Del. Robbyn Lewis

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 1257 requires landlords renting five or more residential units to fully disclose all mandatory fees (like pet or parking fees) when advertising rental rates and providing written information to prospective tenants. Landlords must clearly state the fee's purpose, amount, type (mandatory vs. optional), and payment schedule in advance, and cannot charge any mandatory fee that wasn’t disclosed. The Department of Housing and Community Development will assist tenants with understanding the law and can impose penalties of up to $2,000 for repeat violations. This law excludes utility charges and minor lease violations from disclosure requirements, directly affecting landlords and prospective tenants in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 allows sellers of residential property to request a second appraisal if an initial appraisal values the property below its current market value. The bill requires lenders to provide a written copy of this additional appraisal to the seller at no cost. It directly affects residential property sellers who disagree with an initial appraisal, giving them a formal process to seek a revised valuation. The key provision ensures sellers receive a free, written copy of the second appraisal, addressing concerns about appraisal discrepancies during sales transactions. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 339 requires landlords of non-historic residential rental apartments in Maryland to provide air-conditioning starting June 1, 2025 for new units and October 1, 2025 for units with qualifying HVAC system upgrades. Landlords must maintain temperatures within specific ranges during June-September: 90% of ASHRAE Standard 55 thresholds normally, and 80% thresholds if daily highs exceed 92.3°F. The law applies only to apartment buildings (excluding National Register historic properties) and distinguishes between landlord-controlled and tenant-controlled AC systems. It does not affect buildings with permits issued before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1420 requires each county and Baltimore City Register of Wills to develop a method for people without government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) to prove their identity as heirs or beneficiaries when claiming inheritance. This directly affects individuals who lack standard identification but need to access estate assets through probate. The bill mandates that Registers work with the Maryland Registers of Wills Association to create these verification methods. The law takes effect October 1, 2025. (Note: The bill title mentions "noncitizens," but the actual text focuses on identity verification regardless of citizenship status.)

Maddy summaryHB 915 requires Maryland counties and municipalities with automated traffic enforcement programs to submit quarterly reports to the Vision Zero coordinator detailing citations issued to vehicles registered in other states (including registration number, payment status, and overdue status). It authorizes Maryland’s Attorney General or local prosecutors to sue drivers or vehicle owners (specifically District of Columbia residents or vehicles registered in the District) for unpaid and overdue traffic fines. The bill responds to the District of Columbia’s STEER Act, which allows DC to pursue similar actions against Maryland drivers. This aims to improve enforcement of traffic laws against out-of-state drivers and support Maryland’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2030.

Maddy summaryHB 303 creates a State Board of Common Ownership Community Managers within the Maryland Department of Labor to license and regulate professionals managing residential common ownership communities (like condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations). It requires community managers to hold licenses, mandates that communities register with the Board under certain conditions, and requires contracts for management services to include specific provisions. The bill also imposes duties on contracting parties to maintain fidelity bonds or theft insurance and establishes a special fund to cover the Board’s operational costs. These changes directly affect community managers, property owners, and management companies operating in Maryland’s residential common ownership communities.

Maddy summaryHB 219 allows Baltimore City to tow, remove, or impound vehicles owned by new Maryland residents who fail to register with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and display valid Maryland license plates within 60 days of moving to the city. It directly affects new residents who do not comply with the existing 60-day registration grace period for out-of-state vehicles. The bill amends Maryland law to specifically authorize Baltimore City to enforce this requirement through towing or impoundment, rather than relying on general vehicle parking regulations. This change clarifies Baltimore City's authority to act during the 60-day registration window, aligning with current state law but specifying the city's enforcement power.

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 644 expands the statewide application of speed monitoring systems in residential districts, requiring all such systems to comply with existing rules previously limited to specific counties. It mandates that speed limit signs in residential areas include specific signage indicating the presence of speed monitoring systems and requires local jurisdictions to provide public notice through websites and newspapers before activation. The bill also specifies that real-time speed displays must be visible at certain locations, including highways in residential zones with 35 mph limits, to inform drivers of speed monitoring activity. These changes standardize requirements across Maryland while maintaining the existing definition of "residential district" and procedural safeguards.