Legislative Hotline 2017 SESSION OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Here are some of the hot issues as the 2017 Legislative Session develops:

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BILLS INTRODUCED

Behavioral Health

SB876/HB1613 Individuals With Disabilities - Establishing Community-Based Long-Term Services and Supports (Maryland Disability Integration Act)

Requiring public entities to provide community-based long-term services and supports to specified individuals; requiring the Department of Disabilities to adopt a comprehensive plan that includes a specific and reasonable time frame and that is funded from any source; requiring the Department to complete its comprehensive plan no later than a specified date; providing that public entities may not discriminate against individuals who require long-term services and supports by specified means; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 3/16 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2017, July 1, 2018, July 1, 2019
For more information, please contact: Nicole McCann

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Health Care Administration & Facilities

HB1489 Medical Laboratories - Advertising or Solicitation of Business - Repeal of Prohibition

Repealing a prohibition on specified advertising or solicitation of business for any medical laboratory, from anyone except a physician or specified medical care facilities.

Hearing Date: Wed 3/15 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2017
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

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Health Care Occupations

HB1652 Health Occupations - Certified Supervised Counselors-Alcohol and Drug - Qualifications

Authorizing an applicant, in order to qualify as a certified supervised counselor-alcohol and drug, to complete supervised work experience as specified in regulation in lieu of satisfying a specified internship requirement.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: Upon Enactment
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

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Higher Education/Financial Aid

SB1173 Higher Education Degree and Job Certification Without Debt Act of 2017

Requiring the Governor to include $250,000 in the State budget for fiscal years 2019 through 2023 for the Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish a near completer communication campaign; requiring the Commission to develop and implement a specified Web-based match program for near completers; establishing the Maryland Community College Promise Program to provide an opportunity for community college students to earn an associate's degree or certificate debt free; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 3/16 1:00 PM

Effective Date: July 1, 2017
For more information, please contact: Mary Clapsaddle

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Marijuana

HB1655 Medical Cannabis - Certifying Providers - Written Certifications

Altering the definition of "written certification", for purposes of provisions of law governing medical cannabis, to require that a written certification issued by a certifying provider to a specified qualifying patient include a specified recommendation on the amount of medical cannabis that would be necessary to meet the needs of the qualifying patient.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: October 1, 2017
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

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