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!

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.

The Arc Maryland has heard from many Marylanders with developmental disabilities and their families about considerable barriers to registering for and obtaining COVID-19 vaccines. People with disabilities who live in congregate settings like group homes are generally prioritized in IB, however it appears that only 25% of all Maryland Counties and Baltimore City list all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in 1B or even mention individuals with IDD at all in their prioritization descriptions. See that analysis, updated as of this morning HERE. Look up your county vaccination plans via the link HERE.

On January 5th, Governor Hogan announced that Phase 1B included all Marylanders age 75 and older, special needs group homes, high-risk inmates, developmentally disabled populations, continuity of government vaccinations, as well as teachers, child care, and education staff. Read that press release HERE.

The Maryland Department of Health website was updated to include inaccurate information. With strong advocacy from the disability community, the information was corrected on January 14th. See page 2 of that document HERE.

As of 2/1/21, 75% of Maryland counties and Baltimore City have not updated their websites, and/or have little to no information to ensure individuals with developmental disabilities are prioritized, including how they may register to be vaccinated now or at a later date as vaccines are available in a county for the 1B priority groups.

The Health and Governmental Operations (HGO) Committee is meeting tomorrow, February 2nd, at 1:30 PM to hear a briefing on how vaccine access is going in the state. Between today and tomorrow's hearing, we encourage parents and people with IDD to share their experiences with our members of the HGO committee. Please call or email your personal stories and experiences you have had in your efforts to register for and access the vaccine and ask for their help. We need to ensure that people with /DD are not pushed back and behind other groups and those designated in lower priority categories.

For more information on why people with IDD should be prioritized, please see the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition's letter from November, HERE.

shane.pendergrass@house.state.md.us

Parents of school-aged children across Maryland: your voices are needed in the legislature! There are several important hearings on bills coming up next week, and we would appreciate your stories or support. Please consider testifying orally and/or in writing. You do not have to be an expert at writing testimony: You are an expert in these subjects, and our representatives need to hear from you. If you would like to provide testimony for any of the bills below, click the button here to learn how to do so on the Maryland General Assembly website.

The hearing for HB0716: Special Education - Individualized Education Programs - Educational Evaluations, is on February 10th at 1:30 PM in the House W&M Committee.

The cross-filed bill, SB0371, has a hearing on February 11th at 11:00 AM in the Senate EHEA Committee. Sign up for testimony for this bill on February 9th between 10 AM and 3 PM.

Additionally, HB0714, Special Education – Learning Continuity Plan – Requirement, has a hearing in the House W&M Committee on February 10th at 1:30 PM.

Lastly, HB0724, Special Education - Prolonged School Closure - Extension of Education Services, has a hearing in the House W&M on February 12th at 1:30 PM.

Please contact Ande Kolp if you have any questions or need assistance!

SB0327: Civil Actions - Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults (Maryland SAFE Act)

Status: In Senate, Hearing 2/2 in JPR at 1:00 PM.

Position: Support

HB0423: Election Law – Voting Systems – Accessibility for Voters With Disabilities

Status: HB0423: In House, Hearing 2/2 in W&M at 1:30 PM.

Position: Support

HB0493: Election Law - Voting Locations - Accessibility by Public Transportation and Voters With Disabilities

Status: In House, Hearing 2/2 in W&M at 1:30 PM.

Position: Support

HB0203: Estates and Trusts - Wills and Advance Medical Directives - Notaries Public

Status: In House, Hearing 2/4 in HGO at 1:30 PM.

Position: Oppose

HB0581: Labor and Employment - Employment Standards During an Emergency (Maryland Essential Workers' Protection Act)

Status: In House, Hearing 2/5 in EMC at 11:00 AM.

Position: Evaluating: Support with Several Amendments or Possible Opposition

Briefing on Vaccine Access

HB0423: Election Law – Voting Systems – Accessibility for Voters With Disabilities

HB0493: Election Law - Voting Locations - Accessibility by Public Transportation and Voters With Disabilities

HB0276: Congregate Care Facilities - Visitation

HB0463: Maryland Health Equity Resource Act

SB0005: Public Health – Implicit Bias Training and the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities

SB0041: Health – Mental and Emotional Disorders – Consent (Mental Health Access Initiative)

SB0052: Public Health - Maryland Commission on Health Equity (The Shirley Nathan-Pulliam Health Equity Act of 2021)

SB0327: Civil Actions - Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults (Maryland SAFE Act)

HB0508: COVID–19 Claim – Civil Immunity

HB0266: Student Education Equity Grant Program - Established (Student Education Equity in Funding Act)

HB0522: Public Schools - School Resource Officers - Prohibited Conduct

SB0100: Task Force on Oral Health in Maryland

HB0203: Estates and Trusts - Wills and Advance Medical Directives - Notaries Public

HB0612: Recovery for the Economy, Livelihoods, Industries, Entrepreneurs, and Families (RELIEF) Act

SB0275: Maryland Department of Health – Residential Service Agencies – Training Requirements

HB0581: Labor and Employment - Employment Standards During an Emergency (Maryland Essential Workers' Protection Act)

HB0621: Prince George’s County – Elementary School Students – Daily Physical Activity (Student Health and Fitness Act) PG 504–21

HB0547: Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Dental Prophylaxis Care and Oral Health Exams

HB0548: Human Services - Trauma-Informed Care - Commission and Training

HB0598: Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Applied Behavior Analysis Services – Reimbursement

HB0656: Election Law - Early Voting Centers - Accessibility by Public Transportation

SB0066: Department of Housing and Community Development - Office of Digital Inclusion - Established (Digital Connectivity Act of 2021)

SB0064: Unemployment Insurance - Earned Rating Record - Waiver of Benefit Charges Due to COVID-19

SB0398: Mental Health Law – Petitions for Emergency Evaluation – Procedures

SB0363: Courts – Improperly Summoning a Police Officer – Civil Liability

HB0636: School Buildings - Drinking Water Outlets - Elevated Level of Lead (Safe School Drinking Water Act)

HB0551: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance – Coverage and Reimbursement of Telehealth Services

W&M, 1:30 PM

HB0713: County Boards of Education – Therapy Dogs – Policy for Handling and Use in Schools

HB0714: Special Education – Learning Continuity Plan – Requirement

HB0715: Public Schools - Self-Contained Special Education Classrooms - Use of Video Recording Devices

HB0716: Special Education - Individualized Education Programs - Educational Evaluations

SB0469: Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Applied Behavior Analysis Services – Reimbursement

JPR, 1:00 PM

SB0388: Vehicle Registration – Disability Plates – Parking Meter Fees

SB0371: Special Education - Individualized Education Programs - Educational Evaluations

SB0409: County Boards of Education – Therapy Dogs – Policy for Handling and Use in Schools

SB0464: Education – Educational Interpreter – Certification Requirements

SB0299: Human Services - Trauma-Informed Care - Commission and Training

SB0322: Health – Health and Wellness Standards – Correctional Facilities and Health Care Facilities

SB0384: Health Facilities - Residential Service Agencies - Guidance and Reporting

SB0473: Labor and Employment – Leave With Pay – Bereavement Leave

SB0486: Labor and Employment - Employment Standards During an Emergency (Maryland Essential Workers' Protection Act)

HB0500: Police Procedures - Requiring a Person to Lie Prone

HB0724: Special Education - Prolonged School Closure - Extension of Education Services

HB0764: Education - Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today Program - Established and Mandated Funding