Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher

Maddy summarySB 722 establishes a temporary task force to study whether Maryland should allow not-for-profit funeral homes - businesses that operate without seeking profit - to serve the public. The task force, composed of appointed members including legislative leaders, funeral industry representatives, and specialists from African American, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant communities, will analyze current licensing data, reasons for denied applications, and similar laws in other states. It will specifically assess the feasibility, necessity, and potential impact of permitting such not-for-profit services in Maryland. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2026, and the bill expires automatically on September 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 308 requires the Governor of Maryland to annually proclaim January as Muslim American Heritage Month and May as Jewish American Heritage Month. The bill mandates that these proclamations urge educational and cultural organizations to host programs and activities during these months. It amends Maryland law by adding specific sections (7-501 and 7-505) to the Annotated Code, establishing the annual recognition process. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and directly affects the Governor’s office and eligible organizations. This is a commemorative measure with no new funding or regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standards and requirements for fully autonomous vehicles operating on Maryland highways without a human driver. It defines key terms such as fully autonomous vehicles, automated driving systems, and operational design domains to clarify what qualifies under the law. The legislation requires these vehicles to safely reach a minimal risk condition if the system fails and ensures that data collected by them is subject to Maryland's Online Data Privacy Act. Additionally, the bill updates existing commercial and transportation laws to include specific provisions for autonomous vehicle operations and data handling.

Maddy summarySB 857, the Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act, protects employees from employer retaliation for off-duty civic and political activities. It prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or punishing workers for engaging in protected activities like volunteering for causes, speaking publicly about issues, campaigning, or donating to political causes - unless the activity directly interferes with job duties. The law also bans employers from requiring political disclosures during hiring unless directly job-related or forcing employees to attend political events. Employees who face violations can sue directly in court for triple damages plus up to one year’s wages for wrongful termination. The law applies to all employees, including interns and part-timers, and covers both in-person and online expression.

Maddy summarySB 830 requires handgun manufacturers seeking to add a model to Maryland's official roster to first pass testing by Maryland State Police or an accredited lab and undergo a legal review by the Attorney General (or their designee) to confirm the handgun complies with state and federal law. The bill directly affects gun manufacturers, the Attorney General's office, the Handgun Roster Board, and Maryland State Police, altering their roles in the approval process. Key provisions mandate that petitions include detailed specifications, require testing before roster placement, and establish confidentiality rules for certain materials. The bill updates existing law to add new requirements before a handgun can be listed on the roster, replacing previous sections of the statute.

Maddy summarySB 725 requires a special "Certificate of Compliance" from the Attorney General and Department of Assessments and Taxation before property transfers from the U.S. government to private individuals or entities can be recorded by local courts. The certificate confirms the transfer complies with state and federal laws, and the agencies must review these transactions within a set timeframe. The bill also establishes a new state transfer tax rate specifically for properties previously owned by the U.S. government. This affects private buyers of federal land and local court clerks who must verify the certificate before recording deeds. The law applies only to transfers where the U.S. is the previous owner, not to standard property sales.

Maddy summarySB 652 prohibits unlicensed online gambling operations in Maryland, targeting operators, financial transaction providers (like payment processors), and platform hosts that facilitate illegal gambling. It defines "illegal" as activity not authorized by law and excludes licensed online sports wagering under existing law. The bill empowers the Attorney General and local prosecutors to issue cease-and-desist orders requiring operators to block access from Maryland within 10 days, with penalties including fines or imprisonment for noncompliance. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, creating new enforcement tools against illegal online gambling.

Maddy summarySB 316 requires all Maryland public higher education institutions and local school systems to appoint a Title VI Coordinator by July 1, 2026. These coordinators must ensure compliance with federal civil rights law (Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs. The bill specifies coordinators must investigate complaints, provide training, maintain records, and promote equal access for students and staff. It directly affects students, staff, and families who may file discrimination complaints through these designated coordinators in schools or colleges.

Maddy summarySB 635 modifies Maryland's landlord-tenant law to allow landlords to enter rented properties without written notice in two specific situations: (1) during emergencies threatening property, occupant safety, or other tenants' health/safety, or (2) when completing repairs requested in writing by the tenant, either within 7 days of the request or while actively working on the repair. This change affects landlords and tenants in rental housing by removing the standard 24-hour written notice requirement for these scenarios, while maintaining the existing rule that routine entries must occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday unless otherwise agreed in writing. The bill amends Section 8-221(b) of the Maryland Annotated Code and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 474 repeals Maryland’s current caps on non-monetary damages in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, removing limits of $350,000 for personal injury claims and $500,000 for wrongful death claims. The bill directly affects plaintiffs filing these types of lawsuits in Maryland courts, eliminating the fixed dollar thresholds that previously restricted compensation for harms like pain, suffering, or loss of companionship. It applies prospectively to cases arising on or after October 1, 2026, meaning existing cases and prior claims remain unaffected. The change removes the requirement for courts to reduce jury awards that exceed these limits, allowing full compensation for non-monetary harms in new cases.