The Arc Maryland's Weekly Legislative Update
Week of Session: January 18 - 22, 2021
It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Every Monday in the Insider, check out updates on key legislation affecting the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and professional supports, learn about upcoming advocacy events, and receive notices about Federal, State, and other initiatives of importance to The Arc Maryland!
Using The MD General Assembly Website
The Arc Maryland has created this handy guide to help you navigate the Maryland General Assembly Website to look up your representatives, read about bills, and create a "My MGA" Account to sign up to testify and submit written testimony.

If you are having difficulty accessing the website, please let us know! We have concerns about the functionality of the site and are collecting information from end-users about components of the site that are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Write to us at advocacy@thearcmd.org and we will get back to you!
Bill Tracker
You can stay up to date on all legislation The Arc Maryland is keeping tabs on through our Bill Tracker! Use the Bill Tracker to view position statements, access bill text, and check hearing times and dates.
News to Use
Thomas "Mike" Miller, Former Senate President, Passes Away Friday after Cancer Battle
Thomas V. Mike Miller was regarded as a tough-minded leader who served as our state Senate President for 33 years. In 2020, Miller stepped down to health reasons but continued to serve as a rank and file member of the Senate for a year prior to resigning from the Senate last month to attend to his health. At the time of his death, he was 78 years old.

During his service, President Miller oversaw an agenda of Chesapeake Bay cleanup, increased funding for public schools, casino gambling, gun control initiatives, marriage equality, and the end of the dealth penalty in Maryland. He had a fondness for history and for mentoring others. Whenever we visited on DD Day, he was a gracious host. He welcomed advocates with disabilities, spoke kindly, and was straight forward. We are grateful to him for his service to our state.
Maryland Department of Health Releases NEW Memo with COVID-19 Vaccination Updates
The Maryland Department of Health released a new memo with details on COVID-19 Vaccination Priority Groups with recent additions and clarifications made by the Governor. The memo notes that Phase 1B is currently underway; Marylanders (over the age of 16) with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities can be vaccinated.

Those living in congregate living facilities will be prioritized in 1B. Next Monday, Jan. 25, Direct Support Professionals in 1C can begin to receive the vaccine.

For more information on how you or a loved one will receive your vaccines, go to CovidVAX.maryland.gov.
Tips on Speaking with Legislators from The Arc Maryland
Effectively communicating, with your representatives in the Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates, is a vital way to advocate for yourself and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Here are some tips to enhance your advocacy and make your case effectively, even in our virtual environment.
The Arc Celebrates Legislative Calendar Days
Last week, Chapters of The Arc celebrated Legislative Calendar Days! To ring in the start of the 2021 session, members of The Arc across the state participated in outreach events and meetings with their county and regional delegations. Thank you to all of the advocates and legislators who participated!
Delegate Michele Guyton (District 42B) meets with Advocates to discuss priorities and legislation to protect the rights of people with I/DD this session.
Delegate Brook Lierman (District 46) speaks with advocates about internet access and governmental transparency.
Advocates from The Arc Southern Maryland spent most of the morning meeting with elected leaders Debra Davis, Edith Patterson, and C.T. Wilson of District 28), Delegate Brian Crosby of District 29B, and Delegate Gerald "Jerry" Clark (District 29C) to share The Arc’s priorities and the needs of people with I/DD and their families.
On Calendar Day, Ryan Mason shared his story of resilience and tenacity. Ryan is one of the hundreds of people with disabilities, through support from The Arc Baltimore, who are thriving in their independent jobs in the Baltimore area.
Senator Peters (District 23) meets with advocates on the eve of Prima Die to provide tips and strategies for effective communication with legislators.
Top Bills of the Week
HB0245: Election Judges - Training and Signs - Accommodations for Voters in Need of Assistance

Status: In House, hearing 1/19 in W&M at 1:30 PM.

Sign up to testify/submit testimony through My MGA

Position: Support

This bill requires that signage be placed at voting places to inform individuals with disabilities of their right to accommodations. The bill also includes training for election judges to increase their awareness of these accommodations.
HB0247: Election Law - Voting Order Priority - Individuals Who Need Extra Assistance

Status: In House, hearing 1/19 in W&M at 1:30 PM.

Sign up to testify/submit testimony through My MGA

Position: Support

The bill would allow people with disabilities and parents of small children with disabilities to advance in the voting line. It’s considered a reasonable accommodation given the many issues people have had in the past with accessing voting places which were amplified during the recent elections with COVID/safety concerns.
SB0147/HB0059: Task Force on Higher Education Students With Chronic Health Conditions

Status: SB0147: In Senate, hearing 1/20 in EHEA at 11 AM.

HB0059: In House, hearing 1/20 in APP at 1:30 PM.

Sign up to testify/submit testimony through My MGA

Position: Support (with Sponsor Amendment)

The sponsor's vision is a Maryland where all students striving for a higher education degree suffering from chronic conditions have the support they need to be successful. This bill will establish a task force to recommend best practices and legislation to best protect this population of students. In the bill as amended, a chronic health condition will be re-defined as a physical, DEVELOPMENTAL, behavioral, or emotional condition.
SB0225/HB0370: Education - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Seizure Action Plans (Brynleigh's Act)

Status: SB0225: In Senate, hearing 1/20 in EHEA at 3 PM.

HB0370: In House, hearing 1/20 in W&M at 1:30 PM.

Sign up to testify/submit testimony through My MGA

Position: Support

The bill would require training of all school personnel including bus drivers on identification of and response to seizures. Select staff would be trained to provide emergency first aid to students experiencing seizures.
SB0218: Maryland Child Tax Credit

Status: In Senate, hearing 1/20 in B&T at 1 PM.

Sign up to testify/submit testimony through My MGA

Position: Support

This change in the law would allow certain taxpayers to claim a credit against the state income tax for certain dependent children under certain circumstances. It defines a qualified dependent as a child that is under the age of 6 years OR is under the age of 17 years and is a child with a disability.
Calling All Parents of Students
with IEPs and 504 Plans:
Important Hearings Next Week
Next week, The Arc's priority education legislation are up for hearings in the Senate on 1/27 at 11 AM.

SB0209: Special Education - Prolonged School Closure - Extension of Education Services would give students of certain transition age the option to expend their schooling for up to 1 additional year. This would allow students and teachers more time for instruction and experiences to prepare the student for successful exit from school.

SB0300: Special Education – Learning Continuity Plan – Requirement will add a component to the IEP or 504 plan that includes plans for how a student's FAPE may continue to be guaranteed in cases where the school building is closed for 10 days or more due to a disaster or pandemic. This pre-planning is required to be completed at the time of a student's review of their IEP/504 plan and/or at the time of the development of a new plan.

Another bill (SB0371) has been submitted that will address the lag in receiving timely evaluations for accommodations that some parents have experienced during the pandemic. In one Maryland County, there are almost 600 late evaluations. This bill would allow parents to obtain an independent evaluation in cases where the school has not provided the evaluation within the required time frames. The bill text is not yet ready on the Maryland General Assembly website.
Hearing Schedule (1/19 to 1/28)
Tuesday, January 19th
House:

APP, 1:30 PM
HB0255: Department of Aging - Grants for Aging-in-Place Programs - Funding

EMC, 1:30 PM
HB0338: Business Regulation - Innkeepers - Records and Human Trafficking Awareness Training

W&M, 1:30 PM
HB0245: Election Judges - Training and Signs - Accommodations for Voters in Need of Assistance

HB0247: Election Law - Voting Order Priority - Individuals Who Need Extra Assistance

HGO, 2:00 PM
HB0141: Maryland Department of Health – Residential Service Agencies – Training Requirements

HB0368: Task Force on Oral Health in Maryland

HB0393: Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Health
Wednesday, January 20th
House:

APP, 1:30 PM
HB0059: Task Force on Higher Education Students With Chronic Health Conditions

JUD, 1:30 PM
HB0227: Courts – Improperly Summoning a Police Officer – Civil Liability

W&M, 1:30 PM
HB0171: State Department of Education - School Discipline - Data Collection

HB0237: State Department of Education - Early Literacy and Dyslexia Practices - Guidance and Assistance

HB0342: Education - Health and Safety of Students - Notification of Problematic Student Behavior

HB0370: Education - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Seizure Action Plans (Brynleigh's Act)

HB0405: Special Education - Judicial Actions - Attorney's Fees and Related Costs
Senate:

B&T, 1:00 PM
SB0218: Maryland Child Tax Credit

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0100: Task Force on Oral Health in Maryland

EHEA, 11:00 AM
SB0147: Task Force on Higher Education Students With Chronic Health Conditions

EHEA, 3:00 PM
SB0225: Education - Public and Nonpublic Schools - Seizure Action Plans (Brynleigh's Act)
Thursday, January 21st
Senate:

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0012: Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Health

SB0307: Labor and Employment - Direct Care Workforce Innovation Program
Tuesday, January 26th
House:

EMC, 1:30 PM
HB0097: Department of Housing and Community Development - Office of Digital Inclusion - Established (Digital Connectivity Act of 2021)

E&T, 1:30 PM
HB0090: State and Local Housing Programs – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing

HGO, 1:30 PM
HB0028: Public Health – Implicit Bias Training and the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities

HB0078: Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity (The Shirley Nathan-Pulliam Health Equity Act of 2021)

HB0318: Developmental Disabilities Administration - Self-Directed Services (Self - Direction Act)

W&M, 1:30 PM
HB0153: Election Law- Voting by Mail
Senate:

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0096: Public Health – Behavioral Health Programs and Health Care Facilities – Safety and Community Relations Plans

JPR, 1:00 PM
SB0210: COVID–19 Claim – Civil Immunity
Wednesday, January 27th
House:

HGO, 1:30 PM
HB0123: Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021

W&M, 1:30 PM
HB0155: County Boards and Public and Nonpublic Prekindergarten Programs and Schools - Discrimination - Prohibition

HB0273: Education - Voluntary Ethical Special Education Advocate Certificate Program

HB0392: Child Care Centers - Early Childhood Screening and Assistance
Senate:

EHEA, 11:00 AM
SB0126: State Department of Education - Early Literacy and Dyslexia Practices - Guidance and Assistance

SB0209: Special Education - Prolonged School Closure - Extension of Education Services

SB0245: Public Schools - School Resource Officers - Requirements and Prohibitions

SB0266: Education - Voluntary Ethical Special Education Advocate Certificate Program

SB0300: Special Education – Learning Continuity Plan – Requirement

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0003: Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021
Thursday, January 28th
House:

JUD, 1:30 PM
HB0027: Education - Reporting Arrests of Students - Alterations
Senate:

JPR, 11:00 AM
SB0061: Public Buildings – Changing Facilities – Requirements

SB0098: County Boards and Public and Nonpublic Prekindergarten Programs and Schools - Discrimination - Prohibition

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0107: Labor and Employment - Secure Maryland Wage Act

SB0211: Labor and Employment - Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2021)
Please note: the following abbreviations identify the legislative committees in the Assembly:

House of Delegates:
  • APP - Appropriations Committee
  • EMC - Economic Matters Committee
  • E&T - Environment and Transportation Committee
  • HGO - Health and Government Operations Committee
  • JUD - Judiciary Committee
  • W&M - Ways and Means Committee
  • HRU - Rules and Executive Nominations Committee

Senate:
  • B&T - Budget and Taxation Committee
  • EHEA - Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
  • FIN - Finance Committee
  • JPR - Judicial Proceedings Committee
  • EXN - Executive Nominations Committee
  • SRU - Rules Committee