2009 SESSION OF THE
MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Volume 16, Number 4����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� February 13, 2009
Here are some of the hot
issues as the 2009 Legislative Session develops:
HOSPITAL BILLING AND COLLECTION
BILLS
INTRODUCED
STAFF
CONTACT INFORMATION
�
The
legislative session continues toward next week’s bill introduction
deadlines in Annapolis. As the bulk of forthcoming legislation is
introduced, the pace of hearings will pick up and policy discussions will take
shape. We will continue to keep you updated as developments arise in the
coming weeks.
Hospital Billing and Collection
In response
to Baltimore Sun articles regarding hospital billing and collection, Pete
Hammen (Chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee) has been
working with hospitals, the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), and
the Governor’s office on legislation to appropriately and equitably
address the concerns raised in the article. His bill, which will be
cross-filed by Senator Della, will likely be finalized over the next
several days and introduced next week. It is expected to require that
patients with incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level be provided
free medically necessary care; require hospitals to provide financial assistance
information to all patients; and prohibit hospitals from selling any debt or
placing a lien on a primary residence. It will also establish a workgroup
(to be headed by the HSCRC but involve stakeholders) to review the need for
uniform policies related to patient financial assistance and debt collection
among all hospitals. Chairman Hammen plans to bring hospitals (MHA) and
the HSCRC to the table with him when he introduces the bill, to symbolize the
collaboration of the groups in drafting this legislation.
Several other
bills have been introduced in this area but do not appear to have the support
of legislative leaders. Those bills include one requiring duplicative
reporting of hospital executive and board member compensation and one placing a
limit on the interest or late fees which may be added to hospital bills.
This
week, both the Senate and House budget committees held hearings on the Maryland
Higher Education Commissions budget, which included review of funding for the Sellinger
Aid Program. The Governor's proposed budget maintains Sellinger funding
at FY2009 levels for FY2010 and 2011, and increases funding over the next four
years until reaching full funding in FY2015. The Department of
Legislative Services recommended that the Sellinger multiplier, which is
currently at 16 percent, be reduced to 11.8 percent. Johns Hopkins, in
conjunction with MICUA, is in support of the Governor’s proposed budget
scenario, and opposes the recommendations set forth by DLS. We will continue
to work with budget committee members to ensure that Sellinger Funding is
protected at its historic levels.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Economic
Development
Employment/Labor/Worker’s
Compensation
Health, General/Public/Environmental
Higher Education/Financial Aid
BILLS
INTRODUCED
Economic
Development
HB0438 �Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology
Committee - Membership and Duties
HB 438 renames the Joint Technology Oversight
Committee as the Joint� Information
Technology and Biotechnology Committee.�
It also expands the Committee's scope to include work to broaden
support, knowledge, and awareness for information technology and
biotechnology.� The Committee will issue
an annual report to the legislature each December.� The Committee will consist of 6 members from
the Senate and 6 members from the House of Delegates as appointed by the
presiding officers.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Mat Palmer
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Employment/Labor/Worker's
Compensation
HB0345 �Workers' Compensation - Sole Proprietors - Coverage
HB 345 establishes that a sole proprietor is a
covered employee under workers compensation law unless the individual submits a
signed and notarized written notice electing not to be a covered employee.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0393 �Discrimination in Employment - Expansion of Disability
Rights
HB 393 alters the definition of disability in
certain provisions of law that prohibit discrimination in employment.� An employer must make reasonable
accommodations for an employee’s disability unless the accommodation
would cause undue hardship.� An employer
or labor union may not retaliate against an employee for opposing, reporting,
or challenging a discriminatory practice in an investigation, proceeding, or
hearing.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0474 �Human Relations - Sexual Orientation and Gender
Identity - Antidiscrimination
HB 474 prohibits discrimination based on gender
identity for public accommodations, housing, and employment.� Prohibits discrimination based on sexual
orientation or gender identity in commercial leasing.� Employers are not prohibited from requiring
an employee to adhere to reasonable workplace appearance and dress standards
that are directly related to the nature of employment as long as the employee
may appear and dress consistently with their gender identity.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0543 �Prevailing Wage Rates - Public Works Contracts - Suits
by Employees
HB 543 expands the rights and remedies for
private enforcement suits under the State prevailing wage law by allowing
former employees to sue to recover the difference between the prevailing wage
and the amount received by the employee, unpaid fringe benefit contributions,
and additional remedies.� A contract
