Legislative Hotline

2019 SESSION OF THE
MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY






Volume 25, Number 3





January 30, 2019

Here are some of the hot issues as the 2019 Legislative Session develops:

STATE AFFAIRS UPDATE
Briefing on Opioid-Related Fatalities in Maryland
Bills of interest are listed below


BILLS INTRODUCED
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION



STATE AFFAIRS UPDATE
General Assembly Session Off to a Slow Start

There has been relatively little activity in terms of proposed legislation and bill hearings thus far in the legislative session. Given the number of new members – and members assigned to new committees – much time has been spent on policy and agency briefings. Just over 550 bills have been introduced (it’s quite likely that another 2,000 or more will be introduced before the end of session) and only a dozen or so have moved out of the committee of introduction. The State Affairs team is currently tracking about 100 bills, but again, relatively few warrant consideration of a position, for or against. We expect the pace to pick up considerably in the next two weeks, and we will keep you informed of developments.


Briefing on Opioid-Related Fatalities in Maryland
In a briefing to the House Health and Government Operations Committee this week, Steve Schuh, the Executive Director of the Opioid Operational Command Center, reported that the number of opioid-related fatalities continues to increase in Maryland. In 2017, 2009 individuals died from an opioid-related overdose, an 8% increase from 2016. Preliminary numbers for 2018 indicate a 9.7% increase in overdose fatalities when compared with 2017.

Schuh reported that while prescription-opioid deaths and heroin-related deaths are decreasing, fentanyl-related deaths are rapidly increasing. Fentanyl is now a factor in 88% of all opioid-related fatalities. Cocaine and other substances of abuse are being adulterated with fentanyl, which is reportedly present in 90% of cocaine-related deaths. Opioid-related deaths are impacting individuals in all age and race and ethnic demographic categories, but men are being disproportionately impacted. In 2017, 1441 men and 568 women died from an opioid-related overdose in Maryland. Overdose deaths are impacting some jurisdictions more than others, with the highest rates observed in Allegany County, Baltimore City, and Cecil County.


Bills of interest are listed below



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Economic & Community Development
Ethics/elections
Financial Aid
General Business
General Education
Health Care Facilities
Health Care Occupations
Health Insurance/Health Care Access
Higher Education
Labor & Employment
Marijuana
Medicaid
Medical Liability/Tort Reform
Miscellaneous
Pharmaceuticals
Public Health
Public Safety
Research
Tax Policy
Transportation

BILLS INTRODUCED

Economic & Community Development


SB229 Baltimore City - Summer Youth Employment - Funding and Incentives

Requiring the Governor to include in the State budget for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023, $3,000,000 each for the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation and the Department of Human Services to be distributed to the Maryland Summer Youth Connection Program in Baltimore City; requiring Baltimore City to appropriate a 75% match for a certain summer youth employment program; requiring the Maryland Transit Administration to provide free student bus passes for youth participating in the program in Baltimore City; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

SB340 Maryland Technology Development Corporation - Investments and Operations

Requiring the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to recover from a business enterprise certain investments made from the Enterprise Fund if during the 3-year period following the investment award the business enterprise fails to maintain its status as a business enterprise; including in the Fund certain recovered money; and requiring the Maryland Venture Fund Authority to meet at least quarterly.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle,Sally Guy

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Ethics/elections


HB320 2020 Census Complete Count Commission

Establishing the 2020 Census Complete Count Commission to ensure the fair and accurate counting of individuals in hard-to-count populations residing in the State and local jurisdictions in the 2020 Census; requiring the Commission to perform certain duties; authorizing the Commission to establish subcommittees; requiring the Commission to submit an interim report and a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before November 30, 2019, and June 30, 2020, respectively; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/19 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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Financial Aid


HB328 Institutions of Higher Education - Financial Aid Reductions - Notice

Requiring public senior and private nonprofit higher education institutions, within 30 days after a student's acceptance and before reducing a student's institutional gift aid, to provide certain students with notice of whether additional gift aid may result in a reduction of institutional gift aid and how much additional gift aid the student may accept before the institutional gift aid will be reduced; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

HB118 Higher Education - Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships - In-State Tuition

Making a certain applicant eligible for senatorial and delegate scholarships if the applicant is eligible for in-State tuition.

