Public Health
HB26 Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether
This bill prohibits, beginning October 1, 2008, a person from manufacturing, processing, or distributing a product or a flame-retardant part of a product that contains more than one-tenth of 1% of pentabrominated diphenyl ether (pentaBDE) or octabrominated diphenyl ether (octaBDE). The prohibition would not apply to the processing of metallic recyclables.
PentaBDE and octaBDE are two polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) compounds commonly used in fire retardants. PBDEs have been routinely used in the plastic housing of computers and circuit boards and in the foam and textiles used in furniture. Concerns about the effects of PBDEs on human health and the environment are mounting. PBDEs persist in the environment and are building up rapidly in humans and fish. PBDEs have the potential to disrupt thyroid hormone balance and contribute to a variety of developmental deficits. PBDEs may also have the potential to cause cancer. Some scientists have noted the similarities between PBDEs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a chemical that was banned in the 70's due to its toxicity and persistence. According to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently analyzing the effects of PBDEs.
Because of the potentially harmful effects of PBDEs, efforts to eliminate them from products have been made throughout the world. The European Union voted in December 2002 to ban the use of PBDEs in electrical and electronic equipment sold in member countries. A growing number of electronics and furniture manufacturers have adopted official policies to phase out their use of PBDEs. In 2003 California enacted legislation to phase out the use of pentaBDE and octaBDE by 2008.
This bill is similar to the legislation enacted in California.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Heather Woods Barthel
HB136 Products That Contain Mercury
This bill continues the prohibition on the sale of mercury thermometers and also continues the exemption of hospitals from this prohibition.
In the bill, a mercury-added product is defined as any of the following products if it contains elemental mercury or a mercury compound that has been added to the product for any reason: dyes or pigments, electric switches, fluorescent lamps, and thermostats.
Beginning April 1, 2006, unless a mercury-added product is labeled in accordance with the bill and regulations adopted by MDE, a manufacturer or wholesaler may not sell the product at a retail store, to a retailer, or for use in the State. Unless properly labeled, a retailer may not knowingly sell a mercury-added product in the State. The manufacturer of the product is responsible for affixing the label required under the bill.
Beginning October 1, 2006, a person may not knowingly dispose of a mercury-added product in a refuse disposal system located in the State unless the mercury has been removed from the product and reused, recycled, or otherwise managed to ensure that it does not become part of solid waste or wastewater. By October 1, 2006, a refuse disposal system permit holder must post signs at all entrances to the refuse disposal system informing the public of that prohibition.
The bill does not apply to prescription drugs; any substance regulated by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; or biological products regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration under the federal Public Health Service Act.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Heather Woods Barthel
HB203 Emergency Contraception
This bill authorizes a licensed pharmacist to dispense emergency contraception if the pharmacist has an arrangement with a licensed physician that is approved by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Physicians. It also authorizes a licensed pharmacist to initiate the arrangement; provides for the duration of the arrangement; and requires the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Physicians to jointly develop and adopt regulations to implement the Act.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick
HB204 Emergency Contraception Dispensing Program
The bill establishes the Emergency Contraception Dispensing Program within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and provides a means of authorizing licensed pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception without a prescription. It authorizes the Department to adopt specified regulations, collect specified fees, issue and renew certificates to specified licensed pharmacists, and conduct and approve specified educational training programs.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick
HB290 Federally Qualified Health Centers Grant Program
This bill creates the Federally Qualified Health Centers Grant Program, which authorizes the Board of Public Works to provide grants under specified circumstances for the conversion of public buildings to Federally Qualified Health Centers for specified purposes. It also authorizes specified entities to apply to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for State grants; provides specified terms, conditions, and limitations on the allocations, use, and amount of State grants; etc.
Effective Date: July 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick
HB346 School Nutrition Program
The bill establishes a School Nutrition Program that prohibits specified beverages and specified foods from being served in public schools between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and the end of the last lunch period. It also authorizes local school systems to implement more stringent measures to improve nutrition in the public schools.
Effective Date: July 1, 2006
For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick
HB398 Umbilical Cord Blood
The bill requires each hospital to offer pregnant patientsthe option of donating a newborn child's umbilical cord blood to certified public cord blood banks with a specified exception. It would prohibit a patient from being charged for the collection, storage, or transportation of donated cord blood; providing that a hospital is not required to collect cord blood from a patient if a licensed physician determines that collection would threaten the health of the mother or child; etc.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick
SB140 Clean Indoor Air Act
This bill prohibits a person from smoking in indoor areas open to the public and places of employment. It requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of the prohibition; requires these departments to report to the General Assembly; and establishes civil penalties and fines for the violation of the Act.
Effective Date: October 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick
[ Go to Bills Introduced]
Tort Reform
SB193 Medical Injury Compensation Reform
This is the Administration's medical malpractice tort reform bill. The bill includes provisions for a cap on noneconomic damages of $500,000, an annuity provision for economic and noneconomic damages in excess of $250,000, and requires an itemization of the award that reflects the monetary amount intended for past medical expenses, future medical expenses, past loss of earnings, future loss of earnings, noneconomic damages, and other damages. Limits on attorneys' fees are not included in the bill.
Effective Date: June 1, 2004
For more information, please contact: Heather Woods Barthel
[ Go to Bills Introduced]
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