Sen. Kevin Harris

Maddy summarySB 828 authorizes Maryland's Central Collection Unit (CCU) to collect delinquent federal funds owed to the state, including placing liens on federal property within Maryland and directing the Comptroller to withhold state payments to the federal government. It requires the Board of Public Works to determine if the federal government is delinquent in paying funds owed to Maryland, triggering these enforcement actions. The bill amends Maryland law to specify that the CCU may collect up to the full amount of delinquent federal funds, and mandates that the Comptroller withhold state payments when the CCU refers such funds. This establishes a formal process for enforcing federal payment obligations to the state.

Maddy summarySB 810 prohibits public school security personnel (including school resource officers, security employees, and certain off-duty officers providing school coverage) from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee information for immigration purposes. The bill specifically bans using school staff for Section 287(g) federal immigration investigations and restricts sharing educational or personnel records related to immigration enforcement, except when presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order. School security personnel must immediately contact the county superintendent and legal counsel if shown such legal documents. This law directly affects all Maryland public schools and their security staff, taking effect July 1, 2026, and aligns with existing privacy laws.

Maddy summarySB 161 would allow veterans to enter Maryland state parks without paying daily entry fees by presenting a valid veteran ID card, a driver's license indicating veteran status, or other department-accepted documentation proving veteran status. It applies to the veteran themselves and their vehicle, exempting both from standard daily entry and per-vehicle fees. The exemption does not cover additional fees for park facilities like picnic areas or boat rentals. This bill amends existing law to expand fee exemptions for veterans at state parks.

Maddy summarySB 255, the "Voting Rights Act of 2026," prohibits local election methods in Maryland counties and municipal corporations that dilute or abridge voting rights for protected classes (defined as racial, color, or language minority groups, or combinations thereof). It establishes that a violation occurs if elections show "polarized voting" (where preferences differ between protected class voters and others) and the election method dilutes minority voting strength. The law requires courts to use federal Voting Rights Act enforcement standards to evaluate claims, focusing on election results and historical discrimination rather than intent. This applies only to local elections, not statewide races, and aims to ensure protected class voters can elect candidates of their choice.

Maddy summarySB 601 requires all Maryland local school systems to designate a cybersecurity point of contact by 2027 and comply with state minimum cybersecurity standards established by the Department of Information Technology. Schools must conduct a cybersecurity maturity assessment every two years and certify compliance annually by June 30, starting in 2027. The bill repeals a previous requirement that county boards prioritize purchasing digital devices with certain funds and instead mandates annual reporting on cybersecurity expenditures. It also directs the Department of Information Technology to annually review and update the state cybersecurity standards. This bill directly affects all public school systems in Maryland, focusing on strengthening cybersecurity practices rather than device procurement.

Maddy summarySB 385 (The Vax Act) requires Maryland’s Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services, aligning with guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It expands pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines (including those recommended by CDC or the Secretary) to patients aged 3+ after completing specific training and certification, while mandating health insurers to cover these services without cost-sharing. The bill also repeals outdated pertussis-related provisions and updates reporting requirements for pharmacists. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and patients seeking preventive care, aiming to improve access to vaccinations and screenings.

Maddy summarySB 7 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the June 30, 2030 cutoff that previously prevented new awards after that date. This change allows the scholarship to be awarded indefinitely to eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents who meet Maryland residency and educational requirements. The bill also removes restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before 2030. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition, fees, and room/board at Maryland public universities, requiring a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of full-time study. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the official names of two state entities to better reflect the needs of all individuals with hearing disabilities. It renames the "Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" to "Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing" and the "Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing" to "Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing." These changes apply to all references in Maryland law, including sections in Education, Health, Human Services, and State Government codes. The bill does not alter existing services, funding, or responsibilities of these entities - only their official titles.

Maddy summarySB 623 creates a new "Class C-PCL" license for premium cigar lounges in Maryland, allowing tobacco retailers (tobacconists) to serve alcohol on-premises under specific conditions. The license requires that at least 70% of daily sales come from premium cigars and tobacco products, prohibits locations adjacent to healthcare or childcare facilities, and exempts these lounges from the Clean Indoor Air Act. License holders must install air filtration systems, display smoking notices, and submit annual sales reports. Customers must bring their own alcohol and purchase tobacco products during their visit, with service permitted Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Maddy summarySB 666 prevents Maryland counties and municipalities from banning short-term rentals operated by tenants (lessees or sublessees) solely because they do not own the property. It allows local governments to restrict tenant operators to managing only one short-term rental property within their jurisdiction. Property owners retain the right to prohibit or limit tenant use of their property for short-term rentals. The bill specifically excludes hotels, motels, student housing, and similar facilities from its provisions.