Del. Sheila Ruth

Maddy summaryHB 628 requires the State Highway Administration to prioritize funding for sidewalk and bicycle pathway construction or reconstruction near highways that follow a Complete Streets policy or Vision Zero program. It affects local governments requesting such projects and the State Highway Administration, which must fund these improvements under specific cost-sharing rules. Key provisions include full state funding for projects in sustainable communities, a 75% state/25% local cost split in priority funding areas, and "system preservation" funding for safety-critical projects. The bill amends existing law to clarify these funding priorities and maintenance responsibilities for completed infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 767, the Tenant Possessions Recovery Act, updates Maryland landlord-tenant eviction procedures. It requires landlords to provide tenants with notice before an eviction order is executed and mandates that tenants' belongings be safely stored (not discarded) after eviction. The bill sets a 60-day deadline for landlords to act on eviction orders or risk losing the judgment, includes weather-related stays for extreme conditions (like freezing temps or storms), and prioritizes completing evictions within 5 days after weather ends. This directly affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction cases under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 182 sets new civil penalties for speeding violations recorded by speed monitoring systems (photo radar), with fines increasing based on how much over the speed limit a driver was traveling - ranging from $40 for 12-15 mph over to $350 for 40+ mph over. It restricts where these systems can be used, limiting deployment to specific areas like residential zones (35 mph limits), school zones, and certain highways in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, and Baltimore counties. Local jurisdictions must authorize the systems through public hearings and local laws before implementation. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to civil penalties, not criminal charges.

Maddy summaryHB 707 (Eric’s ID Law) requires Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration to add a voluntary notation for nonapparent disabilities - such as developmental or intellectual disabilities - on driver’s licenses, ID cards, and moped permits. Applicants can choose to indicate this disability without providing proof or paying extra fees, and the notation will appear on the document’s bottom. The law prohibits the Administration from disclosing this information to insurers or using it to refer applicants to medical boards. It also mandates public outreach to inform people about this option. This directly affects individuals with nonapparent disabilities who apply for or renew these documents.

Maddy summaryHB 1144 would bar individuals alleged to have committed assault or caused bodily injury to transit staff or passengers from using Maryland's state public transit services or stations for set periods. First offenses trigger a 30-day exclusion, second offenses 180 days, and third offenses or weapon use result in a lifetime ban. State officials can adjust these exclusion periods, and violators face trespassing charges under existing law. The bill applies specifically to incidents occurring on transit vehicles or at transit stations, taking effect October 1, 2025.

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 1 requires Maryland's Department of Transportation to create and implement training for transportation sector employees (including those at transit stations, airports, ports, and rest stops) on identifying and reporting suspected human trafficking. Employers must certify employees have completed the training by January 1, 2026, and establish reporting procedures to local agencies and trafficking prevention policies. The bill also protects employees and employers from liability for good-faith reports or responses to suspected trafficking incidents. Additionally, it mandates bilingual safety announcements about trafficking resources at transportation hubs.

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 755 prohibits cooperative housing corporations, condominium associations, and homeowners associations in Maryland from requiring sensitive personal information as a condition for accessing shared recreational areas like pools, playgrounds, or game rooms. The bill defines "sensitive information" as Social Security numbers, tax IDs, birth certificates, racial/ethnic origin, citizenship status, or religious beliefs - excluding government-issued photo IDs like driver’s licenses. It directly affects community associations and their members, unit occupants, and their guests or children who use common recreational spaces. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, ensuring residents cannot be denied access based on disclosure of the listed sensitive data.