Del. Nick Allen

Maddy summaryHB 169 designates the Natural History Society of Maryland as Maryland's official State Natural History Museum. The bill amends Maryland's laws by renaming a section and adding a clear provision stating this designation, effective October 1, 2025. This is a procedural change that officially recognizes the Society's role without altering funding, operations, or public policies. The bill directly affects the Society by granting it the formal title, but does not create new programs or obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 385 requires businesses in Maryland using digital point-of-sale systems that automatically prompt customers to leave a tip to: (1) clearly disclose who receives the tip (e.g., employees or the business), and (2) set the default tip amount to $0. This applies to restaurants, bars, and similar service businesses processing card payments. Violating these requirements would be considered an unfair, deceptive, or abusive trade practice under Maryland law, subject to enforcement by the Division of Consumer Protection. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with the new requirements applying starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 694 requires Maryland county school boards to annually report (starting September 1, 2025) the number of public school main entrances not accessible for people with disabilities and not meeting federal ADA standards, publishing this data on their websites. It also mandates that local school systems send their updated emergency plans to the state Department of Education by September 1 each year (starting 2025), with the department analyzing these plans and reporting compliance status to the legislature by December 1 annually. The bill further ensures that students with disabilities have emergency evacuation plans included in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans. These provisions directly affect all Maryland public school systems and county boards of education.

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 summaryHB 1055 establishes the Commission on Nondiscrimination in Maryland to study and monitor the state's nondiscrimination laws and their enforcement. The commission, composed of 14 members including legislative appointees, civil rights leaders, and representatives from local commissions and legal advocacy groups, will examine gaps in protections for individuals based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other categories. It must monitor federal government impacts on civil rights enforcement, identify inconsistencies or deficiencies in current laws, and recommend legislative solutions. The commission will submit annual reports with findings and proposals to the Governor and General Assembly, with the commission itself terminating on June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 establishes a state program to provide funding to Maryland public and nonpublic schools participating in the federal child nutrition program's community eligibility provision. The program covers the difference between federal paid and free meal reimbursement rates, helping schools avoid financial shortfalls when serving more students at no cost. The State Department of Education will distribute funds based on poverty concentration and geographic diversity in school districts. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to support this program.

Maddy summaryHB 95 requires health care providers performing assisted reproductive treatments (like IVF, egg/sperm donation, or embryo transfer) to obtain specific written consent from both donors and recipients before using reproductive material. It mandates separate consent forms for donors and recipients, prohibits misrepresenting donor information or material quality, and bans using a provider’s own reproductive material without explicit patient consent. The bill directly affects fertility clinics, donors, and patients receiving assisted reproductive services in Maryland. Violations could lead to civil liability for damages claimed by the birth parent, their partner, or the child.

Maddy summaryHB 1511 establishes Maryland's Wildlife Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund to reimburse agricultural producers for crop damage caused by deer, geese, and other wildlife. The fund, financed by $5 conservation deer stamps, state appropriations (minimum $50,000 annually), and grants, reimburses eligible farmers up to $5,000 per year for verified damage after they follow department-recommended prevention measures. It also funds prevention projects - like reducing wildlife food sources in communities - that require local support, cost-effectiveness, and community planning. The bill excludes damage from domestic animals or black bears and requires verification by University of Maryland Extension agents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows terminally ill Maryland residents with decision-making capacity to request medication to end their lives through a structured process. It requires two physician consultations (including a consulting physician confirming the diagnosis), a mental health assessment, and written requests spaced at least 15 days apart. Pharmacists may dispense the medication only to qualifying patients, and the law clarifies that providers acting under these rules won’t violate assisted suicide laws. Death from self-administered medication will be recorded as natural causes for insurance and legal purposes.

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.