Del. Harry Bhandari

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new funding programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based startups and university-led innovation projects. The first program offers $50,000 grants to startups located in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area, while the second pilot program provides incentives for technology businesses founded by students or faculty at local universities. To qualify for the university program, participating schools must contribute up to $50,000 annually, and projects must focus on creating new businesses, commercializing products, or fostering inclusive entrepreneurial development. The legislation also removes a previous requirement for funding a telework assistance grant program and sets aside $1.5 million for the university pilot program for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the licensing rules for certified nursing assistants and geriatric nursing assistants to align with federal regulations. It requires individuals applying for certification to complete a competency evaluation and allows training programs to request waivers for certain federal requirements. The law also clarifies the definition of "nursing support staff" and mandates that nursing homes include certified nursing assistants on their quality assurance committees. Additionally, the bill revises terminology to distinguish between different types of nursing assistants and ensures workplace safety committees consult with these staff members.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for Maryland law enforcement and prosecutors when a victim's death certificate is officially changed to list the cause or manner of death as undetermined or homicide. Specifically, it mandates that an assistant state's attorney must meet with the deceased's family or designated representative within 20 days to explain why a criminal investigation will not be pursued. Additionally, the law requires that such cases be reopened for reinvestigation and prohibits closing them for at least a specified period. These measures apply only when a medical examiner's initial determination is amended or corrected based on a formal request from a person in interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances in Maryland to study and make recommendations about the regulation of naturally derived psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline, while explicitly excluding peyote. The task force will be composed of state officials, healthcare experts, researchers, and community representatives appointed by various leaders to ensure diverse input. Its primary duties include analyzing current laws and data on the benefits and risks of these substances and proposing changes to create a state access program that covers permitting, education, and production rules. The group is tasked with developing specific requirements for a future permit system, such as training curricula and limits on how much individuals can possess or grow. Members of the task force will serve without pay but can be reimbursed for travel expenses, and the Maryland Department of Health Cannabis Administration will provide staff support.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill creates a temporary 9-1-1 Specialist Recruitment and Retention Workgroup to study staffing issues for emergency call operators. The group is composed of state legislators, government officials, and representatives from emergency services organizations, who will meet without pay but can be reimbursed for travel expenses. Their main task is to examine current hiring and retention challenges, such as salary levels, benefits, and training requirements, while reviewing reports from a previous commission. By December 2024 and again in 2025, the workgroup must submit interim and final reports with recommendations to the governor and the state legislature on how to improve the profession. The law is set to expire automatically on December 31, 2025, unless renewed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's mental health laws to improve how individuals in crisis are evaluated and treated. It requires peace officers to transport people needing emergency evaluation to a nearby facility rather than strictly the nearest one, and it allows psychiatric nurse practitioners to conduct these evaluations alongside physicians. The legislation also mandates that every county establish an assisted outpatient treatment program, which can legally require individuals with severe mental illness to follow a treatment plan if they refuse voluntary care. Additionally, the bill ensures that public defenders provide legal representation during these proceedings and permits electronic submission of necessary petitions.

Maddy summaryHB 97, known as Rudy's Law, requires baby food manufacturers in Maryland to test their products for toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury before packaging them for sale. Starting in January 2025, these manufacturers must have their food tested monthly by accredited laboratories and report the results to the Maryland Department of Health. Beginning in January 2026, companies must also publish these test results on their websites and include QR codes on product labels that allow consumers to access the data. The law also mandates that consumers report any baby food they believe contains excessive levels of these metals to state health officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires residential service agencies in Maryland to submit annual reports to the Department of Labor detailing the wage rates paid to personal care aides, including average, highest, and lowest figures. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Health analyze reimbursement rates against actual service costs and develop a plan to adjust payments so that aide wages reach at least 150% of the state minimum wage. The Department must also consult with various service providers and report its findings and recommendations to the state legislature every two years starting in 2026. These measures aim to improve transparency and ensure fair compensation for workers within the Maryland Medical Assistance Program.

Maddy summaryHB 149 updates Maryland laws to extend the time health care providers must retain medical records, laboratory reports, and X-rays before they can be destroyed. The bill requires providers to send a notice via both first-class mail and email, informing patients or guardians of the proposed destruction date and offering a window to retrieve records. Under this legislation, a provider may only destroy records after receiving written authorization from the patient or their parent or guardian. Additionally, if a provider decides to destroy records, they must make those records available for retrieval within 60 days before the destruction date at a designated location. The law also outlines specific procedures for notifying patients when a provider closes their practice or retires, ensuring records can still be accessed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Maryland Department of Health to address gun violence and misuse through a public health approach. The center will be led by an executive director who coordinates efforts with federal, state, and local agencies while actively seeking input from communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence and public health experts. Key responsibilities include developing state plans for violence reduction, issuing guidance on evidence-based strategies, facilitating data sharing, and conducting public awareness campaigns. Funding for the center will be included in the state budget starting in fiscal year 2026, and the law takes effect on October 1, 2024.