A �Bill Introduction Date� is established each session, which serves as a deadline by which bills must be introduced if they are to be guaranteed a public hearing. Bills introduced after this deadline must pass through the respective chamber�s rules committee before being assigned to the appropriate standing committee. This is often a difficult hurdle to overcome, so a rush of bills leading up to the deadline is common. February 11 is the House bill introduction date, while the Senate�s was Friday, February 4. There is therefore a large amount of new legislation currently being introduced, which will be heard in the coming weeks. Our staff will be monitoring these bill introductions closely and keep Hopkins� leadership abreast of all bills of significance.


Leadership in Annapolis

President Daniels traveled to Annapolis on Thursday, February 10 to meet with the Governor and legislative leaders. Discussions centered on major areas of interest to Johns Hopkins and the potential impacts of currently considered legislation on our institutions.

Later that afternoon, President Daniels also provided testimony before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. The �gun day� hearing, nicknamed for the large number of gun bills scheduled on a single day, comprised over five hours of testimony on several bills related to gun control. Included were two bills initiated by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake that seek to toughen sentences for illegal gun possession and a bill introduced by Sen. Madaleno to ban weapons from public higher education institutions.

At the request of Mayor Rawlings Blake, President Daniels provided joint testimony with University of Maryland Baltimore and Morgan State University in support of the Mayor�s gun legislation. Tom Lewis provided testimony in support of the Weapon Free Higher Education Zone bill and requested that that legislation be amended to include hospitals and private institutions of higher education.

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BILLS INTRODUCED

Budget - Capital

HB0193 Creation of a State Debt - Baltimore City - Substance Abuse, Medical Home, andClinical Building

This bill authorizes the creation of the state debt, of up to $150,000, for the planning and design of a Substance Abuse, Medical Home, and Clinical Building located in Baltimore City. The loan will be granted to the Board of Directors of the Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc.

Effective Date: June 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

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General Business

HB0197 Unemployment Insurance Benefits Claims - Appeals - Finality of Order

This bill establishes that decisions regarding unemployment insurance benefits claims are final ten days after notice has been delivered to the individual or employer who appealed the determination of the unemployment insurance benefits claim.

Effective Date:
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

HB0298 Labor and Employment - Wage Payment and Collection - Void Agreements

This bill voids any agreement between an employer and an employee in which an employee is paid less than the required wage.

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

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Health Care Occupations

HB0287 Maryland Perfusion Act

This bill requires the State Board of Physicians to adopt regulations for the practice and licensure of perfusion. The bill requires the Board to set fees in order to fund the licensing process and establishes a Perfusion Advisory Committee within the Board. The bill also provides exceptions for licensure for students practicing perfusion while enrolled in an accredited educational program.

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

HB0503 Health Occupations Boards - Discipline of Health Care Practitioners - Failureto Comply with Governor's Order

This bill authorizes the state�s health occupation boards to reprimand, place on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of any health care practitioner who fails to willfully comply with the Governor�s order relating to catastrophic health emergencies.

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Nicki McCann

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Higher Education/Financial Aid

SB0315 Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers (BOAST) in Maryland TaxCredit

This bill authorizes the state�s health occupation boards to reprimand, place on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of any health care practitioner who fails to willfully comply with the Governor�s order relating to catastrophic health emergencies.

Effective Date: July 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Mat Palmer

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Medical Liability/Tort Reform

HB0340 Health Care Malpractice - Certificate and Report of Qualified Expert -Objection

This bill requires that any objection to a qualified expert in a health care malpractice case be filed 14 days after the certificate or report. The bill also requires a party to file a certificate of a qualified expert or report within 30 days after a certificate or report is deemed legally insufficient.

Effective Date: June 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

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Miscellaneous

HB0235 Human Relations - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - Antidiscrimination

This bill prohibits discrimination based on �gender identity,� defined as �gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual regardless of the individual�s assigned sex at birth,� with regard to housing and employment.

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

HB0247 Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act - Modifications

This bill modifies the provisions of law guaranteed to durable powers of attorney to apply to all powers of attorney. The bill also defines �property� and �stocks and bonds.�

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

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Research/Human Subject

HB0291 Public Health - Medical Marijuana

This bill alters the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. The bill allows for a pharmacy or a dispensing center to distribute marijuana to a qualifying patient or registered primary caregiver and outlines penalties for violation. The bill requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to issue a request for proposals in order to select �authorized growers� and establishes regulations for the growers. The bill also defines �debilitating medical conditions.�

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

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Workplace Regulation

HB0392 Labor and Employment - Workers' Compensation - Venue for Appeal

This bill alters the required venue for individuals and employers appealing decisions of the Workers� Compensation Commission to the county where the appellant resides (if the appellant is the individual) or the county where the appellant has its principle place of business (if the appellant is the employer).

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez

HB0417 Workers' Compensation - Death Benefits - Dependency

This bill clarifies the Worker�s Compensation Commission�s authority to make determinations related to dependency and death benefits. The bill also prescribes calculations and limits in determining the amount and time periods of payment to the dependents of the deceased.

Effective Date: October 1, 2011
For more information, please contact: Delora Sanchez


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