Del. Malcolm Ruff

Maddy summaryHB 1463, the "Transit Safety and Investment Act of 2025," mandates minimum annual funding levels for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) from the Transportation Trust Fund. It requires the Governor to include specific operating appropriations (increasing by at least 4.4% annually for 2020-2022) and capital appropriations for MTA's "state of good repair needs," starting at $29.1 million for 2020-2022, rising to $502 million for 2024, and setting a baseline of $450 million annually for 2025-2028 and $550 million annually for 2030-2039. The bill directly affects the MTA’s budget, ensuring predictable funding for transit operations and infrastructure maintenance, while explicitly stating these funds are in addition to existing capital projects like the Purple Line. It does not alter MTA’s authority to fund local transit agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 847 establishes a public Domestic Violence Offender Registry in Maryland, requiring individuals convicted three or more times of a domestic violence-related crime (including crimes against current or former intimate partners) to register with their local sheriff upon release, probation, or when not imprisoned. Registrants must provide personal details like their address, photo, and crime descriptions, updating this information annually or within 10 days of moving. The registry, maintained by the state, will be publicly accessible online, by phone, and in person, with registration lasting 15 years from the latest conviction or release, plus 20 additional years for each new conviction. Individuals may seek court exemption if convictions are reversed, pardoned, or under specific court orders.

Maddy summaryHB 1504 requires intake officers to file a petition alleging a child is "in need of supervision" if a child under 13 is alleged to have caused a death. It mandates law enforcement to forward such complaints to the Department of Juvenile Services. The bill replaces the previous discretionary process with a mandatory filing requirement for these specific cases. This directly affects children under 13 accused of acts resulting in death, shifting jurisdiction to juvenile court without officer discretion.

Maddy summaryHB 709 allows Maryland counties to adopt local laws requiring landlords to have a valid "good cause" reason (like nonpayment or lease violations) to evict tenants or refuse lease renewals, rather than allowing no-cause evictions. If a county adopts such a law, landlords must disclose in writing whether they are subject to it and provide specific ownership details (including property counts) using forms developed by the state Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. The bill also mandates that landlords include this disclosure in leases and court filings related to evictions. This applies only to tenants and landlords in counties that choose to implement these local protections, not statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 607 establishes the PAREA Grant Program to provide financial assistance to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities for training to become real estate appraisers. The program aims to close appraisal gaps in these areas, diversify the appraisal profession, and support individuals pursuing real estate appraisal careers. Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the grants directly target residents in communities historically excluded from the appraisal field. This policy creates a concrete pathway for career development in a specific profession while addressing documented disparities in real estate services.

Maddy summaryHB 1488 extends a specific liquor license for a business at 5700 Falls Road in Baltimore City, allowing the current owner to complete an ownership transfer and renew the license without expiration concerns. The bill directly affects that single business location by overriding standard expiration rules under Maryland law, granting an extension until July 1, 2026. Key provisions include automatically extending the Class B-D-7 license's validity for transfer and renewal purposes, with the law terminating automatically on July 31, 2026. This is a targeted administrative extension, not a broad policy change, affecting only the specified Baltimore City premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1040) establishes requirements for financial institutions (banks and credit unions) in Maryland to create and implement community benefit plans. It requires these institutions to develop measurable goals for providing loans, investments, and services to low- and moderate-income individuals and distressed communities when applying for new licenses, branches, or mergers. The bill also mandates annual public reporting on progress toward these goals, creates a Community Reinvestment Fund for community development activities, and establishes oversight by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation. *Note: The bill's title incorrectly references "condominium reserve accounts"; the actual content focuses on financial institutions' community benefit plans, not real property or condominiums.*

Maddy summaryHB 499 (Expungement Reform Act of 2025) changes Maryland’s expungement process to make it easier for people with certain misdemeanor convictions to clear their records. It reduces waiting periods after completing a sentence (removing the previous 3-year limit for some offenses), expands eligibility to include more misdemeanor convictions, and requires courts to confirm restitution payments are made or unpayable before expungement. The bill also prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system from referencing expunged records. These changes directly affect individuals with eligible misdemeanor convictions who have completed their sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 647 prohibits the involuntary placement of pregnant incarcerated individuals in restrictive housing in Maryland correctional facilities, except in limited emergency situations involving immediate risks of serious harm or flight that cannot be managed otherwise. The bill requires facilities to document why less restrictive options weren’t used, conduct medical assessments every 8 hours if placement occurs, and review decisions every 24 hours with written confirmation. It also mandates that pregnant individuals in restrictive housing receive a tailored health treatment plan, access to regular recreation and visits, and housing in the least restrictive setting possible. This bill directly affects pregnant people in Maryland’s state correctional system, with specific requirements for facility staff and oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1368 modifies Maryland's process for changing sex designation on birth certificates and identification cards. It removes the prior requirement for medical treatment or diagnosis to update sex designation, instead allowing individuals (or their legal representatives for minors) to request a change through a written affidavit under penalty of perjury. The bill also updates options for indicating sex designation on driver's licenses, ID cards, and moped permits issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration. This directly affects transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals seeking to align official documents with their gender identity, as well as parents updating birth certificate parentage information. The key change streamlines the process by eliminating medical certification as a mandatory step.