The Annapolis Insider
Weekly Legislative Update 
 Week of February 20 - 24, 2017

Greetings from The Arc Maryland Policy Team! Throughout the 2017 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, we bring you weekly recaps and updates every Friday on key legislation and events. The Legislative Session runs from January 11 - April 10 midnight 2017. 
This Week's Highlights 
DD Day was a HUGE success; Crisis Resolution Waiting List Bill heard in Senate; New Dentistry Bill designed to support people with I/DD introduced. Introduction of new legislation has slowed as bill hearings are held, bills defeated or move ahead out of committee. The Arc analyzes bills relevant to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), develops and presents testimony, organizes witnesses, and works with coalitions on our priority issues.


Events and Hearings Held This Week on Key Issues

DD Day at the Legislature - February 23, 2017

Governor Hogan Developmental Disabilities Day (Picture courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor)

DD Day was a HUGE success! A big shout out to ALL OF YOU for coming, contributing to the outstanding presence of our combined community of advocates, families, professionals and supporters, and exercising your civil privilege to express your opinion with elected officials. You made DD Day impressive! To view photos click here and click here. 

Governor Hogan Developmental Disabilities Day (Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor)

Governor Hogan Developmental Disabilities Day (photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor)

Governor Larry Hogan headlined the program with discussion of his proposed budget, his commitment to developmental disabilities, and his personal connection and friendship with a man with Down syndrome who supported him while both were undergoing cancer treatment. Click here for the post-event press release. 

Our legislative champions addressed the crowd: Senators Mac Middleton and Guy Guzzone; Delegates Maggie McIntosh, Bonnie Cullison, Eric Luedtke and Erick Ebersole. Many other legislators too numerous to list stopped by to convey their support. The new Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Dennis Schrader had his first opportunity to meet our community at large as he presented his vision.


 
Crisis Resolution Waiting  List Bill Heard in Senate 
Position: Support
Later in the day SB 475 - Developmental Disabilities Administration - Crisis Resolution and Crisis Prevention Services - Funding and Reporting was heard in the Senate Finance Committee in a filled committee room thanks to loyal DD Day attendees. Thank you to the eloquent and powerful testimony off our three lead family panelists: Mary Wallace (Harford County), Kim Tart (Prince George's County and a member of The Arc Maryland Board of Directors), and Michele Stevenson (Anne Arundel County). The senator of each of these families serves on the Senate Finance Committee!
 
SB 475 mandates the Governor provide $3.5M state funds each year in the budget for people in the Crisis Resolution Priority Category of the DDA Waiting List. Crisis Resolution Category is for roughly 100 of the 8,000 people on the waiting list in the most urgent and dire situation. Waiting List figures released in February 2017 by DDA:
  • 250 caregivers are over 81 years old;
  • 366 caregivers are 61-70 years;
  • 4,000 caregivers are 41-60 years;
  • 1,000 children under 14 years old are on the waiting list;
  • Total number on Waiting List: 7,822
The hearing for the companion bill (HB 984) is March 14 at 1 PM before the House Health & Government Operations Committee.
 
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Budget Hearing - House Subcommittee of Health & Human Resources, House Appropriations Committee
Position: Support

Wrapping up February 23, The Arc Maryland testified in support of the increase for the Autism Waiver to open up services for 100 students. Thank you to the Marchman family's Kim and Lucy (Harford County) for putting a face on what the Autism Waiver means to students and their families at the hearing.

 
HB 664 - Independent Living Tax Credit Act
Position: Support
 
HB 664 offers greater physical access by people with disabilities. The bill provides up to a $5,000 tax credit for 'accessibility and universal visitability' features to renovate an existing home. The Arc Maryland supports the opportunity for people with I/DD to live in their own home and age in place, if desired. Aaron Stevens, Deputy Executive Director of The Arc of Frederick County testified to the costs to various improvements. Examples include:
  1. Permanent wheelchair ramp - $3,500 - $8,000; or between $100 and $250 per linear foot.
  2. Renovations for accessible bathroom update - $9,000.
  3. Renovations for accessible kitchen update: average $20,320
  4. Autism Speaks reports that 92% of the parents who responded reported their children were at risk of wandering. Alarm system: $338 - $1,007
Priority Legislation Introduced This Week
 
HB 1214/SB 1013 - Health Occupations - Dental Therapists - Licensure
Position:  Support
 
Vulnerable and underserved populations, including children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities face economic, geographic, social and cultural barriers to securing and maintaining quality preventative and routine dental health care. HB 1214/SB 1013-Heath Occupations-Dental Therapists-Licensure, a bill introduced by Senator Conway, will be heard in the EHEA committee she chairs on March 9. The legislation requires the State Board of Dental Examiners to license in Maryland a new type of dental health practitioner.  Dental therapists will have the credentials of a dental hygienist plus additional course work in how to address "the dental care needs of patients with special needs, including...individuals with developmental disabilities, cognitive impairment and complex medical problems and significant physical limitations." The Act Maryland will be teaming up with other advocacy groups to make Maryland one of the first states in the county to train and license these new members of the dental health community.