between the employer and employee stating that the employee would be paid less
that the prevailing wage does not bar recovery.�
An employer may not retaliate against an employee for reporting the
employer or participating in any investigation, hearing, or inquiry.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HJ0004 �Labor and Employment - Employee Free Choice Act
HJ 4 urges the United States Congress to enact
the Employee Free Choice Act, which establishes an efficient system to enable
employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
�SB0451
Labor
and Employment - Maryland Wage and Hour Law - Criminal Penalties
SB 451 increases the misdemeanor penalties for
employers that do not comply with Maryland Wage and Hour Law.� The minimum penalties are a $2,500 fine
and/or 90 days imprisonment for a first violation and a $5,000 fine and/or 180
days imprisonment for subsequent violations.�
Each workweek that an employer does not pay the required wage is
considered a separate offense.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
SB0452 �Labor and Employment - Maryland Wage and Hour Law -
Damages
SB 452 specifies that an employee that is
entitled to recovery from an employer due to a violation of the Maryland Wage
and Hour Law must be awarded counsel fees, other costs, and interest on the
amount of recovery.� In addition to the
difference between the wage paid to the employee and the wage required under
the subtitle, the court may also award an additional amount equal to two times
the difference between the wage paid to the employee and the wage required as
liquidated damages.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
SB0466 �Labor and Employment - Employment Contracts - Implied
Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
SB 466 creates an implied covenant of good faith
and fair dealing in employment contracts and prohibits an employer from
discharging an employee in bad faith or without good cause.� Allows an employee to waive the covenant of
good faith if they do so voluntarily and without coercion.�� Local, State or Federal government employees
are excluded.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
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General
Education
HB0339 �Education Funding - Maintenance of Effort - Slots
Revenue
HB 339 requires that money from slots revenue
deposited into the Education Trust Fund for K-12 education will be in addition
to state general fund support provided in the prior fiscal year.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0342 �Public Education - Education Trust Fund - Use of Funds
HB 342 requires that money from the Education
Trust Fund will be in addition to funding for K-12 education and community colleges
and may not supplant existing funding from any source.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0365�
Labor and Employment - Adult Education and Literacy Grants - Funding
Formula
HB 365
requires the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) to provide
adult education grants beginning in 2011 for specified adult education
providers.� Funding is to be provided for
in the state budget.
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Health
Care Administration
HB0386 �Physicians - Patient Health Information Privacy Rights
- Form and Distribution
HB 386 requires that physicians in private
medical offices distribute information to patients about how their health information
will be protected by the HIPAA privacy rule.�
The information must be easy to understand and free of legal and medical
jargon.� A sign must be conspicuously
posted near the registration desk advising the patient of their right to a copy
of their medical record.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0417 �State Government - Human Relations - Discrimination by
Business Establishments Against Individuals with Disabilities
HB 417 prohibits a business, without exception,
from violating the Americans with Disabilities Act or denying the right to full
and equal access for individuals with a disability.� A disabled individual who has been
discriminated against by a business may pursue administrative relief or file a
civil action.� For each violation, a
disabled individual is entitled to compensatory damages, punitive damages, and
an injunction.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0521 �Maryland Trauma Physician Services Fund - Rural Trauma
Centers
HB 521 alters the definition of trauma center to
include: Peninsula Regional Medical Center, the Western Maryland Health System,
and Washington County Hospital.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
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Health
Care Facilities
HB0411 �Community Mental Health Services Programs - Financial
Statements and Salary Information
HB 411 requires a community mental health
services program to submit annual financial statements and salary information
in accordance with Mental Hygiene Administration guidelines.� It also permits MHA to impose a penalty of
$500 per day for failure to comply.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
SB0435 �Health Care Facilities - Reporting and Reimbursement
for Never Events
SB 435 requires hospitals that admit or treat a
patient from a long-term care facility for a never event to report the never
event to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH)
and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within 10 days after
admission or treatment.� Never events in
the bill are defined as any occurrence or condition identified by CMS as a
never event.�
If the hospital fails to make the report, there is a rebuttable
presumption that the never event occurred at the hospital unless it was
previously reported by the long-term care facility.
