Sen. Dalya Attar

Maddy summarySB 1012 prohibits the Maryland Transit Administration from acquiring residential property for the Baltimore Red Line transit project if the acquisition would force residents to move. It directly affects homeowners and renters in neighborhoods along the proposed East-West corridor between Security Boulevard and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The bill adds a new restriction to Maryland’s transportation code (Section 7-718), requiring the agency to avoid involuntary residential displacement during planning, construction, or operation. This policy change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies specifically to the Red Line project’s property acquisition process.

Maddy summarySB 945 requires Maryland licensing authorities to provide interested parties (such as families of residents or nearby neighbors) with the specific criteria used to approve or renew licenses for community-based residential facilities. It also mandates that each licensing authority designate a single point of contact to handle complaints or concerns about these facilities. The bill applies to facilities licensed under Maryland’s health codes for community residential care, including those regulated under Titles 7.5, 8, 10, or 14 of the state’s laws. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 675 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to conduct a detailed analysis comparing the full costs and benefits of different electricity generation sources for ratepayers. The study must evaluate three specific scenarios: current natural gas and nuclear capacity, plus 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind (with energy storage to address intermittency), and compare costs using the Levelized Full System Cost model. It specifically examines how energy storage affects reliability costs for each source and identifies the most cost-effective options. The Commission must submit findings and policy recommendations to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This analysis directly affects Maryland electricity ratepayers by informing potential future energy policy decisions based on cost comparisons.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City, creating a shared unit of the state park system focused on outdoor recreation and education. The park will include specific existing properties such as Leakin Park and the Gwynns Falls Trail, with a formal agreement defining the financial and operational roles of both the state and the city. To guide development, the law requires the state and city to conduct community surveys, hold focus group meetings, and create an advisory committee comprised of neighborhood, environmental, and historic preservation representatives. Additionally, the bill mandates a summer conservation jobs program for high school students and requires a detailed report to be submitted to the General Assembly by December 1, 2025, outlining suitable properties and funding needs.

Maddy summaryHB 763 modifies the membership of Maryland's Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention by replacing the representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Maryland Office with two appointed representatives of the Muslim community. The bill also sets a sunset date for the Commission, requiring it to cease operations after June 30, 2027, and outlines specific expiration dates for the terms of current members to ensure a staggered transition. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports on hate crimes in schools and the state, while maintaining the Commission's existing duties to develop prevention strategies and evaluate state laws.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill redefines consent in sexual crime laws to mean a clear and voluntary agreement, explicitly stating that past relationships, clothing choices, or submission due to fear do not constitute consent. It removes the requirement for force or threats to prove a crime, instead making the lack of consent a standalone element that can be shown through words or actions. The law also clarifies that consent can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be documented in writing. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Maryland Judiciary report annual statistics on sexual crime charges and convictions, broken down by county and demographic factors, until 2029.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law allows individuals under probation or parole supervision to earn time off their sentences by following rules and meeting specific goals. To qualify for these earned compliance credits, a person must show consistent compliance, avoid new arrests, stay current on court-ordered payments, and complete community requirements. The program specifically includes those monitored by private home detention agencies and grants a 20-day reduction for every month of good behavior. Once a person has served their full term plus earned credits, they move to a status called abatement, where they no longer need to report regularly or pay supervision fees unless they break the rules. Additionally, the law requires private monitoring agencies to report to the state division and mandates that a portion of the financial savings from this program be returned to the state.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates the Renters' Property Tax Relief Program by clarifying which financial items count toward a renter's asset total. Specifically, it removes the cash value of qualified retirement savings plans and individual retirement accounts from the list of assets used to determine eligibility. The change ensures that renters with significant retirement savings are not disqualified from receiving tax credits solely because of those funds. The legislation also maintains existing limits, such as capping the credit at $1,000 and restricting benefits to renters with a net worth of $200,000 or less. These adjustments take effect for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1244 requires the Maryland Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, and Maryland Higher Education Commission to each designate a staff member dedicated to analyzing state workforce needs and sharing data to guide higher education policies. The bill establishes a new advisory council to oversee program reviews and mandates that the Commission publish clear administrative guidelines for its approval process. It also introduces a grant fund to support public universities collaborating on new graduate programs and sets specific rules for online degree offerings and institutional mission statements. Additionally, the legislation requires institutions to submit letters of intent before launching new graduate programs and allows for objections to proposed online courses under certain conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Jaycee Webster Victims' Rights Act, requires Maryland commitment units to inform victims, their representatives, and witnesses when a defendant or child respondent is released from confinement. When sending these notifications, the facility must include the name and phone number of a specific victim services employee from the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center to assist those affected. The law also mandates that commitment units notify these individuals about other significant events, such as escapes, transfers, or the death of the person in custody. Additionally, the legislation protects the privacy of witnesses and victims by prohibiting commitment units from sharing their contact information with the defendants.