Sen. Sara Love

Maddy summarySB 892 modifies Maryland's State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness to include a member with expertise in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal care. It requires health occupations boards (like those for nurses or doctors) to grant at least two continuing education credits for every hour of training on these conditions, directly affecting healthcare professionals renewing their licenses. The bill also mandates the Maryland Health Care Commission, Commission for Women, and Department of Health to take specific actions related to these health conditions. These changes aim to improve provider knowledge and care for women experiencing these common health transitions.

Maddy summarySB 745 (LEAD Act of 2026) requires Maryland police training programs to include specific modules on interacting with individuals with autism and dementia. It mandates that entrance-level and in-service training cover six key areas: locating missing persons (including wanderers), water safety searches, sensory-aware approaches, reunification, documentation, and interagency coordination. The bill directly affects all Maryland police departments and training schools by adding these requirements to their curricula. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, and amends Maryland’s Public Safety Code (Section 3-207(a)(16)(v)).

Maddy summarySB 651 establishes a legal framework for "transfer-on-death deeds" in Maryland, allowing property owners to designate beneficiaries who automatically inherit real estate upon the owner's death without probate. The bill directly affects Maryland homeowners and their named beneficiaries, providing standardized forms for creating or revoking these deeds and exempting them from property transfer taxes. Key provisions simplify recording requirements (removing tax certification needs) and allow retroactive application to certain existing life estate deeds. This change streamlines property transfer, reduces administrative hurdles, and avoids court involvement for qualifying real estate.

Maddy summarySB 776 establishes the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children to investigate a historical detention facility in Prince George’s County that operated for over a century. The commission will research the institution’s history, identify children buried in an unmarked cemetery on its grounds (primarily African American boys who died in state care), and provide public accountability. It requires the Attorney General to chair the commission, which includes appointed members from state agencies, historical experts, community representatives, and at least one descendant of those buried. The commission must promote healing through truth-telling and community input while conducting forensic, archaeological, and historical research to the highest professional standards. This bill directly affects Maryland’s state government, descendants of those buried, and historically marginalized communities impacted by the institution’s legacy.

Maddy summarySB 323 (Youth Charging Reform Act) removes restrictions that previously prevented Maryland juvenile courts from handling cases involving youth aged 16 and older accused of serious crimes. It repeals provisions that excluded such cases for offenses like murder, robbery, gun crimes, and aggravated violence, expanding juvenile court jurisdiction to include these charges. Now, youth 16+ facing these specific allegations will be processed in juvenile court instead of being automatically sent to adult court. This change affects juvenile courts, prosecutors, and youth aged 16+ charged with the listed offenses under Maryland law.

Maddy summarySB 334 prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of "machine gun convertible pistols" after a specified date. These are defined as semi-automatic pistols with a specific trigger mechanism that can be easily converted to fire automatically using common tools or a "pistol converter" (including 3D-printed versions). The law exempts law enforcement, licensed dealers acting within their business, and certain inheritances or transfers. It amends Maryland's criminal code to specifically ban these devices while clarifying related terms like "rapid fire activators." The bill targets the conversion capability, not standard semi-automatic pistols.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to potential tenants who use income-based housing subsidies (like federal housing vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or past credit history that occurred before they received the subsidy. It directly affects landlords and tenants using such subsidies, ensuring they cannot be discriminated against for relying on government assistance to pay rent. The law amends Maryland's housing discrimination statutes to clarify that such refusals constitute a discriminatory practice enforceable by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, with a limited exception for properties receiving funding that requires income verification for tenant eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland law enforcement officers to remove face coverings during official duties, with limited exceptions for religious garb, inclement weather, or safety equipment (like gas masks). It mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create a model policy, which all agencies must adopt. Officers violating the rule face civil penalties (up to $2,000) but not criminal charges. The law specifically excludes undercover operations and does not apply to face coverings used for health protection or religious reasons. It directly affects all state and local law enforcement officers performing public safety duties.

Maddy summarySB 204 establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program within the State Department of Education to recognize public school students who demonstrate proficiency in civics and civic literacy. Local school systems can choose to participate, using state-developed guidelines (to be finalized by 2027-2028) to determine student eligibility. Participating schools may award a "Seal of Civic Excellence" and attach it to students' high school diplomas. The program requires annual reports from participating schools starting July 2028, and schools may collaborate with civic organizations to support implementation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maryland hospitals to screen patients in emergency departments for pregnancy-related medical emergencies. If a patient has such a condition, hospitals must stabilize it through appropriate treatment - including pregnancy termination when medically necessary - before transferring them, and cannot transfer unstable patients without following federal emergency transfer rules. It prohibits hospitals from retaliating against staff who refuse transfers of unstable patients or report violations, and imposes civil penalties (up to $50,000) for noncompliance. The law applies to all Maryland hospitals and aims to ensure timely, stable care for pregnant patients in medical crises.