Sen. Dalya Attar

Maddy summarySB 130 requires all Maryland county school boards to create and enforce a policy banning student use of cellular devices (including smartphones and tablets) during instructional time, defined as the school day except lunch. The policy must mandate secure storage of devices and include disciplinary measures for violations, while allowing exceptions for students with documented health needs, IEP/504 accommodations, or educator-directed educational use. It affects all public school students, parents, and school staff in Maryland’s 24 county school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all county boards of education.

Maddy summarySB 1040 (FEDERAL Jobs Act of 2025) creates an Expedited Hiring Program within Maryland's Department of Budget and Management to recruit former federal employees for state government positions. It directly affects eligible applicants who previously worked for the federal government for at least one year and left after January 15, 2025, as well as state appointing authorities responsible for filling vacancies. Key provisions require appointing authorities to fill eligible vacancies within 40 days, modify job descriptions to appeal to former federal workers, and implement marketing, applicant rating, and referral processes. The program aims to leverage federal expertise for state roles while operating under the State Personnel Management System.

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 8 establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program, a voluntary initiative for public school systems in Maryland to recognize student civic engagement. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, participating schools must award a "Seal of Civic Excellence" to students who pass a government assessment, earn A or B grades in U.S. history, modern world history, and American government, and complete 75 hours of community service (including at least 30 hours on a civic project). Schools may also earn a "Center of Civic Excellence" designation if 50% or more of their graduating students receive the seal. Participating school systems must submit annual reports on the program starting in 2027.

Maddy summarySB 819 allows Maryland county school boards to adopt open enrollment policies, enabling students to attend public schools in a different county (where they are not domiciled) without cost, subject to specific requirements. The bill requires counties to include these students in full-time equivalent enrollment counts and directs state funding to the county where the student is enrolled (the "receiving county") rather than their home county ("sending county"). It mandates that open enrollment policies include an application process with preferences for zoned students and siblings, a transparent selection method like a lottery if capacity is exceeded, and regular public reporting of enrollment capacity data online.

Maddy summarySB 1044 requires Maryland's State Board of Education to adopt regulations allowing school districts to use alternative vehicles (such as taxis, commercial coaches, or rideshare services) for student transportation under specific conditions. It mandates that these vehicles undergo two annual safety inspections by certified technicians, carry required equipment (including backup alarms, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers), and maintain inspection records. The law directly affects county school systems and transportation providers that choose to use non-traditional vehicles for student trips. Regulations must be implemented by July 1, 2025, aligning with existing definitions of "alternative school vehicles" in state codes.

Maddy summarySB 998 requires Maryland gas companies to file detailed plans with the Public Service Commission for safety and reliability infrastructure projects (like pipe replacements to reduce leaks or improve public safety). These plans must include project descriptions, timelines, cost analyses comparing alternatives (such as leak repair or electrification), and 2-year advance customer notifications allowing time to switch to electric options. The bill establishes a capped monthly surcharge ($2 max for residential customers) to recover project costs separately from regular rate increases, ensuring ratepayers aren’t overcharged while protecting them from unexpected bills. It directly affects gas utilities and their natural gas customers across Maryland, with the Commission reviewing all plans for compliance.

Maddy summarySB 1011 establishes a permanent state fund to provide grants to low-income condominium unit owners who cannot afford increased assessments required for their association to build reserve funds for future repairs. It targets owners with household incomes at or below 80% of the local area median income, with priority given to residents aged 65 or older. The fund, financed through state appropriations and interest earnings, covers the cost of necessary reserve-related fees without replacing existing housing assistance. Recipients must report annually on their condo's reserve account balance to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Maddy summarySB 1029, known as "Granny's Law," allows personal representatives (like executors) to ask courts to interpret wills when a decedent left a bequest to a health provider or charity without specifying it must address health equity, but the decedent showed lifelong interest in health equity. It creates a rebuttable presumption that such bequests should fund health equity efforts, requiring the personal representative to prove the decedent's intent with evidence like their lifetime actions. If a beneficiary doesn’t show how the bequest was used for health equity within 3 years of estate probate, the personal representative can seek court orders to return the funds or recover their value. The law applies retroactively to wills probated since October 1, 2021, directly affecting estates with health-related bequests and beneficiaries receiving those funds.

Maddy summarySB 1031 (Ny’Kala Strawder Act) makes it a misdemeanor to store or leave a loaded firearm where a person knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. It directly affects parents, guardians, or others responsible for firearm storage who fail to secure weapons safely around children. The law imposes penalties of up to 5 years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both, while excluding violations from being used as evidence of negligence in civil cases. Exemptions include supervised access by adults, unlawful entry, law enforcement use, or minors with valid firearm safety certificates.