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The Arc Maryland's Weekly Legislative Update
January 15 to 19, 2024
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Stay up to date on legislation through our Bill Tracker! View position statements, access bill text, and check hearing times and dates. | | |
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The 2024 Legislative Session began on January 10, 2024 at noon. While we face many uncertainties this session due to the economic landscape, we know two things for certain: that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families- their contributions and commitments to community- are critical facets of what makes Maryland great and we will be counting on our representatives to ensure the budget reflects our priorities as a state: to ensure equity and access for all to quality healthcare, housing, and Home and Community Based Medicaid services. The time is always right to do what is right.
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LEGISLATIVE SESSION KICKS OFF | |
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Legislative Calendar Day in Annapolis
Last Thursday, on the second day of Maryland's Legislative Session, close to 100 advocates and members from local chapters of The Arc in Maryland joined together for Legislative Calendar Day in Annapolis! Together, we will move the dial ever forward in our mission to create a world where children and adults with IDD have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities! Thank you to all of our friends and partners in the Maryland General Assembly who stopped by and made time in your day to hear our priorities!
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The Arc Maryland's Legislative Session Preview
On January 9, The Arc Maryland's Governmental Affairs Team hosted a Legislative Session Preview to get advocates ready for the 2024 Legislative Session! In the virtual meeting, we covered session priorities, our public policy platform, updated session protocols, how to provide testimony, and tips on effective communication with representatives. Thank you to our Governmental Affairs Committee Co-Chairs Dorothy Plantz (Howard County) and Anthony Zanfordino (Prince George's County) for guiding us through the day! If you missed the event, you can watch the recording below, or download the presentation slides to prepare for session! (please note that Senate protocols were updated after this presentation and are in the next section of this newsletter!)
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Senate and House Operating Protocols
Both the House and the Senate will be open to visitors and will hold hearings with both in-person and live virtual testimony opportunities. Please click the links below to review subtle differences in procedures between the House and Senate. The main change from 2023 to 2024 is that both the House and Senate now allow witness sign-up between 8 AM and 6 PM on the designated sign-up days.
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TOP BILLS AND BRIEFINGS THIS WEEK | |
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SB0202 - Income Tax- Caregiver Tax Credit
Link to Bill Text: SB0202
Position: Support
Current Status: In Senate B&T Hearing 1/17 at 1 PM. Testimony is due between 8a.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow, on 1/16 through the MGA website.
This bill would allow certain income qualifying caregivers a credit against the State income tax equal to 30% of certain qualified expenses paid or incurred to provide care or support to certain qualifying family members, including individuals over the age of 18 with disabilities who are still living at home. The Act would apply to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.
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HB0050 - Commission on History, Culture, and Civics in Education
Link to Bill Text: HB0050
Position: Letter of Information
Current Status: In House W&M Hearing 1/17 at 1 PM. Testimony is due today before 6 p.m. through the MGA website
Establishing the Commission on History, Culture, and Civics in Education to make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to further the discovery, interpretation, and learning of the history, culture, and civics of the United States and Maryland; and requiring the Commission to report its findings to the Board, the Governor, and the General Assembly by December 30 each year beginning in 2024.
We need to make sure alterations to the curriculum of history, culture and civics will include information on the history and culture of disabilities. This is important to increasing knowledge and understanding for greater inclusion/acceptance.
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SB0112 - County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Phone Use - Policy Required
Link to Bill Text: SB0112
Position: Letter of Information
Current Status: In Senate EEE Hearing 1/17 at 3 PM. Testimony is due tomorrow, 1/16 before 6 p.m. through the MGA website
Requiring county boards of education to develop and adopt a policy that prohibits students from using a cellular phone during instructional time unless a teacher expressly directs the student to use a cellular phone for educational purposes; and exempting a county board that has an existing policy on the student use of cellular phones during school hours from the requirement to develop and adopt a new policy.
Some students rely on their smartphone for communication, note taking, and other school/education related needs. We must ensure there will be accommodations for students with disabilities who use devices as AAC.
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SB0189 - Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation
Link to Bill Text: SB0189
Position: Support with Amendment
Current Status: In Senate EEE Hearing 1/17 at 3 PM. Testimony is due tomorrow before 6 p.m. through the MGA website
Requiring the State Board of Education to develop content standards for inclusive and diverse English language arts to be included in certain State standards for English language arts by December 1, 2025; requiring each county board of education to develop and implement certain curriculum guides for inclusive and diverse English language arts; and requiring each public school to include inclusive and diverse English language arts in the English language arts curriculum beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
We are submitting testimony with the DD Council to support that changes to English Language Arts standards should include inclusion through a disability history and equity lens.
