Del. Sheila Ruth

Maddy summaryHB 673 prohibits condominium and homeowners association (HOA) governing documents from unreasonably restricting the board from installing or authorizing electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment in common or limited common use parking spaces. It requires boards to follow standard budget processes for installations and verify sufficient parking availability before proceeding. The bill directly affects condo and HOA residents and boards by ensuring they cannot block EV charger installations through restrictive covenants or rules, while balancing community needs and financial processes. It applies retroactively to existing governing documents and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 69 establishes a new "Postconsumer Recycled Content Program" for Maryland, requiring producers of certain plastic beverage containers and rigid plastic containers to meet minimum recycled content standards before selling in the state. Producers must register annually with the Department of the Environment and pay a fee, with funds supporting the program and a dedicated recycling trust fund. The bill sets specific recycled content percentages for covered products, allows limited waivers for producers facing supply challenges, and mandates the Department to publish compliance data online. It amends existing environmental laws to implement these requirements and strengthen recycling markets.

Maddy summaryHB 696 eliminates citizenship requirements for members of certain Maryland state boards, committees, commissions, task forces, and workgroups. It replaces these requirements with a mandate that appointees should reflect the "full diversity of the State to the extent practicable." The bill affects multiple state entities across health, environment, labor, and other sectors by changing appointment rules in over 20 specific code sections. This policy change directly impacts who can be appointed to these bodies, prioritizing diversity considerations over citizenship status.

Maddy summaryHB 834 prohibits commercial egg producers with more than 5,000 hens from confining egg-laying hens in small cage systems (like battery cages) after a specific date, requiring them to use cage-free housing systems that provide roaming space and natural behavior enrichments. It also bans businesses from selling shell eggs or egg products derived from non-compliant farms after the same date. Small farms producing under 5,000 hens annually are exempt from these requirements. The law applies to all commercial egg production and sales within Maryland, with exceptions for medical research, veterinary care, and agricultural exhibitions.

Maddy summaryHB 741 redefines "hunt" to include fox chasing and creates a Deer Management Assistance Program within Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources to help farmers manage deer on private land. The bill requires the Department of Budget and Management to add a full-time employee by July 1, 2026, to administer this program. It mandates a phased transition to nonlead ammunition for all game hunting, requiring full compliance by July 1, 2029, with earlier deadlines for specific game types (e.g., pen-raised birds by 2026, upland birds by 2027). Unarmed fox chasers must hold a hunting license but are exempt from certain hunting regulations, while all hunters must use nonlead ammunition for game species by 2029.

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 232 establishes Maryland's Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. It requires beverage producers to register, pay fees, and join a stewardship organization to manage recycling, while mandating that containers sold in Maryland display refund information and that retail prices include the refund value (with limited exceptions). Retailers must include refund details on sales receipts, and local governments can create redemption facilities to help meet state recycling targets. The program aims to increase beverage container recycling, reduce litter, and fund public water refill stations through a new grant program, directly affecting producers, retailers, and consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 665 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers to cover annual behavioral health wellness visits starting July 1, 2026. These visits, defined as clinical assessments to identify potential psychiatric or substance use disorders, must be covered regardless of whether a diagnosis is made. Insurers must reimburse providers for these visits at the same rate as visits resulting in a diagnosis. The bill applies to Medicaid recipients and health plans operating in Maryland, effective January 1, 2026, for new or renewed policies.

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 631 prohibits the State or its political subdivisions from using eminent domain to take privately owned property subject to a permanent agricultural or conservation easement. This directly affects landowners who hold such easements, protecting their property from forced acquisition for public projects. The bill amends Maryland’s real property law (specifically Section 12-101(b)(2) of the Annotated Code) to add this explicit prohibition. It does not apply to existing legal processes for state roads or Baltimore City. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.