I introduced my first two bills of the session. 

            Both are repeats from last year that took quite different paths short of passage.

            Here are two not so hypotheticals that could have been addressed if the Voters Rights Protection Act had been enacted.

             Robo calls are made at noontime on Election Day advising voters to “relax” because polling data indicate that a certain candidate has already won.  Flyers are distributed in certain neighborhoods the week before the election urging people to go to the polls on November 6, instead of the real Election Day, November 4.

             Under my legislation, a judge could issue an order prohibiting any further dirty tricks of this nature.  If no violations have yet to occur but there are reasonable grounds to believe that they will, an order could also be issued. 

             The bill failed last year when then Senator (now Congressman) Andy Harris delayed it in the midnight hour on the last night of the session.

             The second bill addresses homeless or abandoned youth who need mental health care.  The law currently requires the consent of a minor’s parent before such treatment can be provided, unless the minor is married or the parent of a child. 

             In many cases, these children have no contact with their parents because they’ve been abused.  Parental approval could be waived by an employee of a homeless shelter, a health care provider, or a social worker, if my bill becomes law.

              This proposal died in committee last year because of concerns that an amendment requiring parental consent for abortion would have been offered if the bill reached the House floor. 

               I know that I need to address that concern if the bill is to pass this year. 

Thursday, January 13