Sen. Pam Beidle

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 bill updates the Maryland National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program by adjusting the monthly reimbursement limit for eligible members. It allows the state to provide grants to National Guard members who qualify for Tricare Reserve Select coverage or dental benefits to help pay their premiums for themselves and their immediate families. The new provision sets the maximum monthly reimbursement at $60, provided the total amount paid out in a fiscal year does not exceed the state budget appropriation for the program. Effective July 1, 2024, the Department of Military Affairs will administer these grants according to updated regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new review process for the acquisition of nursing homes in Maryland, requiring owners to notify the Maryland Health Care Commission at least 60 days before finalizing a sale or transfer of more than 5% ownership. The legislation mandates that the Commission evaluate potential buyers based on their history of maintaining quality committees, conducting inspections, and managing lawsuits across all facilities they currently or previously own. If the Commission approves the request, the transaction can proceed without further regulatory hurdles, but the new owner must still submit periodic reports to the agency. This change aims to ensure that nursing home acquisitions are scrutinized for their potential impact on care quality and facility resources before they are completed.

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 Maryland bill updates regulations for assisted living managers, primarily by extending the deadline for mandatory licensing and revising training requirements. It allows managers to complete their required coursework through a mix of in-person and virtual methods, provided there is some direct interaction between instructors and students. The legislation also adjusts the composition of the State Board of Long-Term Care Administrators to include more assisted living managers and clarifies rules for temporary managers serving during vacancies. Additionally, it sets a specific date, July 1, 2026, by which all assisted living managers must hold a state license to practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland circuit court clerks to maintain and index discharge papers for anyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces, allowing them to be recorded in either a physical book or an electronic system. The legislation explicitly prohibits clerks from charging fees to record or index these military records and confirms that the records or certified copies are admissible as evidence in state and federal courts. While access to the records is restricted to parties in legal proceedings, attorneys, and the individuals themselves, relatives may request inspection or certified copies if at least 70 years have passed since the discharge was recorded and the social security number has been redacted. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024, updating how military service documentation is managed and accessed within Maryland's court system.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for Class 4 limited winery licenses in Maryland to allow producers to make wine and pomace brandy using a wider variety of state-grown agricultural products instead of requiring them to use only grapes or other specific fruits. It modifies ownership requirements so that license holders must either own at least 20 acres of Maryland-grown crops or ensure that at least 51% of their wine ingredients come from the state, with an option for the Secretary of Agriculture to grant temporary exemptions. The legislation also expands the types of food these wineries can prepare and sell on-site, such as ice cream, pizza, and various baked goods, while clarifying rules about blending purchased finished wine with their own production.

Maddy summarySB 59, known as the Safe Sleep Act of 2024, requires Maryland hospitals and birthing centers to educate parents on safe infant sleep practices before discharge and to obtain written confirmation that this education occurred. The law mandates that healthcare facilities provide both oral and written resources explaining how to create a safe sleep environment, which includes using a firm mattress, avoiding soft bedding, and keeping the baby in a smoke-free area. Additionally, the bill establishes the Maryland Safe Sleep Certification Program, which will require all child care centers to be certified to ensure they follow these safety guidelines. To support these efforts, the state health department must launch a public awareness campaign and create a list of local resources that help families purchase necessary items like safe sleep sacks.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based start-up companies in the Baltimore area. The first program provides grants of up to $50,000 to startups founded by students or faculty at local universities, requiring that at least 20% of the funds be used to hire third-party consultants for planning and technical assistance. The second program, a pilot initiative, offers incentives to eligible universities to foster entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, and commercialization projects, particularly those involving artificial intelligence or machine learning in healthcare and biotechnology. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous mandated appropriation for a telework assistance grant program and requires annual budget allocations for these new innovation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the licensing rules for certified nursing assistants and geriatric nursing assistants to align with federal regulations and improve workplace safety. It exempts individuals who have worked under federal rules for less than a certain number of months from the state's certification requirement and mandates that all applicants complete a competency evaluation. The legislation also clarifies definitions for various health support roles and requires nursing homes with 45 or more beds to include certified nursing assistants on committees that assess workplace safety and reduce employee injuries.