On Slate for Next Week

DDA Budget Hearings will be held in House (March 1) and Senate (March 2) subcommittees. The Arc Maryland is testifying in support to retain expansion funds, the need to address the full 3.5% for the DSP Wage Initiative, and request budget language to address potential unspent funds (DDA reverted $17M this past fiscal year in unspent funds) and address the funds lost in the conversion from CSLA to Personal Supports. The DD Coalition has been meeting with budget subcommittee members in preparation for both hearings. 

On February 28, The Arc Maryland will be testifying with the sponsor , Delegate Alonzo Washington at his hearing  in support of  HB 1061 - Task Force to Study Emergency and Evacuation Plans for Students, Staff and Visitors With Disabilities in Public School Facilities. The Arc Maryland has been working very closely with witnesses, advocates and the sponsor to make the hearing a success.  The bill is the brainchild of The Arc Maryland Board Member Lori Scott on behalf of her daughter and students with disabilities throughout Maryland.

The Arc Maryland will also be submitting testimony in support of the following bills: HB 1222 - Maryland School Discipline Reform Act; HB 1225 - University of Maryland School of Public Health - Workgroup on Health in All Policies, SB 201- Education - Fire Drill Requirements - State Fire Prevention Code, and SJ 2- Constitutional Convention -Amendment Repeal.
LEGISLATION 

Bill Number
Bill Title
Status
Committee
The Arc 
MD's 
Position
The Arc MD Testified
( SB 230)
Labor and Employment - Maryland Healthy Working Families Act
Post Hearing
ECM
Support with Amendments
Environment - Children With Elevated Blood Lead Levels - Environmental Investigation
Post Hearing
E&T
Support
( SB 79)
Family Law - Destitute Adults - Extraordinary Medical Expenses for Developmental Disabilities and Civil Action
Unfavorable Report by Committee
JUD
Support
Task Force to Improve Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Scores for Maryland Public School Students
Unfavorable Report by Committee
W&M
Support with Amendments
Estates and Trusts - Conditions of Disability and Incapacity - Confinement
Post Hearing
HGO
Support
Health Insurance - Required Conformity With Federal Law
Hearing 3/10 at 1 pm
HGO
Monitor

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Board of Review - Repeal
Post Hearing
HGO
Oppose
State Disabilities Plan and Interagency Disabilities Board - Revisions
First Reading in Senate 
Monitor

Environment - Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing - Notification of Elevated Blood Lead Level
Post Hearing
E&T
Support
Education - Children With Disabilities - Individualized Education Program Process - Parental Consent
Post Hearing
W&M
Support
Baltimore County - Public Schools - Active Assailant Event Training and Drills
Post Hearing
W&M
Support with Amendments

( SB 485)
Education - Remote Classroom Technology Grant Program - Establishment (Peyton's Bill)
First Reading in Senate
Support
( SB 852)
Public Safety - Maryland Accessibility Code - Applicability
Post Hearing
E&T
Monitor

( SB 272)
Guardianship and Child in Need of Assistance Proceedings - Jurisdiction and Authority of Juvenile Court
Post Hearing
JUD
Support
Labor and Employment - Wages and Benefits - Preemption of Local Authority
Post Hearing
ECM
Monitor

( SB 786)
Education - Behavior Intervention Plans - Physical Restraint and Seclusion
Post Hearing
W&M
Support
Maryland Student Transportation Safety Act
Post Hearing
E&T
Support with Amendments
( SB 1106)
Health Care Practitioners - Use of Teletherapy
Post Hearing
HGO
Monitor

( SB 354)
Richard E. Israel and Roger "Pip" Moyer End-of-Life Option Act
Post Hearing
JUD
Oppose
( SB 305)
Commonsense Paid Leave Act
Post Hearing
ECM
Monitor

( SB 651)
Public Schools - Suspensions and Expulsions
Post Hearing
W&M
Support
( SB 344)
Maryland Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program - Account Clarifications
Post Hearing
HGO
Support
( SB 943)
Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers - Dispute Resolution Process - Regulations
Post Hearing
W&M
Support
( SB 604)
Visual Impairments - Requirements for Teacher Training, Student Screening, and Maryland Medical Assistance Program Coverage
Post Hearing
W&M, HGO
Monitor

