Sen. Dalya Attar

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct at least two unannounced on-site inspections annually at each certified recovery residence to verify compliance with health and safety standards. If deficiencies are found, the residence must correct them within one month after receiving notice. Failure to correct issues within this period allows the Department to direct the credentialing entity to revoke the residence's certification. The bill directly affects certified recovery residences (facilities providing housing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders) and the Department of Health's oversight process.

Maddy summarySB 546 standardizes food labeling in Maryland by requiring manufacturers and retailers to use clear terms like "Best if Used By" for quality dates and "Use By" for safety dates on food packaging starting July 1, 2027. It prohibits the use of "Sell By" labels on food items made after that date, aiming to reduce consumer confusion about food safety and quality. The Maryland Department of Health must create and post educational materials about these date labels online by July 1, 2027. This affects food producers, retailers, and consumers by establishing consistent labeling rules for most packaged foods.

Maddy summarySB 362 (the Ny'Kala Strawder Act) amends Maryland law to increase penalties for storing or leaving a loaded firearm where a person knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. It prohibits negligent firearm storage in locations accessible to minors, making violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a $1,000 fine, or both. Exceptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement possession during duties, or a minor with a valid hunter safety certificate. The law also explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases or referenced during civil trials involving firearm-related injuries or deaths. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 406 redefines "drug trafficking crime" in Maryland law to include misdemeanor violations of cannabis possession (specifically § 5-602(b)(1) and § 5-603(b)), not just felonies. This means individuals charged with misdemeanor cannabis offenses - like possessing quantities suggesting intent to distribute - will now be subject to firearm restrictions during those offenses. The bill adds that possessing a firearm during such a misdemeanor cannabis violation constitutes a separate felony, carrying a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence for a first offense. It directly affects people facing misdemeanor cannabis charges by expanding the scope of offenses triggering enhanced firearm penalties. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 258 establishes that private roads open to public travel for 20+ years are automatically considered offered for dedication to public use. If a state, county, or municipality maintains such a road like a public road (before or after the 20-year period), it is deemed accepted as a public road. The bill prohibits local governments from passing laws conflicting with these rules and clarifies that other dedication methods remain available. This directly affects property owners with long-used private roads and local governments responsible for road maintenance. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 294 changes how the Maryland Cybersecurity Council is led and who serves on it. Starting October 1, 2025, the Council will elect its own chair every two years instead of the Attorney General serving as chair. The bill adds specific membership requirements, including five cybersecurity company representatives (with at least three from small companies under 50 employees), four business association representatives, and up to ten higher education representatives. This directly affects small cybersecurity firms, business associations, and educational institutions that will now have formal representation on the Council.

Maddy summarySB 937 requires Maryland's Energy Administration to coordinate with state agencies and neighboring states to advance new nuclear power projects, including cost-sharing agreements and federal site partnerships. It establishes a new process for approving nuclear energy generation projects and mandates that electric companies procure nuclear energy from a special fund. The bill prohibits electricity suppliers from selling power directly to large commercial/industrial customers (defined as those with 100+ megawatt demand) without using the state's transmission system. These changes directly affect electricity suppliers, nuclear developers, and large energy users by restructuring procurement, financing, and sales rules for nuclear power.

Maddy summarySB 369, the "Raymono A. Russell Act," requires public libraries in Maryland (excluding school libraries) to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a visible, accessible location, maintain its functionality, and ensure a staff member trained in AED use is present during all open hours starting January 1, 2026. The bill specifically includes state libraries, regional systems (like Enoch Pratt in Baltimore), and specialized libraries (e.g., for the blind or deaf), but explicitly excludes school library media programs. It also grants legal immunity to libraries and trained individuals for using AEDs under the law’s requirements. This is a direct safety mandate targeting public library operators, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySB 1013 extends the expiration date of a specific Class B-D-7 alcoholic beverage license for a business at 5700 Falls Road in Baltimore City until July 1, 2026. This temporary extension allows the license holder to complete an ownership transfer and renewal at the same location without immediate license expiration. The bill directly affects only this single business location and expires automatically on July 31, 2026, without requiring further legislative action. It does not change general licensing rules for other businesses or locations in Baltimore City.

Maddy summarySB 37 requires investor-owned electric companies in Maryland to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission detailing all recorded votes cast by the company or its affiliates at regional transmission organization meetings. The bill mandates that companies report every recorded vote (including those not otherwise disclosed) regardless of whether the vote reflects a final position or the voter's authority. Reports must be submitted by February 1 each year covering the prior calendar year's voting activity. This transparency measure applies to all electric companies participating in regional transmission organizations, excluding municipal utilities, and takes effect October 1, 2025.