2021 Legislative Session

The priority issues we advocated for together and where they landed:

Telehealth | Housing Justice | Overdose Prevention Sites

TELEHEALTH

There are a number of telehealth-related bills this session that we supported, including:

• HB 551/SB 393 – Coverage and Reimbursement of Telehealth Services
  
  • This bill would require the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to cover certain health care services through telehealth, specifically substance use disorder and mental health services.
  • UPDATE: Important behavioral health and consumer protections were added into HB123/SB3
• HB123/SB3 – Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021
  
  • This bill would require reimbursement for audio-only telehealth services and remove site provisions so both the provider and client may be "off-site".
  • UPDATE: 

    • HB123/SB3 passed and has been signed into law - including audio only!

    • Note: audio-only provision includes a two-year data collection and report that we'll be part of

“Because of audio-only telehealth, I could tell a client who was 71/2 months pregnant to stay at the hospital and keep her baby safe while offering support over the phone. Smartphones, tablets and internet access are a huge barrier to audio-visual telehealth. I can’t imagine asking a client [in crisis] to hang up and reconnect back on an audio-visual platform. I hope we can let part of COVID’s legacy be a lesson learned about accessibility and do everything we can to make health care accessible to everyone, including in person, audio-visual and audio only telehealth.” – Therapist Case Manager Rachel Gonzalez

Actions you can take:

• Staff should keep an eye out for data collection opportunities around audio-only telehealth. 

HOUSING JUSTICE

We signed onto the Renters United MD Housing Justice Package, which has fact sheets and information on all the housing-related bills we supported here. A few highlights include:

• HB 18/SB154: Tenant Right to Counsel for Evictions
  
  • This bill would give tenants a right to legal representation in eviction proceedings
  • UPDATE: HB18 passed, making Maryland the first state in the country to ensure that tenants will have access to counsel in landlord-tenant cases!
• HB 52/SB 454: Eviction Diversion Program
  
  • This bill would establish the Eviction Diversion Program in district court to promote continuity of housing
  • UPDATE: HB52 did not pass, but a crucial 10-day pre-filing notice provision was included in HB18. 
• HB 1312/SB 910: Emergency Eviction Prevention
  • UPDATE: Tragically, HB1312 did not pass. It is shameful that the General Assembly did not pass this bill or any emergency protections for renters during a pandemic. 

“When my client told me last year that she faced eviction, needed to find a new apartment, come up with two months’ rent, and simultaneously remove all her worldly possessions before they were placed on the curb in a matter of days, despite her failing health, I thought it was impossible.” - Dr. Max Romano

OVERDOSE PREVENTION SITES

Last year we advocated in-person for the creation of Overdose Prevention Sites. This year we built on that momentum.

• HB 396/SB 279: Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS)
  
  • This bill authorizes up to six Overdose Prevention Sites in Maryland, where people can use substances with immediate access to life saving interventions, medical care, emotional support and non-judgmental, therapeutic relationships. The sites would be authorized in two urban areas, two suburban areas and two rural areas across Maryland.
  • UPDATE: OPS did not pass. But we did have a huge win on the harm reduction front in the form of SB420, which decriminalizes drug paraphernalia. 

Actions you can take:

• Urge Governor Larry Hogan to sign SB420 into law to decriminalize paraphernalia. Contact him here, and select “criminal justice” as your topic.
• Keep sharing your stories for ongoing advocacy work around OPS! Just send an email to advocacy@hchmd.org 

What does it mean to share a story?

• Stories can be in the form of an email, a phone call that’s transcribed, a pre-recorded video or a recorded Zoom meeting.

• You can make a difference by sharing your own experience from a staff and/or personal perspective, as a client or supporter.
• You can encourage others to share their experiences by referring them to advocacy@hchmd.org or directly helping to record their story.  
• Reach out to Director of Public Policy Joanna Diamond with any questions!

How will these personal examples help?

• Joanna can include them in written testimony that will influence the hearings.

• You might have an opportunity to share your story directly with legislators as part of hearings.
• Joanna can compile written and recorded stories and share with legislators after the hearings to advocate for their votes in favor of the bill.

"No-one wants to hear from me - they want to hear from you! People sharing real experiences with legislators is the most impactful way to influence legislation. They need to know there is a problem to be solved.” - Joanna Diamond, Director of Public Policy

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