Maddy summarySB 275, the Modernization of Military Laws Act, updates Maryland's legal definitions and processes affecting veterans, active service members, and military families. It standardizes key terms like "uniformed services" and "veteran" across state laws, expands the veteran definition to include certain health service members, and requires the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families to create policies supporting military life transitions. The bill modifies election rules to simplify candidacy filings for service members unable to file in person, adjusts cemetery and housing discrimination protections, and updates state government procedures to better serve military-connected individuals. These changes aim to streamline access to rights and benefits for military personnel and veterans within Maryland's legal framework.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 278 expands Maryland's definition of "uniformed services" to include members of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), previously limited to only the armed forces. This change updates how "veteran" status is defined in state law, ensuring these service members qualify for state benefits. The bill requires Maryland's tax and pension programs to apply equally to all uniformed services, eliminating prior exclusions for non-military personnel. It directly affects service members in the Public Health Service and NOAA, granting them parity in state tax relief, pensions, and other benefits.
Maddy summarySB 309 requires Maryland's Department of Veterans and Military Families to create an online registry for veterans, military service members, and their families. The registry will collect basic contact information (name and email) and optional status details (such as veteran status, active duty service, or family relationship). It must provide updates on available services, benefits, and news relevant to these groups. The department must also report annual metrics on registry participation - including total users, status breakdowns, and new/removed users - to the Governor and legislature by December 31 each year. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 282, the "Recreational Equality for Service Members Act," expands access to recreational benefits for active-duty service members, veterans, and their vehicles. It modifies Maryland law to exempt these individuals from paying certain entrance fees when entering state parks (under Section 9-901) and prevents fishing licenses in tidal waters from lapsing during active duty (Section 1-405). The bill also broadens the definition of "veteran" to include members of the Public Health Service and NOAA Commissioned Corps, aligning with federal definitions. These changes directly affect uniformed service members, veterans, and their families seeking access to state parks and fishing opportunities.
Maddy summarySB 48 allows Maryland's Department of General Services to add a "veteran status" notation on state-issued identification cards when veterans provide documentation like a DD-214 form. It requires the Department to obtain explicit consent from cardholders before sharing veteran status information with other state agencies. The bill prohibits the Department from transmitting veteran status details without this consent, except as required by law. This affects veterans who hold state-issued ID cards for purposes like employment or contractor access.
Maddy summarySB 57 requires licensed funeral homes, crematories, and natural organic reduction facilities to notify veterans service organizations if a veteran’s or eligible dependent’s cremated remains or soil remains (from natural reduction) go unclaimed for 90 days. The veterans service organization must then verify eligibility for a veterans cemetery burial within 45 days. If the organization does not take possession within 10 days of verification, the facility must transfer the remains to Maryland’s Department of Veterans and Military Families for proper disposition. This bill directly affects funeral/cemetery operators, veterans service organizations, and the state department handling unclaimed remains of veterans.
Maddy summarySB 162 repeals Maryland's existing agricultural regulations specifically governing cantaloupe identification, inspection, and sale. It removes Sections 10-901 through 10-909 and "Subtitle 9. Cantaloupes" from the state's Annotated Code of Maryland, which previously required Department of Agriculture oversight for these activities. This bill directly affects cantaloupe growers, sellers, and inspectors who were subject to these specific regulatory requirements. The repeal takes effect on October 1, 2025, eliminating the state's regulatory framework for cantaloupes without creating new rules.
Maddy summarySB 308 would require Maryland election directors to appoint chief election judges at each polling place from the majority political party and the principal minority party, whenever feasible. If election directors cannot secure appointments from both parties at least 45 days before early voting begins, they must appoint one chief judge from one of those parties and one unaffiliated with either party. This rule applies to all polling places statewide and affects how local election officials staff voting locations. The changes would take effect on October 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 276 updates Maryland's education laws to include all uniformed services members (not just military personnel) in eligibility for educator certification. It revises definitions to clarify that "veteran" includes those discharged within one year of applying for certification, and expands "eligible spouse" to cover spouses of uniformed services members. The bill creates an expedited process for service members, veterans discharged within one year, and their spouses to obtain teaching licenses, requiring only a valid out-of-state license and meeting basic qualifications. This affects applicants for educator certificates across Maryland's public schools and aligns state law with broader federal definitions of uniformed services.
Maddy summarySB 147 requires the Governor to obtain Senate approval before appointing members to Maryland's State Board of Stationary Engineers. Currently, appointments may not require Senate confirmation, but this bill mandates that all appointments must now include the "advice and consent of the Senate." The bill specifies the board's composition (eight members including engineers, industry representatives, boiler owners, and consumer members) but does not change the board's responsibilities for overseeing boiler safety regulations. This is a procedural change to the appointment process, effective October 1, 2025.