( SB 562)
Health Care Decisions Act - Advance Directives and Surrogate Decision Making - Disqualified Individuals
Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm
HGO
Support
 
( SB 581)
Workgroup to Study the Implementation of Universal Access to Prekindergarten for 4-Year-Olds
Favorable with Amendments Report
W&M
Monitor
Public Health - Prenatal Infectious Disease Testing
Post Hearing
HGO
Monitor

( SB 420 )
Humane Adoption of Companion Animals Used in Research Act of 2017
Post Hearing
APP
Monitor

( SB 667)
Education - Prekindergarten Student Assessment - Moratorium
Post Hearing
W&M
Monitor

Behavioral Health Community Providers - Keep the Door Open Act
Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm
HGO
Monitor

HB 631
(SB 415)		 Public Health - Essential Generic Drugs - Price Gouging - Prohibition
Post Hearing
HGO, ECM
Support
( SB 180)
Independent Living Tax Credit Act
Post Hearing
W&M
Support
( SB 570)
Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Telehealth - Requirements
Post Hearing
HGO
Monitor

( SB 607)
Labor and Employment - Exemptions From Overtime Pay - Administrative, Executive, or Professional Capacity
Post Hearing
ECM
Monitor

( SB 437)
Public Health - Expensive Drugs - Manufacturer Reporting and Drug Price Transparency Advisory Committee
Post Hearing
HGO
Monitor

( SB 813)
Department of Housing and Community Development - Rental Assistance Programs - Duration of Assistance
Post Hearing
E&T
Monitor

 HB 696
(SB 849)		 Nonpublic Elementary and Secondary Schools - Discrimination - Prohibition
 Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm W&M Support
Education - PARCC Testing - Children With Disabilities (Ben's Rule)
Hearing 3/10 at 1 pm W&M
Oppose
HB 736 Workgroup to Recommend Possible Reforms to Maryland's Health Care System
 Hearing 3/10 at 1 pm HGO Monitor
HB 769
(SB 216)		 Maryland Caregivers Support Coordinating Council - Renaming and Altering Membership and Duties
 Post Hearing HGO Monitor
HB 909
(SB 571)		 Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act Hearing 3/10 at 1 pm HGO Monitor
HB 940
(SB 987)		 Education - School Vehicles Used by Private Entities - Seat Belt Requirements Post Hearing E&T Support with Amendments
HB 968 Children - Health and Safety - Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline and Signage Hearing 3/9 at 1 pm JUD Monitor
HB 971
(SB 872)		 James W. Hubbard Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program Hearing 3/7 at 1 pm W&M Support
HB 978
(SB 871)		 Education - Accountability - Consolidated State Plan and Support and Improvement Plans (Protect Our Schools Act of 2017) Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm W&M Support
( SB 475)
Developmental Disabilities Administration - Crisis Resolution and Crisis Prevention Services - Funding and Reporting
Hearing 3/14 at 1 pm (HGO)
HGO, APP
Support

HB 1061 Task Force to Study Emergency and Evacuation Plans for Students, Staff, and Visitors with Disabilities in Public School Facilities Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm W&M Support
( SB 201)
Education - Fire Drill Requirements - State Fire Prevention Code
Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm
W&M
Support with Amendments

HB 1080 Education - Universal Prekindergarten - Established Hearing 3/3 at 1 pm W&M Monitor
( SB 439)
State Procurement - Information Technology - Nonvisual Access
Hearing 3/1 at 1 pm
HGO
Monitor

HB 1158 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Comprehensive Dental Benefits for Adults - Authorization
 Hearing 3/14 at 1 pm HGO Support
HB 1165 Estate - Duties of Guardian of the Person - Notice and Visitation by Family Post Hearing HGO Monitor
HB 1175
(SB 834)		 Human Relations - Discrimination by a Place of Public Accommodation - Enforcement and Remedies
 Hearing 3/8 at 1 pm HGO Support
HB 1207
(SB 85)		 Family Law - Treatment Foster Care Homes - Siblings Post Hearing JUD Monitor
HB 1214
(SB 1013)		 Health Occupations - Dental Therapists - Licensure Hearing 3/13 at 1 pm HGO Support
HB 1222 Maryland School Discipline Reform Act Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm W&M Support
( SB 340)
University of Maryland School of Public Health, Center for Health Equity - Workgroup on Health in All Policies Hearing 3/14 at 1 pm
HGO
Monitor

