Rep. Sheila Ruth

Maddy summaryHB 893 authorizes Maryland government units to acquire property containing abandoned cemeteries through condemnation for transfer to descendants of those buried there, descendant community organizations, or qualifying nonprofits. It requires governments to make reasonable efforts to contact descendants after acquisition and allows affected groups to petition courts to request property transfers. The bill also mandates that any entity receiving the property must maintain and preserve the cemetery, while governments must preserve the site until transfer occurs or facilitate reinterment if transfer isn't possible within a reasonable time. This applies to cemeteries meeting specific criteria, such as having no active operator, unclaimed ownership, or no identifiable responsible party.

Maddy summaryHB 912 (Ash’s Law) clarifies that people caring for free-roaming cats under a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program are not violating animal abandonment laws. It requires local governments to adopt TNR policies that: prohibit requiring caregiver registration, mandate shelters to return eartipped cats (identified by a clipped ear) to their original location, and make TNR the preferred option for impounded cats. The bill also overrides local laws restricting TNR and applies to all Maryland counties and municipalities. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 establishes the Workforce Opportunities Grant Program and a dedicated Workforce Opportunities Grant Fund within Maryland's Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The program provides competitive grants to nonprofit organizations, local workforce boards, and employer-community partnerships to plan and host job fairs and workforce events connecting job seekers with employers across the state. The fund, which earns interest credited back to it, is a special nonlapsing account to support these grants. The bill modifies state finance and government codes to create this program and requires the Department to administer it, focusing on expanding job opportunities for residents.

Maddy summaryHB 382 (Maryland Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act) requires broadband providers serving 10,000+ Maryland customers to establish low-cost internet programs by December 1, 2026. These programs must offer minimum speeds of 100/20 Mbps (for households of two or fewer) or 200/20 Mbps (for larger households), at least 1.2 terabytes of data, and low latency for eligible low-income consumers. Eligibility includes households meeting federal poverty guidelines (350% of federal poverty level), qualifying for SNAP/food assistance, Medicaid, or low-income energy programs. Providers may raise prices by no more than 2% annually with 30 days’ notice, and cannot require automatic payment plans for program enrollment.

Maddy summaryHB 53 bans the import, sale, trade, possession, breeding, or exchange of specific wild animals in Maryland, including foxes, bears, alligators, non-domestic cats/dogs, primates, poisonous snakes, kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, and zebras. It directly affects owners of these animals, with exceptions for research facilities, licensed animal exhibitors, nonprofit sanctuaries meeting strict criteria, veterinarians, and short-term travelers. Existing owners of most banned animals may continue possession if they notify local authorities by August 1, 2006, while kangaroo/zebra owners have until December 1, 2026. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and modifies existing criminal prohibitions without creating new penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 194, the Incarcerated Job Training Act, requires Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to create a paid apprenticeship program for incarcerated individuals in skilled trades. The bill mandates that participants earn at least the state minimum wage, with earnings deposited into their personal accounts for use after release. Employers - such as state agencies, local governments, or private businesses - can participate, but may reject assignments or withdraw from the program. Successful completers receive a certificate within 30 days of release, and the program must prioritize developing marketable job skills. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 166 establishes the Henrietta Lacks Commission in Maryland to address the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and the ethical use of HeLa cells. The commission, composed of appointed state officials and representatives from health, tourism, and economic development agencies, will review medical research ethics, promote education about Lacks' story, curate tributes to her, integrate her legacy into tourism, and support economic development in Dundalk's Turner Station community. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature starting in 2027. This bill creates a procedural framework for oversight and commemoration but does not enact new regulations or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1108 grants collective bargaining rights to workers in Maryland greenhouses (controlled-environment agricultural operations), allowing them to form unions and negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions with employers. The bill requires the state Labor Secretary to establish regulations for union elections, certification, and resolving bargaining disputes, while mandating greenhouse employers to provide rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness. This law directly affects greenhouse workers and their employers, creating a formal process for union representation and heat protection. It amends Maryland's labor code to include these specific protections for greenhouse workers, who previously lacked these rights under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 410 requires food manufacturers, processors, and retailers in Maryland to use standardized date labels on packaged food starting July 1, 2027. It mandates replacing "Sell By" with "Best If Used By" for quality dates and "Use By" for safety dates, while prohibiting the sale of items labeled with "Sell By" after that date. The bill also requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and post educational materials about these labels online by July 2027. This affects all food businesses selling packaged products to consumers, excluding infant formula, beer, and malt beverages.

Maddy summaryHB 941 requires public restrooms in state and local government buildings, public transportation facilities (like stations), and public parks or recreation centers to provide specific hygiene products. It mandates an adequate supply of hand soap, toilet paper, towels or drying devices, water, waste containers, and menstrual hygiene products (such as tampons, sanitary napkins, and pads). The bill applies to all "public buildings" as defined - excluding schools - but covers facilities owned, leased, or operated by the state or political subdivisions. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, ensuring consistent access to essential hygiene items in publicly accessible spaces.