There is now just one month left in the General Assembly’s session, and things are heating up. Some of the major developments of the past two weeks include:

Health Care. On Friday, the House Health and Government Operations Committee approved legislation that would provide health insurance to more than 100,000 uninsured residents. The bill expands eligibility for health coverage under Medicaid and ensures that every child in Maryland could receive medical insurance. Much of the proposal’s cost would be funded by a $1 per-pack increase in the cigarette tax. The bill is a scaled-down version of legislation introduced earlier in the session that would have reduced the number of uninsured residents in Maryland (estimated at 800,000) by one-third.

Gang Violence. Gangs are a growing problem in Maryland, including Baltimore County. Many states have enacted anti-gang laws that are patterned after the federal RICO (Racketeering Influences and Corrupt Organizations) statute.

HB 713 would have Maryland follow suit. The bill would prohibit a person from participating in a criminal gang if they know that the gang is engaged in a repeat crime, and would prohibit a person from assisting in an offense committed to benefit or at the direction of a criminal gang.

Green Fund. The committee I serve on (House Environmental Matters) heard testimony last week on HB 1220, which would establish the Chesapeake Bay Green Fund. The bill would create a dedicated funding source for Bay clean-up – promoting Smart Growth and keeping Maryland on track to meet its goals for reducing nutrient pollution. HB 1220 would impose a fee on impervious surfaces created by new development projects. The Fund would support projects that protect the Bay from storm water runoff, help local governments address planning needs and promote agricultural best management practices.

Board of Education. To increase the public’s input into selection of Baltimore County School Board members, several legislators have introduced bills to reform the school board selection process. Senator Bobby Zirkin and Delegate Dan Morhaim have introduced SB 82 and HB 71, which would create a “hybrid” school board. Currently, the governor appoints all members of the school board. These bills would create a 15-member board, seven of whom would be elected (one per councilmanic district) and eight of whom would be appointed by the governor. On Friday, a large majority of Baltimore County’s House of Delegates members (including me) voted to endorse HB 71. Prospects are uncertain in the State Senate.

This week, I am looking forward to the hearing on HB 949, a bill I introduced to streamline the process by which military health care personnel can enter civilian health care fields. Many in the military, such as hospital corpsmen and medics, have experience and training in health care. HB 949 would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with several groups, to identify and remove barriers to the entry of military health care personnel into comparable civilian health care occupations.

HB 949 would help address the shortage of health care personnel, especially in emergency rooms and community health care clinics, and the need for more employment opportunities for veterans.

I am proud to be representing you in Annapolis and to be a part of the legislative team that represents District 11. Thank you to everyone who was able to join Senator Bobby Zirkin, Delegate Jon Cardin, Delegate Dan Morhaim and me for our District 11 reception on February 26. Please contact me with any comments or feedback or if I can be of any assistance.

Best,

Delegate Dana Stein

410-841-3527