Sen. Alonzo Washington

Maddy summarySB 82 prohibits county boards of education from charging fees to students or parents for enrollment in or completion of International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programs or comparable Advanced Placement (AP) programs. It also bans public institutions of higher education in Maryland from charging application fees to graduates of Maryland public high schools. The bill amends Maryland education code sections 7-213 and 15-101 to establish these fee prohibitions, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects public high school students, their families, and public colleges/universities by eliminating specific costs associated with college preparatory pathways and admissions.

Maddy summarySB 151 prohibits Maryland colleges and universities from asking applicants about their K-12 disciplinary records (e.g., suspensions or expulsions from public/private primary/secondary schools) in admissions applications. The bill allows institutions to consider disciplinary records only for cases involving academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism. It requires schools using third-party applications that ask about disciplinary records to post a notice stating such records won’t disqualify applicants. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all Maryland public and private institutions of higher education.

Maddy summarySB 55 prohibits Maryland state agencies and instrumentalities from using public funds to develop or operate a magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation system within the state. This applies to all state departments and units, preventing them from allocating budgeted money for such projects. However, the bill explicitly allows spending on salaries for staff reviewing permits or approvals related to maglev systems. The law takes effect June 1, 2025, and focuses solely on funding restrictions, not the technology itself.

Maddy summaryMaryland's SB 108 requires governing bodies of condominiums and cooperative housing communities (common ownership communities) with four or more dwelling units to create written smoking policies. These policies must specify where smoking is allowed or prohibited (including common areas like hallways and elevators), outline complaint procedures, and detail penalties for violations. The policies must meet or exceed existing state and local smoking laws but do not override stricter local ordinances. This applies to both owner-occupied units and rental properties within these communities.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the legal definition of practicing audiology to clarify what actions audiologists are authorized to perform. It explicitly includes the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of hearing and balance conditions, as well as the fitting and management of hearing aids, sound processors, and cochlear implants. The legislation also specifies that audiology practice covers certain ear examinations and non-surgical procedures like removing earwax or ordering medical tests. Conversely, the bill clearly states that audiology does not include performing surgery or operating X-ray equipment. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and aim to provide clearer guidelines for the licensure and regulation of audiologists in the state.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill creates a new permit system that allows third-party delivery companies to transport alcoholic beverages on behalf of licensed stores. Under the new rules, local licensing boards can issue permits to independent contractors or agents who must be at least 21 years old and complete an alcohol awareness course. These permitted carriers can facilitate online orders and deliver alcohol only to customers within the specific jurisdiction where the store is located, while the store must retain control over sales and payments. The legislation also establishes a $1,000 annual fee for the permit and sets out specific penalties for violations, such as fines and suspension of the delivery service.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires medical assistance programs and private health insurers to cover orthoses and prostheses starting in 2025. It defines orthoses as custom or prefabricated devices used to treat neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions and mandates that these devices be considered essential health benefits. The bill also sets specific rules for replacing devices, ensuring they are not subject to higher copayments or separate annual limits, and prohibits denial of coverage based on a patient's disability status. Additionally, it establishes that coverage decisions must align with federal Medicare standards and allows for replacements if repairs would cost more than 60% of a new device.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland's mental health laws to improve how individuals in crisis are evaluated and treated, specifically affecting peace officers, emergency facilities, and people with severe mental illness. It allows peace officers to transport individuals to nearby emergency facilities rather than strictly the nearest one and expands the ability to evaluate patients for involuntary admission to include psychiatric nurse practitioners. Additionally, the legislation mandates that every county establish an assisted outpatient treatment program, which can legally require individuals with severe mental illness to attend treatment to prevent homelessness and repeated hospitalizations. The law also ensures that public defenders provide legal representation during these assisted outpatient proceedings and permits electronic submission of evaluation petitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of Integrity and Compliance within the Prince George's County Public School System to oversee financial and operational ethics. The office will be led by a full-time officer appointed by the County Council based on professional ability and integrity, who is prohibited from holding secondary employment. This officer and their staff will conduct audits, investigate fraud or waste, and provide recommendations to improve the school system's efficiency and reputation. Additionally, the bill authorizes the county to offer a property tax credit to eligible employees of the school system to help offset their housing costs. The office must publish annual reports on its activities and findings, while also reporting serious legal violations to appropriate authorities.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires the Department of Health to create a three-year public education campaign focused on preventing prostate, lung, and breast cancer, specifically targeting communities that face higher rates of these diseases. The campaign will provide information on risk factors, prevention methods, and the importance of screenings and clinical trials, and it will be developed in partnership with healthcare providers, hospitals, and relevant health organizations. Funding for the initiative, capped at $750,000 over five years, will come from the state's Cigarette Restitution Fund, which is used to support various health and tobacco control programs. The Department must publish the campaign materials online, set measurable goals, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly to track progress.