Hearing Date: Tue 1/29 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

HB268/SB240 Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship Program - Alterations to the Award of Scholarship Funds

Requiring the Office of Student Financial Assistance in the Maryland Higher Education Commission to select eligible applicants for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship program, to the extent practicable, at each community college based on each community college's proportionate share of full-time equivalent enrollment of students at all community colleges during the previous academic year; specifying certain conditions for the award of a local promise scholarship; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

SB244 Income Tax Credit - Individuals Working in STEM Fields - Student Loan Payments

Authorizing a credit against the State income tax for the amount individuals pay toward student loans during the taxable year if the debt was incurred to attend an institution of higher education, a certain degree was obtained, and the individual is employed full-time by a Maryland-based employer in a certain field; providing for the carryforward of the credit; authorizing certain individuals, on or before December 1 each year, to apply to the Department of Commerce for the credit; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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General Business


HB109/SB285 Environment - Expanded Polystyrene Food Service Products - Prohibition

Prohibiting a person from selling in the State a certain expanded polystyrene food service product on or after January 1, 2020; prohibiting certain food service businesses and certain schools from selling or providing food in certain expanded polystyrene food service products on or after January 1, 2020; requiring a county health department to impose penalties of up to $250 for certain violations; requiring a county health department to notify the Department of the Environment of certain violations; providing a certain waiver; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:30 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle,Sally Guy

HB317/SB271 Maryland Commission on Civil Rights - Civil Penalties

Increasing certain civil penalties the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is authorized to seek if it finds that a respondent has engaged in a discriminatory act regarding public accommodations and certain actions by persons licensed or regulated by a unit in the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation; providing that certain maximum penalty amounts do not apply if a certain discriminatory act is determined to be malicious; requiring any civil penalties collected under the Act be paid to the complainant, not the general fund; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB300 Prevailing Wage Rates - Public Work Contracts - Suits by Employees

Authorizing certain employees to sue to recover the difference between certain prevailing wage rates and certain amounts under certain circumstances; providing that a certain determination by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry does not preclude certain employees from filing a certain action; and providing for the liability of certain contractors and subcontractors under certain circumstances.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB330 Public Buildings and Places of Public Accommodation - Diaper-Changing Facilities

Requiring, except under certain circumstances, that a diaper-changing facility be installed in certain public restrooms in certain public buildings and restrooms in places of public accommodation; requiring the Board of Public Works, through the Department of General Services, to adopt certain standards; providing the Department of General Services, the University System of Maryland and the Department of Transportation are responsible for the enforcement of certain provisions of the Act; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 2/14 12:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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General Education


HB256/SB223 State Department of Education - Guidelines on Trauma-Informed Approach

Establishing the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative in the State Department of Education to expand the use of the trauma-informed approach used in schools and intensively train schools on becoming trauma-informed schools; requiring the Department, in consultation with other relevant departments, to develop certain guidelines; requiring, on or before July 1, 2020, the Department to select one school each from certain areas to receive intensive training on the trauma-informed approach; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 2/14 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

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Health Care Facilities


HB247 Maryland Health Care Commission - Surgical Birth Rate - Study

Requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission, in consultation with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the Vital Statistics Administration, and interested stakeholders, to conduct a study regarding the surgical birth rate in the State; requiring the Commission to examine the rate of complications, increased health care costs and global research programs related to surgical births; requiring the Commission to report its recommendations to certain committees of the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2020; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/13 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

HB306/SB402 Mental Health - Involuntary Admission - Inmates in Correctional Facilities

Repealing a certain provision of law to allow an application for involuntary admission to a facility of an inmate in certain institutions to be made by any person who has a legitimate interest in the welfare of the individual; altering the circumstances under which a facility operated by the Maryland Department of Health is required to receive and evaluate an inmate in a correctional facility who has been certified for involuntary admission; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

SB301/HB145 Hospitals - Patient's Bill of Rights

Requiring each administrator of a hospital to provide patients with a certain patient's bill of rights; requiring each administrator of a hospital to provide certain patients with a translator, an interpreter, or another accommodation to provide certain assistance to patients; requiring each administrator of a hospital to conspicuously post copies of the patient's bill of rights on the hospital's website and in areas of the hospital accessible to patients; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Annie Coble,Sally Guy

SB330 Public Buildings and Places of Public Accommodation - Diaper-Changing Facilities

Requiring, except under certain circumstances, that a diaper-changing facility be installed in certain public restrooms in certain public buildings and restrooms in places of public accommodation; requiring the Board of Public Works, through the Department of General Services, to adopt certain standards; providing the Department of General Services, the University System of Maryland and the Department of Transportation are responsible for the enforcement of certain provisions of the Act; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 2/14 12:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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Health Care Occupations


