Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill establishes a temporary workgroup dedicated to studying how to better recruit and retain 9-1-1 specialists in the state. The group is composed of legislators, state agency representatives, and current employees in the field, and it will meet without receiving a salary but with reimbursement for travel expenses. Its main task is to investigate current challenges such as salary levels, benefits, training requirements, and turnover rates, while also reviewing reports from a previous commission on emergency services. By December 2024, the workgroup must provide an interim report, followed by a final report in December 2025, which will offer recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on improving support for these workers. The legislation is set to expire automatically on December 31, 2025, unless further action is taken.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for the Cox Creek Citizens Oversight Committee in Maryland, which oversees dredged material management at the Cox Creek facility. The law changes the committee's composition to include representatives from various local groups, such as land trusts, waterfront communities, recreational birders, and specific residents, while removing some previous categories like the Maryland Saltwater Sport Fishermen's Association. Additionally, it clarifies the committee's role to include providing input and recommendations to the Maryland Port Administration on how dredged material is handled and its potential impact on nearby areas. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, ensuring the committee reflects a broader range of local interests in its oversight duties.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands a Maryland property tax credit for disabled veterans to include those with a 100% nonpermanent service-connected disability, in addition to existing eligibility for those with at least 50% permanent disabilities. To qualify, veterans must own a dwelling house occupied by no more than two families, have an income under $100,000, and provide specific documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The credit amount varies based on the disability rating, offering 50% of the property tax for ratings of 75% or higher and 25% for ratings between 50% and 74%. Local governments retain the authority to set their own application rules and may choose to limit the credit to only the most severely disabled veterans if they wish.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Maryland Veterans Suicide Awareness Prevention Day, which the Governor must annually proclaim to occur between July 11 and September 30. The legislation directs the state to use this observance to honor veterans and service members while promoting mental health support and reducing stigma within the community. By adding this requirement to state law, the bill ensures that efforts to encourage veterans to seek help are formally recognized each year.
Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires that naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, be placed in the same location as automated external defibrillators within all public buildings. The State Emergency Medical Services Board, working with the Department of Health, will manage this initiative using existing funds from the Opioid Restitution Fund. To encourage participation, the law grants legal protection from lawsuits to building owners and individuals who provide or administer this naloxone in good faith. These changes aim to increase the availability of life-saving equipment and medication in public spaces to address both cardiac arrest and drug overdoses.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland laws regarding abandoned or sunken vessels and increases funding for maritime heritage preservation. It requires boat owners to provide emergency contact information when applying for vessel numbers and mandates that the Department of Natural Resources notify owners before seizing abandoned boats. Additionally, the bill establishes a voluntary turn-in program for these vessels and allocates at least $250,000 annually from the Waterway Improvement Fund to a nonprofit organization that distributes grants for preserving Maryland's maritime history.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership of Maryland's Commission on Climate Change by adding two new representatives to the group. Specifically, it requires the Secretary of Emergency Management and the Chair of the Public Service Commission to serve as members, or send a designated representative in their place. These additions expand the commission's composition to include perspectives from emergency preparedness and public utility regulation. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and involve modifying existing state laws to reflect these new roles.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence within Maryland state government by creating a new subcabinet and requiring agencies to conduct annual inventories of their AI systems and impact assessments. It mandates that the Department of Information Technology develop policies for the development, procurement, and deployment of AI while prohibiting certain agencies from using AI in specific high-risk scenarios until further guidelines are set. The legislation also introduces a formal competitive procurement method called "proof of concept" to test new AI products and services, while exempting certain financial and higher education offices from some of these requirements.