Del. Chao Wu

Maddy summaryHB 1272 establishes a Youth Sports Safety Advisory Commission to study and recommend evidence-based safety practices for youth athletes, particularly those under 15 years old. The commission includes medical professionals (like pediatricians and orthopedists), sports organization representatives (such as youth soccer and athletic training groups), and state education officials. It will study injury prevention strategies, seek input from national youth sports organizations (e.g., US Youth Soccer), and submit findings and recommendations to state agencies by December 31, 2026. The commission will expire automatically on September 30, 2030, without requiring further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1323 requires Maryland public schools to implement a standardized unit on Asian American history starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates the State Board of Education to develop curriculum standards covering key events, Maryland/Mid-Atlantic regional history, and Asian American contributions to civil rights, government, arts, science, and community development. Each county school board must ensure this content is taught at least once in elementary, middle, and high school history courses. County superintendents are responsible for verifying compliance, with schools allowed to use online courses or approved materials to meet the requirement. The law directly affects all Maryland public school students and local education authorities.

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 1317 requires Maryland county school boards to include specific termination terms in contracts with county superintendents. If a contract ends before its full term, the superintendent must receive a cash settlement equal to one year’s pay (plus one month per additional full year remaining), or just the remaining term’s pay if less than one year remains. The bill also mandates that superintendents retain health benefits for one year after termination or until they secure new employment, whichever comes first. These provisions apply to all new contracts signed on or after July 1, 2025, and exclude superintendents removed under specific disciplinary procedures. The law directly affects county superintendents and school boards in Maryland.

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 summaryThis is a Maryland House Joint Resolution (HJ 1), not a bill, urging the U.S. Congress to enact H.R. 4052 - the "National Infrastructure Bank Act." It requests the creation of a $5 trillion national infrastructure bank to finance repairs to roads, bridges, water systems, and broadband, while supporting new projects like affordable housing and high-speed rail. The resolution cites Maryland’s specific infrastructure needs (e.g., 1,595 bridges requiring repair, aging water systems, and traffic congestion costs) as justification for federal action. It does not directly affect Maryland residents or create new state law; it is solely a request to Congress to pass enabling legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 amends Maryland's Public Ethics Law to update reporting requirements for regulated lobbyists. It changes the deadlines for filing lobbying activity reports to February 15, March 15, May 31, and November 30 annually, covering specific time periods. The bill also expands the required report details, including new categories for expenses like meals, gifts, and professional research related to influencing government actions. These changes directly affect entities and individuals registered as lobbyists under Maryland law who must submit these reports to the State Ethics Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 1054 modifies how the University System of Maryland defines "high impact economic development activities" by explicitly excluding cost savings from job reductions. It requires the Board of Regents to annually report on these activities, including funds used, net benefits, and whether they serve the state's best interests. The bill repeals a provision allowing university employees to work for supporting entities and subjects such entities to state procurement laws. These changes clarify reporting standards and increase transparency around economic development efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 113 would repeal Maryland's current dollar limits on noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Specifically, it removes the $350,000 cap for personal injury cases (effective since 1986) and the $500,000 cap for newer cases (with annual $15,000 increases), allowing juries to award higher amounts for non-monetary harms like pain, suffering, or loss of companionship. This change directly affects plaintiffs in these cases and defendants (such as insurance companies) who previously benefited from the caps. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to cases arising after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 499 (Expungement Reform Act of 2025) changes Maryland’s expungement process to make it easier for people with certain misdemeanor convictions to clear their records. It reduces waiting periods after completing a sentence (removing the previous 3-year limit for some offenses), expands eligibility to include more misdemeanor convictions, and requires courts to confirm restitution payments are made or unpayable before expungement. The bill also prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system from referencing expunged records. These changes directly affect individuals with eligible misdemeanor convictions who have completed their sentences.