Sen. Malcolm Augustine

Maddy summaryThis Maryland law requires anyone applying for an optometry license or renewing an existing one to undergo a criminal history records check. Applicants must request both state and national background checks from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and pay the associated fees. When reviewing these records, the licensing board will consider factors such as the nature of any past crimes, how long ago they occurred, and the applicant's subsequent work history to determine if they pose a threat to public safety. The information obtained from these checks is kept confidential and used solely for licensing decisions, while individuals have the right to contest the accuracy of the records provided.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill establishes a temporary workgroup dedicated to studying how to better recruit and retain 9-1-1 specialists in the state. The group is composed of legislators, state agency representatives, and current employees in the field, and it will meet without receiving a salary but with reimbursement for travel expenses. Its main task is to investigate current challenges such as salary levels, benefits, training requirements, and turnover rates, while also reviewing reports from a previous commission on emergency services. By December 2024, the workgroup must provide an interim report, followed by a final report in December 2025, which will offer recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on improving support for these workers. The legislation is set to expire automatically on December 31, 2025, unless further action is taken.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention within the Maryland Department of Health to reduce gun violence and misuse through a public health approach. The center will be led by an executive director who will partner with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence, to develop and implement prevention strategies. Key actions include creating a state plan by May 2025, offering training and technical assistance to agencies and organizations, sharing data across jurisdictions, and promoting evidence-based initiatives. Funding for the center will be included in the state's annual budget starting in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Maryland Veterans Suicide Awareness Prevention Day, which the Governor must annually proclaim to occur between July 11 and September 30. The legislation directs the state to use this observance to honor veterans and service members while promoting mental health support and reducing stigma within the community. By adding this requirement to state law, the bill ensures that efforts to encourage veterans to seek help are formally recognized each year.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires the Department of Health to create a three-year public education campaign focused on preventing prostate, lung, and breast cancer, specifically targeting communities that face higher rates of these diseases. The campaign will provide information on risk factors, prevention methods, and the importance of screenings and clinical trials, and it will be developed in partnership with healthcare providers, hospitals, and relevant health organizations. Funding for the initiative, capped at $750,000 over five years, will come from the state's Cigarette Restitution Fund, which is used to support various health and tobacco control programs. The Department must publish the campaign materials online, set measurable goals, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly to track progress.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires that naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, be placed in the same location as automated external defibrillators within all public buildings. The State Emergency Medical Services Board, working with the Department of Health, will manage this initiative using existing funds from the Opioid Restitution Fund. To encourage participation, the law grants legal protection from lawsuits to building owners and individuals who provide or administer this naloxone in good faith. These changes aim to increase the availability of life-saving equipment and medication in public spaces to address both cardiac arrest and drug overdoses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new programs within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to support technology-based start-up companies in the Baltimore area. The first program provides grants of up to $50,000 to startups founded by students or faculty at local universities, requiring that at least 20% of the funds be used to hire third-party consultants for planning and technical assistance. The second program, a pilot initiative, offers incentives to eligible universities to foster entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, and commercialization projects, particularly those involving artificial intelligence or machine learning in healthcare and biotechnology. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous mandated appropriation for a telework assistance grant program and requires annual budget allocations for these new innovation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines specific types of small-scale electricity generators as exempt from the requirement to obtain a state Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. It directly affects owners of facilities that build backup power systems for critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and data centers, as well as those installing small solar arrays. The legislation allows these projects to proceed without the usual regulatory approvals if they produce no more than 14 megawatts of power and include safety features that prevent electricity from flowing back into the main grid during outages. Additionally, the law adjusts how income tax revenue is calculated for corporations operating certain data centers.

Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates laws regarding street racing and exhibition driving by increasing penalty points and clarifying prohibited behaviors. It assigns eight points to drivers convicted of racing or exhibition driving on public highways, raising this to twelve points if the activity causes serious bodily injury. The legislation also formally defines exhibition driving as dangerous actions like skidding, swerving, or carrying passengers in unauthorized areas, making these acts illegal on any highway or public property. While maintaining existing fines and jail terms, the bill introduces specific defenses allowing drivers to argue they acted reasonably for safety or were participating in a permitted parade.