Sen. Shelly Hettleman

Maddy summarySB 616 creates a Maryland registry requiring businesses that collect and sell personal data (like names, addresses, biometric information, or Social Security numbers) to register annually with the state Comptroller. It defines "data brokers" as entities selling "brokered personal data" but excludes credit bureaus, banks under federal law, and nonprofits assisting law enforcement. The law mandates registration for qualifying businesses to operate, focusing on transparency around how personal data is collected and sold. It specifically covers sensitive data types (e.g., facial recognition, DNA sequences) while clarifying exclusions to avoid overlapping with federal regulations.

Maddy summarySB 749 defines "residential retail customer" as individuals using electricity or gas at a home, excluding businesses mislabeled as residential. It requires electricity suppliers to price non-green power at or below the utility's standard offer service rate, allows consolidated billing for electricity and gas, and mandates that suppliers marketing electricity as "green" must meet a 51% renewable energy standard (or 1% above the state's portfolio standard). The bill also adds requirements for the Public Service Commission to approve green power pricing and restricts automatic renewals for green power contracts. These changes directly affect residential electricity suppliers and their customers in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 92 requires the Maryland Public Service Commission and Energy Administration to study two key energy policy options. First, it mandates a study on whether electric companies should be required to secure contracts for 80% of their electricity supply capacity over the next five years. Second, it directs a joint study with neighboring states on the costs and benefits of potentially withdrawing from PJM’s capacity market, including developing a multistate compact or creating a new regional transmission organization. The studies must be completed by December 31, 2026, and report findings to the Governor and legislature. This bill does not enact policy changes but sets the stage for future decisions about Maryland’s electricity market participation.

Maddy summarySB 386 (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026) requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (over 69,000 volts) in Maryland to join a regional transmission organization. It mandates that applicants seeking permits for new transmission lines must include alternative proposals using advanced transmission technologies and compare their cost-effectiveness. The bill creates a new Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration and directs funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential customers. These changes aim to modernize transmission infrastructure, promote technology adoption, and reduce costs for Maryland ratepayers.

Maddy summarySB 201 modifies Maryland's requirements for approving new overhead transmission lines over 69,000 volts. It requires applicants to include specific details in their applications and mandates the Public Service Commission to consider certain evidence before approving projects. The bill also adds new reporting obligations for owners/operators of existing transmission lines. It defines "advanced transmission technologies" to include grid-enhancing tools, high-performance conductors, and energy storage used for transmission. These changes directly affect electric companies planning or operating high-voltage transmission infrastructure in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 495 requires Maryland's Department of Health to add Gaucher disease screening to the state's mandatory newborn screening program. This affects all newborns in Maryland, as the bill mandates screening for Gaucher disease alongside other hereditary disorders under existing law. The key mechanism is amending Section 13-111 of Maryland's health code to explicitly include Gaucher disease in the list of conditions screened for, effective October 1, 2026. The bill does not alter funding or reporting procedures but directly expands the scope of the current newborn screening system to cover this specific genetic condition.

Maddy summarySB 563 adds crisis pregnancy clinics to Maryland’s definition of "health care provider" under confidentiality laws. This means these clinics must now follow the same medical record privacy rules as hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. The bill specifically covers clinics providing pregnancy-related care, including mobile facilities, even if they’re not subject to federal HIPAA rules. It applies directly to crisis pregnancy clinics operating in Maryland, requiring them to protect patient records like other healthcare providers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 369 exempts certain real property owned by nonprofit housing corporations (or their subsidiaries) that provides housing for low-income residents from state and local taxes and special assessments. It also protects this housing property from being seized through court judgments or enforcement actions, while allowing nonprofits to pay a mutually agreed fee instead of taxes. The bill applies to organizations meeting specific criteria: incorporated in Maryland, recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and operating primarily for affordable housing. Key changes include clarifying which properties qualify for exemptions and reinforcing that judgments against these nonprofits cannot create liens on their housing properties. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 295, the "Stop Silencing Survivors Act," protects individuals who in good faith disclose information about allegations of sexually assaultive behavior from liability. It establishes that such disclosures - like reporting misconduct to employers or authorities - cannot be used against the discloser in court, unless proven to be false or made with malicious intent. The bill also requires courts to award attorney fees to those successfully defending against claims that they disclosed information without good faith. It defines "sexually assaultive behavior" to include specific criminal offenses under Maryland law, such as sexual crimes, abuse of minors, or violations of federal law. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 342 establishes Maryland's Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program, requiring beverage producers to register with the state, pay fees, and include refund values in product prices. It mandates that containers display refund information, retailers show refund amounts on receipts, and creates a producer-led stewardship group to manage recycling. The program funds water refill stations through a new grant initiative and sets recycling targets to reduce litter and pollution from beverage containers. This directly affects beverage manufacturers, retailers, and communities by changing how containers are sold, priced, and recycled.