Del. Regina Boyce

Maddy summaryHB 699 defines "honorable discharge" for Maryland veterans' state benefits to include discharges that were less than honorable due to specific, protected factors. It directly affects veterans who received such discharges solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, or based on disclosures related to those factors (including statements/acts prohibited at the time), or because of PTSD/TBI diagnoses or sexual trauma disclosures made at VA facilities. The bill requires veterans to submit documentation supporting their discharge basis to access state benefits. It amends Maryland law to take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 325 allows adults seeking a high school diploma through the GED exam to take all test components in either English or Spanish, directly affecting adult learners, particularly English language learners with interrupted education. The bill requires Maryland's Department of Labor to study offering the exam in additional languages and submit a report to legislative committees by December 2026. It amends existing law to expand language options for the exam while maintaining other eligibility requirements, such as not having previously earned a diploma. The policy change focuses on improving access to the diploma pathway through language flexibility.

Maddy summaryHB 932 requires the Governor of Maryland to place certain personal financial interests into a "certified blind trust" or sell them within a specific timeframe to avoid conflicts of interest. It also mandates that businesses seeking state grants, contracts, or awards report any financial ties to the Governor or "restricted individuals" to the Ethics Commission. The bill further requires the Governor-elect to consult with the Ethics Commission early in their term to establish the trust or divest interests, and obligates the Governor to sign a nonparticipation agreement for interests not covered by the trust. These changes directly affect the Governor's financial dealings and businesses interacting with state government.

Maddy summaryHB 222 prohibits the sale, transfer, or use of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) for fuel gas piping systems unless it meets specific safety standards: either the LC1027 standard from the International Fuel and Gas Code or proven resistance to 36 coulombs of electrical arcing. It directly affects builders, contractors, and suppliers working on new construction or major renovations (over 50% of building square footage) of natural gas or propane piping systems in Maryland. The bill mandates compliance for these systems and imposes civil penalties up to $1,000 for violations. It takes effect October 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 910 increases Maryland's property tax exemption for blind individuals from $15,000 to $40,000 on their primary residence. It directly affects blind homeowners and their surviving spouses (who haven't remarried) who own a dwelling house meeting specific occupancy and visual impairment criteria. The bill amends existing law to raise the exemption amount, which applies to the assessed value of the home, and continues the exemption to surviving spouses after the blind individual's death. The change takes effect June 1, 2025, for all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 879 establishes a 13-member Task Force to study chronic absenteeism in Maryland schools, with members appointed by legislative leaders and the State Superintendent. The Task Force will analyze attendance data, identify best practices, and develop recommendations - including a standardized definition of chronic absenteeism - by December 31, 2025. It will create culturally responsive toolkits for school leaders and guidance for local systems, to be distributed by June 2026. The bill itself does not implement new policies but sets up the process for future regulations. This procedural bill expires automatically on December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 853 (Maryland Second Look Act) allows individuals serving prison sentences of 20+ years to petition courts for sentence reduction under specific conditions. To qualify, petitioners must have served at least 20 years and wait 5 years after any prior petition, with a maximum of three petitions total. Courts must hold hearings considering factors like rehabilitation, victim input, the individual’s age at the offense, and safety risks, and must publicly state their reasons for granting or denying relief. The law applies retroactively to eligible individuals already serving long sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 446 creates a new commercial fishing license specifically for harvesting blue and flathead catfish using trotlines in the Chesapeake Bay. It directly affects licensed commercial fishers by allowing them to fish in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a location previously restricted by Department regulations. The bill prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from banning this activity within that area while requiring license holders to pay a $15 annual fee for a one-year license. This establishes a permanent regulatory framework for targeted commercial fishing of these species, rather than implementing a temporary pilot program.

Maddy summaryHB 698 requires certain Maryland counties to report annually on development impact fees, surcharges, and excise taxes collected from new construction. Specifically, charter counties with such fees, code counties with local laws imposing them, and commission counties that have both authorization and enacted them must submit reports by July 1 each year to the Governor and General Assembly. The reports must detail total amounts collected, how funds are distributed to specific districts (like legislative or commissioner districts), and how much is used for capital projects such as transportation improvements, school construction, or other related infrastructure. Counties must make these reports publicly available on their websites or through other accessible means.

Maddy summaryHB 1466 requires counties and municipalities in Maryland to adopt local rules allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary homes like backyard cottages or converted garages - on properties zoned for single-family homes by a specified deadline. It sets standards for approving ADU permits, calculating development fees, requiring parking spaces (both on- and off-street), and limiting utility fees or connection requirements for ADUs. The bill also prohibits property sale documents from restricting ADU development and allows homeowners associations to treat ADUs as separate lots for voting and fee purposes. This law directly affects single-family homeowners, local governments, and property associations by expanding housing options through updated zoning rules.