Dear Ariana,

At the end of February, I was sworn into the Senate representing District 16. I was also elected unanimously by my colleagues to serve as Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Senate Delegation.

This appointment would not have been possible without your support, whether you signed on to my public support letter, attended the constituent public forum, or simply cheered me on from the district.

Thank you for trusting me to represent our community in the Maryland Senate!

I am newly assigned to the Judicial Proceedings Committee, where I just had my first bill hearing on legislation to eliminate the spousal defense for sex crimes. This bill has died in the Senate for three years in a row. I'm cautiously optimistic that this year will be different.

I was also able to help defend two of the Reproductive Rights bills on the Senate floor this week. And I was proud to cast several of my first Committee votes for important gun safety legislation.

I’m excited to welcome a Delegate to the D-16 team in the near future. See below for more information!

Best,

Ariana

Legislative Update

A graduate student at Bowie State and my incredible Special Assistant for Repro Rights Jakeya Johnson (in the bright pink suit!) joined me along with College Park student leaders and representatives from Planned Parenthood on February 14th to testify on behalf of HB 477, which requires public universities and colleges in Maryland to offer reproductive health plans and 24-hour emergency contraceptive access. HB477 passed second reading in both chambers and will be up for a final vote this week.

The Spousal Defense Bill (HB 4/SB 129) which I crossfiled with Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield (D19) was heard in the Judicial Proceedings Committee on March 9th following its unanimous passage in the House on February 27th. This legislation deletes from our criminal law statute an offensive and archaic defense for sex crimes committed against our spouse. Yes, in Maryland in 2023, you can legally sexually abuse your wife. After gut-wrenching and compelling testimony in the Senate, I am hopeful it will be voted out of Committee this week.

My bill restructuring the Board of Nursing (HB 611/SB 960) passed third reading unanimously in the House and has been referred to the Senate Finance committee. In a quirk unique to this session, I am my own crossfile, and will be presenting the bill in a hearing in Senate Finance this week. This is an Emergency Bill supported by the Moore Administration. I am hopeful it will be voted on this week, See this WMAR: Baltimore article from last year to understand the critical need for changes in the Board of Nursing.

My bill establishing a Commission on Public Health (HB 214/SB 281) passed third reading unanimously in the House on February 16th and was referred to the Senate Finance committee, where it had its hearing on February 15th.

My 988 Trust Fund bill (HB 271/SB 3), which allocates $12 million to the 988 suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, passed third reading unanimously in the Senate on February 30th. It was referred to the Health and Government Operations (HGO) Committee, where we are waiting on a committee recommendation and House vote.

My Healthcare Coverage Report legislation (HB 363/SB 806) was heard in the Senate Finance committee on March 8th, and voted out of Committee the next day. This bill is a health equity measure that hopes to address the disparities in access to healthcare coverage.

While the statewide uninsured rate in Maryland is 6%- there are huge disparities in this number. The uninsured rate is 3% for White Marylanders, 5.6% for Black Marylanders, and a whopping 21% for Latinos in Maryland. This legislation begins the work of addressing this disparity by looking at barriers to accessing care for the undocumented population, and evaluating possibilities for subsidies and access to state programs for special groups, including children and the elderly. Access to health coverage improves health outcomes and reduces the cost of uncompensated care that burdens our healthcare system.

        
Gender Justice Rally
On March 6th I spoke at the Maryland 2023 Gender Justice Rally in support of our reproductive rights bill package. It was an honor to stand alongside women leaders in Maryland to demand action on gender-based rights legislation. Read more about the coalition’s legislative priorities on the Executive Alliance’s website.

Maryland Women's Caucus

On February 23rd, The Maryland Women’s Caucus met with Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller to discuss shared priorities over abortion access, increasing child care access, and expanding the Child Tax credit. We’re lucky to have a Governor who not only supports gender equity, but joins us in taking proactive steps to protect Maryland women and families.

On February 24th, I joined the Maryland Women’s Caucus in endorsing our reproductive rights bill package, the first time in 40 years that the caucus has taken an official stance on reproductive rights. This historic move is a huge signal that this is the year for bold action to protect reproductive freedom in Maryland. Read more about the Caucus’s press conference at Maryland Matters.

Community Events

Little Falls Parkway Public Hearing - March 30

Montgomery Parks will be holding a hybrid briefing and public hearing on the Little Falls Parkway pilot project on the evening of March 30th. The hearing will take place at the Wheaton Headquarters Building, 2nd Floor Auditorium, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, Md. 20902, and more information can be found on the Montgomery Parks website.

Bethesda Market Park Meetings - March 15th & 16th

Montgomery Parks is holding two public meetings on March 15th at 6:30 pm and March 16th at 7:00 pm regarding the development of a new park in downtown Bethesda next to the Bethesda Women’s Market.

D-16 Delegate Vacancy Public Forum - March 16th

The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) is accepting applications for the D-16 House Vacancy until March 13th, followed by a public forum with the candidates on March 16th at 7:30 pm.

Bethesda Film Fest - March 24 & 25

The 11th annual Bethesda Film Fest for documentary films will take place on March 24 & 25 at Imagination Stage. The festival will feature seven regional filmmakers and tickets can be purchased online here. I’m proud to represent a district with such a commitment to community art!

Trawick Prize Applications Due April 26

Applications for The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards are open now until April 26th. All Maryland, DC, and Virginia residents are invited to submit their art to be considered for the prize, which will award a total of $14,000 to four awardees. More information about the application can be found here.

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By Authority - Friends of Ariana Kelly. Rosalyn Levy Jonas, Chair. Jennifer R. Kefer, Treasurer.