Sen. Sara Love

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's restrictive housing policies to strengthen protections for pregnant incarcerated individuals and limit how long people can be held in restrictive housing. It prohibits involuntary placement of pregnant people in restrictive housing except in specific emergency situations, such as when there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a credible flight risk that cannot be managed otherwise. The legislation requires frequent medical assessments, mandates that individuals receive at least 4 hours of daily time outside their cells, and establishes a reporting process for violations. Additionally, the bill creates a new oversight section requiring the Correctional Ombudsman to review implementation and includes stricter documentation requirements for any placement of pregnant individuals in restrictive housing.

Maddy summarySB 660 requires Maryland law enforcement agencies to respond to reports of federal immigration enforcement actions within their jurisdiction. Officers must observe the activity, record it with body cameras when possible, and file detailed reports including location, agencies involved, force used, medical needs, and any violations. These reports and recordings must be made public under Maryland's Public Information Act and stored for 4 months (footage) or 4 years (reports). The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies, mandating transparency during federal immigration operations while preserving constitutional officer duties.

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 659 requires all public and nonpublic primary and secondary schools to adopt written policies protecting student record privacy, including parent access rights and restrictions on sharing personal information without consent. Nonpublic prekindergarten and K-12 schools must annually report the number of alleged discrimination incidents based on protected categories like race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. The reports must include incidents against students and be submitted starting September 1, 2027. Policies must comply with existing federal and state privacy laws and cannot override those protections. This bill directly affects nonpublic schools through new reporting requirements while expanding privacy safeguards for all schools.

Maddy summarySB 686 prohibits manufacturers from selling, distributing, or offering for sale in Maryland certain products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (like cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, fabric treatments, and intimacy products) after specific dates. It requires registration for products containing PFAS that aren't banned and mandates testing to ensure compliance. The bill creates the Maryland PFAS Chemicals Protection and Remediation Fund, funded by penalties and interest earnings, to provide grants and loans for PFAS-related remediation projects. The law aims to reduce public exposure to these chemicals by phasing out their use in common consumer products while establishing a dedicated fund for cleanup efforts.

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 434 ensures cooperative housing corporations and condominium owners in Maryland receive energy cost refunds directly through their governing bodies (boards or associations), rather than as individual customer credits. The bill requires electric companies to issue refunds to these governing bodies, which then distribute funds to individual members, mirroring how refunds are handled for other residential customers. These refunds, funded by compliance fees in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund, are distributed equally between peak summer and winter months for fiscal year 2027. The policy applies to members who did not receive prior refunds under 2025 legislation and operates in addition to existing energy relief programs.

Maddy summarySB 432 authorizes Maryland's Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies with over $1 billion in market capitalization for climate-related harms caused by fraudulent or deceptive practices. It establishes the Climate Crimes Accountability Fund to collect settlement money from such lawsuits. The fund finances programs addressing climate impacts like flooding, heat islands, drought, and disease spread (e.g., vectorborne pathogens), while also covering legal costs of the Attorney General's cases. The bill directly affects major energy corporations and directs state resources toward climate adaptation and mitigation.

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.