Category: Uncategorized

In the Room Where the Drafting Happens

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Long before “Hamilton” opened on Broadway, I learned that a legislator wants to be in the room where it happens.

In Annapolis, that usually means being part of the committee leadership that meets prior to the public voting session to decide which bills will get an up arrow, indicating favorable action is expected.

When I was the vice chair of the Judiciary Committee, the chairman, Joe Vallario, discussed pending bills with me and the committee’s legal staff prior to the meeting with the committee leadership.

On most committees.  subcommittees act on bills before they’re reviewed by the leadership group.

However, subcommittees are often presented with an amended bill.

Comments and changes are welcome and accepted at the subcommittee meeting, but there is significant momentum for the amended bill.

I learned today that I will be involved in drafting amendments to two bills before they’re considered by a subcommittee.

Providing Notice

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Under House Bill 456, pharmacies would be required to provide notice to customers of the availability of accessible labels for prescription drugs for blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled individuals.

The bill’s sponsor, Delegate Michele Guyton, testified that the failure to do so violates federal law.

I asked how the federal government enforces the law.

That’s left to the states, Delegate Guyton replied.

This legislation will be referred to the subcommittee I chair.

I wrote our counsel, “Can you ask the AG what options the federal law provides for enforcement by the states?”

Pharmacy representatives testified that they support the bill with amendments.

Then Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk, the committee chair, informed everyone. “The committee would like this to be worked out.”

I think HB 456 will get a favorable report from my subcommittee.

Swing Schools

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Neighborhoods don’t like swing schools.

That’s an empty school that becomes the temporary home for another school.

It’s happening in Baltimore as new schools are being built on the site of existing schools.

Instead of a new and permanent use for a school building and the adjacent land, determined after community input, there’s a temporary tenant.

That’s the case with Northwestern Senior High and Garrison Middle School.

I was instrumental in arranging a meeting today with the presidents of the neighborhood associations surrounding Northwestern, Baltimore City Schools officials, and my 41st District colleagues.

The principal concern of the neighbors was the effect of car and foot traffic on residential streets.

It was a positive meeting.

Before today, I asked for a similar meeting about Garrison.

Favorable Actions

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Good votes come in different packages.

I ran into a colleague in the garage this afternoon.

She told me that one of my bills is on her committee’s voting list – with an up arrow.

That arrow means the committee chair wants the legislation to get a favorable vote.

Another of my bills is on the list that will be acted upon by a subcommittee on my committee, Health and Government Operations.

My chairwoman puts bills on these lists if she wants them to pass.

My bill deals with the money the state would receive from the settlement of its lawsuit against JUUL, a maker of electronic smoking devices.

Under House Bill 321, these funds must be used for programs designed to reduce the use of tobacco products by individuals under 21 years of age.

I was also pleased to learn that a compromise has been reached on a controversial bill that my subcommittee is responsible for.

One less dispute for me to try to resolve.

Celebrating Freedom

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Primary Election Day next year is also the first day of Passover.

Orthodox Jews would not be able to vote on that holy day.

Delegate Dalya Attar and I wrote a joint letter to Linda Lamone, the State Administrator of Elections, informing her of our intent to introduce legislation that would move the election date to April 16 from April 23.  Senator Shelly Hettleman will also introduce a bill.

Mayor Brandon Scott and County Executive John Olszewski wrote letters supporting this change.

When I thanked them, I wrote:

“The Passover holiday celebrates our exodus to freedom.  Centuries later, Election Day celebrates our fundamental right in a democracy – the right to vote.”

Balancing Interests

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Every bill has a purpose clause.

That clause for House Bill 351 begins:

“Allowing a licensed direct-entry midwife to assume or take responsibility for a client who had a previous cesarean section and regulating the circumstances under which the responsibility may be assumed or taken.”

At today’s bill hearing, a supporter of the bill testified, “We’re going to have our babies the way we want to have our babies.”

”It’s the location, not the provider,” said an opponent “These services should be provided in a hospital because emergencies may arise.”

The task before the subcommittee I chair will be to balance these differing interests.

When should the state intervene in a woman’s decision how to deliver her baby when a home delivery presents serious risks to her and her child?

Safe Havens

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The witness, Laura Bogley, Executive Director, Maryland Right to Life, was testifying in opposition to the reproductive freedom constitutional amendment.

“The state is failing to invest in and promote lifesaving alternatives to abortion like quality prenatal care, the Maryland Safe Haven Program, affordable adoption programs and foster care reform.”

The Safe Havens program sounded familiar.

I found this description on the Department of Human Services website.

“In Maryland, no one ever has to abandon a newborn baby. Under the Safe Haven law, a distressed parent who is unable or unwilling to care for their infant can safely give up custody of their baby, no questions asked. Newborns can be left at hospitals or law enforcement stations.”

Safe Haven

Then I asked a research librarian to find the bill that authorized the program.

It’s House Bill 602, the Maryland Safe Haven Act of 2002.

I was the principal co-sponsor.

I also asked the General Assembly’s budget staff to analyze whether the state is adequately supporting the Safe Haven program.

Then I spoke to a pro-life delegate about working together on this issue.

Entitled to express their views

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The General Assembly is not a law school class.

I tell that to the students in my Legislation class.

Today, I said that to some colleagues in Annapolis.

The issue was the constitutional amendment protecting a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

We shouldn’t rely on an abstract legal discussion of the additional protections a constitutional amendment provides compared to a statute.

Make this argument instead:

The voters of Maryland, especially the women, are entitled to express their views on an issue that will seriously affect their well being.  And that of their health care providers too.

At the ballot box.

A Speedy Response

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No doubt you’re driving slower on the Jones Falls Expressway.

But if you aren’t, those speed cameras will cost you.

I want the revenue (an expected $34 million annually) to be put to good use.

Under existing state law, the monies collected from the speed camera fines are to be used first to cover the operating costs of the speed camera system, with the remaining funds to be directed to roadway maintenance, safety, and capital improvements.

My House Bill 512 would require that 10% of these funds be directed to improvements to the JFX interchanges, including the entrance and exit ramps, the nearest intersections with traffic lights, and pedestrian safety.

Interchanges on the JFX fall within four of the City’s five legislative districts.

Full disclosure: Improvements to the Northern Parkway/Falls Road interchange have been approved.  Discussions are underway for a pedestrian bridge for Poly and Western students to cross Cold Spring Lane. Both of these projects are in my legislative district.

The Baltimore City government informed me today that it objects to requiring that 10% of the speeding ticket revenue be used for interchanges.

I’m drafting an amendment that would delete the 10% set aside for interchanges but require the City to hold a public hearing every year to solicit input on how the speeding revenues will be used.

The hearing for HB 512 before the City House delegation is tomorrow morning.

  • My Key Issues:

  • Pimlico and The Preakness
  • Our Neighborhoods
  • Pre-Kindergarten
  • Lead Paint Poisoning