Rep. Stephanie Smith

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 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 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 1091 allows full-time sworn law enforcement officers (deputy sheriffs at lieutenant rank or below) and court security officers in Baltimore City to collectively bargain over salary, wages, and City-managed benefits. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly include these compensation elements in bargaining discussions, which were previously excluded. It excludes higher-ranking officers (captains+), appointed staff, civilians, part-time employees, and other categories listed in the bill. The policy change takes effect June 1, 2025, directly affecting these specific sheriff’s office employees regarding their pay and benefits negotiations.

Maddy summaryHB 1198, the Monica Cooper Prerelease Act, requires Maryland to establish a dedicated prerelease facility for female incarcerated individuals in Baltimore City (on at least 3 acres) by 2027. The facility must serve women with low violence/escape risk and satisfactory behavior, offering evidence-based programs like education, vocational training, trauma-informed healthcare, and family reunification support. It mandates the Department of Public Safety to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services - including help with public health benefits applications - and report progress to lawmakers by 2026. This bill directly affects female inmates eligible for prerelease status, aiming to reduce recidivism through gender-responsive reentry planning.

Maddy summaryHB 184 prohibits nonpublic schools participating in state-funded education programs from denying or delaying student transcripts (or taking other punitive actions) because a student owes money to the school. It specifically bans schools from refusing transcripts, conditioning issuance on debt payment, charging extra fees for transcripts due to debt, or using transcripts as a debt collection tool. The law applies to all current and former students and their parents/guardians, while clarifying that transcript fees themselves are not considered "debt" under this bill. This ensures students can access transcripts regardless of unpaid school debts.

Maddy summaryHB 802 designates the Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea) as Maryland's official state carnivorous plant. The bill amends Maryland's state code by adding this designation to Section 7-302 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This is a ceremonial designation with no new regulations, funding, or direct impact on any individuals or groups. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1366 requires Maryland health insurance plans to cover cervical Pap tests for all individuals and ovarian cancer surveillance tests (CA-125, ultrasound, or pelvic exams) for those with specific risk factors, such as a family history of ovarian cancer or BRCA gene mutations. It prohibits insurers from charging copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these tests, except in high-deductible health plans where the plan's standard deductible still applies. The law applies to all health insurers and health maintenance organizations providing coverage in Maryland and takes effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects individuals seeking preventive cancer screenings, particularly those at higher risk for ovarian cancer.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryHB 1346, the PACE Act, protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents from having their creative works (like music, poetry, art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. The bill requires courts to make four specific findings before admitting such expression: that the creator intended it literally (not figuratively), it directly relates to the specific crime, it addresses disputed facts, and it has unique value not available through other evidence. This applies to all criminal and juvenile proceedings, with an exception allowing creative expression to be used in juvenile cases for mental health evaluations. The law aims to prevent artistic expression from being misinterpreted as confessions or evidence of guilt without strong judicial scrutiny.