Del. Elizabeth Embry

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 1353 exempts homeless individuals in Maryland from specific fees and requirements. It prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging for vital records (like birth or death certificates) issued to homeless people, waives vehicle registration fees for vehicles owned by homeless individuals, and eliminates driver’s license fees for homeless applicants. The bill also allows unaccompanied homeless youth under 18 to take certain driver’s license exams sooner and exempts homeless individuals from mandatory vehicle emissions inspections. Homeless individuals must provide a written statement proving their homelessness to access these exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 requires police and alcohol inspectors to include specific notice in citations for public alcohol violations (specifically § 6-321 or § 6-322 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article), stating that fines can be prepaid online or by mail. Prepaying the fine is treated as a guilty plea, and the bill sets a maximum fine amount while allowing judges to create a prepayment schedule. People cited for public drinking or open containers in public spaces (like parks or streets) will now see this prepayment option on their citation. The law also authorizes courts to hold hearings for those who don’t pay the fine or appear in court, streamlining the process for these minor offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 577 prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, or transfer of "machine gun convertible pistols" in Maryland after a specified date. These are defined as semiautomatic pistols with a special trigger mechanism that can be easily converted to automatic fire using common tools or a "pistol converter" device. The bill creates new criminal penalties for violating this ban, with key exceptions allowing law enforcement use, licensed dealer transactions for specific purposes, and inheritance by qualified individuals. It does not affect standard semiautomatic firearms or restrict existing lawfully owned weapons.

Maddy summaryHB 687 (the PACE Act) protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents in Maryland from having their creative works (like music, poetry, visual art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. It blocks such evidence unless a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the creator intended the work to be literal (not fictional), it directly references the specific facts of the alleged crime, and it's relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes this protection for juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. This law directly affects artists facing criminal or juvenile charges in Maryland, changing how their original creative expression can be considered as evidence. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1022 prohibits the sale of specific products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (such as cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene items, and fabric treatments) in Maryland starting on set dates, phasing them out over time. It requires manufacturers to register products with PFAS and establishes testing to ensure compliance. The bill also creates the Maryland PFAS Chemicals Protection and Remediation Fund, funded by penalties and interest earnings, to support environmental cleanup projects. This law directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers using these products within Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1456 requires real estate websites, social media platforms, and other commercial entities to verify that the person advertising a residential property for sale or lease is either the legal owner or their authorized agent before publishing the listing. Commercial entities must maintain this verification for at least three years and immediately remove any listing published without proper verification. Violations would be treated as unfair, deceptive, or abusive trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties. This bill directly affects online property listing services and real estate platforms that publish residential property advertisements. It aims to prevent fraudulent listings by mandating ownership verification as a standard practice.

Maddy summaryHB 387 protects artists' rights by prohibiting state-funded public art contracts from requiring artists to waive copyright protections. It also mandates that entities commissioning such art register key details - including the artist's name, location, type, title, and installation date - with the Maryland State Arts Council. The bill directly affects artists and state agencies involved in public art projects receiving state funding, regardless of whether the state directly paid for the artwork. Registration must be completed for all new commissions after the bill's October 2026 effective date. Artists may still voluntarily waive rights in writing, but contracts cannot force such waivers.

Maddy summaryHB 1054 extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting certain ethics-related crimes from 2 to 3 years. It directly affects public officials (state, agency, or local government employees) accused of violating Maryland's Public Ethics Law or committing malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office. The bill amends Maryland law to require that prosecutions for these offenses, or conspiracy to commit them, must be filed within 3 years of the alleged crime. This change provides a longer window for prosecutors to bring charges related to public ethics violations. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.