Rep. Kim Ross

Maddy summaryHB 898, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and expand incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the "Strategic Closing Fund" under the Department of Commerce, alters eligibility and calculation rules for tax credits (including Job Creation, R&D, and film production credits), and extends the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill allows pass-through entities to allocate tax credits to members and removes limits on film production tax credit certificates. These changes directly affect businesses, investors, and film producers seeking state economic development incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 564, the Pet Cremation and Burial Services Consumer Protection Act, requires businesses that provide pet cremation services to give pet owners a written description of available services. This applies specifically to registered cemeterians, cemetery operators, and permit holders selling or offering pet cremation services for pet remains. The written description must be provided to the owner of a deceased pet or their agent when arranging for cremation. The bill aims to increase transparency and ensure pet owners receive clear information about service options before making arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 553 requires Maryland's Department of Labor to create a searchable online database of active elevator inspection certificates on its website. This affects building owners and operators who must display valid certificates in elevators, while allowing the public to search for current inspection status by street address, city, or county. The bill does not change inspection standards but makes existing certificate data publicly accessible through a user-friendly tool, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 769 revises Maryland's rules for conditional licenses allowing social work applicants to practice while awaiting exam results. It directly affects applicants facing exam delays and their supervising social workers, requiring supervision during the conditional period. Key changes include: (1) allowing conditional licenses only for initial applicants facing exam unavailability, (2) creating a 1,500-hour supervised experience alternative to passing the exam for full licensure, and (3) setting a 12-24 month expiration period with no renewals. The bill also requires the State Board to track licenses and report annual data to legislative committees on conditional license usage.

Maddy summaryHB 1109 creates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, a statewide volunteer network for emergencies like disease outbreaks or disasters, managed by the Maryland Department of Health. It requires the Department to notify county health officers about procurement opportunities for electronic health records systems, allowing counties to join without state approval if fully funded locally. The bill establishes a Public Health Workforce Development Fund (using interest earnings and transfers from another fund) and mandates the Department of Legislative Services to assess health equity impacts of new legislation. These changes directly affect county health departments, the Department of Health, and public health workforce planning.

Maddy summaryHB 1377 establishes a 18-month pilot program to redirect unused, unopened prescription drugs to a state repository program. It requires participating pharmacies (repositories) to collect eligible medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, package them properly, and transfer them to designated drop-off sites for distribution to eligible patients - while sending controlled substances directly to the DEA. The program aims to expand medication access for underserved communities, reduce pharmaceutical waste, and ensure drug safety through collaboration between Maryland’s Secretary of Health and the federal DEA. The pilot runs from July 2026 through December 2027, with mandatory reporting on collected medications by October 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1367 establishes a Commission on Re-Imagining Health Care in Maryland to study and recommend changes for a new statewide healthcare system. The commission, composed of 20 appointed members including state officials, healthcare providers, insurers, county representatives, and community members, will examine how healthcare is delivered in other regions and address issues like provider shortages, cost balancing, and system integration. It will specifically study how to create a patient-centered system covering all health needs, eliminate access barriers, and ensure financial sustainability for all Maryland residents. The commission’s final recommendations, due by 2028, would guide potential future policy changes but do not enact any immediate healthcare reforms.

Maddy summaryHB 1376 requires Maryland's Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and Children's Health Program to provide a review within 3 business days for transfer requests to special pediatric hospitals when requested by the hospital or referring provider. It mandates retrospective reviews if a transfer is denied as "not medically necessary," with providers reimbursed for "administrative days" (days a patient remains without transfer) during the review process. The bill directly affects special pediatric hospitals - facilities serving children under 22 or those 2+ years old with co-occurring physical/behavioral health conditions - and their referring providers. Key provisions include eliminating prior authorization requirements for transfers while establishing strict timelines and reimbursement for administrative delays during appeals. This bill updates existing Medicaid and insurance rules to streamline transfers to specialized pediatric care facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations from denying emergency room coverage solely because a patient did not experience a diagnosed emergency medical condition. It requires two key studies: one to quantify hospital and post-acute care bed capacity across Maryland, and another to identify ways to improve transitions from emergency to post-acute care settings. These provisions directly affect patients receiving emergency care and healthcare providers treating them, ensuring coverage isn't denied based on diagnosis alone. The studies aim to inform data-driven recommendations for future policy improvements in emergency and post-acute care access.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 amends Maryland's Family Law to streamline voluntary placement agreements for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses in out-of-home care. The bill requires local departments to schedule an assessment meeting with families and providers within 5 business days of receiving a request, and issue a written eligibility decision within another 5 business days. It clarifies that local departments cannot seek legal custody solely to obtain treatment for these children, while allowing placements to exceed 180 days if a juvenile court finds continued placement is in the child's best interest. These changes aim to reduce current delays (often 60-90 days) that contribute to extended hospital stays and family distress.