Sen. Dawn Gile

Maddy summarySB 427, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland’s economic development structure by replacing the Maryland Economic Development Commission with the Maryland Economic Competitiveness Fund and creating new programs like the Strategic Closing Fund. It modifies eligibility and funding rules for tax credits (including film production and biotechnology incentives), prioritizes applications in RISE zones for development projects, and waives filing fees for businesses in Regional Institution Strategic Enterprise zones. The bill alters how certain economic development funds are distributed, repeals outdated programs like the Small Business Development Financing Authority, and adjusts tax credit calculations for businesses and investors. These changes directly affect state agencies managing economic development, businesses seeking incentives, and communities participating in RISE zones.

Maddy summarySB 458 requires health professionals (such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) renewing certain licenses in Maryland to attest that they completed an approved training program covering **both implicit bias and structural racism**, rather than just implicit bias. The bill amends existing law to mandate this dual focus, defining "structural racism" as systemic barriers affecting health access based on race. Approved training programs must be designated by the Cultural and Linguistic Health Care Professional Competency Program, with the requirement applying to first license renewals after April 1, 2026. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, with a transition period allowing use of the older implicit bias-only training for renewals before April 2026.

Maddy summarySB 920 establishes the Maryland Interested Parties Advisory Group to address access to home and community-based services (like in-home care) and workforce shortages for direct care workers under Maryland’s Medicaid program. The group, composed of 12 appointed members (including consumers, direct care workers, consumer organizations, worker groups, and provider associations), must reflect Maryland’s diversity and meet quarterly starting November 2025. It will advise the Maryland Department of Health on ensuring Medicaid payment rates are sufficient for service access and that an adequate, qualified workforce exists. The bill directly affects Medicaid recipients, direct care workers, and healthcare providers by creating a structured forum for their input on critical service delivery issues. The Department of Health must provide logistical and financial support to enable meaningful participation from workers and consumers.

Maddy summarySB 428 establishes Maryland’s Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program to incentivize farmers adopting conservation practices that protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The bill creates a special fund to support tiered recognition for farmers who implement specific practices like cover crops, riparian buffers, soil health management, and community-focused initiatives (e.g., supporting local food systems or mentoring new farmers). It directly affects Maryland farmers participating in the program, requiring the Department of Agriculture to develop evaluation criteria and promote eligible practices that reduce nutrients/sediment while enhancing farm profitability. Key provisions include defining "community best practices," mandating the Department to coordinate with conservation and agricultural groups, and authorizing state funds to accelerate adoption of these environmentally beneficial farming methods.

Maddy summarySB 382 requires manufacturers of powered wheelchairs to provide independent repair providers and wheelchair owners with necessary documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. It directly affects wheelchair users and independent repair shops by mandating that manufacturers share repair resources without excessive cost or barriers, such as charging more than the suggested retail price for parts. The bill establishes clear definitions for "independent repair providers" and "fair terms," ensuring access to diagnostics and repair tools at no more than the manufacturer's actual cost for printed materials. This law amends Maryland's Commercial Law to create a new "Subtitle 50" specifically governing powered wheelchair repairs.

Maddy summarySB 342, the "Voting Rights Act of 2025," prohibits counties and municipalities from using election methods that dilute or abridge voting rights for protected classes (defined as racial, color, or language minority groups under federal law). It directly affects voters in these local jurisdictions by requiring election systems to allow members of protected classes to elect candidates of their choice. The key mechanism establishes that a violation occurs if elections show "polarized voting" (where voting patterns differ between protected classes and the broader electorate) and the election method dilutes their voting strength. Courts must evaluate this using federal methodologies for enforcing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, applying only to local county and municipal elections - not statewide contests.

Maddy summarySB 770 requires child care centers, schools, and youth-serving organizations (like after-school programs and sports leagues) to verify applicants for roles involving direct contact with minors. It mandates applicants to provide contact information for recent employers (including those where they worked with minors), obtain written consent to release records about past investigations, and disclose any history of boundary-violating behavior (such as inappropriate physical contact or emotional manipulation) unless the investigation was deemed unfounded. County boards of education must annually report this data to the State Department of Education, which will compile and submit an annual report to the General Assembly. The bill aims to strengthen background checks for positions with vulnerable youth, directly affecting hiring practices for over 1,000 Maryland organizations and their applicants.

Maddy summarySB 447 requires Maryland hospitals with emergency departments to screen patients for emergency medical conditions, including pregnancy-related emergencies like active labor. It mandates that hospitals stabilize such conditions before transferring patients - specifically ensuring a pregnant person cannot be transferred if delivery is imminent or transfer poses health risks to the person or unborn child. The bill prohibits hospitals from punishing providers or staff who refuse to transfer unstable patients or report violations. It also requires written consent from patients before transfers and detailed medical records for receiving facilities. This directly affects all Maryland hospitals operating emergency departments and their medical staff.

Maddy summarySB 771 clarifies insurance and liability rules for Maryland's peer-to-peer car sharing programs (like Turo or Getaround). It changes how insurance coverage applies during shared vehicle use, making program insurance secondary for replacement vehicles and clarifying that the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund does not cover non-replacement vehicle incidents. The bill also allows programs to charge drivers for tolls/fines incurred during sharing, excludes programs from being considered "vehicle owners" for traffic camera violations, and sets minimum insurance requirements when claims occur in states with higher coverage limits. These changes directly affect car sharing platforms, drivers using shared vehicles, and insurance providers operating in Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 919 clarifies the scope of practice for audiologists in Maryland by updating the legal definition of "practice audiology." It explicitly includes ordering and performing nonradiographic scans and imaging of the ear canal for diagnosing auditory or vestibular conditions, while excluding surgeries and radiographic imaging. This directly affects licensed audiologists in Maryland by expanding their permitted procedures for ear-related diagnoses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and focuses on defining professional boundaries without altering other healthcare regulations.