2011 SESSION OF THE
MARYLAND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
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2011 SESSION OF THE |
Volume 17, Number 2 |
February 9, 2011 |
Here are some of the hot issues as the 2011 Legislative Session develops:
Higher
Education Budget Analysis
State
of the State Address
Leadership
Visits to Annapolis
Urban
Health Residency Program presented by Dr. Weisfeldt
Dean
Andrews visits the General Assembly
Dean
Newman visits the General Assembly
The House and Senate subcommittees which oversee higher education funding
received their budget analysis briefings from the Department of Legislative
Services (DLS) on January 31 and February 1 this week. Overall, the three
segments of higher education (publics, privates and community colleges) have
been level funded in the Governor�s proposed FY 2012 budget. However, there are
two forms of new money intended to avoid or reduce tuition increases: 1.)
tuition replacement funds ($9.1 million) allocated to the University System of
Maryland and Morgan State University, and 2.) Keeping Maryland Community
Colleges Affordable grant ($5 million). The Sellinger Aid program is level
funded at $38.44 million.
DLS also mentioned that the Budget
Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) references $900,000 worth of savings
associated with the proposed merger of MHEC and MSDE. The legislation or details
of how the merger and restructuring will be accomplished have not been released
by the Administration.
DLS did provide one proposed amendment to the BRFA
which would adjust the Sellinger formula down 0.5% in FY 2013 through FY 2016 as
it grows back to full funding in FY 2021. This amendment would save the state
approximately $2 million each year, but would not provide any long-term deficit
savings. Tina Bjarekull, President of MICUA, testified in opposition to the DLS
recommendation, and our staff will be lobbying the legislature to resist this
proposal.
State of the
State Address
On Thursday, February 3, Governor O�Malley gave his fifth State of the
State address to a joint session of the Maryland General Assembly. The speech
was upbeat in tone while addressing some of the state�s challenges. A major
point emphasized by the Governor was the importance of innovation, and its roots
in quality education. Also emphasized was Maryland�s favorable economic position
moving into the future, partly due to having �one of the most highly skilled
workforces of any state in America� leading institutions of discovery and higher
learning� [and sitting] at the national epicenter of science, security, health,
and healing.� The Governor�s �Invest Maryland� legislative proposal is intended
to further this goal by generating $100 million in venture capital funding for
Maryland.
Leadership
Visits to Annapolis
Academic Health Centers Present to the Health and Government Operations
Committee (HGO)
On Wednesday, February 2, Johns Hopkins was asked to brief
the House Health and Government Operations Committee on the important role
academic medical centers play in the state�s health care system and economy. The
University of Maryland was also asked to participate in this briefing. Dr.
Miller and Mr. Peterson gave an overview of Johns Hopkins Medicine, discussing
the economic impact, accomplishments and community benefits of Johns Hopkins
Medicine. The briefing was well received.
Urban
Health Residency Program presented by Dr. Weisfeldt
On Wednesday, February 2, Dr. Myron Weisfeldt, Director of the Department
of Medicine, gave a presentation to the Senate Finance Committee on the Urban
Health Residency programs. The committee chairman had requested that we visit
and speak about efforts to address the growing need for primary care physicians
in the state.
Dean Andrews visits the
General Assembly
On Wednesday, February 2, David Andrews, Dean of the School of Education
visited the Governor�s staff, chairs of various education committees and other
key legislators that have a vested interest in K-12 policy issues. Dean Andrews
discussed strategies that the School of Education has developed to produce high
quality educators; improve academic and behavioral outcomes for at-risk
children; and determine what it means to be a �highly effective� teacher. Each
meeting was very productive and created the foundation for collaborative
opportunities with key policy makers in the future.
Dean Newman visits the
General Assembly
On Thursday, February 3, Dean Katherine Newman visited the General
Assembly and met with a number of legislative members to discuss Johns Hopkins
priorities, as well as areas of her own particular expertise of interest to
various lawmakers. Legislators are always interested in meeting with the leaders
of Johns Hopkins and were very appreciative for the visit.
