Rep. Ryan Spiegel

Maddy summaryHB 1365 requires healthcare providers (like doctors and nurses) to complete menopause-specific training to earn continuing education credits, with licensing boards mandated to grant double credit (2 hours for every 1 hour of training). It also requires insurers, nonprofit health plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover the evaluation and management of menopause and related symptoms. The law applies to all relevant providers and insurers in Maryland, effective January 1, 2027. The Department must identify a standardized training program after consulting with professional associations like The Menopause Society.

Maddy summaryHB 1530 repeals a requirement that undocumented students (or their parents/guardians) must file Maryland income tax returns annually for three years to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges. The bill directly affects undocumented students who attended Maryland high schools and meet other existing criteria (graduation from a Maryland school, applying within six years). Instead of tax filings, students must now submit an affidavit committing to apply for permanent residency within 30 days of eligibility, plus proof of Selective Service compliance if required. The bill maintains other eligibility conditions like Maryland high school attendance but removes the tax documentation burden, aiming to simplify access to in-state tuition rates.

Maddy summaryHB 919 establishes the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Grant Program through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The program provides grants directly to minorities residing in historically redlined neighborhoods and underrepresented communities who aim to become real estate appraisers. Its key mechanisms include closing appraisal gaps in these communities, diversifying the appraisal field, and supporting individuals pursuing PAREA certification. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the grants starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 573 updates Maryland's fair housing laws to prohibit discriminatory housing practices based on *effect* - not just *intent*. It explicitly states that actions creating segregated housing patterns or disproportionately harming protected groups (based on race, disability, sexual orientation, etc.) are illegal, regardless of whether the actor intended harm. The bill requires the Department of Housing to adopt regulations ensuring local governments and housing authorities actively "affirmatively further fair housing" through assessments in comprehensive planning. This directly affects housing providers, landlords, local governments, and housing authorities by expanding prohibited conduct and mandating proactive fair housing measures.

Maddy summaryHB 623 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize colleges providing strong support for military-connected students, while updating the existing Purple Star Schools Program. The bill directly affects military-connected students (including service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents) and colleges, including both public/private higher education institutions and private career schools. Key provisions require colleges to appoint a military liaison to assist new military-connected students with transitions, and maintain an easily accessible website with resources on relocation, enrollment, academic planning, and support services. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the program and establish minimum criteria for colleges to earn Purple Star designation.

Maddy summaryHB 1008, the "Vulnerable Adult Banking Protection Act," allows banks and credit unions to delay or block payments from accounts of seniors (65+) or vulnerable adults (those who lack capacity to meet daily needs) if they reasonably suspect financial exploitation. The bill requires financial institutions to notify authorized account holders (unless they suspect that person of exploitation) and report the delay to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement within four business days. It also mandates that institutions provide status updates to authorities upon request, creating a formal process to address potential abuse while protecting vulnerable account holders.

Maddy summaryHB 898, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and expand incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the "Strategic Closing Fund" under the Department of Commerce, alters eligibility and calculation rules for tax credits (including Job Creation, R&D, and film production credits), and extends the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill allows pass-through entities to allocate tax credits to members and removes limits on film production tax credit certificates. These changes directly affect businesses, investors, and film producers seeking state economic development incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 861 requires Maryland's Department of Information Technology to post the Statewide IT Master Plan on its website within six months of a governor's inauguration in their first term. If the deadline is missed, the Secretary must notify the governor and five specific legislative committees (Senate Budget Committee, Senate Education/Environment Committee, House Appropriations, House Government/Labor/Elections, and Joint Cybersecurity Committee) in writing within 10 days. The notification must explain the delay and provide a new publication date, not exceeding three months after the original deadline. This bill updates existing law to clarify posting requirements and accountability for delays.

Maddy summaryHB 721, the Uniformed Services Spouses Act, extends existing Maryland benefits for military service members and veterans to include their spouses. It adds "eligible spouse" as a defined term to priority registration at public colleges (within 15 years of service member’s last active duty, max four academic years), community college resource centers with tailored support, and senatorial/Delegate scholarships for spouses of active service members. The bill also modifies hiring preferences for state public service roles to include spouses of veterans. These changes directly affect spouses of active-duty service members and veterans living in Maryland who seek education, career support, or scholarships. The law updates multiple sections of Maryland’s education and employment codes to include spouses in eligibility criteria previously limited to service members themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 895 prohibits large food retailers (defined as those with at least 15,000 square feet selling tax-exempt food) from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data to set prices for individual shoppers. It also bans retailers from using data about protected characteristics (like race or gender) to deny discounts or services to specific customers. The bill further protects union rights by preventing retailers from weakening employee benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements without negotiation. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties.