Bill Number, Title

& Sponsor

Synopsis

Committee

& Status

(updated weekly)

HCH Position

& Testimony

 

Medical Treatment - Youth

 

HB 68

     Rosenberg & Hubbard

 

 

SB 72

     Kelley

 

 

 

The amendments to this bill would allow youth who are living separate from their parent/guardian and providing self-support to consent to medical treatment (the same as adults).  This would allow unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness to seek medical treatment for chronic and acute health conditions such as asthma, the flu or a sprained ankle.  It would also extend liability protections (for lack of parental consent) to the clinicians who treat them.

 

 

 

House Health & Government Operations – Heard 1/31

 

 

Senate Finance – Heard 1/26

   2/16:  Passed Senate (47-0)

 

NB:  A workgroup was convened by the sponsors and amendments will be introduced, which HCH supports.

 

 

 

 

 

Support with Amendments

 

HCH Testimony

 

Criminal Procedure – Probation Before Judgment – Subsequent CDS Crime

 

HB 96

     Anderson, et al.

 

 

 

This bill allows courts to impose probation before judgment in cases where an individual is charged with a second or subsequent drug offense.  As a condition of probation before judgment, HB 96 requires graduation from drug court.

 

 

 

 

House Judiciary – Hearing 2/7

   2/23:  Favorable Report with               

             Amendments

 

 

Support

 

HCH Testimony

 

Human Relations – Housing Discrimination – Source of Income

 

HB 168

     Lafferty, et al.

 

SB 277

     Raskin, et al.

 

 

 

This bill prohibits landlords from discriminating against a potential tenant based upon the applicant’s legal source of income. This includes income from any lawful profession or occupation; government or private assistance, grant, loan or rental assistance program, and other housing subsidies; any gift, inheritance, pension, annuity, alimony, or child support; and any sale of property.

 

 

House Environmental Matters – 2/9

 

 

Senate Judicial Proceedings – 2/15

 

 

 

Support

 

HCH Testimony

 

Criminal Procedure – Victim’s Compensation –

Temporary Lodging for Domestic Violence Victims

 

SB 168

     Brochin, et al.

 

 

 

This bill creates a fund to help cover the monetary cost of escaping domestic violence.  This fund would provide assistance to victims of domestic violence for costs associated with up to 14 days of temporary lodging as they seek to avoid further injury.

 

 

 

 

Senate Judicial Proceedings – 2/8

 

 

 

Support

 

HCH Testimony

 

Election Law – Polling Places – Proof of Identity

 

HB 113*

     Kipke, et al.

 

SB 412*

     Jennings

 

*NB:  While similar, they are not identical crossfiled bills.

 

 

 

These bills requires a voter to present proof of identity – e.g., a government-issued photo ID, a voter identification card, certified birth certificate or document of naturalization, utility bill, credit card statement, or property tax statement – at the polling place before being permitted to vote.  If the voter is unable to provide the required identification, they can vote with a provisional ballot.

 

 

 

 

House Ways and Means – 2/15

 

 

Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs – 2/16

 

 

 

 

Oppose

 

HCH Testimony

 

Family Investment Program – Eligibility – Drug Testing

 

HB 560

     Kipke, et al.

 

SB 287

     Jennings and Shank

 

 

 

 

This bill requires individuals applying for temporary cash assistance to submit to drug testing.  In the event of a positive drug test, temporary cash assistance benefits will be suspended until completion of a drug abuse treatment program – or for 90 days of repeat negative drug tests.

 

 

 

 

House Appropriations – 2/21*

 

 

Senate Finance – 2/16

   2/22: Unfavorable Report

 

*NB: HB 560 was withdrawn prior to the hearing.

 

 

 

 

Oppose

 

HCH Testimony

 

Public Benefits – Requirement of Proof of Lawful Presence

 

HB 388

     O’Donnell

 

 

 

 

This bill requires that all adults provide proof of lawful presence in the United States before receiving public benefits provided by the Federal, State or local government.

 

 

 

 

House Appropriations – 2/21

 

 

 

Oppose

 

HCH Testimony

 

 

 

Maryland Health Security Act

of 2012

 

HB 1015

     Cullision, et al.

 

 

SB 206

     Pinsky, et al.

 

 

This bill would ensure access to comprehensive health services for all Marylanders through a single-payer financing mechanism.  Health care would continue to be delivered by private health practitioners, and Marylanders would retain – or gain – the capacity to choose and access any provider in the Maryland Health System.

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Finance – 2/22

 

 

 

Support

 

HCH Testimony


 

 

Criminal Records – Shielding – Nonviolent Convictions

 

HB 652

     Waldstreicher, et al.

 

SB 667

     Jones-Rodwell and Frosh

 

 

The bill automatically “shields” from public search or view a nonviolent criminal record three years after the person satisfies the complete terms of the sentence in the case of a misdemeanor and five years in the case of a felony.  The bill allows the record to remain fully accessible to law enforcement and prospective employer required by law to conduct criminal background searches.

 

 

 

 

House Judiciary – 3/1

 

 

Senate Judicial Proceedings – 3/1

 

 

 

Support

 

HCH Testimony

 

State Personnel – Applicants for Employment – Criminal History Records Checks

 

HB 800

     Proctor, et al.

 

SB 671

     Pugh, et al.

 

 

 

The bill removes from certain State employment applications an inquiry into an applicant’s criminal history. The state would still have authority to a background check after an applicant is selected for interview – allowing job seekers to prove their qualifications and be considered for employment rather than be automatically disqualified at the beginning of the application process. The bill would not require private employers to remove the question from their applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Appropriations – TBD

 

 

Senate Finance – TBD

 

 

 

 

Support

 

Testimony Forthcoming

 

Courts - Service of Process - Increase in Sheriff's Fees -

Distribution to Rental Allowance Program Fund

 

SB 413

     Brochin, et al.

 

 

 

The bill creates a dedicated revenue source for the state’s Rental Allowance Program (RAP) by increasing by $10 certain sheriff’s fees.  RAP provides grants to local governments for rental subsidies to low income households which are homeless, are in danger of becoming homeless, or have an emergency housing need. Eligible households have incomes at or below 30% of the statewide or area median income, whichever is higher (generally under $20,000/year).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Judicial Proceedings –

2/15

 

 

 

 

Support

 

HCH Testimony