Del. Cathi Forbes

Maddy summaryHB 1014, the "Fair Share for Maryland Act of 2025," makes significant changes to Maryland's tax code affecting residents, businesses, and estates. It adjusts estate tax calculations to maintain Maryland's tax rate despite potential federal changes, imposes a business transportation fee on corporations and pass-through entities, and expands eligibility for the earned income tax credit by lowering income thresholds for individuals without qualifying children. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments for tax credit phase-out amounts, limits net operating loss deductions, and modifies child tax credit eligibility. These changes directly impact Maryland taxpayers, businesses, and families relying on state tax credits.

Maddy summaryHB 611, the "Informed Enrollment Act," requires Maryland colleges admitting first-time undergraduates to prominently display a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard on their public websites by July 1, 2026. It mandates that institutions explain the Scorecard’s data on cost of attendance, graduation rates, salary outcomes, and debt directly on their websites and during student recruitment. Colleges must also share this information through orientation events, recruitment materials, and regularly with prospective students, new students, advisors, and career counselors. If the federal Scorecard ends, the Maryland Higher Education Commission must provide comparable data using state sources like the Maryland Longitudinal Data System.

Maddy summaryHB 627 clarifies that existing Maryland laws prohibiting disruptive or threatening behavior on school property do not apply to students committing offenses at their own school or at another school during sponsored events like sports. The bill amends Section 26-101 of the Education Code to explicitly exempt these two student groups from the prohibitions and penalties. It also requires county boards to report school disruption data by category (e.g., fighting, weapons) and disaggregate it by student demographics, disciplinary actions, and referrals. This focuses on clarifying legal application and improving data collection for school safety reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 612 establishes Maryland's Lifesaver Schools Program, which recognizes public schools that provide specific health and safety training to students and staff. To qualify, schools must offer evidence-based first aid training, mental health support programs, schoolwide mental health assemblies, and professional development opportunities for staff during school hours. Schools must also maintain online resources for mental health support and host community outreach events, with recognition requiring reapplication every four years. The program, administered by the Maryland Department of Education, takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 524 adds a new member to Maryland's State Board of Education, requiring one of the 14 regular board positions to be filled by an early childhood development professional with extensive experience in child care operations and curriculum. This member must be appointed by the Governor (with Senate consent) from a list of three qualified candidates provided by the Office of Child Care Advisory Council. The bill directly affects the State Board of Education, which sets K-12 education policy, and early childhood professionals who meet the specified qualifications. It does not change voting rights but ensures the board includes expertise in early childhood development.

Maddy summaryHB 642, the "Ballot Petition Modernization Act," updates Maryland's election laws to allow electronic signatures on ballot petitions and strengthen voter data security. It requires the State Board of Elections to create rules for securely storing voter lists and verifying electronic signatures, replacing outdated paper-based requirements. The bill directly affects petition signers (who can now use digital signatures), circulators (who must verify signatures), and election officials (who must implement new security protocols). Key changes include adding electronic signature procedures, clarifying signature validation rules, and prohibiting commercial use of voter lists.

Maddy summaryHB 700 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct a new study measuring problem and severe gambling rates specifically for mobile gambling (with an initial report due by July 1, 2030), expanding on existing studies for in-person gambling. It redirects 6.25% of revenue from sports wagering and fantasy sports competitions to the Problem Gambling Fund - up from prior allocations - to support treatment and prevention services. The bill also mandates annual reports by the Secretary of Health, due November 1 each year, detailing how these funds are spent on services like counseling and education. This directly affects Maryland residents seeking gambling treatment and sports betting operators who must remit the specified revenue share.

Maddy summaryHB 613 requires Maryland courts to remove identifying information (like names, addresses, or phone numbers) from court documents in sexual assault cases, unless a judge finds "good cause" to disclose it. It specifically protects victims of sexual assault (defined as alleged victims of certain crimes under Maryland's Criminal Law Article) by mandating redaction of their personal details from all filings, including existing case documents, upon written request. The law also requires the Supreme Court of Maryland to establish rules for implementing this redaction process. This applies to both new court filings and existing cases in criminal or juvenile delinquency proceedings involving sexual assault. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 340 authorizes Maryland's Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies (specifically publicly traded entities deriving ≥50% revenue from coal/oil/gas with >$1 billion market cap) for climate-related harms caused by deceptive or unlawful actions. It creates a Climate Change Restitution Fund to pay for programs addressing climate impacts like flooding, heat islands, drought, and disease spread, funded by settlements/judgments from such lawsuits. The fund is nonlapsing and managed by the Department of Budget and Management, with interest earnings credited back to it. An Advisory Council advises on fund distribution to the Governor, Attorney General, and legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 326 requires Maryland county school boards to allow high school students to fulfill part of their graduation service hour requirement by completing approved financial literacy courses starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines an "eligible financial literacy course" as one offered by higher education institutions or approved organizations, and approved by the county board. Students would apply successful course completion toward their service hour requirement, with the number of hours counted determined by each county board. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and the State Board must create regulations to implement it. This directly affects Maryland high school students seeking to meet graduation requirements.