Sen. Shelly Hettleman

Maddy summarySB 385 (The Vax Act) requires Maryland’s Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services, aligning with guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It expands pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines (including those recommended by CDC or the Secretary) to patients aged 3+ after completing specific training and certification, while mandating health insurers to cover these services without cost-sharing. The bill also repeals outdated pertussis-related provisions and updates reporting requirements for pharmacists. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and patients seeking preventive care, aiming to improve access to vaccinations and screenings.

Maddy summarySB 440 extends the expiration date of Maryland's theatrical production tax credit from 2027 to 2032. This credit allows theater producers to claim a refundable tax credit against state income tax for qualifying production costs within the state. The bill amends existing law (Chapter 258 and 259 of the 2022 Acts) to change the sunset date from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2032, without requiring further legislative action. It directly affects theater companies and productions that meet the credit's eligibility criteria in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 262 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for teachers by adding prekindergarten teachers to the list of eligible educators who can deduct up to $250 annually for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. The bill amends tax code sections to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed full-time in state programs as "eligible teachers," alongside existing K-12 teachers. This deduction applies only to supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, and excludes expenses already deducted federally. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 7 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the June 30, 2030 cutoff that previously prevented new awards after that date. This change allows the scholarship to be awarded indefinitely to eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents who meet Maryland residency and educational requirements. The bill also removes restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before 2030. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition, fees, and room/board at Maryland public universities, requiring a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of full-time study. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 247 converts Maryland's Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit into a direct grant program administered by the Department of Commerce. It replaces tax credits with cash grants for qualifying biotechnology companies engaged in research, development, or commercialization of biological technologies. The bill requires the Department to disburse grants within a specified timeframe and allows recipients to deduct these grants from their Maryland income tax for the same year. This change shifts the incentive from tax savings to immediate funding, directly affecting eligible biotech firms in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 328 amends Maryland’s property tax credit for disabled or fallen public safety officers by expanding eligibility. It adds disabled officers who die regardless of cause (not just duty-related deaths) to the definition of "fallen public safety officer," and removes the requirement that a dwelling must have been acquired within 10 years of the disability or death. The bill also allows the tax credit amount for new dwellings to match the original credit for a previous dwelling, and authorizes local governments to set their own acquisition timelines or eligibility limits. This directly affects disabled officers, their surviving spouses, and cohabitants who own qualifying homes, as well as county/municipal tax administrators.

Maddy summarySB 389, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates transit-oriented development (TOD) areas near rail stations with hourly weekday service (8 a.m.-6 p.m.) as enterprise zones - bypassing normal limits on such designations. It requires Maryland’s development corporation to prioritize loans for projects redeveloping state-owned land near rail stations and delays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects. The bill also adds project labor agreements as a scoring factor for TOD funding and adjusts local land-use regulations to support transit-focused development. Directly affecting developers, local governments, and communities near transit hubs, it aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure near rail corridors.

Maddy summarySB 59 requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million, measuring their effects on greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. It mandates that projects include a multimodal transportation program (focusing on transit, bike paths, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions, with priority given to overburdened and underserved communities impacted by the project. The bill also requires the Department to evaluate all major capital projects in the Consolidated Transportation Program for climate impacts starting in 2028, aiming for net-zero or negative emissions from these projects. These requirements apply to projects not already funded or reviewed before 2026, aligning transportation planning with state climate goals.

Maddy summarySB 407 strengthens protections for minors by prohibiting individuals in positions of authority (such as teachers, coaches, or school staff) from engaging in sexual contact with minors they supervise who are at least 6 years younger. It specifically amends Maryland's criminal code to increase penalties for violations, including up to 3 years in prison for repeat offenders, and adds this offense as a basis for sex offender registry classification. The bill also refines definitions of "person in a position of authority" to include school staff and program leaders, and clarifies that these offenses cannot be treated as lesser included crimes. This directly affects school employees, youth program leaders, and minors under 18 in their care.

Maddy summarySB 433 extends the timeframe for temporary protective orders in Maryland from 7 to 14 days after service and requires final protective order hearings to occur within 14 days of service, rather than 7 days. It also adds new provisions allowing judges to order respondents to pay specific costs incurred due to abuse, including medical/dental care, property repairs, shelter, transportation, court fees, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that monetary awards under these provisions do not prevent petitioners from seeking additional compensation later for unawarded expenses. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse (petitioners) and those accused of abuse (respondents) in family law cases. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.