BILLS INTRODUCED
General Education HB0127 State Board of Education - Financial Literacy
Curriculum - Graduation Requirement
This bill requires high school students to complete a course in financial
literacy. Requires the State Board of Education to develop curriculum for a
financial literacy course, and requires each county board of education to
implement the financial literacy curriculum in every high school in the county.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0098 Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners -
Annual Report Requirement - Repeal
This bill repeals the requirement that the Chief Executive Officer and the
Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners issue an annual report including a
financial statement, progress of the transition plan or master plan, assessment
of student performance, and information on debt payments for Baltimore City
Schools.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0123 Education - Public Charter School Facility
Revolving Loan Fund
This bill establishes the Public Charter School Facility Revolving Loan Fund
for the purpose of lending money to approved applicants for public charter
school facilities. Requires the State Board of Education to administer the Fund
and consider specified factors when evaluating loan applications. Bill specifies
that in any fiscal year a single loan may not exceed $100,000, aggregate loans
may not exceed $150,000, and aggregate loans may not exceed $500,000 over a
period of 5 fiscal years. Bill also specifies provisions for loan repayment.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0201 Baltimore City - Age for Compulsory Public School
Attendance - Exemption
This bill increases the age for compulsory public school attendance in
Baltimore City schools be 18 years and requires parents or guardians of children
to provide written consent before the children may withdraw from public school
attendance.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] SB0161 Regulated Firearms - Applications for Dealer's
License - Record Keeping andReporting Requirements
This bill requires the Secretary of State Police to deny an application for a
state-regulated firearms dealer�s license if the Secretary determines that an
applicant intends that a person who is not eligible to be issued a dealer�s
license or whose dealer�s license has been revoked or suspended will participate
in the management or operation of the business. The bill also requires licensed
dealers to keep records of all receipts, sales, and other dispositions of
firearms.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0162 Firearms - Detachable Magazines - Maximum Capacity
for Ammunition
This bill alters the maximum capacity in a detachable magazine for a firearm
that can be manufactured, sold, offered for sale, purchased, received, or
transferred. The bill also alters the number of rounds of ammunition (from 20
rounds to 10 rounds) in a magazine or an assault pistol which, when used by a
person in the commission of a felony or crime of violence, results in that
person being guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to specified penalties.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0173 Criminal Law - Diminution Credits - Possession of
a Regulated Firearm by PersonConvicted of Crime of Violence
This bill decreases the number of days per month that an inmate serving a
term of confinement is allowed as a deduction in advance from the inmate�s term
of confinement. Applies to inmates serving a term of confinement for a crime of
possession of a regulated firearm by a specified person prohibited from
possessing a regulated firearm.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0174 Criminal Law - Use of Firearm in the Commission of
a Crime of Violence or aFelony
This bill prohibits the use of specified firearms in the commission of crimes
of violence or felonies. The bill also defines �firearms.�
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] HB0264 Home Health Care Services - Documents Requiring
Signature
This bill provides that any document which is signed by a person receiving
health care services in the home must contain the words "THIS SIGNATURE IS FOR
VERIFICATION OF VISIT ONLY".
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] HB0216 Health Services Cost Review Commission - User
Fees
This bill increases the total amount of user fees that the Health Services
Cost Review Commission can assess on hospitals and other institutions whose
rates are approved by the HSCRC from $5,500,000 to $7,000,000.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 HB0286 Hospitals and Freestanding Ambulatory Care
Facilities - Pracitioner PerformanceEvaluation
This bill requires hospitals, as a condition of licensure, to establish a
practioner performance evaluation process; this bill also requires the
practioner performance evaluation process to include a review of care provided
to patients at the hospital by the members of the medical staff. A hospital is
required to take the performance evaluation into account for a member of the
medical staff in the reappointment process. Failure to comply with these
requirements may result in a fine of up to $500 per day per violation. The
Maryland Hospital Association has worked with the sponsor of this bill and all
of the MHA proposed changes have been incorporated into the bill.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0428 Mental Hygiene - Admission Provisions - Definition
of "Psychologist"
This bill alters the definition of a "psychologist" for provisions of law
relating to admissions to mental health facilities by removing the requirement
that a psychologist be listed in the National Register of Health Service
Providers in Psychology.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] HB0097 Behavioral Health - Integration of Mental Health
and Addiction Treatment Services
This bills requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop a
plan and workgroup to: identify methods to integrate the provision of mental
health and addiction treatment services at the local level; examine the funding
of mental health services and addiction treatment services; and make
recommendations regarding the workgroup�s findings.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] HB0083 Health Insurance - Ambulance Service Providers -
Direct Reimbursement
This bill would require health insurers and HMO's to reimburse an ambulance
service provider directly for covered services.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 HB0251 Health Insurance - Prescription Drugs -
Cost-Sharing Obligations
This bill provides that an insurance carrier or HMO may not impose a
prescription drug cost-sharing amount of more than $100 for a one month supply
of a prescribed pharmaceutical.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 HB0444 Health Insurance - Provider Panels - Notice of
Receipt of Application
This bill requires a health insurance carrier to notify a health care
provider if they have received a completed application to become a participating
provider in a provider panel within 10 days of receipt of full documentation.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 HB0446 Health Insurance - Coverage for Preventive