The bill also requires a long-term care facility that admits or readmits a
patient who has experienced a never event in a hospital to report the event to
DHMH and CMS no later than 10 days after admission or readmission.� If the long-term facility fails to make the
report, there is a rebuttable presumption that the never event occurred at the
long-term care facility unless it was preveiously reported by the hospital.
If a hospital is deemed responsible for a never event, they may not
receive reimbursement from the Maryland Medical Assistance Program or Medicare
for any treatment related to the never event.
If a long-term care facility is deemed responsible for the never event,
they may not receive Medicaid or Medicare for any treatment related to the
never event, and must reimburse Medicaid or Medicare and must reimburse
Medicaid or Medicare for any payments made to a hospital related to the event.
The bill requires DHMH to seek any authorizations or approvals required to
implement the stipulations of the bill from the US Department of Health and
Human Services.�
Any actions taken to enforce the provisions of this bill are in addition
to any other action allowed under state or federal law.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
SB0442 �Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Umbilical
Cord Blood Banking - Educational Publication
SB 442 requires the Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene to include specified and standardized information in an
educational publication it develops for obstetricians and hospitals on the
subject of umbilical cord blood banking. The required information includes:
�
an explanation of the differences between public and private
umbilical cord blood banking and the potential options to a patient regarding
stem cells that are contained in umbilical cord blood, including donating the
stem cells to a public or private cord blood bank, storing the stem cells for
use by immediate or extended family members, and discarding the stem cells
�
the medical procedures utilized in the collection of the cord
blood, risk associated with the collection, current and potential future
medical� uses and benefits
�
medical or family history criteria that can impact on a
patient's consideration of cord blood banking
�
options for ownership and future use of donated cord blood
�
the average cost of public and private cord blood banking
�
a reference to the list of research studies using cord blood
that are approved by the federal government and available on the website of the
National Institutes of Health
DHMH has to update the publication as appropriate, distribute it free of
charge upon request of obstetrical service providers, and post it on its web
site in a printable format. Obstetricians are required to distribute the
publication to pregnant patients before the third trimester of pregnancy, or as
soon as reasonably practicable. If the donation of cord blood conflicts with
the bona fide religious practices and beliefs of the provider and the provider
makes the conflict known to the patient as soon as reasonably practicable, the
provider does not have to distribute the publication. Providers who do not
comply are not subject to any disciplinary action. Finally, the bill allows a
pregnant patient to donate umbilical cord blood to a private cord blood bank,
in addition to a public one.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
SB0493 �Mental Health Programs and Facilities - Reports of
Death
SB 493 defines a mental health "program or
facility" as an inpatient or residential treatment setting, residential
crisis service, group home, or residential rehabilitation program for the purposes
of the reporting requirement of this bill.��
It also alters existing reporting requirements, specifically:
�
reporting the location of the body at the time of discovery
�
if the death occurred in a program or facility that operates
more than one treatment program and where the deceased individual attended more
than one treatment program, the facility is require to make only one report
and,
�
if the death occurred in a nonresidential psychiatric
rehabilitation program, the administrative head of the program shall report the
death to the director by the close of business on the next working day
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
SB0494 �Health Services Cost Review Commission - Limit on
Interest or Late Payment Fees
SB 494 requires the Health Services Cost Review
Commission to prohibit hospitals from charging a patient interest or late
payment fees at a rate exceeding 5% per year.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
SB0504 �Baltimore City - Health Care Facilities and Clinics -
Reporting of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Incidents
SB 504 requires Baltimore City nursing homes,
assisted living facilities, and outpatient clinics that offer or oversee
services relating to dialysis or HIV/AIDS to report incidents of
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus to the Commissioner of Health.� The report must include strategies that are
