Sen. Mary Washington

Maddy summaryMaryland's SB 962 prohibits individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack from holding specific government positions. The bill applies to those convicted regardless of subsequent pardons and bars them from serving on state boards/commissions, in executive government roles, or in special appointments. Appointing authorities must immediately remove anyone violating this law. It does not apply to standing committees or committees established under Title 2 of state law. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 730 changes the notice requirement for counties and municipalities filing tax foreclosure actions on vacant or abandoned properties. It replaces a specific rule requiring certified mail notice within five days with standard service under Maryland Rules. This affects how property owners and other interested parties receive notice of foreclosure actions. The bill maintains existing requirements for foreclosure complaints to include property details and tax amounts but focuses on updating the notice process. The change takes effect June 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 404 amends Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) record-sharing rules to allow the MVA to provide digital photographs or signatures of individuals to Baltimore City's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) within the Department of Housing and Community Development. This directly affects the MVA (which must now share these records) and Baltimore City's SIU (which gains access to these records for investigations). The key provision explicitly adds the SIU to the list of authorized entities - alongside courts, criminal justice agencies, and others - that can access MVA's digital records, specifically for housing and community development enforcement purposes. The bill does not change public access to MVA records but streamlines record-sharing for this specific city agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed clinical social workers to evaluate permanent impairments related to behavioral or mental disorders in workers' compensation claims, expanding beyond current requirements that limited this role to psychologists or physicians. To qualify, social workers must meet specific training standards in mental health conditions, hold rehabilitation counselor registration, have two years of relevant experience, and be authorized providers. It directly affects workers seeking compensation for mental health-related impairments and the social workers providing these evaluations. The law amends Maryland's workers' compensation code to include these requirements, effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 874 clarifies and expands the scope of practice for licensed social workers in Maryland. It revises definitions in the Health Occupations code to specify that all licensed social workers (including bachelor's and master's level) may independently provide psychosocial assessment, case management, and counseling services without supervision, as long as they follow board regulations. The bill removes previous restrictions requiring supervision for certain practice activities under bachelor's and master's licenses. It directly affects licensed social workers by enabling broader independent practice within their defined education and training categories.

Maddy summarySB 732 requires Maryland's Comptroller to direct funds from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (funded by cannabis tax revenue and business fees) specifically to Baltimore City's Comptroller. The Baltimore City Comptroller must then establish a special fund to distribute these resources to community programs in areas disproportionately impacted by historical cannabis enforcement. Funds can support services like behavioral health care, job training, housing assistance, and after-school programs - but cannot fund law enforcement or replace existing city programs. The bill mandates these funds remain separate from general city revenue and are subject to audit, ensuring they directly benefit Baltimore communities most affected by past cannabis policies.

Maddy summarySB 687 establishes a mandatory flood risk review process for areas at risk of tidal or nontidal flooding in Maryland. It requires the Department of the Environment to implement this process when reviewing certain development plans and permits, and to consult with local governments, state agencies, and watershed groups before final decisions. The bill makes the flood risk determination binding on local stormwater management approvals, ensuring it becomes part of the local permitting process. This directly affects the Department of the Environment, local jurisdictions managing stormwater approvals, and developers seeking permits in flood-prone areas. The policy changes focus on integrating flood risk assessments into existing development reviews to better protect communities from flooding impacts.

Maddy summarySB 733 updates Maryland’s land use definitions and rules for local boards of appeals. It redefines "Board of Appeals" as an independent, quasi-judicial body that reviews land use decisions, clarifies terms like "development rights," and adds new sections (4-302.1, 4-304, 4-305) while repealing outdated ones. The bill alters how board members are appointed and removed and changes procedures for appeals hearings. These changes directly affect local governments, property owners, and developers navigating zoning disputes across Maryland.

Maddy summarySB 873 modifies Maryland's lead risk reduction requirements for housing property owners. It requires owners to complete specific lead hazard treatments - such as repairing chipped paint, installing smooth window wells, and HEPA-vacuuming - within 30 days after receiving written notice that a resident has an elevated blood lead level (with thresholds adjusted by date) or a defect is reported with a person at risk present. The bill updates the conditions triggering these actions, applying to residential properties affected by lead hazards under existing law. It becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 688 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to update stormwater management rules, directly affecting developers, local governments, and state agencies. It mandates that stormwater plans must maintain predevelopment runoff characteristics, prevent soil erosion, protect stream channels, and achieve 100% groundwater recharge. The bill also requires treating pollutants in runoff to restore water quality, protect aquatic life, and prevent downstream flooding from new development. These changes apply to all new construction and redevelopment projects requiring stormwater permits.