Del. Michele Guyton

Maddy summaryHB 1367 requires lead testing professionals to submit verified reports of test results to the Department, property owners, and tenants, and prohibits property owners from using related parties for these inspections. It imposes a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per day for anyone who falsifies information in these required reports. The law applies directly to lead inspectors, testing professionals, and property owners who employ them. Violations are treated as separate offenses for each day the false report remains in effect. The bill amends Maryland’s lead inspection laws to strengthen accountability for false documentation, effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 131 modifies Maryland's Bay Restoration Fund to prioritize funding for upgrading septic systems that remove nitrogen, a key pollutant harming the Chesapeake Bay. The bill requires the Department of the Environment to evaluate and rank nitrogen-removal technologies based on nitrogen reduction effectiveness, total cost (including maintenance), and cost per pound of nitrogen removed. It establishes performance-based funding levels, prioritizing failing systems in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area first, followed by systems in nitrogen-impaired watersheds, and then those threatening public health. The bill also expands eligibility to include community sewer systems and exempts certain technology procurements from standard state procurement rules, as specified in revised sections of Maryland law (§§ 9-1108.1 and 9-1605.2).

Maddy summaryHB 731 establishes the Maryland Connectivity Coalition to coordinate wildlife protection efforts, creates a Wildlife Connectivity Fund for habitat projects, and requires the State Highway Administration to include wildlife data in transportation planning. It directly affects the State Highway Administration, county planners, and wildlife conservation efforts by mandating that counties consider habitat connectivity when updating local plans. Key provisions include prioritizing highway crossings in high-collision areas and locations dividing habitats of threatened/endangered species. The bill aims to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions and protect species from habitat fragmentation through coordinated planning and funding.

Maddy summaryHB 744 updates Maryland's traffic safety laws by increasing penalties for dangerous driving. It defines reckless driving as driving 30+ miles per hour over the speed limit (previously undefined), adds 2 points to a driver's record for negligent driving, and adds 6 points for speeding over 30 mph above the limit. The bill also redefines aggressive driving as committing two or more specific traffic violations (like tailgating or illegal passing) during a single driving period, with fines up to $1,000. These changes directly affect drivers convicted of these offenses, with the law taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 506, the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act, creates the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program to reduce nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through voluntary farm conservation practices. The bill establishes a special fund for the program, redefines "healthy soils" for existing soil programs, and exempts certain fishing license holders from needing food establishment licenses. Key provisions include tiered recognition for farms adopting conservation practices, requirements for the Department of Environment to authorize water quality trading credits, and new rules for fisheries management and aquaculture leases. The bill directly affects Maryland farmers, state environmental agencies, and fishing industry participants by changing how conservation incentives and regulations are implemented.

Maddy summaryHB 470 prohibits drivers from obscuring, modifying, or blocking vehicle registration plates in a way that hides the plate number or makes identification difficult. It directly affects vehicle owners who currently use plate covers, tinted shields, or other modifications that prevent clear visibility of license plates. Violations are classified as moving violations, subjecting offenders to points on their driving record under Maryland law. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025, and amends Maryland's Transportation Code to clarify this prohibition.

Maddy summaryHB 702 requires Maryland county boards of education to publish a list of special education service delivery models on their websites. This list must include options available both within the public school system and for parentally-placed private school students (children with disabilities whose parents chose private schools, not those referred by public agencies). The bill mandates that counties clearly state placement decisions for public school students will follow federal special education rules and involve parent input. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects county education boards and families of children with disabilities in private schools. The law does not change service delivery but increases transparency about available options.

Maddy summaryHB 1322 requires all operators of gasoline-powered vessels on Maryland waters to have carbon monoxide warning labels clearly visible near the transom and helm of the vessel. This law directly affects boat operators and owners who operate gasoline-powered vessels, amending Maryland's State Boat Act to mandate these labels. The key provision specifies the exact locations where labels must be affixed to warn of carbon monoxide risks. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to automatically renew disability reduced fare program certifications for enrolled individuals who are permanently disabled, eliminating the need for them to reapply annually. It directly affects people with permanent disabilities who use MTA services and currently must manually renew their reduced-fare status each year. The key provision mandates the MTA to implement an automatic renewal process through regulations, streamlining access to discounted transit fares. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and updates existing MTA regulations under Maryland Code, Transportation Article § 7-718.

Maddy summaryHB 809 creates a temporary exception to standard child placement limits for foster care providers when a child enrolled in college must leave campus due to academic breaks, temporary closures, or approved leave. The exemption applies only if the child, foster care provider, and agency agree to the living arrangement. This directly affects youth in foster care attending college and their foster care providers. The law requires the state to update placement regulations by July 2025.