HB 1268 Education - Student Achievement Gap Standard - Establishment (Maryland Student Achievement Act) Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm W&M Support
HB 1287 Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Restorative Practices Hearing 3/3 at 1 pm W&M Support
( SB 542)
Maryland Lead Poisoning Recovery Act
Post Hearing
E&T, JUD
Support

( SB 962)
Labor and Employment - Payment of Minimum Wage Required (Fight for Fifteen)
Hearing 3/7 at 1 pm
ECM
TBD

HB 1559
(SB 173)		 Commission on Access to Tax-Preferred Health and Childcare Savings Accounts for All Marylanders
 First Reading HRU Monitor
HB 1613
(SB 876)		 Individuals With Disabilities - Establishing Community-Based Long-Term Services and Supports (Maryland Disability Integration Act)
 First Reading HRU Monitor
( SJ 2)
Constitutional Convention - Amendment - Repeal
Hearing 3/3 at 1 pm
HRU
Support
Education - Specialized Intervention Services - Reports
Passed in Senate, First Reading in House 
Support
Child Abuse and Neglect - Substance-Exposed Newborns - Reporting
Unfavorable Report by Committee
JPR
Monitor

Reporting Abuse to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the Office of Health Care Quality
Passed in Senate, First Reading House
Monitor

( HB 15)
Family Law - Destitute Adults - Extraordinary Medical Expenses for Developmental Disabilities and Civil Action
Unfavorable Report by Committee
JPR
Support
( HB 1207)
Family Law - Treatment Foster Care Homes - Siblings
Post Hearing
JPR
Monitor
( HB 1559)
Commission on Access to Tax-Preferred Health and Childcare Savings Accounts for All Marylanders
Post Hearing
B&T
Monitor

( HB 644)
Independent Living Tax Credit Act
Passed in Senate
B&T
Support
( HB 1066)
Education - Fire Drill Requirements - State Fire Prevention Code
Passed in Senate, First Reading in House
Support with Amendments

( HB 769)
Maryland Caregivers Support Coordinating Council - Renaming and Altering Membership and Duties
Passed in Senate, First Reading in House
FIN
Monitor

( HB 1)
Labor and Employment - Maryland Healthy Working Families Act
Post Hearing
FIN
Support with Amendments
Task Force to Study Suspension Rates of African American Prekindergarten Students
Post Hearing
Support with Amendments
( HB 279)
Guardianship and Child in Need of Assistance Proceedings - Jurisdiction and Authority of Juvenile Court
Passed in Senate, First Reading in House
Support
( HB 382)
Commonsense Paid Leave Act
Post Hearing
Monitor

( HB 1225)
University of Maryland School of Public Health, Center for Health Equity - Workgroup on Health in All Policies
Favorable with Amendments Report by Committee
Monitor

( HB 448)
Maryland Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program - Account Clarifications
Passed in Senate
B&T
Support
Education - Prekindergarten Students - Funding
Post Hearing
B&T
Monitor

( HB 370)
Richard E. Israel and Roger "Pip" Moyer End-of-Life Option Act
Hearing 3/7 at 1 pm
JPR
Oppose
( HB 631)
Public Health - Essential Generic Drugs - Price Gouging - Prohibition
Post Hearing
FIN
Support
( HB 528)
Humane Adoption of Companion Animals Used in Research Act of 2017
Post Hearing
Monitor

( HB 666)
Public Health - Expensive Drugs - Manufacturer Reporting and Drug Price Transparency Advisory Committee
Post Hearing
FIN
Monitor

( HB 1140)
State Procurement - Information Technology - Nonvisual Access
Favorable with Amendments Report by Committee
EHEA
Monitor

Service Animals - Aggravated Cruelty and False Representation
Unfavorable Report by Committee
JPR
Monitor

( HB 984)
Developmental Disabilities Administration - Crisis Resolution and Crisis Prevention Services - Funding and Reporting
Post Hearing
FIN
Support
( HB 580)
Behavioral Health Community Providers - Keep the Door Open Act
Post Hearing
Monitor

Education - Remote Classroom Technology Grant Program - Establishment (Peyton's Bill)
Favorable with Amendments 
Report by Committee
Support
( HB 1358)
Maryland Lead Poisoning Recovery Act
Hearing 3/9 at 1 pm
JPR Support
Estates and Trusts - Guardianship of a Disabled Person - Visitation and Notification
Unfavorable Report by Committee
JPR
Monitor

Education - Maryland Education Opportunity Account Program - Established
Post Hearing
B&T
Oppose

( HB 498)
Health Care Decision Act - Advance Directives and Surrogate Decision Making - Disqualified Individuals
Hearing 3/2 at 1 pm
FIN
Support