HB296 Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Disclosure of Price and Cost Share for Prescription Drugs

Requiring, at the point of sale, a certain pharmacist or the pharmacist's designee to inform a retail consumer, to the best of the pharmacist's or pharmacist's designee's knowledge, of the retail price for a prescription drug and, under certain circumstances, the cost share for which the retail consumer is responsible for the prescription drug; and requiring the State Board of Pharmacy to adopt certain procedures.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

HB309 Task Force on Oral Health in Maryland

Establishing the Task Force on Oral Health in Maryland to study access to dental services for all State residents, identify areas lacking in dental services for a significant number of people, identify barriers to receiving services, analyze the impact of barriers, assess options to eliminate barriers, and make recommendations on methods to increase access to dental services; requiring the Task Force to submit an interim report by May 1, 2020, and a final report by December 1, 2020, to certain committees of the General Assembly; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB372 Physicians - Discipline - Procedures and Effects

Requiring a disciplinary panel to obtain a third peer review report from a certain source or dismiss certain complaints against licensed physicians if only one of the two peer review reports makes a certain finding that a certain violation did not occur; requiring the State Board of Physicians to expunge all records of a public reprimand or probation 3 years after the final disposition of the case; providing certain insurers may not take any adverse actions under certain circumstances; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/13 1:00 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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Health Insurance/Health Care Access


HB258/SB239 Health Insurance - Individual Market Stabilization - Provider Fee

Altering the purpose of certain provisions of law requiring that certain entities be subject to a certain assessment on all amounts used to calculate a certain premium tax liability or the amount of the entity's premium tax exemption value; and requiring that certain entities be subject to certain assessments for certain calendar years in which the federal government makes an assessment and for certain calendar years in which the federal government does not make an assessment under a certain provision of federal law.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

HB315 Insurance Law - Application to Direct Primary Care Agreements - Exclusion

Defining "direct primary care agreement" as a written contract in which a primary care provider agrees to provide certain primary care services to a patient for a certain fee and for a certain period of time and that has certain elements; excluding a direct primary care agreement from certain definitions for the purpose of certain provisions of insurance law; and providing that certain provisions of insurance law do not apply to a direct primary care agreement.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

HB378 Public Health - State-Provided Health Care Benefits

Establishing the Office of Health Care Coverage in the Maryland Department of Health to establish and carry out the HealthcareMaryland Program to provide benefits to State residents who do not receive federal benefits through Medicare, TRICARE, plans that are subject to ERISA, or any other federal medical program; requiring the Office to contract with a certain number of managed care organizations; requiring certain employers to pay to the Secretary of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation a certain annual payroll tax; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: July 1, 2019, July 1, 2021
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle,Patrick Carlson,Annie Coble,Sally Guy

SB239/HB258 Health Insurance - Individual Market Stabilization - Provider Fee

Altering the purpose of certain provisions of law requiring that certain entities be subject to a certain assessment on all amounts used to calculate a certain premium tax liability or the amount of the entity's premium tax exemption value; and requiring that certain entities be subject to certain assessments for certain calendar years in which the federal government makes an assessment and for certain calendar years in which the federal government does not make an assessment under a certain provision of federal law.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:30 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

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Higher Education


HB270 Higher Education - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants (Graduate Assistant Collective Bargaining Fairness Act)

Providing collective bargaining rights to certain graduate assistants at certain public institutions of higher education; establishing a separate collective bargaining unit for certain graduate assistants; and altering certain exceptions to the applicability of provisions of law governing collective bargaining for State employees.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/5 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

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Labor & Employment


HB270 Higher Education - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants (Graduate Assistant Collective Bargaining Fairness Act)

Providing collective bargaining rights to certain graduate assistants at certain public institutions of higher education; establishing a separate collective bargaining unit for certain graduate assistants; and altering certain exceptions to the applicability of provisions of law governing collective bargaining for State employees.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/5 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

HB341 Labor and Employment - Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2019)

Establishing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program; providing for the manner in which the Program is to be administered; providing for the powers and duties of the Secretary of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation under the Program; requiring, beginning on January 1, 2020, certain employees and employers to pay the Secretary certain contributions; requiring, beginning on July 1, 2021, an individual to meet certain conditions to be eligible for benefits; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB415 Medical Assistance Employment Initiative Pilot Program

