Del. Deni Taveras

Maddy summaryHB 1389 updates Maryland law to explicitly include female genital mutilation (FGM) under the legal definition of "abuse" for child protection purposes. This requires healthcare workers, educators, and others to report suspected FGM cases - just like other forms of child abuse - and increases penalties for violations. The bill also allows victims to file civil lawsuits and mandates the Maryland Department of Health to create educational materials about FGM. These changes directly affect mandated reporters, medical professionals, and individuals at risk of FGM.

Maddy summaryHB 804 establishes the Aging Resilience Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund under Maryland law. The fund, administered by the Secretary of Aging, will support the Department of Aging's mission through investment earnings, fees, and other designated sources. It can be used for administrative expenses like personnel, partnership development, and programs aligning with the Department's goals. The fund must be held separately by the State Treasurer, with interest earnings credited back to it, and expenditures require compliance with the state budget. This is a procedural bill creating a new funding mechanism rather than changing substantive policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1002 prohibits nursing facilities from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility that it can accept the resident. It requires facilities to provide residents with clear written notices at least 10 days before a discharge or transfer, including the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings. The bill also bans facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid benefits, and mandates that post-discharge plans include specific care details. These changes aim to protect residents' rights and ensure smoother transitions during involuntary moves.

Maddy summaryHB 838 repeals a requirement that prescribers submit prescriber-pharmacist agreements to their regulating health board. Instead, it allows pharmacists (with specific qualifications, registrations, and training) to directly enter agreements authorizing them to treat opioid use disorder using controlled substances. A key provision requires pharmacists to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) for relevant patient data before starting or changing such therapy. This bill directly affects pharmacists, prescribers, and patients with opioid use disorder by expanding pharmacists' role in medication management under defined safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 747 changes the membership structure of Maryland's Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. The bill reduces the number of House-appointed members from two to one and removes specific agency representatives, while adding three industry representatives from the assisted living sector (categorized by facility size: 1-4, 5-9, and 10+ residents). This committee directly affects nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and their residents by shaping oversight of care quality standards. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and modifies existing law without altering the committee's core purpose.

Maddy summaryHB 452 prevents Maryland's State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from suspending, revoking, reprimanding, or placing on probation a licensed veterinarian solely for discussing or recommending cannabis or cannabidiol (CBD) products for animals' therapeutic or health purposes. The bill amends disciplinary rules (Section 2-310 of the Agriculture Article) to explicitly prohibit such actions based on these recommendations, directly affecting all licensed veterinarians in Maryland who may discuss these treatments with clients. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not alter cannabis laws or veterinary medical practice standards beyond this specific disciplinary restriction.

Maddy summaryHB 322 changes the membership structure of Maryland's Health Care Commission. It reduces the number of non-healthcare-related members from nine to eight and adds a required hospital representative (defined in state law) to the seven provider-focused seats. The bill also revises geographic requirements, mandating four members from large-population counties (instead of five) and specifying representation from the Eastern Shore, western counties, and Southern Maryland. These changes take effect October 1, 2026, aiming to adjust the commission's composition to better reflect healthcare provider perspectives.

Maddy summaryHB 442 requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives in Maryland to disclose their professional liability insurance status to residents and potential residents. Specifically, these providers must provide written notice (including electronic communication) if they lack coverage or if coverage has lapsed and not been renewed, with timing requirements: at the first visit for potential residents or at application for admission, and within 30 days of a lapse for current residents. The bill also mandates that facilities without coverage post a conspicuous notice for residents and guests. This law does not change insurance requirements but ensures transparency about coverage gaps. It directly affects residents and potential residents of these care facilities by providing clear, timely disclosure of insurance status.

Maddy summaryHB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Maddy summaryHB 720 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the current cutoff of June 30, 2030, for awarding new scholarships and eliminating restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before that date. This change directly affects eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents (spouses, children) who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts and meet Maryland residency and enrollment requirements at participating institutions. The bill maintains all existing provisions, including the 50% tuition coverage limit, 2.5 GPA requirement, and 5-year full-time renewal period. It ensures the scholarship program continues indefinitely without time-based restrictions on new awards or renewals.