The Arc Maryland's Weekly Legislative Update
Week of Session: January 24 to 28, 2022
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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. |
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LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND EVENTS |
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Governor Releases Draft FY23 Budget |
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Following the release of the Governor's proposed FY23 Budget on January 19th, The Arc Maryland's Governmental Affairs Committee, Executive Committee, and the DD Coalition met with Developmental Disabilities Administration representatives. DDA presented a Budget Summary document and confirmed that both the 4% increase received in FY22 and the 5.5% provider rate increase received this fall (retro to April 1, 2021) are included in the provider base funding. Additionally, a 4% rate increase is in the budget that, if passed, will take effect on July 1, 2022.
The DD Coalition has been working to clarify the numbers provided in the DDA Budget Summary document, which do not seem to coincide with what previous year's allocations have been for certain line items. The budget is complicated this year and we are working to figure out how the federal and state funds that flowed to the state through increased Medicaid matching percentages and the American Recovery Protection Act weigh into the budget numbers. We will provide an update in the next Insider!
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Register for DD Day at the Legislature
February 22nd - 8:15 to 10:30 AM *Note Time Change
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Join us for the largest statewide advocacy event of the year for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! On February 22nd, Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature is back on zoom! The event time has been changed to 8:15 to 10:30 AM to accommodate the schedules of invited speakers! Learn about important advocacy topics for this legislative session before meeting with your representatives.
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9-1-1 Registry Program Bill To Be Withdrawn by Sponsors |
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The 9-1-1- Registry Program Bill, ( HB0177) will be withdrawn by the Sponsors to allow time for advocates and Legislators to work toward a plan that will meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families. This legislation would have established a 9-1-1 registry to authorize self-advocates, parents, or guardians of individuals with IDD to register with the 9-1-1 system to make them aware of specific behaviors they have. |
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SB0023 - Equity in Transportation Sector - Guidelines and Analyses |
Position: Support
Current Status: In Senate, Hearing 1/26 at 1 PM, FIN
Testimony Due Today, 1/24 by 3 PM
This legislation requires that equity be considered when State transportation plans, reports, and goals are developed and establishes the Commission on Transportation Equity to assist in developing policies and performance measures to ensure the State transportation system is equitable. Beginning with the 2023 Attainment Report on Transportation System Performance, the Advisory Committee shall consult with the Commission on Transportation Equity to recommend measurable transportation indicators that can be evaluated for: 1. Racial and Ethnic Disparities, and 2. Impacts on Persons with Disabilities.
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SB0150 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Dental Coverage for Adults |
Position: Support
Current Status: In Senate, Hearing 1/25 at 1 PM, FIN
The Arc Maryland Submitted Joint Testimony with the DD Coalition
This legislation requires the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, beginning January 1, 2023, and subject to certain limitations, to provide comprehensive dental care for adults whose annual household income is at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level; and repealing certain provisions of law requiring the implementation of a pilot program to provide limited dental coverage to adult recipients under the Program.
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HB0078 - Discrimination in Employment - Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants With Disabilities |
Position: Support
Current Status: In House, Hearing 1/25 at 1 PM, EMC
The Arc Maryland Submitted Joint Testimony with the DD Coalition
This legislation prohibits an employer from failing or refusing to make a certain accommodation for a known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant for employment; and establishes that an employer is not required to accommodate an applicant for employment's disability under certain circumstances.
The bill will provide a stepping stone from which we can build additional equitable employment process and rights assurance laws in the future. The bill will create a mechanism for people to make state-level complaints for investigation if they feel they are denied a reasonable accommodation during the application process or in the work environment.
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SB0299 - Education - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Seizure Action Plans (Brynleigh's Act) |
Position: Support
Current Status: In House, Hearing 2/3 at 1 PM, EHEA
Testimony Due on Tuesday, 2/1 by 3 PM: We need your stories- written testimony or oral testimony from Families and Self-Advocates.
This legislation requires schools to develop Seizure Action Plans for students with seizure disorders and also requires schools to identify and train certain school personnel on the identification, response, and treatment of seizures. With approximately 7,900 children living with epilepsy in Maryland, education, information, and training on seizure recognition would ensure school personnel are prepared and can recognize and respond appropriately and efficiently to a student experiencing a seizure. Parents, as critical partners in education, would be actively involved in collaboration with school personnel to create a seizure action plan for their students with a seizure condition.
Similar laws have already been passed in 12 states, including Virginia and New Jersey. It is time this law was passed in Maryland.
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HB0008 - Labor and Employment – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2022) |
Position: Support with Amendments
Current Status: In Senate, Hearing 2/1 at 1 PM, EMC
Testimony Due on Friday, 1/28 by 3 PM
This legislation establishes the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in the Maryland Department of Labor to provide certain benefits to individuals who take leave from employment for certain purposes; establishing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund as a special, non-lapsing fund; requiring, beginning January 1, 2023, certain employees, employers, and self-employed individuals to contribute to the Fund in a certain manner; etc.
