Dear Ariana,

In just over two weeks we will be adjourning the 2023 legislative session!

This week we marked "crossover" which is the date by which bills must have passed at least one chamber in order to have a chance of becoming law. I had five bills cross over from the House to the Senate. AND after I myself "crossed over" to the Senate, I passed another two bills on the Senate side!

I am enjoying my service on the Judicial Proceedings Committee, where I have been able to play a role on gun safety, criminal justice, housing and family law legislation. I have also been helping my colleagues get their good bills "unstuck" in this difficult committee. Please be patient with me as I get up to speed on this important new subject matter! Thankfully, I am also still actively involved in health care, elder care and caregiving issues in the Senate.

One issue that needs more attention is the increasing anti-semitism in MCPS. If you want to learn more, you can read this read this article in MoCo360. Please speak with your children about this disturbing trend that is not reflective of the inclusive and loving values of our community.

In other news, please welcome Sarah Siddiqui Wolek to the District 16 Legislative Team. Sarah has been recommended by the Democratic Central Committee for an official appointment to fill the Delegate seat I left vacant upon my appointment to the Senate. Governor Moore is expected to act on this recommendation within the next few weeks. Sarah will make an excellent addition to our team.

Congratulations also to all eighteen candidates who stepped up to be considered for this nomination. We have an extraordinary community!

Finally, I want to wish a peaceful Ramadan, chag sameach, and/or happy Easter, and a joyful cherry blossom season to all who observe festivals and holidays this month.

Best Wishes,

Repeal of Spousal Defense for Sex Crimes

My first major bill to defend on the Senate floor was a huge victory!

SB129 is the type of bill you can't believe didn't easily pass in its first year. In fact, this is the fourth year for this legislation which I took over from former Senator Lee.

A priority bill for the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women and the Maryland Women's Caucus, this legislation eliminates the list of existing sex crimes (ranging from second degree rape to fourth degree sex offense) that a man is allowed to commit if- and only if- the victim is his wife.

Yes, these acts would be illegal when she was his girlfriend, illegal when she was his fiance, but upon marriage, Maryland law would not prosecute a man for committing these sex crimes.

The stories from victims who could not prosecute their attackers because of this offensive and outdated provision of law are deeply upsetting. Thankfully, in partnership with advocates I was able to dispel the myths about this legislation and clear up any misinformation. The bill passed the Senate floor unanimously. Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield's House crossfile also passed unanimously.

This provision is rooted in the centuries old common law belief that a woman (and her body) becomes the property of her husband upon marriage. It was codified as part of a compromise on sex crimes modernization in 1976 in response to the Maryland Equal Rights Amendment ratification.

Understanding of sex crimes and the role of women within marriage has changed significantly since 1976. I'm cautiously optimistic that this is the year the legislation will finally be signed into law. For the first time ever, the bill has passed both chambers in identical versions, allowing us to avoid the dreaded conference committee on JPR bills that has killed SO MANY women's rights bills over the last many years...Stay tuned!

Reproductive Rights Package

After the Dobbs Decision I was asked by legislative leadership to develop a package of bills that would make Maryland a leader in reproductive healthcare.

I pulled together a team of like-minded colleagues and worked all interim. The result was our reproductive rights package of four bills, all of which passed at least one Chamber before Crossover. The Governor has committed to sign all four bills once they hit his desk.

The Declaration of the Right to Reproductive Freedom (HB 705/SB 798) passed both chambers. This bill would enshrine the right to reproductive freedom in our Maryland Constitution if voters approve a statewide referendum in November 2024.

The Reproductive Health Protection Act (SB 859) passed the Senate with bipartisan support. It is expected on the House floor next week. This bill shields patients from out of state and Maryland licensed health care providers from inappropriate out-of-state civil, criminal or administrative penalties for receiving or providing reproductive healthcare that is legal in Maryland.

Higher Education Reproductive Health Services (HB 477/SB 341) passed both chambers. This bill requires all public universities in Maryland to provide 24/7 emergency contraception access and reproductive health services (including abortion referrals) to their students.

Surprisingly, this is the bill that generated the most debate in both chambers. We successfully fought off amendments to require public universities to refer students to unlicensed anti-choice biased counseling centers. We also began an ongoing conversation about how higher education institutions can better support parenting students. I am looking forward to continuing work on this in the coming year.

The Data Privacy Act (HB 812/SB 786) passed both Chambers. It protects data privacy related to protected reproductive health services shared across state lines in Health Information Exchanges. This is essential in a post-Dobbs world. Again, Maryland is a leader with this legislation. We expect other states to look to this as a model bill for protecting patients and clinicians from aggressive anti-choice activity.

Senator Dawn Gile and I have been defending the reproductive health care package on the Senate floor. Sen Gile replaced an anti-choice Senator from Anne Arundel County in the last election giving us the pro-choice supermajority we need! (with super thanks to my D16 teammate Delegate Sara Love for organizing volunteers to help elect Dawn and other pro-choice candidates across MD!)