being employed to reduce or eliminate future incidents.�
By December 1, 2010, the Commissioner must compile any reports received
and report to the Maryland Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, and to the Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs
Committee and House Health and Government Operations Committee regarding the
findings and recommendations made in the compilation of the report.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
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HB0340 �Income Tax Credit for Services Donated to Community
Health Organizations
HB 340 creates a State income tax credit for
physicians and dentists who donate services to community health organizations
(CHOs) that provide health care services to low income individuals at reduced
or no charges. The bill provides that CHOs may submit proposals to the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) for the allocation of tax
credits for physicians and dentists who donate services to the eligible
organization. DHMH is authorized to award a maximum of $250,000 in credits each
year.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
HB0374 �Radiation Therapists, Radiographers, Nuclear Medicine
Technologists, and Radiologist Assistants - Renewal Requirements for Licenses
HB 374 repeals the renewal requirement for
licensed radiation therapists, radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists,
and radiologist assistants and requires that they meet any additional renewal
requirements established by the board.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0597 �State Board of Physicians - Polysomnographic
Technologists - Education and Licensing Requirements
HB 597 alters the date by which an individual
must be licensed before they may practice polysomnography from October 1, 2009
to October 1, 2012.� It also alters the
date by which the Board of Physicians will waive the education requirements for
polysomnographic technologists from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2012.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
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Health,
General/Public/Environmental
HB0083 ��Health
Occupations - Pharmacies - Display of SMARxT Disposal Campaign Poster
HB 83
requires the proper display of a "SMARxT Disposal Campaign"
poster.� The SMARxT Disposal Campaign is
a public-private partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the
American Pharmacists Association, and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
of America.� The partnership is designed
to educate individuals on the proper disposal of pharmaceutical or
over-the-counter medications in order to prevent accidental ingestion by
children and adulteration of local streams and other waterways.
HB0357 �Business Occupations and Professions - Plumbers -
Lead-Free Materials
HB 357 will limit the types of plumbing
fittings, fixtures, and pipes used in the repair of pipes which are intended to
dispense water for human consumption in order to minimize exposure to lead by
ingestion.� A fitting, fixture, or pipe
must not contain more than a certain percentage of lead by dry weight to be
considered "lead free" and in compliance with the law.
Effective Date:� January 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Helen Bellete
HB0368 �Baltimore City Health Department - Overdose Prevention
Pilot Program
HB 368l establishes an Overdose Pilot Program in
the Baltimore City Health Department to reduce mortality from opioid
overdose.� The Health Department will
issue certificates to individuals who have completed educational and training
programs and written and oral examinations to administer an intransasal opioid
antagonist when physician services are not immediately available.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0419 �Maryland Health and Wellness Commission - Wellness
Report Card Pilot Program
HB 419 establishes the Maryland Health and
Wellness Commission within DHMH and establishes the Wellness Report Card Pilot
Program in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Somerset, and
Garrett counties.� The purpose of the
Commission is to facilitate collaborative efforts for health promotion and
promote the social and economic well-being of residents of the state through
healthy living.� The purpose of the Pilot
Program, which will be funded by private and federal grants, is to identify key
wellness and prevention issues in the counties to be resolved by the
Commission, and to provide a comprehensive report comparing certain counties in
the state to each other and identifying the most important wellness issues that
need to be addressed to promote wellness and disease prevention.� The Wellness Report Care will evaluate the
health status of each county in the pilot program by ranking the county within
specific health indicator categories and comparing each county to the state and
to comparable counties in the US.� DHMH
will designate the entity to establish the Wellness Report Card required by the
Pilot Program.