Establishing the Medical Assistance Employment Initiative Pilot Program in the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation to identify workforce development opportunities and to develop a certain plan to provide certain opportunities to pilot program participants; requiring the Secretary to administer the Pilot Program in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health; requiring the Secretary to collect certain data for certain purposes; authorizing the Secretary to collaborate with employers for certain purposes; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2020
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB244 Income Tax Credit - Individuals Working in STEM Fields - Student Loan Payments

Authorizing a credit against the State income tax for the amount individuals pay toward student loans during the taxable year if the debt was incurred to attend an institution of higher education, a certain degree was obtained, and the individual is employed full-time by a Maryland-based employer in a certain field; providing for the carryforward of the credit; authorizing certain individuals, on or before December 1 each year, to apply to the Department of Commerce for the credit; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB300 Prevailing Wage Rates - Public Work Contracts - Suits by Employees

Authorizing certain employees to sue to recover the difference between certain prevailing wage rates and certain amounts under certain circumstances; providing that a certain determination by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry does not preclude certain employees from filing a certain action; and providing for the liability of certain contractors and subcontractors under certain circumstances.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB348 Workers' Compensation - Medical Benefits - Reimbursement for Medical Mileage

Requiring a covered employee who seeks reimbursement for medical mileage to submit to the employer or the employer's insurer a request for reimbursement, in the form adopted by the Workers' Compensation Commission, within a certain period of time.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB349 Workers' Compensation - Provision of Medical Services and Treatment - Notification to Seek Treatment

Requiring a covered employee, under certain circumstances, to provide the employer, the employer's insurer, or the Uninsured Employer's Fund certain notification at least 30 business days before undergoing medical treatment; requiring that medical treatment sought by the covered employee be presumed to be unrelated to an accidental personal injury except under certain circumstances if the notification required under a certain provision of the Act is not provided; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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Marijuana


SB383 Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission - Law Enforcement and Dispensaries

Establishing the Law Enforcement Purchases Account within the Compassionate Use Fund; authorizing a law enforcement representative to obtain a certain amount of medical cannabis and medical cannabis concentrate from a licensed dispensary at no cost for use during a certain training program; requiring a dispensary or dispensary agent to ensure that all medical cannabis and products containing medical cannabis have a label affixed to the product that warns against the operation of an automobile or machinery while using the product; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

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Medicaid


HB258/SB239 Health Insurance - Individual Market Stabilization - Provider Fee

Altering the purpose of certain provisions of law requiring that certain entities be subject to a certain assessment on all amounts used to calculate a certain premium tax liability or the amount of the entity's premium tax exemption value; and requiring that certain entities be subject to certain assessments for certain calendar years in which the federal government makes an assessment and for certain calendar years in which the federal government does not make an assessment under a certain provision of federal law.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

SB220 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage of Dental Services - Repeal of Contingency

Repealing the provision of law that made the effectiveness of a certain provision of law authorizing the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide dental services to certain adults contingent on the Maryland Dental Action Coalition making a certain determination; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:30 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

SB239/HB258 Health Insurance - Individual Market Stabilization - Provider Fee

Altering the purpose of certain provisions of law requiring that certain entities be subject to a certain assessment on all amounts used to calculate a certain premium tax liability or the amount of the entity's premium tax exemption value; and requiring that certain entities be subject to certain assessments for certain calendar years in which the federal government makes an assessment and for certain calendar years in which the federal government does not make an assessment under a certain provision of federal law.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:30 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

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Medical Liability/Tort Reform


SB321 Civil Actions - Offers of Judgment

Making provisions of law relating to an offer of judgment in an action for a medical injury applicable to all civil actions; and applying the Act prospectively.

Hearing Date: Thu 2/14 12:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB322 Medical Malpractice - Notice of Intent to File Claim

Prohibiting a claim against a health care provider for damage due to a medical injury from being filed with the Director of the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office unless, at least 90 days before filing the claim, the claimant has given a notice to the health care provider of intent to file a claim; requiring the notice to include certain information and to be served on the health care provider at a certain address; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 2/14 12:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB323 Medical Malpractice - Discovery

Establishing that a defendant in a claim filed with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office may seek discovery as to the basis of a certificate of a qualified expert filed by the claimant or plaintiff without prejudice to later discovery if the attesting expert is designated as a trial expert; prohibiting a deposition of a defendant health care provider from being required until the claimant has filed and served a certain certificate of a qualified expert; applying the Act prospectively; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 2/14 12:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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Miscellaneous


HB308 Public Service Commission - Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - Rapid Health Impact Assessment and Final Action

Requiring an applicant for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for certain construction to conduct a rapid health impact assessment (HIA) on the project and report on its findings; requiring a rapid HIA report to be completed not later than 45 days after the applicant submits its application to the Public Service Commission; requiring an applicant to complete the rapid HIA in a certain manner; requiring the rapid HIA report to be considered part of a certain application; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB309 Task Force on Oral Health in Maryland

Establishing the Task Force on Oral Health in Maryland to study access to dental services for all State residents, identify areas lacking in dental services for a significant number of people, identify barriers to receiving services, analyze the impact of barriers, assess options to eliminate barriers, and make recommendations on methods to increase access to dental services; requiring the Task Force to submit an interim report by May 1, 2020, and a final report by December 1, 2020, to certain committees of the General Assembly; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB317/SB271 Maryland Commission on Civil Rights - Civil Penalties

Increasing certain civil penalties the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is authorized to seek if it finds that a respondent has engaged in a discriminatory act regarding public accommodations and certain actions by persons licensed or regulated by a unit in the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation; providing that certain maximum penalty amounts do not apply if a certain discriminatory act is determined to be malicious; requiring any civil penalties collected under the Act be paid to the complainant, not the general fund; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB320 2020 Census Complete Count Commission

Establishing the 2020 Census Complete Count Commission to ensure the fair and accurate counting of individuals in hard-to-count populations residing in the State and local jurisdictions in the 2020 Census; requiring the Commission to perform certain duties; authorizing the Commission to establish subcommittees; requiring the Commission to submit an interim report and a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before November 30, 2019, and June 30, 2020, respectively; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/19 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB399/SB311 End-of-Life Option Act (Richard E. Israel and Roger "Pip" Moyer Act)

Authorizing an individual to request aid in dying by making certain requests; prohibiting another individual from requesting aid in dying on behalf of an individual; requiring a certain request to be made in a certain manner; requiring a written request for aid in dying to meet specified requirements; establishing specified requirements for witnesses to a written request for aid in dying; requiring a written request for aid in dying to be in a specified form; etc.

Hearing Date: Fri 2/15 1:30 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

SB218/HB338 Human Services - Food Supplements (Summer SNAP for Children Act)

Requiring the State to provide certain funds to counties for a certain supplement for each child in a household that receives food stamp benefits; making the provision of funding for the supplemental benefit subject to certain requirements; providing for the amount of the supplemental benefit; requiring the supplemental benefit to be provided in June, July, and August in a certain manner; requiring a county to submit a certain application and have a certain approved final plan to receive funding for the supplemental benefit; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

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Pharmaceuticals


HB296 Health Occupations - Pharmacists - Disclosure of Price and Cost Share for Prescription Drugs

Requiring, at the point of sale, a certain pharmacist or the pharmacist's designee to inform a retail consumer, to the best of the pharmacist's or pharmacist's designee's knowledge, of the retail price for a prescription drug and, under certain circumstances, the cost share for which the retail consumer is responsible for the prescription drug; and requiring the State Board of Pharmacy to adopt certain procedures.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

HB409 Drugs and Devices - Electronic Prescriptions - Requirements

Requiring, except under certain circumstances, a certain health practitioner to issue a prescription electronically; authorizing an authorized prescriber to issue a written or oral prescription only under certain circumstances; requiring the Secretary of Health, in collaboration with the Maryland Health Care Commission, to adopt certain regulations regarding a certain waiver that includes certain provisions; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

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Public Health


HB142 Family Law - Opioid-Exposed Newborns and Parents Addicted to Opioids - Mobile Application (I'm Alive Today App)

Requiring a local department of social services, if appropriate, to monitor an opioid-exposed newborn through a certain mobile application under certain circumstances; requiring a local department to assess the risk of harm to and safety of an opioid-exposed newborn; requiring the Social Services Administration to develop a mobile application to be used by parents who have a certain opioid addiction to check in periodically and to alert the local department if a parent fails to do so; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

HB247 Maryland Health Care Commission - Surgical Birth Rate - Study

Requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission, in consultation with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the Vital Statistics Administration, and interested stakeholders, to conduct a study regarding the surgical birth rate in the State; requiring the Commission to examine the rate of complications, increased health care costs and global research programs related to surgical births; requiring the Commission to report its recommendations to certain committees of the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2020; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/13 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

