteer day at schools/recreation centers (max $500 annually), and $1,000 per hired at-risk youth (max $5,000 annually). The credit applies only to youth aged 12-25 facing challenges like homelessness, foster care aging out, or living in designated high-poverty areas. Taxpayers must apply for certification through the Department of Commerce, with a $10 million annual cap on total credits.

Maddy summaryHB 1392, the Community-Oriented Policing Act, prohibits Maryland law enforcement agencies from setting or requiring officers to meet arrest or citation targets (quotas) and bans using such targets for evaluations, pay, discipline, or promotions. The bill allows agencies to use quantitative data for legitimate management or compliance checks but explicitly forbids quotas as a performance metric. Officers can report suspected quota violations to the Attorney General’s Office via an online form, which must investigate within one year and order agencies to stop if violations are confirmed. This law directly affects all Maryland law enforcement agencies and their officers, aiming to prevent pressure to meet arbitrary arrest numbers.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Maddy summaryHB 836 prohibits Maryland county school boards from charging students or their parents/guardians any fees related to enrollment in or completion of Advanced Placement (AP) programs approved by the College Board. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly state that county boards "may not charge" such fees for AP-based college preparatory programs. This directly affects students enrolled in AP courses and their families, removing financial barriers to these programs. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all county boards of education offering AP courses as part of approved college preparatory pathways.

Maddy summaryHB 781 requires Maryland public middle schools to teach students in grades 6-8 about the legal penalties of a felony murder conviction. The State Board of Education must develop age-appropriate curriculum resources, and county school boards must incorporate this instruction into their curriculum starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines "consequences" as penalties that take away freedom, rights, and access to programs after conviction under Maryland law. This applies specifically to felony murder convictions (first-degree murder under § 2-201(A)(4) of the Criminal Law Article).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Baltimore City public middle schools (grades 6-8) to teach students about the legal consequences of a felony murder conviction. The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners must develop age-appropriate curriculum resources by 2027, defining these consequences as loss of freedom, rights, and access to programs/services after conviction. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, schools must incorporate this instruction at least once during grades 6-8. The law applies exclusively to Baltimore City public schools and does not alter criminal law.

Maddy summaryHB 891 requires all Maryland state and local correctional facilities, including Patuxent Institution, to provide free tampons and pads to female incarcerated individuals upon admission, routinely, and upon request. It prohibits disciplining these individuals for accidental damage to personal items caused by menstrual leakage without malicious intent. Facilities must also maintain records tracking product availability and incidents of leakage-related damage. This bill directly affects female inmates in Maryland correctional facilities by ensuring access to essential hygiene products and protecting them from unfair punishment for natural bodily functions.

Maddy summaryHB 920 requires developers, builders, brokers, and real estate agents to enter the final sale price of new homes into a multiple listing service (MLS) or similar database within 30 days of the sale. This applies to all new home transactions in Maryland and aims to make final sale prices publicly accessible through real estate databases used for market evaluations and appraisals. The bill defines "multiple listing service" as a database utilized by real estate professionals. It takes effect on October 1, 2026.