Del. Lauren Arikan

Maddy summaryHB 645 prohibits intentionally or knowingly providing assisted reproductive treatments (such as IVF, sperm/egg donation, or embryo transfer) using one's own sperm or eggs without the recipient's consent. It creates a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $5,000 fine, and establishes a civil right for affected individuals to sue for damages. The law allows birth mothers, their spouses/domestic partners, or the child born from the treatment to seek compensation - including coverage of treatment costs, up to $50,000 in fixed damages, and attorney fees - and grants children access to the provider's medical records via a protective order. Lawsuits must be filed within 10 years of the child turning 18, 20 years from the treatment date, or 2 years after DNA evidence confirms a claim. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1467 amends Maryland's criminal code to allow out-of-state, federal, or tribal court convictions for certain sex offenses to count as prior convictions for enhanced sentencing. Specifically, it expands the definition of "prior conviction" under fourth-degree sexual offense penalties to include crimes that would qualify as violations of specific Maryland statutes (e.g., sexual offenses involving minors) if committed in Maryland. This directly affects repeat offenders who have prior convictions for equivalent offenses in other jurisdictions, potentially leading to longer prison terms (up to 3 years) for subsequent offenses. The bill does not change the underlying offenses but modifies sentencing eligibility based on prior convictions from outside Maryland. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1290 authorizes children involved in Maryland's Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) proceedings - where a child faces abuse, neglect, disability, or mental health issues requiring court intervention - to be present at their hearings. The bill requires courts to allow children’s presence unless the child’s attorney determines it’s not in the child’s best interest (with the child waiving their right) or the court makes that finding after considering alternatives. Before excluding a child, courts must explore less restrictive options like adjusting schedules, remote participation, trauma-informed support, or limiting courtroom time. This directly affects children in CINA cases handled by Maryland’s juvenile courts, modifying court procedures to prioritize their participation while ensuring safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 765 amends Maryland's criminal code to explicitly prohibit counterfeiting or possessing counterfeit leases and rental agreements with intent to defraud. It adds "lease" (subsection a(7)) and "rental agreement" (a(13)) to the list of items protected under counterfeiting laws, which previously covered items like bonds and checks. Creating or aiding in creating such counterfeits becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, while knowingly possessing them is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who fraudulently create or use fake rental documents, such as those attempting to evade rent or commit property fraud.

Maddy summaryHB 714 requires the Maryland Department of Health to share abortion-related data with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when requested, unless sharing would violate federal or state law. The bill directly affects Maryland's health department, mandating data submission under specific conditions. Key provisions include an exception allowing the department to withhold data if legal conflicts arise, and it takes effect October 1, 2026. This law updates Maryland's health reporting requirements to align with federal data collection needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1527 authorizes complementary and alternative health care practitioners (such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, and massage therapists) to practice without state licenses, certifications, or authorizations. It removes existing licensing requirements for these fields by repealing related sections of Maryland law and establishing new regulations under a dedicated Title 22 for "Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practitioners." Practitioners must now comply with specific requirements and limitations outlined in the new Title 22 provisions instead of traditional licensing rules. This directly affects current and future practitioners in these health care specialties who would no longer need formal licenses to operate.

Maddy summaryHB 1418 prohibits public school systems and nonpublic schools in Maryland from hiring or retaining employees who have been charged with specific serious crimes, including child sexual abuse, violent crimes, drug distribution, school-targeting federal offenses, or certain felonies. It requires school contracts to bar contractors from assigning such employees to school premises with unsupervised access to children. Employees charged with these crimes must notify their school within two business days; failure to do so bars rehiring for five years after the charge is resolved. The bill directly affects schools, contractors, and employees by creating mandatory reporting and employment restrictions for individuals facing certain criminal charges.

Maddy summaryHB 1334, the Maryland Public Education Parental Partnership Act, requires each county board of education to create a written parent and family engagement policy by the start of the 2027-2028 school year. This policy must include parental input, provide translation services, and outline how schools will collaborate with families. Additionally, starting in the 2028-2029 school year, every public school must develop a Parent-School Compact detailing shared responsibilities - such as school curriculum quality, parental support for learning, teacher qualifications, and regular communication between parents and staff. The bill directly affects all Maryland public school systems and their families by mandating structured, written frameworks for parental involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 1417, the Maryland Constitutional Carry Act, repeals Maryland’s requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public. It removes the need for a permit (previously required under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article) and eliminates age restrictions for carrying (previously prohibiting those under 21 from carrying handguns). The bill allows most adults to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit, though it maintains existing restrictions on carrying on school property, with intent to harm, or with a loaded firearm. Key provisions are updated in the Criminal Law Article (Sections 4-101(b) and 4-203), adding a new allowance for carrying "as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger" while preserving other prohibitions. This directly affects all Maryland residents who are not prohibited from owning firearms.

Maddy summaryHB 976 changes how Maryland calculates state education funding for public schools by altering the definition of "full-time equivalent enrollment." It replaces the previous method with an average of enrollment on September 30 and May 31 of the prior school year, directly affecting all public schools receiving state aid based on this metric. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to publish annual reports online and submit detailed data to legislative committees, showing enrollment counts, student categories (including "whereabouts unknown"), and funding allocations by county. These changes aim to standardize enrollment data used for funding calculations starting in fiscal year 2028.