HB308 Public Service Commission - Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - Rapid Health Impact Assessment and Final Action

Requiring an applicant for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for certain construction to conduct a rapid health impact assessment (HIA) on the project and report on its findings; requiring a rapid HIA report to be completed not later than 45 days after the applicant submits its application to the Public Service Commission; requiring an applicant to complete the rapid HIA in a certain manner; requiring the rapid HIA report to be considered part of a certain application; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB316 Public Health - Vaccination Reporting Requirements - ImmuNet

Requiring all health care providers in the State to report all vaccines administered to the Maryland immunization registry, ImmuNet; altering certain responsibilities of the Secretary of Health and the Maryland Department of Health relating to certain forms and a certain brochure regarding ImmuNet and vaccinations; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/13 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB337 Criminal Law - Opioids - Distribution Causing Death of Minor

Prohibiting the distribution of a certain opioid or opioid analogue, the use of which causes the death of a minor; establishing a penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment for a violation of the Act; clarifying that certain conduct constitutes distribution under the Act; providing that certain conduct does not establish a defense under the Act; providing a certain defense under the Act; providing immunity for certain conduct under the Act; providing that a sentence imposed under the Act shall be consecutive to a certain other sentence; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

SB251 Public Health - Treatment for the Prevention of HIV - Consent by Minors

Providing that a minor has the same capacity as an adult to consent to treatament for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and prohibiting a licensed health care practitioner from giving certain information about treatment needed by a minor or provided to a minor to certain individuals under certain circumstances.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:30 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

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Public Safety


HB278 Baltimore City - Control of Police Department of Baltimore City

Providing that the Police Department of Baltimore City is an agency and instrumentality of the City of Baltimore, instead of the State; and providing that police officers of the department have the authority conferred under a certain provision of law.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

HB301 Vehicle Laws - Ethnicity-Based or Race-Based Traffic Stops - Policy and Reporting Requirements

Altering the meaning of "traffic stop" as it relates to certain policies and reporting requirements; requiring certain law enforcement agencies to report certain information to the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center; altering the categories of ethnicity and race a law enforcement officer is required to report to the law enforcement agency that employs the officer; requiring the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center to make certain reports to the General Assembly, the Governor, and law enforcement agencies; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/13 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle,Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

HB306/SB402 Mental Health - Involuntary Admission - Inmates in Correctional Facilities

Repealing a certain provision of law to allow an application for involuntary admission to a facility of an inmate in certain institutions to be made by any person who has a legitimate interest in the welfare of the individual; altering the circumstances under which a facility operated by the Maryland Department of Health is required to receive and evaluate an inmate in a correctional facility who has been certified for involuntary admission; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson

HB337 Criminal Law - Opioids - Distribution Causing Death of Minor

Prohibiting the distribution of a certain opioid or opioid analogue, the use of which causes the death of a minor; establishing a penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment for a violation of the Act; clarifying that certain conduct constitutes distribution under the Act; providing that certain conduct does not establish a defense under the Act; providing a certain defense under the Act; providing immunity for certain conduct under the Act; providing that a sentence imposed under the Act shall be consecutive to a certain other sentence; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

HB367 Public Safety - Education - Firearm Funding

Prohibiting a county board of education or public school from spending any money from any source to directly or indirectly provide a teacher with a firearm or train a teacher in the use of a firearm; and providing the Act does not apply to a school-approved sport or club that makes use of firearms.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

HB433 Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission - Police Officer Certification - Eligibility (Freedom to Serve Act)

Altering the eligibility requirements for an individual to be certified by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission as a police officer to require an individual to be either a United States citizen or a permanent legal resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces and who has applied to obtain or affirms an intent to obtain United States citizenship within 10 years of the employment start date; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/19 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle,Patrick Carlson,Annie Coble,Sally Guy

SB232/HB240 Hate Crimes - Threats and Penalties

Prohibiting a person from threatening to commit certain hate crimes; applying and altering certain penalties; providing a person who violates the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to $10,000 or both; and authorizing a court to require a certain person to attend certain educational classes and perform certain community service related to the person or group that was the subject of the person's violation as a condition of supervised release.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 12:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB320 Courts - Documentary Evidence - Protective Order

