We will use this email as a tool to keep you abreast of changes and concerns which may affect Johns Hopkins, and welcome any feedback you may have.


Lobbying Reminder
As not-for-profit, tax-exempt entities, The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and The Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation (JHHS) are required to comply with certain lobbying disclosure laws and ethics rules, and are prohibited as institutions from endorsing candidates or participating in political campaigns.

If you would like to assist an elected official or advocacy group in any way, please contact our Annapolis office at 410-269-0057. We can provide practical guidance in all aspects of the policy-making process and anticipate any political landmines to ensure you are well-prepared. It is also possible that your participation may be construed as lobbying and/or as setting forth the position of Johns Hopkins. Unless you are explicitly authorized in advance to speak on behalf of Johns Hopkins, all testimony should be given on a personal basis, should not use Johns Hopkins letterhead, and should include the following disclaimer: “The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Johns Hopkins University (or The Johns Hopkins Health System, as applicable).”

2018 Session

This week’s new bills of interest to the Johns Hopkins community:

[GO TO TOP]

BILLS INTRODUCED

Health Care Occupations

SB8 State Board of Nursing - Maryland Nurse Practice Act - Revisions

Repealing certain provisions of law that authorize the State Board of Nursing to grant two 90-day extensions for the renewal of a certain license or certain certificate pending receipt of criminal history record information; repealing a provision of law that authorizes the Board to immediately suspend the license of a certain nurse or the certificate of a certain nursing assistant or certain medication technician who is expelled from the Safe Practice Program under certain circumstances; etc.

Hearing Date: Thu 1/18 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2018
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

[GO TO TOP]    [GO TO BILL LIST]


Health, General/Public/Environmental

HB96 Income Tax ? Subtraction Modification ? Living Organ Donors

Allowing a subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax for up to $7,500 of qualified expenses paid or incurred by a living individual that are attributable to the donation of certain organ transplantation; defining "organ" and "qualified expenses"; and applying the Act to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.

Hearing Date:

Effective Date: July 1, 2018
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

[GO TO TOP]    [GO TO BILL LIST]


Marijuana

HB2/SB1 Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission Reform Act

Declaring that it is the intent of the General Assembly that programs established by the Act create a successful, but consumer-friendly medical cannabis industry in the State; establishing a Compassionate Use Fund to provide access to medical cannabis for certain individuals; requiring the Commission to evaluate a certain study of the industry, make a certain determination relating to minority and women applicants and minority and women-owned business participation in the industry, and evaluate certain programs and methods; etc.

Hearing Date: Mon 1/15 2:00 PM

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

HB39 Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission - Diversity

Requiring that, to the extent practicable, the members of the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission reflect the racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity of the State.

Hearing Date: Tue 1/30 1:00 PM

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

SB1/HB2 Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission Reform Act

Declaring that it is the intent of the General Assembly that programs established by the Act create a successful, but consumer-friendly medical cannabis industry in the State; establishing a Compassionate Use Fund to provide access to medical cannabis for certain individuals; requiring the Commission to evaluate a certain study of the industry, make a certain determination relating to minority and women applicants and minority and women-owned business participation in the industry, and evaluate certain programs and methods; etc.

Hearing Date:

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

SB127 Criminal Law - Possession of Marijuana - Criminal Threshold

Increasing, from 10 grams to 1 ounce, the amount of marijuana below which possession is a civil offense, rather than a criminal offense.

Hearing Date: Wed 1/24 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2018
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

[GO TO TOP]    [GO TO BILL LIST]


Medical Liability/Tort Reform

SB5 Civil Actions - Punitive Damage Awards

Providing that punitive damages may be awarded in a civil action only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with wantonness, fraud, or malice; requiring a trier of fact to consider a defendant's liability for punitive damages concurrently with all other issues presented in the action; requiring a trier of fact to determine the amount of punitive damages to be awarded based on certain factors under certain circumstances; applying the Act prospectively; etc.

Hearing Date: Tue 1/16 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2018
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

SB30 Health Care Malpractice Qualified Expert - Limitation on Testimony in Personal Injury Claims - Repeal

Repealing the requirement that a health care provider who attests in a certificate of a qualified expert or who testifies in relation to a proceeding before an arbitration panel or a court concerning compliance with or departure from standards of care devote no more than 20% of the provider's professional activities to activities that directly involve testimony in personal injury claims.

Hearing Date: Tue 1/16 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2018
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

SB36 Civil Actions - Noneconomic Damages

Increasing the maximum amount of noneconomic damages that may be recovered in certain wrongful death actions or survival actions arising on or after October 1, 2018; and providing that a jury may be informed of certain limitations on noneconomic damages in certain civil actions.

Hearing Date: Tue 1/16 1:00 PM

Effective Date: October 1, 2018
For more information, please contact: Rianna Matthews-Brown

[GO TO TOP]    [GO TO BILL LIST]


Workplace Regulation

HB98/SB135 Paid Leave Compromise Act of 2018

Requiring certain employers with at least a certain number of employees to provide employees with paid time off that is paid at the same wage rate as the employee normally earns and that may be used by the employee for any reason; authorizing an employer to apply to the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation for a certain waiver; requiring the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to create and make available a certain poster and notice; etc.

Hearing Date:

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

[GO TO TOP]    [GO TO BILL LIST]