Rep. Michele Guyton

Maddy summaryHB 1614 authorizes the Maryland Transportation Authority Police to use lane direction control signal monitoring systems on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to enforce violations of red lane direction signals. It requires District Courts to remit civil penalties collected from these violations directly to the Maryland Transportation Authority instead of the state. The bill amends existing traffic law sections to clarify that penalties from these automated enforcement systems must be paid to the Authority and that recorded images from the systems are admissible as evidence without authentication. This affects drivers using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge who enter lanes with red signals, enabling automated enforcement of lane direction rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1621 requires wastewater treatment plants processing over 50 million gallons of effluent daily to monitor discharges for hormones, PFAS chemicals, and bacteria, and publicly post daily bacterial levels and incident reports (like overflows) on their websites within 24 hours. It establishes bacterial safety thresholds requiring immediate public alerts when exceeded and bars non-compliant plants from Maryland's Water Quality Trading Program. Smaller plants (under 50 million gallons daily) must report staffing plans annually instead of daily data. The bill mandates transparency through public websites and gives the Department authority to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 210 requires Maryland counties and municipalities with automated traffic enforcement programs (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) to submit quarterly reports to the Vision Zero coordinator. These reports must include specific details for each citation issued to out-of-state vehicles, such as license plate numbers, payment status, and whether the citation is past due. The bill, set to take effect October 1, 2026, creates a standardized reporting process to track enforcement against non-resident drivers without changing traffic laws or enforcement practices.

Maddy summaryHB 55 modifies Maryland's vehicle laws to expand where speed monitoring systems (like photo radar) can be used in residential areas. It updates the definition of "residential district" to require properties along highways to be mainly residential for at least 300 feet and not business areas. The bill specifically authorizes these systems on highways in residential districts with 35 mph limits, school zones, certain roads in Prince George’s County, and high-risk crash locations identified in safety plans. Local governments must first approve their use via public hearing and local law. This affects residents in designated areas and requires new local authorization for speed monitoring enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 523 (Real Property - Residential Foreclosures - Commencement Restrictions) delays foreclosure actions on residential properties by requiring a 90-day waiting period after a default or notice of intent to foreclose, whichever is later. It directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure and mortgage lenders by adding this waiting period, with limited exceptions for fraud, no payments, property destruction, bankruptcy, or vacant properties. Key provisions include mandatory affidavits verifying default details and notice accuracy, a $450 filing fee, and requirements for loss mitigation documentation. The bill modifies Maryland's foreclosure law to provide additional time for homeowners to seek alternatives before a foreclosure case can proceed.

Maddy summaryHB 450 protects victims of sexual assault or stalking by requiring courts and parties in criminal or juvenile cases to redact identifying information (like names or addresses) from public court records and filings. It directly affects victims, courts, and legal parties by prohibiting disclosure of such information to nonparties unless the court finds "clear and convincing evidence" of good cause to allow it. The bill mandates redaction of victim identifiers in all filings - including charging documents - and requires courts to redact existing records upon written request from the victim. Exceptions only apply when a court specifically authorizes disclosure after reviewing evidence of necessity. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 653 increases Maryland's tax deduction for retirement income earned by retired public safety employees, including correctional officers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. It phases in a gradual increase in the deductible amount from $15,000 to $20,000 over five years, starting with $15,000 for 2025-2026 tax years and rising by $1,000 annually until reaching $20,000 by 2029-2030. This deduction reduces taxable income for eligible retirees aged 55+ who receive retirement income tied to their public safety service. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, as part of Maryland's income tax code.

Maddy summaryHB 666, the Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026, prohibits research and testing facilities in Maryland from using certain dogs and cats for research or testing and bans specific procedures on them. The bill requires facilities to use alternative test methods - such as computer modeling or cell-based tests - when they are scientifically equivalent and approved by federal agencies, reducing reliance on traditional animal testing. It also extends adoption requirements for dogs and cats used in research to testing facilities, ensuring animals are made available for adoption when no longer needed. The bill sets clear standards: animal testing must be limited to cases where no alternative exists, with the minimum number of animals used and humane treatment prioritized.

Maddy summaryHB 1067 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to phase out lead ammunition for hunting all game species by July 1, 2029. It directly affects hunters using firearms for deer, upland game birds, migratory birds, turkey, and other game, with earlier deadlines: pen-raised birds by 2027, upland/migratory birds and turkey by 2028, and deer by 2029. The bill mandates non-lead ammunition (defined as <1% lead content or federally approved non-toxic options) but allows exceptions for muzzleloaders, handguns, rifles, and shotguns if non-lead ammo isn't commercially available. The law requires the department to adopt regulations for each phase and make them available with hunting licenses. This policy aims to reduce lead exposure in humans (from consumed venison) and wildlife (from carcasses).

Maddy summaryHB 146 requires landlords of properties with on-site wastewater systems (like septic systems) to ensure the system is inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before each new tenant moves in, starting July 1, 2028. It also mandates that real estate sales contracts for such properties include a condition requiring the buyer to confirm the system has been inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before closing. The law allows inspections and pumping services to remain valid for three years and requires property owners to notify authorities if a system fails. Exemptions include transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. The bill sets deadlines for the state to adopt regulations (by 2027) and license service providers (by 2028).