Every year, my goal is to introduce a bill addressing poverty or income inequality.

After reading about this idea in a speech by Congressman Paul Ryan last July, I emailed the Secretary of Human Resources, “To what extent do we now inform eligible individuals at intake or subsequent contacts with DHR of the various programs that could benefit them?”

I shared his response with Regan Vaughan, a lobbyist for Catholic Charities. She and other advocates for the poor suggested that we pursue a No Wrong Door pilot program. Individuals with a range of needs that cross departmental lines would be assisted by one case worker.

That idea became House Bill 66.

We had a good public hearing before the Appropriations Committee on February 3.

The chair of that committee and the chair of the relevant subcommittee sit near me on the House floor. The day after the hearing, I told both of them that either favorable action on my bill or language in the budget would be acceptable.

There is a provision in the budget bill requesting that the Department of Human Resources provide the General Assembly with an analysis of additional steps that could be taken to ensure that when Marylanders attempt to access the social safety net, they are able to access a full range of services from multiple entry points.

That report is due December 1.

I will work on this with DHR and the advocates between now and then.