Rep. Robin Grammer

Maddy summaryHB 679 prohibits licensed healthcare providers in Maryland from prescribing, dispensing, or administering cross-sex hormone treatments (including estrogen, testosterone, or blockers) for the purpose of treating gender-related mental health conditions like gender dysphoria in minors. The bill directly affects minors under 18 seeking such treatment and healthcare practitioners who would provide it. Violating this law is classified as a felony, punishable by up to life imprisonment. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and defines "cross-sex hormone therapy" as treatment to develop secondary sex characteristics for gender transition.

Maddy summaryHB 722 removes the legal protection known as "charitable immunity" that previously shielded charitable organizations (like youth programs or non-profits) from lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. It allows victims to sue these organizations for abuse that occurred while they were minors, regardless of when the abuse happened, and applies retroactively to all past, pending, or dismissed cases. The bill also sets limits on attorney fees for such cases (20% of settlements or 25% of judgments) and takes effect on October 1, 2026. This change directly affects victims seeking compensation and charitable organizations previously protected from liability in these claims.

Maddy summaryHB 673 prohibits local or state governments from restricting the sale, purchase, or use of consumer goods (such as vehicles, appliances, or other products) solely based on their energy source - like gasoline, electricity, natural gas, or propane. It repeals existing Maryland laws requiring low-emission vehicle programs and sales rules for zero-emission medium/heavy-duty trucks, ending those specific regulatory requirements. The law applies retroactively to all current restrictions and directly affects consumers, dealers, and manufacturers of energy-source-dependent goods. It does not alter federal emissions standards but removes state-level barriers to using diverse energy sources for everyday products.

Maddy summaryHB 726 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to name a new bridge replacing the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge the "Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge" upon its completion. This bill directly affects the Maryland Transportation Authority, which must implement the naming after the new bridge opens to traffic. The law amends state transportation codes to include the bridge's official name and sets a deadline: if the bridge opens by December 31, 2031, the naming takes effect immediately after notification to the legislature. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the bridge's official designation with no additional policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 707 modifies Maryland's income tax rules to allow residents aged 65+ or disabled individuals (or their spouses) to subtract a larger portion of retirement income from taxable income. Starting in 2026, it increases the subtraction from 30% to 60% and eventually to 100% of retirement income from qualified plans (like 401(k)s or IRAs) for tax years beginning after 2025. It also clarifies that military or public safety retirement income already used for other tax subtractions cannot be double-counted. Special rules apply to retired forest/park/rangers, limiting the subtraction to $15,000 of their specific retirement income unless they or their spouse are disabled or over 65. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, for all applicable tax years.

Maddy summaryHB 729 removes two requirements for a sales tax exemption on precious metal bullion or coins. Currently, the exemption only applies if the sale price exceeds $1,000 and occurs at the Baltimore Convention Center. This bill repeals both conditions, making the exemption available for all qualifying sales regardless of price or location. It specifically defines "precious metal bullion or coins" to exclude jewelry and art, ensuring the exemption applies only to investment-grade metal products. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 708 requires all Maryland municipalities to mandate voter registration for local elections and prohibits non-U.S. citizens from registering to vote in municipal elections. It repeals existing provisions that allowed some municipalities to skip registration requirements and adds new Section 4-108.6 to state law, explicitly stating that municipalities must require registration and that only U.S. citizens may register. The bill directly affects all Maryland cities and towns (municipalities) and non-citizen residents seeking to vote in local elections. It applies solely to municipal elections, not state or federal elections.

Maddy summaryHB 690, the "Economic Competitiveness Act of 2026," lowers Maryland's corporate income tax rate gradually over several years. It directly affects corporations doing business in Maryland that pay state corporate income tax. The bill reduces the rate from 8.25% (for tax years 2026-2027) to 7.75% (2027-2028), then to 7.25% (2028-2029), 6.75% (2029-2030), and finally to 6.25% starting in 2030. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, as specified in the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 570 permits foster parent applicants to apply for approval in the county where they live or in a county adjacent to their residence. It prohibits local social services departments from denying foster parent applications solely based on the applicant’s county of residence, as long as the applicant lives in the same county as the department or an adjacent county. The bill also requires local departments to submit quarterly reports to the state Department of Human Services detailing the number of children waiting for foster placements and available foster home vacancies in their county. This directly affects foster parent applicants, local social services departments, and the state’s oversight of foster care capacity.

Maddy summaryHB 697 prohibits incarcerated individuals convicted of first-degree murder (under §2-201 of the Criminal Law Article) from earning time-off credits that reduce their prison sentences. It also denies these credits for certain child-related offenses, including specific violations under §3-303, §3-304, §3-305, §3-306, and §3-307 of the Criminal Law Article involving victims under 16 years old. The law applies to all Maryland state and local correctional facilities and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects people serving sentences for these offenses by eliminating a mechanism that could shorten their confinement terms.