While paid family leave is a concept supported by The Arc, the bill language would create a host of new requirements and hardships for providers and employees as it requires mandatory participation, financial and other, and does not contain any definition changes The Arc has asked for in our testimony from 2021 session. Please see the link that conveys The Arc Maryland's support for Family Medical Leave, but not as laid out in the current legislation/ as currently written.
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HB0226 - Public Schools- Self-Contained Special Education Classroom - Use of Video Recording Devices |
Position: Support
Current Status: In House, Hearing 2/3 at 1 PM, W&M
Testimony Due on Tuesday, 2/1 by 3 PM: We need your stories- written testimony or oral testimony from Families and Self-Advocates.
This bill requires each county board of education, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, to install a video recording device in each self-contained special education classroom; provide for the installation, operation, notification, and use of a video recording device and the viewing, use, and confidentiality of system recordings; requires the school administration to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency on receipt of a complaint of alleged neglect or abuse of a student under certain circumstances; etc.
Click on the link below to access the Frederick News Post article on the bill and what it would do for students, teachers, and families
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Tuesday, January 25th at 1:00 PM In House, EMC
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HB0078: Discrimination in Employment - Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants With Disabilities
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HB0258: Employment Standards - Seating for Employees (Right to Sit Act of 2022)
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Tuesday, January 25th at 1:00 PM In Senate, FIN
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SB0028: Home- and Community-Based Services Waiver - Participation and Applications
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SB0150: Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Dental Coverage for Adults
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Tuesday, January 25th at 1:00 PM In House, JUD
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HB0045: Crimes - Mitigation and Defense - Religious Beliefs, Disability, or Homelessness
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Tuesday, January 25th at 1:00 PM In House, W&M
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HB0099: Election Law – Absentee Ballots – Signature Requirements and Verification
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HB0113: Elections - In-Person Voting - Proof of Identity
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Tuesday, January 25th at 1:30 PM In Senate, B&T
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SB0235: Income Tax - Personal Exemption - Disabled Individuals
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Wednesday, January 26th at 1:00 PM In Senate, FIN
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SB0023: Equity in Transportation Sector - Guidelines and Analyses
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Wednesday, January 26th at 1:00 PM In Senate, JPR
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SB0008: Task Force to Study the Need for Enhanced Monitoring of Guardians of Vulnerable Minors
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Thursday, January 27th at 1:00 PM In House, E&T
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HB0141: Equity in Transportation Sector - Guidelines and Analyses
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Thursday, January 27th at 1:00 PM In House, JUD
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HB0161: Criminal Law - Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult or Elderly Individual - Undue Influence *Note a very similar law passed last session, supported by The Arc to protect people from undue influence.
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Thursday, January 27th at 1:00 PM In House, W&M
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HB0200: Education - Public Middle and High Schools - Financial Literacy Curriculum and Graduation Requirement
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Thursday, January 27th at 2:00 PM In Senate, FIN
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SB0066: Labor and Employment - Hiring - Education Requirements (Give Me A Chance - Job Opportunities Act of 2022)
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SB0169: State Autism Strategy – Revisions
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Tuesday, February 1st at 1:00 PM In House, EMC
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HB0008: Labor and Employment – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2022)
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Tuesday, February 1st at 1:00 PM In Senate, EHEA
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SB0082: Certified Nursing Assistants - Licensing Requirements
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Tuesday, February 1st at 1:00 PM In House, W&M
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HB0212: Election Law - Signature Verification of Absentee Ballots and Absentee Ballot Applications and Ballot Canvassing
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Wednesday, February 2nd at 1:30 PM In House, HGO
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HB0297: Facilities - Disabilities, Juveniles, Behavioral Health, and Health Care - Safety Plans
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Thursday, February 3rd at 1:00 PM In Senate, EHEA
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SB0116: Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation
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SB0119: Education – Crimes on School Grounds – Application
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SB0299: Education - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Seizure Action Plans (Brynleigh's Act)
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Thursday, February 3rd at 1:00 PM In Senate, FIN
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SB0003: Facilities - Disabilities, Juveniles, Behavioral Health, and Health Care - Safety Plans
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Thursday, February 3rd at 1:00 PM In House, W&M
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HB0089: Child Care Stabilization Grant Program and Child Care Expansion Grant Program - Established
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HB0146: Education – Reportable Offenses and Student Discipline – Alterations
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HB0226: Public Schools – Self–Contained Special Education Classroom – Use of Video Recording Devices
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Thursday, February 3rd at 2:30 PM In House, HGO
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HB0173: State Board of Social Work Examiners - Temporary License to Practice Social Work
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Please note that 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
EHEA - Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
EXN - Executive Nominations
FIN - Finance
JPR - Judicial Proceedings
SRU - Rules
R&R - Reapportionment and Redistricting
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