Authorizing a defendant in a malpractice claim against a licensed professional to move for a protective order to limit the disclosure of certain documentary evidence under certain circumstances; requiring a court, upon a certain motion by the defendant, to review the claimant's request for documentary evidence and authorizing the court to issue a certain protective order for good cause shown; providing for the prospective application of the Act; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 2/14 12:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB369/HB372 Evidence - Chain of Custody of DNA

Establishing that a certain report signed by the DNA analyst is prima facie evidence of certain matters for a certain purpose under certain circumstances; providing that a certain DNA profile may be established without the necessity for the DNA analyst to personally appear in court under certain circumstances; providing that certain provisions of law do not preclude the right of any party to introduce any evidence supporting or contradicting certain evidence or presumptions; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle,Annie Coble,Sally Guy

SB383 Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission - Law Enforcement and Dispensaries

Establishing the Law Enforcement Purchases Account within the Compassionate Use Fund; authorizing a law enforcement representative to obtain a certain amount of medical cannabis and medical cannabis concentrate from a licensed dispensary at no cost for use during a certain training program; requiring a dispensary or dispensary agent to ensure that all medical cannabis and products containing medical cannabis have a label affixed to the product that warns against the operation of an automobile or machinery while using the product; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Patrick Carlson,Sally Guy

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Research


SB369/HB372 Evidence - Chain of Custody of DNA

Establishing that a certain report signed by the DNA analyst is prima facie evidence of certain matters for a certain purpose under certain circumstances; providing that a certain DNA profile may be established without the necessity for the DNA analyst to personally appear in court under certain circumstances; providing that certain provisions of law do not preclude the right of any party to introduce any evidence supporting or contradicting certain evidence or presumptions; etc.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle,Annie Coble,Sally Guy

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Tax Policy


HB313 State Income and Property Tax Credits - Purple Line Construction Zone

Allowing certain businesses impacted by the construction of the Purple Line light rail project in Montgomery County and Prince George's County a credit against the State income tax and State property tax; requiring the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Comptroller, to determine the amount of the income tax credit; requiring the Department to certify a business entity as a qualified business if the business entity can establish loss of business income at a property in the area impacted by the construction; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB375 Corporate Income Tax - Rate Reduction

Decreasing over a certain period of years the State corporate income tax rate from 8.25% to 6.25%.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/13 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

SB244 Income Tax Credit - Individuals Working in STEM Fields - Student Loan Payments

Authorizing a credit against the State income tax for the amount individuals pay toward student loans during the taxable year if the debt was incurred to attend an institution of higher education, a certain degree was obtained, and the individual is employed full-time by a Maryland-based employer in a certain field; providing for the carryforward of the credit; authorizing certain individuals, on or before December 1 each year, to apply to the Department of Commerce for the credit; etc.

Hearing Date: Wed 2/6 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

SB296/HB432 Property Tax - Exemptions - Nonprofit Charitable Museums

Providing that real property owned by a nonprofit museum that is open to the public and does not charge an admission fee is not subject to a certain limitation concerning the exemption of certain charitable or educational properties from the property tax; and applying the Act to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2019.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

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Transportation


HB313 State Income and Property Tax Credits - Purple Line Construction Zone

Allowing certain businesses impacted by the construction of the Purple Line light rail project in Montgomery County and Prince George's County a credit against the State income tax and State property tax; requiring the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Comptroller, to determine the amount of the income tax credit; requiring the Department to certify a business entity as a qualified business if the business entity can establish loss of business income at a property in the area impacted by the construction; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Sally Guy

HB366 Commission to Study Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Funding

Establishing the Commission to Study Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Funding to review the State's funding requirements for non-emergency medical transportation services and the impact on locally operated transit systems; requiring the Commission to consider certain matters as part of the study; providing for the composition, cochairs, and staffing of the Commission; requiring the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to certain committees of the General Assembly by June 30, 2020; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 2/12 1:00 PM

Effective Date: June 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

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STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact Government Relations if you have concerns or would like additional information. Your input assists us greatly in evaluating and formulating the position of Johns Hopkins on all legislation.

Legislative Session Office
47 State Circle, Suite 203
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-269-0057
fax 410-269-1574

Patrick Carlson patrick.carlson@jhu.edu
Mary Clapsaddle mary.clapsaddle@jhu.edu
Annie Coble anne.coble@jhu.edu
Mickey Geisler mgeisler@jhu.edu
Sally Guy sally.guy@jhu.edu
Sheila Higdon shigdon@jhmi.edu



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