Sen. Craig Zucker

Maddy summarySB 851 requires Maryland public school districts to annually report on main entrance accessibility for people with disabilities and update emergency plans. Specifically, county boards must publish on their websites and report to the legislature by September 1 each year the number of school building entrances not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). School systems must submit their updated emergency plans - including evacuation accommodations for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans - to the state education department by September 1, with the department analyzing compliance and reporting to the legislature by December 1. The bill directly affects all Maryland public school districts and ensures students with disabilities have accessible facilities and tailored emergency support.

Maddy summarySB 892 establishes a $25.00 per hour minimum wage for noncertificated public school employees designated as "education support professionals" (e.g., clerical staff, aides, custodians in non-supervisory roles) employed by county boards of education. Starting July 1, 2025, this wage will automatically increase each July 1 based on the annual growth in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers, with no reduction if inflation is flat or negative. The law directly affects county school districts and their support staff, requiring them to adjust pay annually to match inflation. It takes effect June 1, 2025, with the first adjustment due July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 943 requires petitioners in Maryland domestic violence cases to provide detailed information about respondents' firearms (e.g., make/model, storage locations, access points) when seeking protective orders. This affects both victims seeking protection and alleged abusers facing firearm surrender requirements. The bill also establishes a Task Force to study firearm use in domestic violence situations. These changes aim to improve safety planning by giving courts more specific details about firearm risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Maryland programs that help low-income residents with their taxes and financial education. It directs the state Comptroller to allocate $500,000 annually from abandoned property funds to a specific fund that grants money to law schools and volunteer organizations to run on-site and mobile tax clinics. Additionally, the bill raises the annual budget for the CASH Campaign of Maryland, allowing it to award more grants for providing free tax assistance and financial coaching to underserved communities. These changes aim to expand access to free tax preparation services and financial education for low-income individuals and families across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's rules for recovering public funds from Federally Qualified Health Centers if they stop meeting program requirements or are sold to ineligible buyers. It changes the time limit for the state to demand repayment from fifteen years to thirty years for properties owned by the health center, while keeping the fifteen-year limit for leased properties. The law also clarifies that the state can recover money if a facility ceases to operate as a federally qualified health center within these timeframes. These changes apply to counties, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations that received grants to build, renovate, or equip these health centers.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill extends a sales and use tax exemption for parts and equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade specific aircraft until June 30, 2030. The exemption applies to planes weighing less than 12,500 pounds or heavier aircraft primarily used in interstate or foreign commerce. Additionally, the legislation removes the requirement for the state Comptroller to annually report the revenue lost from this tax break and its impact on aviation technician employment. By repealing the reporting mandate and extending the sunset date, the bill ensures the tax relief continues without needing further legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Governor of Maryland to allocate state funding for the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program. It mandates that the program receive at least $100,000 annually from fiscal years 2021 through 2024, with the amount increasing to at least $500,000 starting in fiscal year 2025 and continuing thereafter. The legislation also requires that all funds used for this program be subject to audits by the Office of Legislative Audits to ensure proper financial oversight.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill creates a state income tax credit of up to $300 for individuals who harvest an antlerless deer and donate the meat to a qualified nonprofit organization. To qualify, hunters must follow state laws and donate the processed meat to a 501(c)(3) venison donation program, with the credit amount potentially increasing to $600 if the deer was harvested under a specific management permit. The legislation also establishes a liability shield for donors and recipients of the food and requires donation programs to report donor names and deer counts to the state comptroller annually. This five-year program, effective from July 1, 2024, is designed to encourage the donation of venison to food banks and similar organizations while providing a financial incentive to hunters.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law expands a state income tax break for law enforcement officers to include those who live in areas with higher crime rates than the state average. Under the new rules, eligible officers can subtract up to $5,000 of their income from their state tax calculation if they meet specific residency and employment criteria. The bill applies to various police forces, including county and municipal officers, state units, and members of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Police Force. To determine eligibility, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission must certify which local areas have crime rates exceeding the state average, with these certifications occurring every three years. The changes take effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Maryland Department of Health to reduce gun violence and misuse through a public health approach. The center will be led by an executive director who will partner with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence, to develop and implement prevention strategies. Key actions include creating a state plan by May 2025, offering training and technical assistance to agencies and organizations, sharing data across jurisdictions, and promoting evidence-based initiatives. Funding for the center will be included in the state's annual budget starting in fiscal year 2026.