Sen. Mary Beth Carozza

Maddy summaryMaryland's SB 928 (Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act) requires all county school boards to create and implement policies by the 2027-2028 school year that limit students' use of personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the academic school day. The policy must prohibit personal device use except for specific exceptions, including special education plans, health needs, emergencies, educational purposes, language translation tools, and caregiver responsibilities. School boards must engage parents and staff in developing the policy, store devices securely during school hours, and use tiered disciplinary measures (not suspensions/expulsions) for violations. Annual reports on policy impacts, including equity data and stakeholder feedback, must be submitted to the state education department starting in 2027.

Maddy summarySB 9 establishes an annual tax-free day on November 11 (Veterans Day) in Maryland starting in 2026. It exempts sales tax on items costing less than $2,000 purchased by veterans, provided they show valid ID (like a driver's license or government ID) indicating veteran status. The Comptroller may suspend this tax-free day at their sole discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting eligible veterans making qualifying purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to permanently define Maryland's state flag as the version adopted in 1904, which features the Calvert and Crossland family coats of arms. The legislation would update state laws to align with this constitutional definition and remove previous statutory language about the flag. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, the change would make the 1904 flag design the official state symbol under the Maryland Constitution. The bill does not alter the flag's appearance but clarifies its legal status and ensures future consistency in how the flag is recognized.

Maddy summarySB 384 allows licensed real estate brokers, associate brokers, or salespersons in Maryland to act as "transaction brokers" in residential transactions - meaning they represent neither the buyer nor seller - only after obtaining written consent from all parties. The bill requires a standardized consent form explaining that the broker has no fiduciary duty to either party, may not disclose confidential information without permission, and that parties may seek separate representation. It applies to sales or leases of 1-4 family homes or residential-zoned land (excluding short-term leases under 125 days). The State Real Estate Commission must create and provide this plain-language consent form to all licensees.

Maddy summarySB 976 increases the annual salary for the judge of Wicomico County's Orphans' Court from $11,600 to $16,000, effective July 1, 2026. The bill amends Maryland's Annotated Code (Article - Estates and Trusts, Section 2-108(v)(1)) to set this new salary amount, paid quarterly. It applies only to judges serving terms beginning after the effective date, not to current judges in office before July 1, 2026. This is a direct compensation adjustment for one specific judicial position in Wicomico County.

Maddy summarySB 222 establishes strict qualifications for individuals appointed by Maryland courts to conduct child custody evaluations. It requires custody evaluators to be licensed professionals (such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, or marriage and family therapists) with specific training and experience in areas like child development, domestic violence, trauma, and family dynamics. The bill mandates completion of court-approved training, ongoing continuing education, and demonstrated expertise in key topics before appointment. Courts may only waive these requirements for existing court employees with at least 14 years of prior experience who complete additional training. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 615 requires condominiums, homeowners associations, and cooperative housing corporations in Maryland to conduct regular reserve studies and budget for major repairs. It mandates an initial reserve study within 30 days before a key meeting, followed by updates every five years, with specific deadlines based on the community’s location and establishment date (e.g., Prince George’s County communities established after 2020 must comply by 2026). The bill also allows members (not just the board) to declare financial hardship, extending relief periods, and requires boards to add funds to reserve accounts if they deviate from required funding levels for capital components. This directly affects community associations managing shared property, ensuring they plan for future costs like roof replacements or elevator repairs. The law amends Maryland’s real property and association statutes to standardize these financial planning requirements.

Maddy summarySB 845 requires local election offices to immediately remove voters from Maryland's statewide registration list when they receive verified death reports from specific sources, such as the Maryland Department of Health or the Social Security Administration. It mandates that election directors send a 2-week verification notice to voters reported deceased, allowing them to contest removal by proving they are alive. If a voter contests and provides valid reason, their registration may be retained or referred to a hearing; if no contest occurs, removal is finalized. The bill also requires election directors to reinstate registrations if a removed voter is later confirmed alive, ensuring accuracy in voter rolls.

Maddy summarySB 991 requires Maryland government agencies to allow inspectors general (IGs) created under state or local law to inspect public records when state law authorizes their access and they need the records for their duties. The bill specifies that agencies must permit this access unless the records are legally privileged or confidential. It also restricts how IGs can share any public records they receive under this provision. This bill directly affects state and local IG offices and the agencies that must comply with their record requests, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 850 requires Maryland electric and gas companies (including midsize cooperatives after 2026) to design energy efficiency, conservation, and demand response programs that demonstrably lower residential customer bills. It mandates the Public Service Commission to establish caps on certain assessments and set deadlines for eliminating unpaid utility costs. The law ensures programs must include measurable bill savings for households, not just energy reductions, and requires annual reports tracking energy savings and emissions reductions from these programs. This directly affects all residential utility customers in Maryland by linking program requirements to tangible cost savings.