Sen. Jack Bailey

Maddy summarySB 780 modifies Maryland's prekindergarten program to allow eligible private providers to enroll 3-year-olds who meet income or homelessness criteria (family income ≤300% of federal poverty level or homeless status). It changes the definition of "Tier I child" to include these 3-year-olds, but only in counties where private providers choose to participate and sign a memorandum of understanding with the State Department of Education and county boards. Private providers must be licensed, charge no more than the "cost of quality" tuition, and enroll only families meeting the eligibility requirements. This expands access to publicly funded prekindergarten for low-income 3-year-olds through private providers, without changing the existing income thresholds for 4-year-olds.

Maddy summarySB 330 expands Maryland's property tax credit for dwellings owned by disabled or fallen law enforcement officers/rescue workers. It directly affects disabled officers who die (regardless of cause), their surviving spouses, and cohabitants by broadening the definition of "fallen officer" to include disabled officers who pass away. Key changes include removing the previous 10-year deadline for purchasing a home after disability or death, allowing the tax credit amount for new homes to align proportionally with credits for prior dwellings, and giving counties flexibility to set their own acquisition timelines or eligibility limits. The bill amends Maryland's Property Tax Code (Section 9-210) to implement these policy adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 783 requires Maryland public school principals to investigate every student fight or physical struggle. It prohibits school staff from disciplining students who, after such an investigation, more likely than not used reasonable force necessary to protect themselves or escape an attack. If a student was wrongly disciplined during the investigation but later determined to have used justified force, the school must expunge all disciplinary documentation from their record. The law directly affects students involved in school conflicts, school administrators, and staff responsible for discipline, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 482, the "Right to Teach Act of 2025," allows teachers in Maryland public middle and high schools to remove disruptive students from classrooms under specific conditions. Teachers may remove students who repeatedly interfere with learning (and have documented prior incidents) or exhibit unruly, disruptive, or abusive behavior that significantly hinders classroom instruction. After removal, teachers must document the behavior, notify the principal, and send the student to the principal or guidance counselor. The bill prohibits county boards from disciplining teachers for following these procedures and prevents students removed under this law from being counted toward certain school reporting requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 791 increases the minimum classroom teaching time requirement for Maryland public school teachers on career ladder levels 1-3 from 60% to 80% of their working time. This change directly affects teachers pursuing or holding these career ladder levels, requiring them to spend more time in classrooms and less on non-instructional duties. The bill specifies that the remaining 20% of time must be used for activities like improving instruction, tutoring struggling students, working with high-need populations, or participating in professional development. The policy takes effect July 1, 2025, without altering the career ladder's structure or progression requirements.

Maddy summarySB 835 requires state procurement units and contractors to pay undisputed retention funds - funds held back during construction projects - within 90 days after a project reaches substantial completion. This affects state contractors, subcontractors, and agencies like the Maryland Transportation Authority that handle construction contracts. The bill modifies existing law (Section 13-225 of Maryland’s Annotated Code) to set this specific payment deadline, ensuring faster release of funds without changing retainage percentage limits (capped at 5%). It applies to all state procurement contracts involving construction work.

Maddy summarySB 128 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to issue a permanent identification number to every person who completes a state-approved hunter safety course. This affects all Maryland hunters (including those under 18) who need a hunting license, as the ID number must appear on their certificate of competency and safety. The bill amends existing law to mandate that the Department print this permanent ID number directly on the certificate or a separate form accompanying it. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2025, replacing the previous requirement for just a certificate without a unique ID.

Maddy summarySB 53 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to establish regulations allowing commercial crab harvesters (specifically those using trotline gear) to begin catching crabs 4 hours before sunrise from July 1 to September 30 each year. It also mandates an additional early work hour on Labor Day, Memorial Day, July 4, and the day before each holiday for licensees using all legal gear. The bill does not change existing license fees for crab-related activities or equipment. Regulations must include public hearings before taking effect, with notice published in affected regions.

Maddy summarySB 644 requires Baltimore City school resource officers to carry firearms at all times while on school premises, including before/after school hours and on non-school days. This applies specifically to Baltimore City school police officers and school resource officers assigned to schools under Maryland law. The bill amends sections of the Maryland Annotated Code to mandate this firearm requirement, replacing prior language that allowed discretion. It does not change existing training requirements for officers, which include de-escalation and bias awareness. The law directly affects Baltimore City school resource officers and their on-site safety protocols.

Maddy summarySB 557 prohibits Maryland state and local governments from imposing a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) tax, mileage-based user fee, GPS toll, or similar tax. It also bans requiring the installation of tracking devices in privately owned vehicles to report mileage. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly block these measures under the "Transportation Freedom Act of 2025," with one exception allowing existing fuel tax agreements under Section 9-205. This directly affects state/local authorities and vehicle owners by preventing new mileage-based taxation or tracking requirements.