Sen. Johnny Mautz

Maddy summarySB 870 prohibits operating any vessel (including kayaks or paddle boats) within 500 yards of an occupied stationary blind used for hunting migratory waterfowl during the open hunting season. This directly affects boaters, anglers, and recreational users near waterfowl hunting areas in Maryland. The bill amends Maryland law by adding Section 8-724.2 to clarify that vessels cannot operate within this buffer zone while blinds are actively being used. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and replaces prior language in Sections 4-512 and 8-701(a)(s) of the Natural Resources article.

Maddy summarySB 791 increases the minimum classroom teaching time requirement for Maryland public school teachers on career ladder levels 1-3 from 60% to 80% of their working time. This change directly affects teachers pursuing or holding these career ladder levels, requiring them to spend more time in classrooms and less on non-instructional duties. The bill specifies that the remaining 20% of time must be used for activities like improving instruction, tutoring struggling students, working with high-need populations, or participating in professional development. The policy takes effect July 1, 2025, without altering the career ladder's structure or progression requirements.

Maddy summarySB 835 requires state procurement units and contractors to pay undisputed retention funds - funds held back during construction projects - within 90 days after a project reaches substantial completion. This affects state contractors, subcontractors, and agencies like the Maryland Transportation Authority that handle construction contracts. The bill modifies existing law (Section 13-225 of Maryland’s Annotated Code) to set this specific payment deadline, ensuring faster release of funds without changing retainage percentage limits (capped at 5%). It applies to all state procurement contracts involving construction work.

Maddy summarySB 1017 removes the $1,000 minimum price requirement for sales tax exemption on precious metal bullion or coins. It directly affects sellers and buyers of qualifying bullion or coins (such as refined metal bars or historically used currency) but excludes jewelry and art. The bill repeals the existing rule that limited the exemption to sales over $1,000, making all qualifying sales exempt regardless of price. This change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 562 designates the Original Maryland Orange Crush cocktail as Maryland's official state cocktail. The bill amends Maryland's Annotated Code by adding Section 7-313 to formally establish this designation, effective June 1, 2025. This is a ceremonial procedural bill with no regulatory, funding, or policy changes beyond the official naming. It directly affects Maryland's state symbolism but has no impact on laws or regulations governing cocktails.

Maddy summarySB 527 grants City of Salisbury fire and explosive investigators the same arrest authority as the State Fire Marshal for specific fire-related crimes, such as setting fires to buildings or making false fire alarms. This applies when investigating incidents within Salisbury, aligning their powers with existing provisions for Hagerstown and Howard County investigators. The bill also allows the City Fire Chief to limit this authority as needed. It directly affects Salisbury's fire investigators and their ability to enforce fire safety laws. The law modifies Maryland's Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure codes to add Salisbury as a jurisdiction with this specific enforcement authority.

Maddy summarySB 793 requires healthcare providers issuing standing orders for opioid overdose reversal medications to allow patients to choose any FDA-approved formulation. It prohibits healthcare organizations and clinics from being forced to stock or dispense all FDA-approved opioid reversal drugs. The bill directly affects patients at risk of opioid overdose and healthcare providers or community organizations distributing these medications. This changes existing requirements to increase patient choice while reducing administrative burdens on providers. (SB 793, effective October 1, 2025)

Maddy summaryMaryland Senate Bill 961 requires the state's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover pharmacogenomic testing starting July 1, 2026. It mandates coverage when a treating provider orders testing for patients with depression or anxiety considering a medication change with a known gene-drug interaction. The bill also limits prior authorization requirements to ensure timely access, requiring only minimal documentation and preventing unnecessary delays. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and patients covered by participating health plans who need this type of genetic testing to guide medication choices.

Maddy summarySB 840 requires the Maryland Department of Health to publish a schedule for procuring the Surveillance and Utilization Review Subsystem (SURS) of the Medicaid Management Information System on its website by October 1, 2025. It also mandates that the Department post a 60-day advance notice detailing contracting procedures, requirements, and timelines before issuing any solicitation for this subsystem. This bill increases transparency in the procurement process by ensuring the public and potential vendors have clear, timely information about the timeline and requirements. The law directly affects the Maryland Department of Health, which must comply with these publishing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 876 requires Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (MMAP) to provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment starting July 1, 2026. This coverage includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, with no additional restrictions beyond the FDA's approved uses. The Maryland Department of Health must notify all MMAP recipients about this coverage by June 1, 2026, through written materials and program communications. The bill directly affects low-income Maryland residents enrolled in MMAP who qualify for obesity treatment under these new guidelines.