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Briefings
Tuesday, January 16
1 p.m. Overview of the Juvenile Justice System, JPR
1 p.m. Maryland Board of Nursing and Updates, HGO
1 p.m. Education Briefing (Contact Stacy Goodman for more info: 410-841-3661), EEE
Wednesday, January 17
11 a.m. Update and the FAMLI (Family Leave Act), EMC
1 p.m. Briefing on ER Wait Times, HGO
Thursday, January 18
1 p.m. Briefing from the Maryland Department of Health on the Healthcare Workforce and Health Occupations Board, FIN
Friday, January 19
1 p.m. Briefing on the Blueprint Implementation by AIB and MSDE, APP & W&M
3 p.m. Fiscal Briefing B&T and APP
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Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature
February 21st, 8 to 11 AM
Are you ready for the largest gathering of disability rights advocates in Maryland? Save the date for Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature! On Wednesday, February 21st at The Graduate Hotel in Annapolis, learn about 2024 legislative priorities before heading off to speak to your representatives! Registration opens tomorrow, so be ready to lock in your spot!
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Welcome to Marlana R. Hutchinson, Deputy Secretary for the Developmental Disabilities Administration
Effective January 10, 2024, Marlana R. Hutchinson joined MDH’s senior leadership team as the Deputy Secretary for Developmental Disabilities, replacing retiring Deputy Secretary Bernie Simons.
According to the press release from the Department, "Ms. Hutchinson has 29 years of experience with a specific emphasis on Medicaid home and community-based services, public health, public policy, and healthcare administration. She has worked at the Maryland Department of Health since 1994 and served in many pivotal roles.
Ms. Hutchinson has been the Director of the Office of Long Term Services and Supports (OLTSS) in the Medicaid Administration since December 2019. She is responsible for leading and implementing cross-cutting, innovative and transformative initiatives for home and community-based programs and certain long term care industries. She is responsible for all of Maryland's Medicaid waiver programs (including the DDA-operated Community Pathways, Community Supports, and Family Supports waivers), Community First Choice, nursing services, and disposable medical supplies/durable medical equipment (DMS/DME). She is also responsible for nursing facilities, chronic and special pediatric hospitals, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)."
We welcome Marlana and look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role!
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Meet Leslie Thompson, Acting Director of Programs for DDA
We welcome Leslie who is currently filling the roll of Acting Director of Programs for DDA, following the departure of Nick Burton. Prior to this role, Leslie was the Assistant Director of Programs and Statewide Director of Provider Services for DDA. As a former employee of The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, we value Leslie's perspectives on Community Living and look forward to working with her!
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Wednesday, January 17th at 1:00 PM in House W&M
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HB0050 - Commission on History, Culture, and Civics in Education
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HB0074 - Public Schools - Lifesaver Schools Program - Establishment
Wednesday, January 17th at 1:00 PM in Senate B&T
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SB0040 - State Department of Education - Driver Education and Career and Technical Education - Funding (Driver Education and Career Education Act of 2024)
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SB0202 - Income Tax – Caregiver Tax Credit
Wednesday, January 17th at 3:00 PM in Senate EEE
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SB0112 - County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Phone Use - Policy Required
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SB0180 - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Auto-Injectable Epinephrine and Bronchodilators - Use, Availability, Training, and Policies
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SB0189 - Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation
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Thursday, January 18th at 12:00 PM in Senate B&T
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SB0086 - Income Tax - Credit for Long-Term Care Premiums (Long-Term Care Relief Act of 2024)
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Tuesday, January 23rd at 1:00 PM in House HGO
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HB0055 - Maryland Commission on Veterans and Military Families
Tuesday, January 23rd at 2:00 PM in House APP
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HB0075 - Higher Education - Teacher Development and Retention Program - Definition
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HB0198 - Transportation - WMATA Operating Assistance - Alteration (Maryland Metro Funding Act of 2024)
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Wednesday, January 24th at 1:00 PM in Senate B&T
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SB0126 - Transportation - WMATA Operating Assistance - Alteration (Maryland Metro Funding Act of 2024)
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SB0161 - Community Schools - Alterations
Wednesday, January 24th at 1:00 PM in Senate B&T
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SB0061 - Higher Education - Disciplinary Records - Use in Admissions and Disciplinary Proceedings
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Thursday, January 25th at 1:00 PM in House W&M
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HB0086 - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Auto-Injectable Epinephrine and Bronchodilators - Use, Availability, Training, and Policies
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HB0142 - Election Law - Polling Places - Establishing Voter Identity (Voter Privacy Act of 2024)
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HB0164 - Election Law - Voter Registration List - Absentee Voters (Absentee Ballot Transparency Act of 2024)
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HB0192 - Elections - In-Person Voting - Proof of Identity
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HB0202 - Election Law - Absentee Ballots - Signature Requirements and Verification
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Please Note: the following abbreviations identify the Legislative Committees in the Assembly: | |
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House of Delegates:
APP - Appropriations
EMC - Economic Matters
E&T - Environment and Transportation
HGO - Health and Government Operations
HRU - Rules and Executive Nominations
JUD - Judiciary
W&M - Ways and Means
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Senate:
B&T - Budget and Taxation
EEE - Education,Energy, and the Environment
EXN - Executive Nominations
FIN - Finance
JPR - Judicial Proceedings
SRU - Rules
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