( HB 658)
Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Telehealth - Requirements
Post Hearing
FIN
Monitor

( HB 909)
Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act
Hearing 3/1 at 1 pm
FIN
Monitor

( HB 516)
Workgroup to Study the Implementation of Universal Access to Prekindergarten for 4-Year-Olds
Hearing 3/1 at 1 pm
B&T
Monitor

Baltimore City and Baltimore County - Police Behavioral Health Units - Training Requirements
Post Hearing
JPR
Monitor

( HB 458)
Visual Impairments - Requirements for Teacher Training, Student Screening, and Maryland Medical Assistance Program Coverage
Post Hearing
EHEA, FIN
Monitor

( HB 665)
Labor and Employment - Exemptions From Overtime Pay - Administrative, Executive, or Professional Capacity
Hearing 3/2 at 1 pm
FIN
Monitor

( HB 425)
Public Schools - Suspension and Expulsions
Hearing 3/8 at 1 pm
EHEA
Support

( HB 548)
Education - Prekindergarten Student Assessment - Moratorium
Hearing 3/8 at 1 pm
EHEA
Monitor

State Budget
Hearing 3/1 at 1 pm
B&T
Monitor

Education - Children With Disabilities - Individualized Education Program Process- Parental Consent
Hearing 3/8 at 1 pm
EHEA
Support
( HB 331)
Education - Behavior Intervention Plans - Physical Restraint and Seclusion
Hearing 3/8 at 1 pm
EHEA
Support

( HB 689)
Department of Housing and Community Development - Rental Assistance Programs - Duration of Assistance
Post Hearing
EHEA
Monitor

SB 834
(HB 1175)		 Human Relations - Discrimination by a Place of Public Accommodation - Enforcement and Remedies
 Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm JPR Support
SB 849
(HB 689)		 Nonpublic Elementary and Secondary Schools - Discrimination - Prohibition Hearing 2/28 at 1 pm JPR Support
SB 852
(HB 203)		 Public Safety - Maryland Accessibility Code - Applicability Hearing 3/2 at 1 pm EHEA Monitor
SB 871
(HB 978)		 Education - Accountability - Consolidated State Plan and Support and Improvement Plans (Protect Our Schools Act of 2017)
 Hearing 3/8 at 1 pm EHEA Support
SB 872
(HB 971)		 James W. Hubbard Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program Hearing 3/1 at 1 pm EHEA Support
SB 876
(HB 1613)		 Individuals With Disabilities - Establishing Community-Based Long-Term Services and Supports (Maryland Disability Integration Act) Hearing 3/16 at 1 pm FIN Monitor
SB 943
(HB 456)		 Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers - Dispute Resolution Process - Regulations Post Hearing EHEA Support
SB 962
(HB 1416)		 Labor and Employment - Payment of Minimum Wage Required (Fight for Fifteen) Hearing 3/16 at 1 pm FIN TBD
SB 987
(HB 940)		 Education - School Vehicles Used by Private Entities - Seat Belt Requirement Post Hearing JPR Support with Amendments
SB 1013
(HB 1214)		 Health Occupations - Dental Therapists - Licensure Hearing 3/9 at 1 pm EHEA Support
SB 1106
(HB 352)		 Healthcare Practitioners - Use of Teletherapy First Reading Rules Monitor
SJ 2
(HJ 2)		 Constitutional Convention - Amendment - Repeal Favorable with Amendments Report by Committee EHEA Support
SJ 3 United States Constitution - Amendments Convention - Limitations of Federal Power Post Hearing EHEA Monitor
 
Please note: the following abbreviations identify the legislative committees in the Maryland General Assembly.

House of Delegates
  • Appropriations Committee - APP
  • Economic Matters Committee - EMC
  • Environment and Transportation Committee - E&T
  • Health and Government Operations Committee - HGO
  • House Rules and Executive Nominations - HRU
  • Judicial Committee - JUD
  • Ways and Means Committee - W&M
Senate 
  • Budget & Taxation Committee - B&T
  • Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee - EHEA
  • Finance Committee - FIN
  • Judicial Proceedings Committee - JPR
     
The Arc Maryland Policy Team 

Cristine Marchand, Executive Director

Susan Somerville-Hawes , Esq., Director of Public Policy & Advocacy - Children and Families
Jamie Stoner , The Arc Maryland 2017 Public Policy Fellow; Director of Outreach, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region
Andrew Siske, Legislative Intern, University of Baltimore School of Law
Aaron Stephens , Deputy Director, The Arc of Frederick County