Rep. Chao Wu

Maddy summaryHB 1562 requires Maryland telecommunications providers (like phone and internet companies) to automatically apply a service disruption credit to affected customers' accounts during outages lasting at least 3 consecutive hours that impact primary service locations. The credit must be at least one day's worth of the customer's recurring monthly service charge, applied without customer action within two billing cycles after service restoration. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland law, subject to enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act. This bill directly affects retail customers and telecom providers operating in Maryland.

Maddy summaryHB 156 allows unaffiliated voters in Maryland to affiliate with a political party during early voting for primary elections. Specifically, unaffiliated voters can request to change their party affiliation at an early voting center and receive a provisional ballot for their chosen party. The bill amends election law to permit this change during early voting periods, requiring election judges to verify the voter's county residency before issuing the provisional ballot. This change applies only to primary elections and does not alter standard voter registration rules or deadlines for affiliation. The bill does not affect voting eligibility for other elections or nonpartisan contests.

Maddy summaryHB 1468 requires hospitals in Maryland to create a written "safe discharge labor plan" before discharging or transferring any patient in active labor (defined as a pregnant person showing labor signs per medical standards). The plan must include clinical justification for the discharge, travel safety assessment, a plain-language explanation of risks and warning signs, and proof the patient understands the plan. Hospitals must maintain these records for 21 years, provide annual staff training on maternal care and patient communication, and prominently post patient rights in labor departments. The bill also mandates annual reports to the health department tracking discharge practices and any adverse outcomes following discharge.

Maddy summaryHJ 2 is a Maryland legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 5356, which would establish a federal National Infrastructure Bank. The resolution highlights Maryland’s urgent infrastructure needs, including repairing 1,563 bridges, fixing aging water systems, addressing housing shortages, and reducing traffic congestion. It requests Congress create a $5 trillion bank modeled on historical infrastructure financing, projected to fund repairs and new projects without new taxes while creating jobs and growing the economy. The resolution does not create the bank itself but formally asks Congress to enact the supporting federal legislation.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution (HJ 3) is a policy statement, not a binding law, acknowledging Maryland's commitment to inclusive education. It resolves that elementary and secondary school curricula should include the history of communities that have experienced discrimination (based on disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, indigenous affiliation, or sexual orientation) to ensure all students feel represented. The resolution directs education officials to adopt this inclusive approach but does not mandate specific curriculum changes or allocate funding. It primarily affects state education leaders, school boards, and curriculum developers by setting a policy direction for curriculum content.

Maddy summaryHB 795 requires Maryland health insurance companies to provide human review for any coverage denial made using artificial intelligence, algorithms, or software tools. Insurers must also report quarterly aggregated data on these AI-related denials, including claim types, member demographics (race, gender, profession), and policy details (individual, group, or exchange plans). These reports must be submitted to the state insurance commissioner and include the total number of AI-related grievances reviewed. The bill directly affects health insurers operating in Maryland and impacts members who face AI-driven coverage decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1173 prohibits state contractors and vendors from using public funds to influence employees of their company (including subcontractors) regarding union membership or support for employee organizations. It specifically bans using state funds to fund anti-union campaigns, efforts to prevent collective bargaining rights, or activities opposing union certification. The law applies to all contractors and vendors working with state government units, covering both direct employee influence and third-party anti-union activities. Exceptions include standard collective bargaining processes, grievance resolution, and activities required by law. This bill directly affects state contractors, vendors, and their employees by restricting how public funds can be used in labor relations.

Maddy summaryHB 1360 updates Maryland's lobbying reporting requirements under the Public Ethics Law. It modifies the deadlines for regulated lobbyists to file annual reports - requiring filings by February 15, March 15, May 31, and November 30 each year - to cover specific reporting periods. The bill specifies detailed categories of information lobbyists must disclose, including compensation, office expenses, meals for officials, and other lobbying-related expenditures. These changes directly affect entities registered as lobbyists under Maryland law who influence legislative or executive actions. The bill focuses on clarifying and adjusting reporting timelines and content without altering lobbyist registration thresholds.

Maddy summaryHB 1089 requires data brokers operating in Maryland or collecting data on Maryland residents to register annually with the Attorney General’s Office starting January 31, 2028. Data brokers must submit details about the personal data they collect, sources, third parties they share with, consumer contact information, and opt-out methods. The Attorney General will maintain a public, searchable database of registered brokers (excluding trade secrets) and set tiered fees based on the broker’s annual revenue. The law aims to increase transparency for consumers about data practices without restricting lawful data collection, with enforcement including civil penalties for non-compliance. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and requires the Attorney General to report compliance metrics and consumer complaints to the legislature by December 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 614 requires every county board of education in Maryland to collect monthly data on energy usage in school buildings and submit it to the Interagency Commission on School Construction. The Commission must then create rules specifying exactly what data to collect and how often to report it. After gathering this data, the Commission must analyze it and provide specific recommendations to county boards for improving school energy efficiency. This bill directly affects county school districts and the state Commission, aiming to standardize energy reporting and drive efficiency improvements in public schools.