Del. Sandy Rosenberg

Maddy summaryHB 845 creates a framework for Maryland to establish six community-based overdose and infectious disease prevention programs, approved by the Maryland Department of Health and located in areas with high drug use incidence (two urban, two suburban, two rural). These programs provide supervised consumption sites with health professionals, sterile drug supplies, overdose response (including naloxone), referrals to treatment and testing for HIV/hepatitis, and education on safe drug use and disposal. The bill allows programs to bill insurance for covered services, accept donations/grants, and prohibits arrests or penalties for individuals using these services. It also requires programs to coordinate with existing health services and maintain security while operating within specified locations.

Maddy summaryHB 103 makes permanent an annual $14 million funding requirement from abandoned property proceeds to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund. This fund, administered by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC), provides resources for legal representation in eviction cases for low-income tenants. The bill requires the Comptroller to distribute these funds annually from net proceeds of abandoned property sales (after other required distributions) starting in fiscal year 2025. It also terminates the Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force on a specified date.

Maddy summaryHB 876 updates Maryland's Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund to include money from the Attorney General's Antitrust Division. Specifically, it adds funds received from settlements, agreements, or judgments related to antitrust violations causing artificial rent inflation (excluding restitution and costs). This expansion provides additional resources to support legal representation for tenants facing eviction. The bill does not change the program's eligibility or purpose, only broadening the fund's funding sources.

Maddy summaryHB 495 requires Maryland schools with existing antidiscrimination policies to update those policies to include specific information, such as reporting options for sexual violence, school contact details, investigation processes, victim resources, and medical facility locations. It mandates that policies be written in plain, age-appropriate language, printed for readability, available in common languages spoken by students/staff (5%+ of population), and accessible via oral interpretation for less common languages. Schools must distribute policies annually through handbooks, email, campus postings, and websites, and provide mandatory training to students at the start of each school year and to employees within four weeks of hire. This applies to all public/private K-12 schools, preK programs receiving state funding, and colleges in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 305 prohibits physically blocking access to or egress from religious facilities, such as places of worship, cemeteries, or religious schools. It makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally detain or obstruct someone entering or exiting such a facility, punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law excludes facility staff, law enforcement officers, and protected speech from the prohibition. This directly affects individuals who physically interfere with access to religious sites, while preserving rights to free expression.

Maddy summaryHB 434 protects free speech by making it easier to dismiss "SLAPP suits" (strategic lawsuits meant to silence critics). It defines a SLAPP suit as one brought in bad faith against someone who spoke publicly about government actions or public issues (like criticizing a policy or reporting to officials), with the plaintiff now required to prove the lawsuit has "substantial justification." If a defendant successfully moves to dismiss a SLAPP suit, they can recover court costs and attorney fees. This directly affects citizens, journalists, and activists who speak publicly on government matters, ensuring their free speech rights aren’t chilled by costly, meritless lawsuits.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of "practice audiology" in Maryland to clarify the specific duties and procedures that fall under the scope of the profession. The changes allow audiologists to evaluate, diagnose, manage, and treat auditory and vestibular conditions, as well as prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or fit hearing aids, sound processors, and cochlear implants. However, the legislation explicitly excludes surgical procedures, such as those involving lasers or scalpels, and the preparation or performance of radiographic imaging from the definition of audiology practice. These updates aim to modernize the regulatory framework for audiologists without altering the existing requirements for their licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes fees on telephone and mobile service providers to fund Maryland's behavioral health crisis response system. It requires traditional phone companies to pay a fee per subscriber and prepaid wireless providers to pay a fee on each retail transaction, with all collected money going into a dedicated state trust fund. The fund is designated to cover the costs of maintaining the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline and supporting statewide crisis services such as call centers, mobile teams, and stabilization facilities. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state Comptroller audit how these fees are collected and limits the amount of revenue that can be used for administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new regulatory framework for limited licensed radiologic technologists in Maryland, creating a specific license category for individuals who perform basic X-ray duties without a full medical license. The legislation allows unlicensed individuals to take X-rays only in a physician's office under the direct supervision of a licensed professional and restricts these duties to specific procedures like chest, spine, and extremity imaging while explicitly excluding advanced services such as CT scans, mammograms, and radiation therapy. To qualify, applicants must complete a standardized educational program with at least 115 hours of training and 480 hours of clinical practice, pass a certification exam, and maintain their status through continuing education. Additionally, the bill updates the composition of the state advisory committee responsible for overseeing radiation therapy and radiography regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program to ensure that people with disabilities can access medical assistance while working without facing strict financial or age barriers. It requires the Department of Health to provide services to applicants aged 16 and older and prohibits limiting eligibility based on earned or unearned income, assets like retirement accounts, or an upper age limit. The legislation also mandates that the application process use plain language and allows recipients to keep their independence accounts without restrictions on how they spend the funds. Additionally, the state must consult with a coalition of disability advocates twice a year to review and adjust program regulations as needed.