Del. Harry Bhandari

Maddy summaryHB 830 requires Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover genetic testing for individuals with a personal or family history of cancer, as recommended by healthcare providers and aligned with medical guidelines. It also mandates coverage for follow-up cancer imaging (like mammograms or colonoscopies) if genetic testing indicates increased cancer risk, with no copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these specific services. The law applies to all health plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland starting January 1, 2026, directly affecting patients with cancer risk factors and their insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 1001 designates "The Original Maryland Orange Crush" as Maryland's official state cocktail, recognizing its origin at Ocean City's Harborside Bar and Grill. The bill amends Maryland law by adding Section 7-313 to the Annotated Code, formally naming the cocktail in state statutes. This is a symbolic designation with no regulatory or financial impact on businesses, consumers, or state operations. It affects Maryland's official state symbols but does not change any existing laws governing alcohol or cocktails. The change takes effect June 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1341 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to establish a 24-hour call center staffed by trained personnel for members appealing denied coverage. It mandates that carriers send detailed written notices within 5 business days for any adverse decision, including specific reasons for denial, clear references to coverage criteria, and contact information for the Health Advocacy Unit. The notice must prominently display "THIS IS AN INSURANCE DENIAL" in bold, include a QR code linking to a guidance video, and provide the call center phone number. Additionally, carriers must conduct an annual survey on member experiences with their internal grievance process. These requirements directly affect health insurance carriers and aim to improve clarity and accessibility for members navigating coverage appeals.

Maddy summaryHB 763 requires Maryland public and qualifying nonpublic schools to include age-appropriate material about human and sex trafficking awareness and prevention in health curricula for students in grades 6 through 8. This amendment to existing education law builds upon current sexual abuse and assault prevention programs by adding specific content about trafficking. The law mandates that this material be taught by trained instructors and integrated into standard health education. The policy change applies to all schools participating in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants Program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 468 establishes a 5-day initial limit for emergency mental health evaluation petitions in Maryland, allowing courts to extend them in 5-day increments (up to a 30-day total) for "good cause." It requires courts to include expiration dates on petitions and clarifies when peace officers may use reasonable force to execute them. The bill directly affects individuals seeking emergency evaluations, courts issuing petitions, and law enforcement officers carrying out the process. Key changes standardize timeframes, mandate expiration dates, and specify extension procedures for mental health emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 proposes amending Maryland’s constitution to replace gendered pronouns (like "his" and "him") with gender-neutral language in sections describing constitutional officers. It specifically targets Articles II (Executive Department), V (Attorney General), VI (Treasury), and IX (Militia), updating phrases such as "his election" to "the Governor’s election" and "himself" to "themselves." The bill does not alter the roles, powers, or eligibility requirements for these offices - only the language used to describe them. This is a purely linguistic change aimed at modernizing constitutional text to be inclusive of all gender identities.

Maddy summaryHJ 5 is a non-binding resolution affirming Maryland's commitment to inclusive education. It directs public schools to ensure curricula reflect the histories and experiences of communities that have faced discrimination - including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, and sexual orientation. The resolution explicitly states that curricula should encompass "the breadth and diversity of Marylanders’ lived experiences" to support students' development as engaged citizens. It does not create new laws or funding requirements but serves as a policy statement for educational institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 1361 requires Maryland's law enforcement agencies to adopt a standardized digital reporting system developed by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission. The system must enable uniform data collection, real-time sharing between agencies, and secure public access to reports (with safeguards for sensitive information), while complying with privacy laws. All agencies must transition to this system within 18 months of its implementation (by October 1, 2026), discontinuing older systems unless integrated. The Commission must provide training, monitor compliance, and report annually on the system's effectiveness to the Governor and General Assembly.

Maddy summaryHB 700 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct a new study measuring problem and severe gambling rates specifically for mobile gambling (with an initial report due by July 1, 2030), expanding on existing studies for in-person gambling. It redirects 6.25% of revenue from sports wagering and fantasy sports competitions to the Problem Gambling Fund - up from prior allocations - to support treatment and prevention services. The bill also mandates annual reports by the Secretary of Health, due November 1 each year, detailing how these funds are spent on services like counseling and education. This directly affects Maryland residents seeking gambling treatment and sports betting operators who must remit the specified revenue share.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of "practice audiology" in Maryland to clarify the specific duties and procedures that fall under the scope of the profession. The changes allow audiologists to evaluate, diagnose, manage, and treat auditory and vestibular conditions, as well as prescribe, order, sell, dispense, or fit hearing aids, sound processors, and cochlear implants. However, the legislation explicitly excludes surgical procedures, such as those involving lasers or scalpels, and the preparation or performance of radiographic imaging from the definition of audiology practice. These updates aim to modernize the regulatory framework for audiologists without altering the existing requirements for their licensure.