Other legislative leaders who led floor debate and sponsored bills in the Reproductive Rights Package include the Speaker and Senate President, Delegate Nicole Williams, Delegate Sandy Rosenberg, Delegate Stephanie Smith, Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Senator Shelly Hettleman, Senator Will Smith, and Senator Brian Feldman.

Health Care Legislation

The Trans Health Equity Act (SB 460) passed both chambers last week. I was proud to stand in defense of this legislation sponsored by Delegate Anne Kaiser and Senator Mary Washington which ensures low-income families who receive their healthcare through Medicaid have the same access medically necessary healthcare as those with private insurance.

I am proud to have successfully passed a bill investing $12 million in the 988 suicide prevention hotline (HB 271/SB 3 ). This is a priority for Everymind in Montgomery County and will help build our crisis response infrastructure for the 988 Lifeline. This legislation passed both chambers unanimously, a testament to how all of our lives regardless of political party have been tragically touched by suicide.

My bill restructuring the Board of Nursing (HB 611/SB 960 ) passed the House unanimously and is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate this week. This legislation will invest $8 Million in modernizing a huge segment of our healthcare licensure system. More than 50% of our healthcare workforce is licensed through the Board of Nursing. They license 16 healthcare professions- not just nurses. Unfortunately, this agency has a 30% vacancy rate and the technology is terribly out of date. The result has been poor (even disastrous) customer service, frustrating delays and even inaccessibility of licensing. This has created a tremendous burden for our healthcare employers and a negative impact on public health. I'm optimistic that this emergency legislation will pass the Senate in the coming week and reforms and investment in this Board will begin immediately.

I sponsored a bill establishing a Commission on Public Health (HB 214/SB 281 ) to modernize our Public Health infrastructure that passed the House and I am hopeful it will receive a Senate vote next week.

My Healthcare Coverage Report (SB 806 ) passed the Senate in a party line vote, and will be voted on in the House next week. This legislation is a health equity bill that looks at possibilities for increasing healthcare coverage for the immigrant community. In Maryland, while the uninsured rate is only 6% across the state, a whopping 21% of Latinos in Maryland are uninsured. This legislation looks at possibilities for covering expanded groups including children and the elderly in the immigrant community.

My Audiology bill (HB 401/SB 449 ) passed third reading unanimously in the Senate and the House. This bill updates audiology regulations to be consistent with the federal government's newly established over the counter hearing aid rules.

Another legislative victory has been the progress of HB 1217/SB 805, which I sponsored along with Delegate Karen Toles and Senator Arthur Ellis. This legislation requires insurance companies to cover the cost of biomarker testing which helps patients target their treatment for cancer and other diseases. This bill, which is a Legislative Black Caucus priority because it will reduce health disparities passed both the House and the Senate.

Executive Nominations

It was my honor to introduce two D-16 community leaders who have been appointed by Governor Moore to the Maryland Venture Fund Authority, (MVFA) which supports the growth of technology and life sciences companies in Maryland.

Bei Ma (on my right) is the founder and CEO of the Pinea Group as well as the Global Business Development Executive at NSF International. Ms. Ma has a wealth of experience as a collaborative leader in global business development which will make her an excellent addition to the MVFA.

Vishal Amin (on my left) is the CEO and Founder of Aertron, Inc. and formerly worked in the Federal Aviation Administration. As a veteran with years of leadership in the global aerospace and defense industries, Mr. Amin will be an incredible asset to the MVFA.

March & April Community Events

MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway Improvements Virtual Public Hearing - March 29

On Wednesday, March 29, starting at 6:30 pm, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the latest progress of Segment 3 of the MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway Improvements project in Bethesda. The public will have an opportunity to provide oral testimony and ask questions. More information can be found on the Montgomery County Parks website.

You can sign up for the hearing by filling out the following form h ere.

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.

Potomac Elementary Conversation with

Councilmember Friedson - April 12

Councilmember Andrew Friedson will be hosting a community conversation at Potomac Elementary School's All Purpose Room on April 12th starting at 7:30 pm. It is an opportunity for residents to share their concerns and discuss important local issues with the Councilmember and Montgomery County Police 2nd District Commander Captain Sean Gagen.

Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic

Breakfast Club - April 13

On April 13th at 7:30 am, the Bethesda Chevy Chase Breakfast Club will be meeting virtually.

Email kellter.johnw@gmail.com for more information regarding this event.

Civic Engagement Summit

April 20

Join UMD’s College of Education and the Governor’s Office for the Maryland Civic Education and Engagement Leadership Summit. The Summit will take place April 20th from 3:30 - 7:30 pm virtually.

High School Art Contest - Submissions Due April 28!

Entries for the 3rd Congressional District’s high school art contest held by Congressman John Sarbanes’ office are now open. Students can submit their art at this link anytime before April 28th to be considered for the context.

RespectFest 2023 - April 16

Montgomery County's RespectFest 2023 is coming up! The event will take place April 10-14 virtually and in-person on April 16th. RespectFest is a free festival aimed at promoting healthy teen dating and offering educational resources on dating violence prevention. The in-person festival will take place at Wheaton Community Recreation Center from 1-4 pm and will feature free yoga classes, self defense classes, prizes and performances.

Learn More at the Choose Respect Website

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