Del. Sheila Ruth

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive unpaid video tolls and associated penalties without recalling the debt from the state's Central Collection Unit. It applies when tolls exceed $300, were assessed within 30 days, or if mitigating circumstances exist. If waived, the Authority must notify the Central Collection Unit to adjust collection fees accordingly. It directly affects drivers who owe video tolls (e.g., from cameras instead of E-ZPass) and streamlines collections for recent or high-value unpaid charges.

Maddy summaryHB 1338 modifies Maryland's driver's license eligibility rules for provisional licenses and first-time applicants. It adjusts minimum ages and waiting periods: applicants under 18 must wait 9 months after getting a learner's permit before testing, while those aged 18-24 now need only 3 months (down from 9 months), and those 25+ require just 45 days. The bill also standardizes driving practice requirements, mandating 60 hours of supervised driving (including 10 nighttime hours) for most applicants, with reduced hours (14 total, 3 nighttime) for those 25+. These changes directly affect new drivers seeking their first license, particularly teenagers and young adults. The bill updates existing provisions in Maryland's transportation code without altering core licensing categories.

Maddy summaryHB 1264 requires Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid for low-income residents) to cover individual and group counseling for tobacco cessation, subject to state budget and federal law limits. It prohibits the program and managed care organizations from demanding prior authorization for any tobacco cessation product or service. This bill directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries seeking to quit tobacco use and their healthcare providers. The law amends existing Maryland health code sections to implement these coverage requirements and remove authorization barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 1291 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create procedures ensuring seniors aged 65+ who received in-home services within the past six months can temporarily continue care during service lapses caused by departmental errors. The bill mandates that temporary service continuation (up to 52 days or 1,248 hours) begin immediately upon service interruption and cover only previously approved services. It prohibits the department from altering existing appeal rights or billing recipients for services provided during this temporary period. The law applies specifically to seniors facing administrative or technical errors in their Medicaid coverage, ensuring uninterrupted care without financial burden. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1378 prohibits Maryland corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other legally formed entities from spending money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, committees, or ballot initiatives. It defines "election activity" and "ballot issue activity" broadly to include direct spending on political campaigns or ballot measures, but excludes bona fide news reporting by independent media. The bill requires the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to create enforcement rules, including penalties like forfeiture of corporate charter privileges and requiring entities to return funds spent on prohibited activities. This law directly affects all domestic and foreign business entities operating under Maryland law, clarifying that their charters do not grant inherent political rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1405 restricts campaign finance activities for candidates running for specific state offices (including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer, and General Assembly members) and their representatives during regular legislative sessions. The bill prohibits them from receiving new contributions, holding fundraisers, soliciting donations, or using un-deposited funds during sessions, with exceptions for activities related to their own federal/local election campaigns, gubernatorial fundraising during election years, and pre-session electronic contributions. Violations would result in civil penalties directed to the state's Fair Campaign Financing Fund. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1411, the Data Center Planning and Transparency Act, requires owners and operators of large data centers to submit detailed disclosure reports to state agencies and local officials before seeking financial assistance or permits. These reports must include facility details, energy usage, power sources, community benefits, and infrastructure needs. The bill also mandates that local jurisdictions with significant populations develop and adopt data center plans by a specific deadline, which must be published online and implemented through zoning regulations. Additionally, it modifies tax exemption rules for data centers and restricts state funding for data center projects without meeting these new transparency and planning requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to update stormwater management rules, prioritizing practices that maintain predevelopment runoff characteristics and protect water quality. It directly affects local governments (counties/municipalities) that adopt stormwater ordinances, developers who must implement environmental site design, and the Department itself. Key provisions mandate that stormwater plans prevent soil erosion, reduce pollution in runoff, maintain stream channel integrity, restore water quality, and use the latest precipitation data. The bill also restricts using stream/floodplain restoration projects to meet certain mitigation or permit requirements and requires the Department to review rules every 5 years. These changes aim to improve watershed health while ensuring development minimizes impacts on Maryland's waterways.

Maddy summaryHB 1316 directs the Hilltop Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County to study the feasibility of implementing a single-payer universal health care system in Maryland. The study will evaluate coverage scope (including essential benefits under federal law and Maryland programs), cost projections, and potential impacts on health equity and access, while examining how to integrate existing programs like Medicaid and Medicare. An Advisory Commission, composed of state officials, labor representatives, and community stakeholders, will assist the Institute in developing final recommendations. This bill is purely a study mandate with no immediate policy changes; it aims to inform future legislative decisions about universal health care.

Maddy summaryHB 1385 requires health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers using artificial intelligence (AI) for medical treatment reviews (utilization review) to include licensed healthcare professionals in key evaluations. Specifically, it mandates that AI decisions must be reviewed by a licensed professional who can question, modify, or override AI determinations based on a patient’s full medical history and individual circumstances. The bill also requires quarterly reviews of AI performance using human assessments of real-world health outcomes to improve accuracy and safety. These provisions apply to all AI tools used in utilization review processes within Maryland’s health insurance system, effective October 1, 2026.