Dear Friends,

Yesterday marked one year since I was sworn into the Maryland State Senate. It seems hard to believe that it's already been a year. So much has changed. One year ago, we had barely heard anything about COVID 19 and few could have imagined the enormity of its impact on all of our lives.

So much of our work this session is directed at mitigating the harm of the virus. The needs of those most hurt by the virus are front and center -- whether we're focusing on providing much needed financial assistance to individuals who have lost their jobs, finding the best ways to reach students who are suffering from learning loss, or targeting aid to small businesses, restaurants or entertainment venues that have been devastated by a dwindling customer base. And, we continue to press the Administration to revise and improve its vaccine distribution process.

How to best address the racial disparities in healthcare, economics and law enforcement treatment are also a major focus this session and there are a many bills that focus on providing equity to historically underserved Black and Brown communities.

While the virus has changed in fundamental ways how we're operating this session, the work is well underway as we've adapted our legislative process to remain safe, while still enabling and enhancing public input and access to our work. I urge you to spend some time learning about legislation, pop in on a hearing, and make your voice heard. I want to know what you think!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Stay safe & healthy,
Shelly's Signature
Special thanks to everyone who was able to join us last week for our District 11 Virtual Vaccine Town Hall. We had an informative discussion with Dr. Greg Branch, Director of the Baltimore County Health Department and Dr. Wilbur Chen, Director of the Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland. If you weren't able to make it, but would still like to watch, you can access the video HERE.

Want more information on COVID 19 vaccines?
Please register to submit your questions and register by clicking on the picture above or here!
Hettleman Happenings... in the News!
Read about the latest on my legislation HERE!

Want to listen for yourself? Check out the information and hearings on the bills below.
I've been very busy with bill hearings. So far, thirteen out of my more than twenty bills have been heard in the Judicial Proceedings Committee, as well as the Senate Finance, Environment, Health, and Education Committees. If you are interested in more information or would like to watch the bill hearing, simply click on the links below.

Establishes a right to counsel in evictions and other landlord/tenant disputes and provides individuals with legal representation, resources and education. Hearing Link

Expands the definition of protected categories under the hate crimes statute to include gender identity as well as requires a formal curriculum to be developed for offenders to complete. Hearing Link
Establishes the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Health as an independent unit of the state to ensure that there is transparency and accountability for the nearly one third of our budget that is overseen by the Department of Health. Hearing Link
Strengthens existing environmental requirements for state funded green building projects. Hearing Link
Creates a pilot program of Overdose Prevention Sites only in communities that desire them and working with local community based organizations. Hearing Link
Requires a person 85 years or older to appear in person to renew a driver’s license.
Establishes the right to counsel in immigration proceedings for individuals who are being held in detention. Hearing Link
Requires jurisdictions to provide a comprehensive report of employment discrimination complaints to the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. Hearing Link
Eliminates the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse and provides a 2 year window for those who were previously barred by current law. Hearing Link
SLAPP suits are used to intimidate and quash free speech. This bill updates and clarifies the current SLAPP statute to extend speech beyond just those before government entities and assists defendants by eliminating certain requirements.
Enhances liability protections for our frontline health care workers during a public health emergency, such as the COVID 19 pandemic.
Removes an action that criminalizes poverty by requiring the state or local jurisdiction to assume the cost of pretrial home monitoring for certain individuals - Baltimore Co. just did this! Hearing Link
Enables Baltimore County librarians and other library workers to form a union and participate in collective bargaining to advocate for better working conditions.
Local Updates
  • Click HERE for information on the Baltimore County Public School's reopening plan.
  • Click HERE for information on Baltimore County youth sports updates.
Each year, Delegates and Senators in the Maryland General Assembly award thousands of Maryland students millions of dollars in financial aid. Please note that Senatorial Scholarships are awarded for 4 years and are automatically renewed each year. Upon graduation, students may re-apply for graduate studies.

Applications for my scholarship are due on or before April 16, 2021.
Questions? Contact: jeckman@senate.state.md.us
As our community continues to face challenges as a result of the pandemic, economic insecurity, and the need for up-to-date information, please check out recently announced programs as well as the resource guide below. Please don't hesitate to call or email my office if we can be of assistance.
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