Del. Caylin Young

Maddy summaryHB 1226 authorizes Baltimore City to use stop sign monitoring systems in school zones, if permitted by local law, to capture vehicles failing to stop. It establishes a process where drivers recorded violating stop signs receive citations and face civil penalties, with fines required to fund public safety programs like pedestrian safety initiatives. The bill prohibits contractors from being paid based on the number of citations issued and specifies that contested cases must go through district court. This applies specifically to Baltimore City school zone enforcement, not statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 1189 authorizes Baltimore City to establish a special property tax rate for nonprofit-owned properties no longer used for their charitable purpose for at least three consecutive tax years. It creates a new tax subclass for such properties, allowing the city to impose a rate up to 10 times the standard rate. This directly affects nonprofit organizations in Baltimore whose properties have been vacant or unused for their intended purpose. The bill requires the city to report annually on the tax rate, number of properties affected, revenue generated, and whether properties could be repurposed. It takes effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 525 prohibits using AI-generated deepfakes (synthetic media) to influence voters in Maryland elections. The bill defines "fraud" to include deepfakes - AI-created videos, audio, or images that falsely depict candidates or alter their appearance/speech - to prevent deceptive influence. It bans anyone from intentionally using such deepfakes to sway voting decisions, whether through force, threats, or other means. Violations are misdemeanor offenses punishable by fines up to $5,000 or up to 5 years in prison. This directly affects individuals or groups distributing deepfakes during elections in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 201 requires Maryland local election boards to mail the state-approved absentee ballot application to every eligible voter at least 60 days before each statewide primary election. This applies to all voters who do not already have permanent absentee ballot status under existing law. The bill mandates this proactive mailing to simplify the absentee voting process for voters ahead of primaries. It does not affect voters with permanent absentee status, who continue to receive ballots automatically. The law amends Maryland’s Election Law to standardize this notification requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1032 authorizes Montgomery County to use automated stop sign monitoring systems in school zones, if permitted by local law. The bill establishes that footage from these systems can be used as evidence in court without authentication, allows for citations and civil penalties against drivers who fail to stop, and requires specific defenses to be considered. It prohibits contractors administering the systems from being paid based on the number of citations issued. This bill directly affects drivers in Montgomery County school zones and county officials implementing the monitoring systems, creating a structured process for enforcement and penalty collection.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Baltimore City to set different property tax rates for specific property classes (like commercial buildings or residential units) instead of applying a single rate to all properties. It directly affects Baltimore property owners whose properties fall into these defined categories, such as those designated as vacant or unfit for use. The city must annually report on these special rates, including revenue generated and how funds are spent. The policy change takes effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1383 requires Maryland's State Board of Education to establish minimum technical standards for the state's online special education systems, specifically the Maryland Online Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Maryland Online Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). It directs the State Department of Education to study and report on security, real-time monitoring capabilities, document processing, and compliance with privacy laws by October 2025. The State Board must then report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 2025 on the study results and proposed regulations. This bill directly affects public schools, educators, and families using these online systems by mandating functional improvements to ensure reliable, accessible special education services. The policy change focuses on concrete technical requirements rather than program content.

Maddy summaryHB 591 changes Maryland law to set a 3-year deadline for local authorities to take action against violations of local consumer protection codes. Specifically, it requires that prosecutions or enforcement efforts for fines, penalties, or remedies must begin within 3 years after local officials knew or should have known about the violation. This applies directly to local governments and consumer protection agencies enforcing codes related to unfair business practices. The bill does not alter existing laws for other types of cases, focusing solely on consumer protection enforcement timelines. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 986 requires every Maryland county school district to create a new teacher retention program for educators with fewer than two full years of experience. The program must include cohort-based support groups, assign each new teacher a mentor (including retired teachers), survey teachers on challenges, and provide principals with resources to support new teachers. Counties must prioritize support for new teachers from diverse backgrounds and those in schools with high teacher turnover rates, and must compensate mentors and program overseers through additional pay or leave. This bill directly affects new teachers, school principals, and county school districts across Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 935 requires Maryland high school football games to have either a licensed athletic trainer or an ambulance staffed with emergency medical personnel present on-site during games. This amendment to existing school emergency plan requirements (Section 7-451 of the Education Article) directly affects all public high schools hosting football games in Maryland. The bill adds this specific medical presence requirement to the existing venue-specific emergency action plans, which already cover AED access, heat acclimatization protocols, and cardiac response plans. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change other established emergency plan provisions for athletic facilities.