Del. Kim Ross

Maddy summaryHB 520 updates Maryland's regulations for naturopathic doctors. It modifies their scope of practice by clarifying which prescription drugs they can dispense as "starter doses" (limited to 72 hours or initial therapy), renames the Naturopathic Doctors Formulary Council to focus specifically on "Controlled Dangerous Substances," and adds new requirements for license renewals. The bill also mandates that naturopathic doctors provide patients with specific insurance information and report professional liability insurance details to the State Board of Physicians upon request. These changes directly affect licensed naturopathic doctors practicing in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 884 requires Maryland to appropriate at least $5 million annually to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) starting in fiscal year 2028, continuing until a total of $321,181,312 is funded. This addresses a historical funding disparity between UMES (Maryland's 1890 land-grant university for historically Black students) and the University of Maryland, College Park (the 1862 land-grant institution), which received less state funding per student from 1987-2020. Funds must supplement - never replace - existing state budget allocations and can be used for infrastructure, faculty investment, scholarships, or other institutional needs identified by UMES. The bill mandates annual appropriations that cannot decrease year-over-year, aiming to fully remediate the identified funding gap.

Maddy summaryHB 1235 requires Maryland state agencies to use standardized evaluation criteria when awarding competitive procurement contracts, replacing the previous focus on lowest price. It mandates that all bid invitations include these criteria and that responsive bids must contain a State and local economic impact statement detailing how the contract would benefit Maryland's economy. This bill directly affects state agencies issuing procurement contracts and businesses bidding on those contracts by changing how bids are evaluated to prioritize the "most favorable" option based on predefined factors. The law amends Maryland's procurement statutes (Sections 13-103 and 13-104 of the Annotated Code) to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 amends Maryland law to allow cooperative housing corporations and condominiums to use reserve funds for emergency purposes beyond their original funding plans, under specific conditions. It requires that any emergency use of reserves must be repaid within five years and approved by at least two-thirds of members (for co-ops) or unit owners (for condos). The bill also mandates that governing bodies develop funding plans prioritizing health, safety, and structural repairs - such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems - and review progress annually. This change affects all Maryland co-ops and condominiums with reserve funds, streamlining emergency financial access while maintaining accountability. The bill amends Sections 5-6B-26.1(g) of the Corporations and Associations article and Section 11-109.4(f) of the Real Property article in the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 1577 requires governing bodies of cooperative housing corporations, condominiums, and homeowners associations to obtain majority approval from members, unit owners, or lot owners before making major renovations, expansions, or substantial upgrades to common areas. The bill exempts ordinary maintenance, necessary repairs, and projects costing under $1,000 from this requirement. It applies to all three community types and specifies that approval must be obtained through accessible methods for all affected owners. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1528 would allow Maryland public schools to permit homeschool students to participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities (like sports or clubs) under specific conditions. It requires homeschool students to follow Maryland’s COMAR guidelines for home instruction and gives public school students priority over homeschoolers if spaces are limited. The bill does not require schools to offer participation but establishes clear rules for when it may occur. This directly affects homeschool families seeking access to public school activities and public school administrators managing program enrollment.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct studies measuring problem and pathological gambling rates for both in-person and mobile gambling, with the mobile gambling study due by July 2031. The bill redirects 1% of proceeds from fantasy sports competitions and 1% of sports wagering revenue to the Problem Gambling Fund, altering prior distribution rules that directed most funds to education. These funds will support treatment and prevention services for problem gamblers, including inpatient care, outpatient services, and educational programs. The legislation amends Maryland law to mandate these studies and fund allocations, directly affecting the Department of Health and the Problem Gambling Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1264 requires Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid for low-income residents) to cover individual and group counseling for tobacco cessation, subject to state budget and federal law limits. It prohibits the program and managed care organizations from demanding prior authorization for any tobacco cessation product or service. This bill directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries seeking to quit tobacco use and their healthcare providers. The law amends existing Maryland health code sections to implement these coverage requirements and remove authorization barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their nursing and residential care revenue on direct care staff wages and benefits, including nurses, dietary workers, and therapists. It also mandates that nursing homes submit detailed annual cost reports by September 1 (starting in 2027) to the Maryland Department of Health, including proof of wage payments and other required data. Failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions such as corrective plans or suspension from the Maryland Medicaid program. The bill directly affects all nursing homes operating in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2026.