Sen. Malcolm Augustine

Maddy summaryThe Battery Stewardship Act requires manufacturers of batteries and battery-containing products to create and submit a stewardship plan to Maryland's Department of the Environment for approval. Producers cannot sell, distribute, or import these products in Maryland without an approved plan on file. The bill repeals older battery management requirements and establishes a Battery Stewardship Advisory Council to guide implementation, while mandating that stewardship organizations cover certain administrative costs to the Department. These changes shift responsibility for end-of-life battery management from consumers and local governments to producers.

Maddy summarySB 592 establishes a permanent "Health Care Quality Fund" within Maryland's Department of Health to improve community-based behavioral health services. The bill requires the Department to redirect civil penalties collected from behavioral health programs to the Comptroller, who must then distribute those funds into the new account. Interest earnings from the fund and other designated sources will also support the fund, which can be used for training, grants, or demonstration projects aimed at enhancing behavioral health care quality. This directly affects behavioral health programs (through penalty payments) and state agencies (which manage and distribute the funds).

Maddy summarySB 426, the Procurement Reform Act of 2025, reorganizes Maryland's state procurement system by giving the Chief Procurement Officer more authority to delegate tasks and manage contracts. It modifies thresholds for public notices, reports, and small business preferences, and requires contractors over a certain value to submit workforce diversity plans. The bill establishes a new preference for businesses with "good labor practices," transfers the Employment Works Program to a new office, and clarifies rules for expedited contracts and apprenticeship requirements. These changes directly affect state agencies, contractors, and small businesses participating in Maryland procurement.

Maddy summarySB 328 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to cover annual behavioral health wellness visits starting July 1, 2026. These visits are defined as clinical assessments to identify potential psychiatric or substance use disorders, without requiring a formal diagnosis. The bill mandates that covered entities provide this coverage regardless of the assessment outcome and reimburse providers at the same rate as visits resulting in a diagnosed condition. This policy applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 384 modifies Maryland's annual funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) capital costs. It sets a minimum grant amount (based on the 2019 budget) that increases by 3% each year, but requires WMATA to submit detailed reports on safety, financial performance, ridership data, and operational efficiency before the grant is released. The bill also allows the Governor to withhold 35% of the funding if WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a submitted corrective plan, and ties Maryland's contribution to similar actions by Virginia and the District of Columbia. This directly affects WMATA and the Washington Suburban Transit District, which administers the state's grant.

Maddy summarySB 325 modifies Maryland's tax credit program for employers hiring apprentices. It removes a requirement that apprentices earn at least 50% of the prevailing wage (previously in section 10-742(a)(iii)), making it easier for employers to qualify for the credit. The bill also extends the period during which the credit remains available. This affects Maryland employers who hire apprentices in registered programs, allowing them to claim a $1,000 credit per youth apprentice or $3,000 per non-youth apprentice (with a $15,000 annual limit per employer). The changes aim to support apprenticeship hiring without altering the credit amounts or application process.

Maddy summarySB 55 prohibits Maryland state agencies and instrumentalities from using public funds to develop or operate a magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation system within the state. This applies to all state departments and units, preventing them from allocating budgeted money for such projects. However, the bill explicitly allows spending on salaries for staff reviewing permits or approvals related to maglev systems. The law takes effect June 1, 2025, and focuses solely on funding restrictions, not the technology itself.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires public school and college coaches to receive training on identifying signs of mental health issues in student-athletes. The State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Health will create specific guidelines covering depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse. All public schools and higher education institutions with athletic programs must provide this training to their coaches starting July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum fines and penalties that charter counties in Maryland can impose to enforce their own local laws. It raises the limit for civil and criminal fines from $1,000 to $5,000 and allows for jail time of up to six months for violations. The changes also update the fine limits for enforcing local fair housing, employment discrimination, and public accommodations laws to align with federal standards. Effective October 1, 2024, these provisions give local governments greater financial leverage to ensure compliance with their ordinances.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maryland's existing Law Enforcement Cadet Apprenticeship Program into a broader Public Safety Apprenticeship Program that includes correctional facilities and other public safety agencies. It increases the maximum grant amounts available to agencies, raising the startup grant limit to $200,000 and the per-apprentice stabilization grant to $5,000, while also requiring agencies to bargain with unions regarding employment terms before receiving funds. Additionally, the legislation mandates the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to create mental health wellness policies for law enforcement and correctional facilities and establishes a new workgroup to study ways to increase employment in these sectors.