Advocacy Alert: The 2021 Legislative Session
The 442nd convening of the Maryland General Assembly session began on January 13 at noon. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, most of the proceedings of the 2021 Legislative Session will be conducted virtually. BHSB will be working to advance our key 2020-2021 policy recommendations to promote behavioral health and wellness in Baltimore City, particularly at a time when demand for services has increased. This session BHSB aims to support policies that:
  • Strengthen and expand behavioral health crisis services
  • Support funding commitments for behavioral health
  • Increase school behavioral health supports
  • Improve Maryland’s public behavioral health system
  • Support a coordinated response to adverse childhood experiences

Please follow us on Twitter at @BHSBaltimore to stay up to date on policies that impact behavioral health and wellness in Baltimore City.

To view hearings and learn more about the Maryland General Assembly session click here. 
Budget Update
We received positive news in mid-December when Governor Hogan announced that an expected 3.5% increase in funding for community mental health and substance use disorder services would go into effect on January 1 – a full six months ahead of schedule! This funding is critical as we work to meet an increasing demand for behavioral health services resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
In Memory of Former Senate President Mike Miller
Former Senate President Thomas Mike Miller passed away on Friday, January 15th. President Miller served the Maryland Senate for more than three decades, longer than any Senate President in American history. We appreciate his leadership and dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of Maryland residents. We offer our sincere condolences to his family, co-workers and everyone he touched in his long tenure in the Maryland legislature.
Upcoming Events
Healing City Baltimore Virtual Summit
February 3 - 7, 2021

Registration is now open for the 2021 Healing City Summit Feb 3-7. Attend a single session, a whole day, or join Healing City for all five days of virtual unity, community building, and healing. Events will include a virtual resource fair, panels, workshops and more.
2021 Virtual Legislative Briefing - Mental Health Association of Maryland
Monday, February 22, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

MHAMD’s 2021 Virtual Legislative Briefing will bring together behavioral health professionals, business and nonprofit leaders, concerned citizens, and legislators during the state’s legislative session to learn about the public policy issues that will impact Marylanders’ behavioral health care.