Sen. Sarah Elfreth

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill extends a sales and use tax exemption for parts and equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade specific aircraft until June 30, 2030. The exemption applies to planes weighing less than 12,500 pounds or heavier aircraft primarily used in interstate or foreign commerce. Additionally, the legislation removes the requirement for the state Comptroller to annually report the revenue lost from this tax break and its impact on aviation technician employment. By repealing the reporting mandate and extending the sunset date, the bill ensures the tax relief continues without needing further legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Governor of Maryland to allocate state funding for the Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program. It mandates that the program receive at least $100,000 annually from fiscal years 2021 through 2024, with the amount increasing to at least $500,000 starting in fiscal year 2025 and continuing thereafter. The legislation also requires that all funds used for this program be subject to audits by the Office of Legislative Audits to ensure proper financial oversight.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law allows researchers from colleges and universities to review confidential court records related to extreme risk protective orders for academic or policy studies. To access these records, the institution must sign an agreement with the state judiciary that ensures the data remains secure, is used only for the specific research project, and is never shared with unauthorized individuals. The legislation also permits researchers to publish statistical summaries of the data as long as no individual's identity is revealed. Violations of the confidentiality agreement could result in legal penalties or court injunctions to stop unauthorized disclosures.

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 Maryland bill creates a state income tax credit of up to $300 for individuals who harvest an antlerless deer and donate the meat to a qualified nonprofit organization. To qualify, hunters must follow state laws and donate the processed meat to a 501(c)(3) venison donation program, with the credit amount potentially increasing to $600 if the deer was harvested under a specific management permit. The legislation also establishes a liability shield for donors and recipients of the food and requires donation programs to report donor names and deer counts to the state comptroller annually. This five-year program, effective from July 1, 2024, is designed to encourage the donation of venison to food banks and similar organizations while providing a financial incentive to hunters.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's existing Law Enforcement Cadet Apprenticeship Program into a broader Public Safety Apprenticeship Program that includes correctional facilities and other public safety agencies. It increases the maximum grant amounts available to agencies, raising the startup grant limit to $200,000 and the per-apprentice stabilization grant to $5,000, while also requiring agencies to bargain with unions regarding employment terms before receiving funds. Additionally, the legislation mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create mental health wellness policies for law enforcement and correctional facilities and establishes a new workgroup to study ways to increase employment in these sectors.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law expands a state income tax break for law enforcement officers to include those who live in areas with higher crime rates than the state average. Under the new rules, eligible officers can subtract up to $5,000 of their income from their state tax calculation if they meet specific residency and employment criteria. The bill applies to various police forces, including county and municipal officers, state units, and members of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Police Force. To determine eligibility, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission must certify which local areas have crime rates exceeding the state average, with these certifications occurring every three years. The changes take effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Maryland Department of Health to reduce gun violence and misuse through a public health approach. The center will be led by an executive director who will partner with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence, to develop and implement prevention strategies. Key actions include creating a state plan by May 2025, offering training and technical assistance to agencies and organizations, sharing data across jurisdictions, and promoting evidence-based initiatives. Funding for the center will be included in the state's annual budget starting in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law authorizes the state to provide up to $1 million annually in grants to nonprofit organizations that offer automotive repair training to incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals. To qualify for these funds, organizations must train at least 50 people each year and be able to issue nationally recognized automotive repair certificates to participants. The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services will manage the distribution of these grants and require recipients to report how the money was used and the outcomes achieved. The program is set to run from fiscal year 2026 through 2028, with the goal of improving employment opportunities for people reentering society.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law establishes a grant program to help reproductive health care clinics improve their physical security and safety operations. Administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, the program provides funding for specific upgrades such as better lighting, fencing, access control systems, and alarm networks. To qualify, clinics must offer legally protected reproductive health services, and the program includes strict rules to keep applicant information confidential to protect the safety of the recipients. The legislation authorizes an initial budget of $500,000 for fiscal year 2026, with up to 5% of those funds reserved for administrative costs.