Sen. Dawn Gile

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill creates a state income tax credit of up to $300 for individuals who harvest an antlerless deer and donate the meat to a qualified nonprofit organization. To qualify, hunters must follow state laws and donate the processed meat to a 501(c)(3) venison donation program, with the credit amount potentially increasing to $600 if the deer was harvested under a specific management permit. The legislation also establishes a liability shield for donors and recipients of the food and requires donation programs to report donor names and deer counts to the state comptroller annually. This five-year program, effective from July 1, 2024, is designed to encourage the donation of venison to food banks and similar organizations while providing a financial incentive to hunters.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's existing Law Enforcement Cadet Apprenticeship Program into a broader Public Safety Apprenticeship Program that includes correctional facilities and other public safety agencies. It increases the maximum grant amounts available to agencies, raising the startup grant limit to $200,000 and the per-apprentice stabilization grant to $5,000, while also requiring agencies to bargain with unions regarding employment terms before receiving funds. Additionally, the legislation mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create mental health wellness policies for law enforcement and correctional facilities and establishes a new workgroup to study ways to increase employment in these sectors.

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 Maryland law establishes a grant program to help reproductive health care clinics improve their physical security and safety operations. Administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, the program provides funding for specific upgrades such as better lighting, fencing, access control systems, and alarm networks. To qualify, clinics must offer legally protected reproductive health services, and the program includes strict rules to keep applicant information confidential to protect the safety of the recipients. The legislation authorizes an initial budget of $500,000 for fiscal year 2026, with up to 5% of those funds reserved for administrative costs.

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 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 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 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 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.