Rep. Chao Wu

Maddy summaryHB 506 establishes the Transformational Project Financing Program under Maryland's Economic Development Corporation. It allows local governments (political subdivisions) to apply for designation of specific areas as "State-supported development districts" to fund major development projects. The key mechanism redirects property tax revenue from increased property values ("tax increment") within these districts into a dedicated fund, rather than the general municipal budget, for approved projects. Priority areas include sustainable communities, transit-oriented developments, and designated enterprise zones. This program modifies existing law to create a structured process for economic development financing through tax increment funding.

Maddy summaryHB 155 requires all Maryland law enforcement agencies to adopt policies prohibiting officers from wearing face coverings (like opaque masks or helmets) during routine duties, with specific exceptions. The Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission must create a model policy emphasizing transparency and excluding religious items, medical masks, or safety gear (such as helmets for motorcycle operations). Officers violating this rule face potential fines or loss of civil immunity, but exceptions cover religious garments, medical protection, and occupational safety needs. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 64 establishes a task force to study how delays in counting student enrollment affect school funding and how growing student populations impact funding levels. The task force includes education officials, school board representatives, teachers, parents, and county government members. It will analyze these challenges and recommend improvements to the school funding system. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 15, 2026, after which the bill expires. This bill creates a review process but does not directly change funding policies.

Maddy summaryHB 163 requires Maryland county school boards to create and adopt policies restricting students' use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones or tablets) during school hours, with specific exceptions for students with individualized education plans (IEPs), documented health needs, or educational activities. The policy must be published online, in school handbooks, and reviewed every two years by the county board or state department. School boards must also establish enforcement procedures, including potential in-school suspensions for violations. This bill directly affects all public school students and county school boards across Maryland, aiming to standardize device use rules while accommodating specific student needs.

Maddy summaryHB 500, the Procurement Reform Act of 2025, streamlines Maryland state government purchasing by transferring key authority from the Secretary of General Services to the Chief Procurement Officer. It adjusts dollar thresholds requiring public notice or reporting for procurements, modifies small business preference programs (including expanding eligibility for small business reserves), and adds new requirements for contractors to submit workforce diversity plans for contracts over $500,000. The bill also creates a procurement preference for businesses certified for "good labor practices" and mandates that certain agencies establish working groups to address procurement issues. These changes directly affect state agencies, contractors (especially small businesses), and the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, which gains oversight of new workforce diversity rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1 requires Maryland's Department of Transportation to create and implement training for transportation sector employees (including those at transit stations, airports, ports, and rest stops) on identifying and reporting suspected human trafficking. Employers must certify employees have completed the training by January 1, 2026, and establish reporting procedures to local agencies and trafficking prevention policies. The bill also protects employees and employers from liability for good-faith reports or responses to suspected trafficking incidents. Additionally, it mandates bilingual safety announcements about trafficking resources at transportation hubs.

Maddy summaryHB 277 requires new construction and specific renovations to include water bottle filling stations - defined as fixtures for filling personal water bottles (at least 10 inches tall) that may combine with drinking fountains - starting October 1, 2025. It mandates these stations in all new buildings requiring drinking fountains under plumbing codes, when replacing existing drinking fountains in renovations, and when renovations require new drinking fountains. The Maryland Department of Labor must create implementing regulations, and the law applies only to projects under contract after July 1, 2025. This affects building developers, contractors, and public facilities subject to plumbing code requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 930 establishes Maryland's Public Health Abortion Grant Program to improve access to abortion care by redirecting excess funds from health insurance coverage. It requires insurance carriers in Maryland to transfer 90% of unused funds from their abortion coverage accounts (after covering patient costs) into a new special fund. This fund will support abortion clinical services, particularly where federal funding is restricted, benefiting individuals seeking abortion care in Maryland. The program mandates annual reporting by insurers and transfers existing excess funds starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 197 requires Maryland’s State Department of Education to develop a comprehensive plan by July 1, 2026, for establishing Restorative Practices Schools. This plan must be created after consulting with schools already using restorative approaches, which focus on repairing harm through relationship-building rather than punitive discipline. County school boards would need to adopt this plan if they choose to implement restorative practices in their schools. The bill also prohibits corporal punishment in public schools and mandates annual, disaggregated data reports on discipline practices by race, disability, socioeconomic status, and other factors.

Maddy summaryHB 325 allows adults seeking a high school diploma through the GED exam to take all test components in either English or Spanish, directly affecting adult learners, particularly English language learners with interrupted education. The bill requires Maryland's Department of Labor to study offering the exam in additional languages and submit a report to legislative committees by December 2026. It amends existing law to expand language options for the exam while maintaining other eligibility requirements, such as not having previously earned a diploma. The policy change focuses on improving access to the diploma pathway through language flexibility.