The Commission is charged with providing a forum for stakeholders to
enhance the health and well-being of the residents of the counties involved in
the Pilot Program, analyze the results of the Wellness Report Card and develop
a strategic plan to develop solutions to the wellness issues identified in the
Wellness Report Card, ensure effective implementation of programs for priority
health promotion and disease prevention issues as defined by the Wellness
Report Card, and serve as a model for other states and counties.� Membership of the Commission will include
representatives from each of the following:
�
DHMH
�
2 from local health departments
�
University of Maryland School of Public Health
�
an institution of higher education
�
a public school
�
2 from the business community
�
2 from community health and social service organizations
�
2 from public or private health care foundations
The Governor shall designate the Commission’s chair and the
University of Maryland School of Public Health will staff the Commission.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
HB0437 �Bicycles, Mopeds, and Motor Scooters - Minors -
Protective Headgear
HB 437 amends a previous law requiring helmet
use by minors while riding a bicycle.�
The bill increases the age of a minor from under 16 years of age to
under 18 years of age.� It also includes
mopeds as a form of a bicycle for the purposes of this law.� Finally, motor scooters are also included as
a mode of transportation which requires the use of protective headgear.� The headgear must conform to the standards of
the American National Standards Institutue, the Snell Memorial Foundation's
standard, or the standards of the American Society of Testing and Measurements.
Effective Date:� June 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Helen Bellete
HB0445 �Maryland Health Care Commission - Personalized
Medicine - Study
SB 445 requires the Maryland Health Care
Commission to create a stakeholder workgroup to study issues related to the
implementation of personalized medicine in Maryland.� The workgroup is charged with reviewing federal
reports and recommendations related to personalized medicine, analyzing the
impact of the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act on the
State’s regulation of personalized medicine, and identifying obstacles to
the implementation of personalized medicine.�
Obstacles include laws and regulations regarding the protection of
genetic information, healthcare worker attitudes, awareness and education
related to personalized medicine, the use of health information technology,
regulations on the pharmaceutical industry, and reimbursement policies that may
reduce access to personalized medicine.�
The workgroup is directed to make recommendations, including legislative
ones, to reduce the obstacles to implementation of personalized medicine, and
report those recommendations on or before December 30, 2009, to the Senate
Finance Committee and House Health and Government Operations Committee.� Membership of the workgroup will include
representatives from the schools of medicine in the State, the health insurance
industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and any other interested stakeholders.
Effective Date:� June 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
HB0478 �Task Force on Public Health Risks Linked to Bullying
HB 478 creates a task force to study the effects
of bullying on both victims and perpetrators.�
The task force will be composed of 21 members chosen by virtue of their
position or training.� The task force
will reflect the cultural, geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of
the state.� Using the Maryland Youth Risk
Behavior Survey as well as other scientific reports on the subject, the task
force will produce two interim reports by December 2009 and December 2010 and a
final report by December 31, 2011.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Helen Bellete
SB0142 �Public Health - Chain Restaurants - Nutrition
Information Labeling
SB 142 requires that chain restaurants, defined
as a food establishment with 15 or more locations nationwide, clearly identify
the basic nutritional content of standard menu items.� The requirements are for the prominent
display of the total caloric content, grams of saturated fat including trans
fat, grams of carbohydrates and milligrams of sodium of a standard food
item.� Exceptions for the manner of
display of the aforementioned macronutrients are made for food served buffet
style.� Penalties for violation of the
code are up to $500 for the first occurrence and not to exceed $1,000 for
subsequent occurrences.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Helen Bellete
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Higher
Education/Financial Aid
HB0397 �Education - Loan Repayment Assistance and Scholarship
- Priority for Participation and Eligibility
HB 397 will remove the requirement that a
student attend a postsecondary institution in the State to be eligible for the
Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program, the Walter Sondheim Jr.
Public Service Summer Internship Scholarship Program, and the William Donald
Schaefer Scholarship.� The bill would
also lengthen the time of eligibility from 3 years after graduation to 5 years,
and would strike the requirement that the applicant be employed full-time.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Mat Palmer
SB0230� Maryland Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional
Funds Act
SB 230 replaces the current Maryland Uniform Management
of Institutional Funds Act with the new Act which provides modern articulation
of the prudence standards for the management and investment of charitable funds
and for endowment spending.� Specifically
the Act gives updated and more useful guidance for management and investment of
institutional funds; improves the protection of donor intent with respect to
endowment spending; improves endowment spending requirements by eliminating the
"historic dollar value" concept and instead providing better guidance
with respect to the operation of the prudence standard; and updates provisions
regarding the release or modification of fund restrictions to allow for more
efficient management of a fund.
