Del. Nick Allen

Maddy summaryHB 417 establishes the Commission on Universal Health Care to study the feasibility of creating a state-run health care program covering all Maryland residents through a single-payer system. The commission, composed of appointed members from government, labor unions, healthcare organizations, and community groups, will examine how to provide comprehensive, equitable coverage - including preventive, mental, reproductive, and hospital care - regardless of income, immigration status, or health needs. It will analyze cost containment strategies, health equity gaps, and models from other states, but does not create the program itself. The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Maryland General Assembly by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 341 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties/municipalities to grant property tax credits to property owners who convert retail service stations (like gas stations) to other retail, residential, or mixed uses. The credit specifically helps cover costs for removing underground storage tanks and cleaning contamination. Local governments can set credit terms, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue from the credit. This bill directly affects property owners and local governments managing such conversions, focusing on practical cleanup costs rather than new development.

Maddy summaryHB 34 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) starting in 2025, exempting sales and use tax on goods purchased by veterans in Maryland. It directly affects veterans who must show proof of eligibility, such as a driver's license or ID card with a veteran notation, to qualify for the exemption at checkout. The bill defines "veteran" as someone with active duty service in the U.S. military, National Guard, or Public Health Service, discharged under honorable conditions. This policy change removes sales tax from qualifying purchases made by veterans on Veterans Day each year.

Maddy summaryHB 531 repeals the requirement for individuals on parole in Maryland to pay a monthly supervision fee of $50 and removes the authorization for them to cover the costs of drug and alcohol testing. This change directly affects people supervised by the Division of Parole and Probation, eliminating these specific financial obligations that were previously enforced as conditions of their release. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2024, and does not alter other existing court costs, fines, or the authority of the parole commission to revoke supervision for non-compliance with other rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for Maryland county mental health advisory committees to better include voices from the military and veteran communities. It achieves this by adding a new category that allows the appointment of individuals with experience in mental health care for veterans or those currently serving in the military. The change ensures that these specific groups are represented alongside existing categories such as patients, family members, and medical professionals. This adjustment aims to broaden the committee's perspective on mental health services without altering the overall structure or voting powers of the advisory body.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Melanie Nicholle Diaz Fire Safety Act, establishes new fire safety requirements for residential rental high-rise buildings in Maryland to improve occupant protection. It mandates the installation of specific smoke detectors in public corridors of these buildings starting July 1, 2024, and requires owners to post notices if their buildings lack complete automatic sprinkler systems. The legislation also ensures that tenants who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing receive appropriate notification appliances without having to pay for them or provide documentation. Additionally, the bill creates a workgroup to develop best practices for pre-1974 high-rise apartments and allows local governments to offer property tax credits for buildings that make qualifying fire safety improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 575 reformulates Maryland's Criminal Injuries Compensation Board by expanding it from five to seven members and mandating that the new composition reflect the state's racial, ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity. The bill specifically requires at least one board member to be a survivor of violence from a community facing high rates of violence and incarceration, while another must represent an organization assisting victims with compensation applications. It also updates the definition of "victim" to include individuals who suffer physical or psychological injury while trying to prevent a crime, apprehend an offender, or assist law enforcement or emergency services. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which crimes are eligible for compensation and outlines the qualifications for third-party professionals who can assist in claims. Finally, the act grants the Governor the authority to include funding for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund in the annual state budget.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill establishes funding for the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program to help firefighters access advanced cancer screening. It mandates that the state budget include at least $100,000 annually for the program from fiscal years 2021 through 2024, with an option to increase funding to at least $500,000 per year starting in fiscal year 2025. The legislation also ensures that all funds used for this program are subject to audits by the Office of Legislative Audits to maintain financial accountability.

Maddy summaryThe Growing Apprenticeships and the Public Safety Workforce (GAPS) Act expands Maryland's apprenticeship program to include a broader range of public safety agencies, such as correctional facilities, in addition to traditional law enforcement departments. This bill increases the maximum grant amount for agencies participating in the program from $2,000 to $5,000 per apprentice and adjusts eligibility requirements to ensure apprentices live in areas with at least 10% poverty. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission develop mental health wellness policies for law enforcement and correctional facilities while establishing a workgroup to study ways to increase employment in these sectors.

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.