Without amendments, most of your bills don’t have a prayer.

Amendments to several of my bills were the focus of my day.

My legislation to mandate mental health crisis response teams throughout the state would be costly, as introduced and as pared down by the amendment I offered at the bill hearing.

I suggested to the committee chairman today that the bill be stripped of the provisions requiring additional services. All that would remain is language authorizing, but not requiring, hospitals to use the existing “community benefit” program improve their crisis response services.

That would be a step forward.

The insurance industry offered amendments to my bill protecting the right to travel of life insurance policy holders and applicants. I have asked the Attorney General’s Office to review that language.

A reporter asked me about the bill’s status. I responded, “That [legal] analysis will enable me to determine what effect that amendment, if adopted, would have upon the availability of life insurance for Ken Birnbaum’s client, who was denied coverage if he traveled to the West Bank or Gaza, and for the other individuals and organizations that support House Bill 352.”

Attorneys who know far more than I about workplace harassment have agreed to amendments to my bill on that topic. That prompted me to ask the AG’s Office if these changes would make my legislation “consistent with Maryland case law on workplace harassment.”

A yes from a neutral party would be very helpful.

Finally, I learned that my bill affecting referendum petition drives passed the Election Law Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.

It was not amended.