Sen. Katie Hester

Maddy summarySB 378 establishes a Family Literacy Pilot Program through the Maryland State Library Agency, allowing incarcerated individuals to record themselves reading children's books to their children. The program directly affects incarcerated parents, their children, and correctional facilities participating in the pilot. Key provisions include selecting four facilities (representing Maryland's regions and including both male and female facilities), providing free children's books in multiple languages, securing parental permission, and enabling incarcerated individuals to prepare and share recordings. The State Library Agency must report on the program's results to the General Assembly by December 1, 2028, and the program expires automatically on December 31, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland public school systems to issue simultaneous bids for boys' and girls' high school sports officiating services for "similar" sports (defined as those with comparable rules, season, official count, and competition time). It prohibits schools from awarding contracts where officials for girls' sports receive different pay rates or fees than those for boys' sports in comparable events. The law applies to new procurement contracts starting July 1, 2025, with existing contracts allowed to be extended until 2029. It directly affects all local school systems purchasing officiating services for high school athletic events.

Maddy summarySB 491 defines "honorable discharge" for Maryland state benefits to include discharges solely based on sexual orientation or gender identity, discharges related to statements/acts about orientation/identity (if prohibited at the time), or discharges tied to PTSD/TBI diagnoses or disclosed sexual trauma at VA facilities. This change directly affects veterans applying for Maryland state programs like housing, education, or employment benefits. Veterans must now submit documentation explaining their discharge basis to qualify under this expanded definition. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 278 expands Maryland's definition of "uniformed services" to include members of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), previously limited to only the armed forces. This change updates how "veteran" status is defined in state law, ensuring these service members qualify for state benefits. The bill requires Maryland's tax and pension programs to apply equally to all uniformed services, eliminating prior exclusions for non-military personnel. It directly affects service members in the Public Health Service and NOAA, granting them parity in state tax relief, pensions, and other benefits.

Maddy summarySB 318 expands eligibility for Maryland's Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program to include veterinary practitioners and veterinary technicians. It adds two new pathways: (1) working as a state-employed veterinarian for at least 5 years, or (2) volunteering at qualifying animal shelters for 100+ hours yearly over 3 years (shelters owned by local governments, contracted animal control providers, or spay/neuter grant recipients). The bill directly affects graduates of accredited veterinary schools who provide services in these specific roles. This change modifies existing program criteria under Maryland Code, Education Article § 18-1502, without creating new funding.

Maddy summarySB 360 updates Maryland law to address non-consensual sharing of computer-generated images resembling real people. It allows victims to file civil lawsuits if someone distributes such images that falsely show their intimate parts or sexual activity without consent, and it creates a new criminal offense for knowingly distributing these images under specific circumstances (like with intent to harm or without consent). The bill defines "computer-generated visual representation" to include images made from scratch or altered from existing photos without permission, while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings. This directly affects individuals who create or share such images without consent, as well as victims seeking legal remedies for privacy violations.

Maddy summarySB 867 transfers management of the Cyber Maryland Program from the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to the Maryland Department of Labor. The bill requires the Program to award competitive grants and contracts for IT/OT initiatives starting in fiscal year 2026, while altering how the Cyber Maryland Fund is used - including transferring unused balances from other programs to the Fund annually. It also revises the Program's purpose to focus on creating a cybersecurity talent pipeline by 2026, serving as an employer resource hub, and ensuring workforce development reflects Maryland's racial, gender, ethnic, and geographic diversity. These changes aim to streamline cybersecurity workforce development efforts under the Department of Labor's administration.

Maddy summarySB 564 modifies Maryland's process for transferring funds between the Catastrophic Event Account and the State Disaster Recovery Fund during emergencies. It shortens the Legislative Policy Committee's review period for fund transfers from 15 days to 5 days (and to 2 days during federal shutdowns), enabling faster response to disasters. The bill specifies transfers to the Disaster Recovery Fund only when that fund is depleted or when disaster costs exceed its balance. This directly affects state and local governments needing rapid financial assistance for natural disasters or catastrophic events. The changes aim to streamline funding access without altering the core purpose of these accounts.

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.