Sen. Cheryl Kagan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland public school systems to issue simultaneous bids for boys' and girls' high school sports officiating services for "similar" sports (defined as those with comparable rules, season, official count, and competition time). It prohibits schools from awarding contracts where officials for girls' sports receive different pay rates or fees than those for boys' sports in comparable events. The law applies to new procurement contracts starting July 1, 2025, with existing contracts allowed to be extended until 2029. It directly affects all local school systems purchasing officiating services for high school athletic events.

Maddy summarySB 337 requires Maryland's local election boards and canvassing boards to publicly post meeting agendas, summaries of materials, and public testimony online at least 48 hours before meetings (or as soon as possible in emergencies). It mandates live video streaming of meetings (excluding off-site events, site visits, or inspections) and requires maintaining unedited video archives for five years. These provisions directly affect local election administration bodies across Maryland, aiming to increase transparency in election processes by making meeting details and proceedings more accessible to the public.

Maddy summarySB 491 defines "honorable discharge" for Maryland state benefits to include discharges solely based on sexual orientation or gender identity, discharges related to statements/acts about orientation/identity (if prohibited at the time), or discharges tied to PTSD/TBI diagnoses or disclosed sexual trauma at VA facilities. This change directly affects veterans applying for Maryland state programs like housing, education, or employment benefits. Veterans must now submit documentation explaining their discharge basis to qualify under this expanded definition. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 354 establishes a Maryland Inventory of Cemeteries and Burial Sites Workgroup to study how to create a statewide cemetery inventory system. The workgroup, including representatives from historical trusts, cemetery oversight, cultural commissions, preservation groups, and local communities, will standardize cemetery definitions, review current documentation practices, and study systems in other states. It will evaluate existing local inventories, recommend data categories and maintenance methods, identify the best entity to manage the system, and propose funding options for a state system starting in 2027. The workgroup must submit its recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2025, and the bill expires June 30, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 365 creates a "Nonprofit Organizations Navigator" position within Maryland's Department of Commerce to help nonprofits access state grant programs. The navigator provides direct technical assistance to nonprofits, resolves bureaucratic hurdles in grant applications, and shares information about federal, state, and local grant opportunities. This position also serves as a nonvoting member on the Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council, representing nonprofit interests in council discussions. The bill directly affects nonprofits seeking state funding by streamlining their access to grant resources and improving coordination with state agencies.

Maddy summarySB 645 changes Maryland's election law to require the gubernatorial primary election to be held on the "last fourth Tuesday" in June (meaning the fourth Tuesday of June). This directly affects all Maryland voters participating in gubernatorial primaries by setting a specific election date for governor races. The bill does not alter the existing date for the presidential primary election (which remains the fourth Tuesday in April). The new date takes effect October 1, 2025, for the 2026 election cycle.

Maddy summarySB 308 would require Maryland election directors to appoint chief election judges at each polling place from the majority political party and the principal minority party, whenever feasible. If election directors cannot secure appointments from both parties at least 45 days before early voting begins, they must appoint one chief judge from one of those parties and one unaffiliated with either party. This rule applies to all polling places statewide and affects how local election officials staff voting locations. The changes would take effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 81 prohibits intentional interference with public safety answering points (PSAPs), which are emergency call centers like 911 dispatch systems. It makes it a felony to intentionally disrupt PSAP operations (with penalties of up to 5 years in prison or $25,000 fines) or to actually cause disruption (up to 10 years or $50,000 fines). The law specifically targets actions that impair emergency call services, such as blocking 911 access, and applies to anyone who causes such disruption without authorization. It does not cover authorized security testing or legitimate uses like ransomware for authorized security research. This bill directly affects individuals who intentionally interfere with emergency call systems, strengthening penalties for threats to public safety infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 891 requires counties and municipalities to adopt local laws allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on single-family zoned lots - by a set deadline. It sets specific rules for zoning permits, development fees, parking requirements, and prohibits utilities from charging extra fees for ADU connections. The bill also blocks property transfer agreements from restricting ADU development and lets homeowners associations treat ADUs as separate lots for voting and fees. This directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs, local governments required to update zoning, and homeowners associations managing community rules. The law aims to expand housing options by removing barriers to ADU construction on single-family residential land.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Maryland reimburses nonprofit organizations for indirect costs (like overhead) on state-funded grants and contracts. It applies to nonprofits receiving state grants or contracts awarded on or after specific dates (2018 for new grants, 2019 for renewals), excluding purely federal funding. The key provision requires reimbursement at either the nonprofit's existing federal indirect cost rate or a minimum 10% rate of modified direct costs if no federal rate exists. This policy takes effect October 1, 2025.