Effective Date:� Emergency Measure
(Effective upon enactment)
For more information, please contact:�
Mat Palmer
SB0402 �Maryland Higher Education Commission - Review of
Duplicative Academic Programs
SB 402 requires MHEC to determine if unnecessary
duplication of programs exists in regard to Morgan State, Coppin State, Bowie
State, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore for any programs approved or
implemented after July 1, 2005 and before December 1, 2005.� MHEC then must deem the unnecessarily
duplicated program unjustified, and that determination is subject to judicial
review in the Circuit Court of Maryland.
Effective Date:� July 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Mat Palmer
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HB0354 �Civil Jury Trials - Amount in Controversy
HB 354 (a constitutional amendment) would
increase, from over $10,000 to over $20,000, the amont in controversy in civil
proceedings in which the right to trial by jury may be limited by legislation.
Effective Date:� Contingent
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
HB0355 �Courts - Jury Trials in Civil Actions - Amount in
Controversy
HB 355 prohibits a party in a civil action from
requesting a jury trial if the amount in controversy does not exceed $20,000
(exclusive of attorney’s fees if attorney’s fees are recoverable by
law or contract). The bill is contingent on the adoption by the voters of a
constitutional amendment (HB 354 of 2009) permitting the General Assembly to
enact legislation limiting the right to a jury trial in a civil proceeding to
civil proceedings in which the amount in controversy exceeds $20,000. The bill
takes effect on the date of the certification of the election results on the
ratification of the constitutional amendment.�
The bill applies prospectively to civil actions filed on or after the
bill’s effective date.
Effective Date:� Contingent
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
SB0468 �Courts - Jury Trials in Civil Actions - Amount in
Controversy
SB 468 prohibits a party in a civil action from
requesting a jury trial if the amount in controversy does not exceed $20,000
(exclusive of attorney’s fees if attorney’s fees are recoverable by
law or contract).� The bill is contingent
on the adoption by the voters of a constitutional amendment (SB 469 of 2009)
permitting the General Assembly to enact legislation limiting the right to a
jury trial in a civil proceeding to civil proceedings in which the amount in
controversy exceeds $20,000. The bill takes effect on the date of the
certification of the election results on the ratification of the constitutional
amendment. The bill applies prospectively to civil actions filed on or after
the bill’s effective date.
Effective Date:� Contingent
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
SB0469 �Civil Jury Trials - Amount in Controversy
SB 469 (a constitutional amendment) increases,
from over $10,000 to over $20,000 the maximum amount in a civil action that a
party may demand a jury trial.
Effective Date:� Contingent
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
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SB0355 �Minority Business Enterprise Certification - Personal
Net Worth Requirement - Repeal
SB 355 repeals the requirement regarding
personal net worth for certification as a minority business enterprise.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
SB0489 �Minority Business Enterprise Certification - Cap on
Personal Net Worth
SB 489 alters the amount of the cap on the
personal net worth requirement for certification as a minority business
enterprise.� The bill would change the
current cap of $1.5 million to $1.75 million, as adjusted for inflation according
to the consumer price index.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Sheila Higdon
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SB0417 �Prescription Confidentiality Act
SB 417 prohibits the collection, use, transfer,
or sale of patient identifiable or prescriber identifiable prescription
information for a commercial purpose by a pharmacy benefits manager, carrier,
electronic transmission intermediary, or a mail or internet pharmacy with
certain exceptions.� The collection, use,
transfer, or sale of prescription information for pharmacy reimbursement,
formulary compliance, care management, utilization review, and health care
research is excluded from the prohibition.
Effective Date:� October 1, 2009
For more information, please contact:�
Delora Sanchez
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STAFF
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact Government Relations if you have concerns or would like
additional information. Your input assists us greatly in evaluating and
formulating the position of Johns Hopkins on all legislation.
Legislative Session Office
410-269-0057
fax 410-269-1574
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�� Helen Bellete |
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�� Mickey Geisler |
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�� Matt Greenwood |
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�� Sheila Higdon |
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�� Tom Lewis |
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�� Mat Palmer |
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�� Delora Sanchez |
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�� |
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