Physical Therapy - Required
This bill would require health insurance policies to include coverage for
preventive physical therapy a member who is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
The bill also provides specified deductibles for coverage, coinsurance
requirements, calendar year maximums, waiting periods, treatment limitations,
and other requirements.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0154 Health Insurance - Ambulance Service Providers -
Assignment of Benefits
This bill requires health insurers and HMO's to reimburse an ambulance
service provider directly for covered services.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] SB0175 Maryland Health Quality and Cost Council
This bill establishes the Maryland Health Quality and Cost Council for the
purpose of coordinating and facilitating collaboration on health care quality
improvement and cost containment initiatives. The bill provides for the
membership of the Council and logistics of Council member behavior.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] HB0229 Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Health
Improvement and Cost Savings Act of 2011
This bill would provide income tax credit of set amounts for expenses
associated with the following: personal trainer, martial arts, yoga, gym
membership, tobacco cessation or weight loss program.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 HB0380 Public Benefits - Requirement of Proof of Lawful
Presence
This bill requires all individuals to produce either a driver's license or a
United States military card before receiving federal public benefits or State
local benefits. Several benefits are exempting from this requirement such as
emergency room care, public education, prenatal care and immunizations.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0415 Vehicle Laws - Prohibition Against Smoking in
Vehicle Containing Young Child
This bill prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from smoking in the car if
an individual under the age of 8 years old is a passenger. Violators would be
subject to a fine of not more than $50.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 SB0426 Pregnancy Outcomes - Confidential Statistical
Reporting Requirements
This bill requires a hospital or a facility where a pregnancy is terminated
to report the pregnancy termination to the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene. The report may not include the name of the individual whose pregnancy
was terminated. The report must include specific background information on the
individual whose pregnancy was terminated. This bill does not apply to Health
Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) regulated hospitals already submitting
information on pregnancy terminations to the HSCRC.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] HB0400 Higher Education - Eligibility for Student
Financial Assistance - Requirement of Lawful Presence
This bill would require a student to show proof of legal residency in the
United States in order to receive financial assistance.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 HB0401 Public Institutions of Higher Education - Tuition
- Undocumented Aliens
This bill requires public institutions of higher education to require
documentation that certifies that an individual applying for in-State tuition is
lawfully present in the United States.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 HB0440 Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program
- Exemption from Taxation
This bill would provide an income tax deduction for the amount received as
part of the Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 SB0288 Higher Education - Cultural Diversity Programs -
Reporting Requirements
This bill would change the due date of the Cultural Diversity Progam reports
from May 1 to July 1 of each year.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 SB0289 Higher Education - Edward T. Conroy Memorial
Scholarship Program - Eligibility
This bill would clarify that the child of a person killed in the line of
duty, who does not live in Maryland, would be eligible for the Conroy Memorial
Scholarship if they chose to attend a Maryland institution.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011 SB0292 Institutions of Postsecondary Education -
Falsified Transcripts, Diplomas, and Grade Reports - Penalties
This bill would clarify the statute to ensure that it is illegal to falsify
transcripts or diplomas of postsecondary institutions, or to manufacture or sell
such falfsified documents.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] SB0171 Criminal Law - Controlled Dangerous Substances -
Synthetic Cannabinoids
This bill adds specific chemical compounds, known as synthetic cannabinoids,
to the list of Schedule I substances for purposes of designating controlled
dangerous substances that may not be legally used, possessed, or distributed.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011 [GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST] HB0087 Job Applicant Fairness Act
This bill prohibits employers from considering an applicant�s or employee�s
credit report or credit history in denying employment, discharging an employee,
and determining an employee�s compensation. Employers may consider an
applicant�s or employee�s credit history or credit report when the purpose is
substantially job-related or is disclosed in writing to the employee or
applicant. The bill authorizes an applicant or employee to bring a civil action
for a violation of the Act.
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
For more information, please contact: Delora
Sanchez
Handgun
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
Health Care
Administration
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
Health Care Facilities
For more information, please contact: Nicki
McCann
For more information, please contact:
Nicki McCann
For more information, please contact:
Nicki McCann
Health Care Occupations
For more information, please contact: Delora
Sanchez
Health Insurance/Health Care Access
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
Health Reform
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
Health, General/Public/Environmental
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact:
Nicki McCann
For more information, please contact:
Nicki McCann
For more information, please contact:
Nicki McCann
Higher
Education/Financial Aid
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
For more information, please contact: Mat
Palmer
Research/Human Subject
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
Workplace Regulation
For more information, please contact:
Delora Sanchez
[GO
TO TOP] [GO
TO BILL LIST]
Legislative Session Office
47 State Circle, Suite 203
Annapolis, MD
21401
410-269-0057
fax 410-269-1574
| Mickey Geisler | [email protected] |
| Matt Greenwood | [email protected] |
| Sheila Higdon | [email protected] |
| Tom Lewis | [email protected] |
| Nicki McCann | [email protected] |
| Mat Palmer | [email protected] |
| Delora Sanchez | [email protected] |
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Institutions. Baltimore, Maryland.
Office of Government, Community and
Public Affairs.