Sen. Pam Beidle

Maddy summarySB 492 regulates advertising by licensed massage therapists and registered massage practitioners in Maryland. It bans advertisements that suggest sexual services are available, appear on websites known for such services, or imply sexual activity is part of massage therapy. The bill requires all ads to include the provider’s full name and license number, with an exception for business ads (which must display the business name but still require the provider’s name on billing and records). Violations of these advertising rules, including online ads visible each day, are subject to separate penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's child abuse reporting requirements by explicitly including female genital mutilation in the legal definition of abuse, which directly affects healthcare providers, educators, and other mandated reporters. It mandates that these professionals report suspected cases of female genital mutilation to authorities and increases penalties for violations while allowing individuals subjected to the procedure to file civil lawsuits for relief. The legislation also requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and distribute educational materials about female genital mutilation in partnership with various public and private organizations. Additionally, the bill authorizes health licensing boards to revoke licenses of individuals who commit violations related to female genital mutilation under specific circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 493 prohibits nursing facilities in Maryland from involuntarily discharging or transferring residents except for specific reasons like the resident's welfare, health improvement, or facility closure. It requires facilities to provide residents with a clear written notice at least 10 days before any involuntary discharge or transfer, detailing the reason, new location, and contact information for hearings and legal assistance. The bill also bans sending residents to temporary housing (like hotels) without confirmation from the receiving facility and prevents facilities from discharging Medicaid-eligible residents solely because they qualify for Medicaid. These changes aim to protect vulnerable residents by ensuring proper notice, preventing unfair treatment, and requiring confirmation before transfers.

Maddy summarySB 261 amends Maryland's Money Transmission Act to exclude certain payroll processors from being classified as "money transmitters." It specifically exempts agents of payors (companies handling payroll for others) from licensing requirements if they meet three conditions: a written agreement with the payor, the payor presenting them as the service provider to employees, and the payor remaining liable if funds aren't remitted. This directly affects payroll processing businesses operating under these arrangements, removing a regulatory burden they previously faced. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

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 summarySB 246 amends Maryland law to change how members of the Health Services Cost Review Commission serve after their term ends. Currently, members could serve until a successor was appointed and qualified; this bill limits post-term service to a maximum of six months. It also repeals the previous rule allowing members appointed after a term began to serve until a successor was appointed. The change affects Commission members and the Governor, who appoints them, streamlining leadership transitions. This is a procedural adjustment to the Commission's membership terms, not a substantive policy change to health services.

Maddy summarySB 247 converts Maryland's Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit into a direct grant program administered by the Department of Commerce. It replaces tax credits with cash grants for qualifying biotechnology companies engaged in research, development, or commercialization of biological technologies. The bill requires the Department to disburse grants within a specified timeframe and allows recipients to deduct these grants from their Maryland income tax for the same year. This change shifts the incentive from tax savings to immediate funding, directly affecting eligible biotech firms in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 389, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates transit-oriented development (TOD) areas near rail stations with hourly weekday service (8 a.m.-6 p.m.) as enterprise zones - bypassing normal limits on such designations. It requires Maryland’s development corporation to prioritize loans for projects redeveloping state-owned land near rail stations and delays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects. The bill also adds project labor agreements as a scoring factor for TOD funding and adjusts local land-use regulations to support transit-focused development. Directly affecting developers, local governments, and communities near transit hubs, it aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure near rail corridors.

Maddy summarySB 489 modifies Maryland's licensing rules for physicians trained at international medical schools. It exempts applicants who provide evidence of completing two years of postgraduate training accredited by ACGME-I or another board-recognized body from standard educational requirements. These physicians would be permitted to practice medicine only during their initial license term under mandatory supervision, as specified by the Board. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting international medical graduates meeting these specific training criteria.