Rep. Jeff Long

Maddy summaryHB 1014 defines "danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others" for Maryland's mental health law, directly affecting individuals with mental disorders who might face involuntary admission. It specifies four concrete scenarios that constitute this danger: causing bodily harm, engaging in conduct leading to criminal involvement, inability to meet basic needs (food, shelter, medical care), or substantial deterioration in judgment that impairs treatment decisions. The definition requires a "substantial risk" considering the person's current condition and available history, replacing the prior standard. This change clarifies the legal threshold for involuntary hospitalization and emergency evaluations under Maryland law.

Maddy summaryHB 687 (the PACE Act) protects criminal defendants and juvenile respondents in Maryland from having their creative works (like music, poetry, visual art, or film) used as evidence against them in court. It blocks such evidence unless a court finds, by a preponderance of evidence, that the creator intended the work to be literal (not fictional), it directly references the specific facts of the alleged crime, and it's relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes this protection for juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. This law directly affects artists facing criminal or juvenile charges in Maryland, changing how their original creative expression can be considered as evidence. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland House Joint Resolution formally condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine and specifically declares that Russia's abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children constitutes genocide under international law. The bill cites multiple documented incidents, including the attack on a Mariupol maternity hospital and the systematic removal of children from occupied territories for forced adoption and indoctrination. It holds the Russian government responsible for these actions and notes the increased risks to Ukrainian children facing exploitation, trauma, and deprivation of basic needs. The resolution serves as an official statement of condemnation rather than a law that changes domestic policy or imposes new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1097 requires all Maryland public high schools to maintain a standardized injury log for athletic injuries occurring during school sports activities. The log must include specific details like date/time, sport, injury description, whether medical treatment was provided, and return-to-play authorization, and must be documented within 24 hours by coaches, trainers, or designated staff. Schools must retain these logs for five years and submit an annual, anonymized summary of all high school athletic injuries to the State Department of Education by July 1 each year (starting July 1, 2027). This law directly affects public high schools and their athletic staff, aiming to improve injury tracking and safety oversight while complying with student privacy laws.

Maddy summaryHB 531 establishes a task force to study existing STEM and robotics programs in Maryland public schools and other states. The task force, composed of state officials, school representatives, and nonprofit leaders, will collect data on program structures, funding, and impacts to assess the feasibility of creating statewide competitive robotics programs in public high schools. It must submit recommendations by December 15, 2026, including whether robotics should be established as a varsity sport in all public high schools. The bill directly affects Maryland public schools by initiating a formal review process for potential program expansion.

Maddy summaryHB 883 prohibits AI developers from making or causing AI to make claims that the AI is a behavioral health provider or can deliver behavioral health care services. It requires AI sold to Maryland consumers to include clear notices stating users are interacting with AI (not a human) and to detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm, automatically referring users to crisis services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1 million per offense, with funds directed to Maryland’s Behavioral Health Workgroup Investment Fund. The law directly affects AI developers and sellers operating in Maryland, focusing on preventing misleading AI interactions in mental health contexts.

Maddy summaryHB 386 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA and Maryland's budget process, mandating that the Governor withhold funds if WMATA fails to submit required reports (like safety assessments and financial data) or if it doesn't develop a rail signaling workforce transition plan by July 2028. The bill also requires WMATA to provide detailed annual reports on safety, ridership, finances, and capital investments to trigger full funding. If WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, or misses the workforce plan deadline, the Governor must withhold the funds until these conditions are met.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 designates October 1 as "Purple Lights Night" in Maryland, requiring the Governor to annually proclaim this day. The bill honors individuals in the state who are victims or survivors of domestic violence and expresses support for eliminating domestic violence. It adds this commemorative day to Maryland law through a procedural change in the Annotated Code (Section 7-417), without creating new programs or funding. The bill is purely ceremonial, focusing on symbolic recognition rather than policy implementation. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1290 authorizes children involved in Maryland's Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) proceedings - where a child faces abuse, neglect, disability, or mental health issues requiring court intervention - to be present at their hearings. The bill requires courts to allow children’s presence unless the child’s attorney determines it’s not in the child’s best interest (with the child waiving their right) or the court makes that finding after considering alternatives. Before excluding a child, courts must explore less restrictive options like adjusting schedules, remote participation, trauma-informed support, or limiting courtroom time. This directly affects children in CINA cases handled by Maryland’s juvenile courts, modifying court procedures to prioritize their participation while ensuring safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 893 authorizes Maryland government units to acquire property containing abandoned cemeteries through condemnation for transfer to descendants of those buried there, descendant community organizations, or qualifying nonprofits. It requires governments to make reasonable efforts to contact descendants after acquisition and allows affected groups to petition courts to request property transfers. The bill also mandates that any entity receiving the property must maintain and preserve the cemetery, while governments must preserve the site until transfer occurs or facilitate reinterment if transfer isn't possible within a reasonable time. This applies to cemeteries meeting specific criteria, such as having no active operator, unclaimed ownership, or no identifiable responsible party.