On Tuesday, I returned to Annapolis after spending the day in virtual hearings from home and watching portions of the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. It had already been a memorable and inspirational day witnessing the first black women sworn in as Vice President and listening to the words of reconciliation and compassion expressed by President Biden. I was especially touched, as were many of us, by the well-crafted and beautifully presented words of the US Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. While leaving my office late last night, I approached what has been an unattractive worksite in front of the State Capital for the past 2 years only to find it transformed!!! The new Thurgood Marshall Lawyer’s Mall was the perfect place to reflect on a new beginning and an era of hope, calm, and peace. 

In the words of Amanda Gorman:
"And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us."
Virtual Office Hours!!! I am here for YOU!
I miss seeing you in Annapolis and having you drop in to talk to us and say "hello" but I still want to hear from you. I have set up virtual office hours, weekly on Tuesday mornings. Please sign up using the link below. Please drop by to just have a chat or share your thoughts, your concerns, and your priorities.
Hearings and more hearings!!!
This first week has gotten off to a busy start! I have filed a total of 14 bills to date and have a few more in the drafting process. I have also already presented three bill hearings this week on the following pieces of legislation:
HB 193 - Criminal Procedure - Victims of a Crime - Private Rooms
VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SHOULD NEVER BE RETRAUMATIZED WHILE REPORTING THEIR ABUSE! This bill would require police stations to allow victims reporting a crime of a sensitive nature, which includes but is not limited to sexual assault, rape, or domestic abuse, to request a private room to give their report. When a constituent shared her story of having to report a sexual assault to the police in a public lobby of a police station, I knew that I needed to pass a law so this could never happen to another victim.
HB 247 - Election Law - Voting Order Priority - Individuals Who Need Extra Assistance
ALL VOTERS DESERVE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX! This bill increases voting accessibility by establishing a “fast pass” system for individuals with mobility or health issues or those parents who are accompanied by children with mobility or health issues while voting. The Bill would require the State Board of Elections to post signage and allow for these voters to receive voting priority upon request.
HB 258 - State Child Welfare System - Reporting
WE OWN THE CHILDREN IN OUR STATE WELFARE SYSTEM THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE!! This bill would require reporting of educational outcomes of foster youth in the state of Maryland. This information will help school systems and the Maryland General Assembly develop and evaluate educational policy for this vulnerable population of students.
And next week I have four more bill hearings!
We want to make it easier for you to be involved and watch. Please check my Facebook Page and Twitter for live-stream links!
HB 392 - Child Care Centers - Early Childhood Screening and Assistance
Hearing Date: Wednesday, January 27 at 1 pm - Ways and Means Committee
THE SOONER WE IDENTIFY DISABILITIES, THE MORE SUCCESSFUL KIDS WILL BE! This bill would require child care centers to offer all parents or guardians screening for their children upon entry to assess for developmental disabilities (or facilitate referrals and follow- up if on-site screening is unavailable). The earlier we can diagnose developmental disabilities in children the better their social, emotional, and educational outcomes.
HB 401 - Public Schools - Pregnant and Parenting Students - Policies and Reports
Hearing Date: Wednesday, January 27 at 1:30 pm - Ways and Means Committee
PARENTS CAN BE STUDENTS TOO! This bill would require local school systems to create a policy that reduces the number of impediments for parenting teens that increase their odds for success. Schools will be required to provide lactation space for young mothers and excused absences from class for related needs. The schools must also assist the students in finding adequate transportation and childcare when needed.
HB 359 - Maryland Longitudinal Data System - Student Data - Pregnant and Parenting Teens
Hearing Date: Wednesday, January 27 at 1:30 pm - Ways and Means Committee
This is a companion bill to HB 401 that would add the collection of student data to the Maryland Longitudinal Data System.
HB 474 - Income Tax Credit - Wineries and Vineyards - Sunset Extensions
Hearing Date: Thursday, January 28 at 1:30 pm - Ways and Means Committee
NOTHING CAPS OFF A LONG DAY OF BILL HEARINGS LIKE A GLASS OF MARYLAND WINE!!! This extends the termination for a credit against the state income tax for certain expenses related to certain wineries and vineyards in Maryland.


If you would like to testify on any bill you can sign up on the Maryland General Assembly website by creating a MyMGA account. You can sign up two business days before the bill hearing between 10 am and 3 pm. Multiple tutorial videos of how to sign up can be found here.
Register to get your COVID-19 Vaccine
You can now register to receive your COVID-19 vaccine and Baltimore County will contact you when you are eligible to be vaccinated.


My office was contacted about the registration not having a sign-up option for those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, who are a part of Phase 1B. We reached out to the County Department of Health and the it has now been added under the "additional information" section of the registration form.
NCR Trail Workgroup Update
While the workgroup is on a hiatus until after session, we are still working hard to address the issues discussed by the group.
In two weeks (Tuesday, February 2 at 1:30 pm) I will have a hearing on HB 458, which will require jurisdictions to develop a policy of best practices and ethical behavior for park visitors and a plan for sharing the policy with the public. This bill will help address the issues of littering, damaging natural areas and waterways, and erosion that could be caused by visitors walking off existing trails, and also help educate visitors on proper trail etiquette.
Broadband Update
I have good news since our last update! Baltimore County has identified approximately 200 additional homes for the Broadband Grant Project in northwest Baltimore County, bringing the total proposed number of homes for the build out up to 868. These grants will be awarded by the end of February.