The Arc Maryland's Weekly Legislative Update
Week of Session: February 15 - 19, 2021
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!
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.
Taking Action
Restraint and Seclusion in Maryland Schools- A Presentation and Community Conversation
February 18th at 3:30 pm
HB 1166, Education – Physical Restraint and Seclusion – Requirements, Reporting, and Training, builds on the 2017 restraint and seclusion reporting legislation and requires data verification, analysis, and an accountability system. Under this legislation, the Maryland State Department of Education would be required to make recommendations to reduce the use of restraint and seclusion in Maryland. The use of seclusion would be limited to facilities that have an onsite licensed physician, a licensed clinical psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker. The legislation also requires consultation with institutions of higher education to ensure that the teaching degree curriculum includes instruction on trauma-informed strategies for addressing behavior of concern, best practice strategies, and supports.

Join The Arc Maryland, with presenters from the Alliance against Seclusion and Restraint, Disability Rights Maryland, and The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, this Thursday at 3:30 PM to learn more about seclusion and restraint in Maryland and for a Community Conversation on the topic. HB 1166 will be discussed as well as a strategy for reducing restraint and ending seclusion in Maryland. Register now!
Top Bills of the Week
HB0375: Labor and Employment - Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2021)

Status: In House, Hearing 2/16 in EMC at 1:30 PM.

Position: Support with Amendment

The Arc supports the establishment of an insurance program that would be created to allow for paid family leave. We have concerns about how certain components of this bill are written and the financial and administrative burdens they would present. The bill does not contain a provision for funding for Medicaid provider employers and people who self-direct. We would like to see alignment in definitions with FMLA.
SB0441: Developmental Disabilities Administration - Self-Directed Services (Self - Direction Act)

Status: In Senate, Hearing 2/16 in FIN at 1:00 PM.

Position: Support with Coalition Testimony

This bill intends to preserve self-directed services components and definitions that are important to many people. The bill also creates a Self-Directed Advisory Council to work with members of DDA and the advocacy community to ensure Self-Direction remains individual-centered and flexible.
SB0271: Election Law – Voting Systems – Accessibility for Voters With Disabilities

Status: In House, Hearing 2/18 in EHEA at 11:00 AM.

Testimony is due 2/16 between 10 AM and 3 PM on the MGA website. Contact akolp@thearcmd.org if you need assistance to submit testimony or sign up.

Position: Support

This bill would require each voter to use a ballot marking device that is accessible to voters with disabilities to vote at early voting centers and election day polling places to ensure that access is provided to voters with disabilities in accordance with a certain provision of law; prohibiting certain ballots from being set apart or distinguishable, in size and form, to ensure that access is provided to voters with disabilities in accordance with a certain provision of law; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to voting systems and accessibility for voters with disabilities.
Hearing Schedule (2/15 to 2/26)
Tuesday, February 16th
House:

EMC, 1:30 PM
HB0375: Labor and Employment - Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Establishment (Time to Care Act of 2021)

HGO, 1:30 PM
HB0132: Health – Mental and Emotional Disorders – Consent (Mental Health Access Initiative)

HB0537: Mental Health Law – Petitions for Emergency Evaluation – Procedures

HB0673: State Health Care Facilities - Employees - Alternative Workweeks
Senate:

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0441: Developmental Disabilities Administration - Self-Directed Services (Self - Direction Act)

SB0485: Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Dental Prophylaxis Care and Oral Health Exams

JPR, 1:30 PM
SB0519: Estates and Trusts - Wills and Advance Medical Directives - Notaries Public
Wednesday, February 17th
House:

APP, 1:30 PM
HB0718: State Coordinator for Autism Strategy and Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs - Mandated Appropriation

EMC, 1:30 PM
HB0069: Environment - Single-Use Plastics - Restrictions

W&M, 1:30 PM
HB0914: Education - Home and Hospital Teaching Program for Students - Report

HB0939: Education - Student Education Grant Program - Established
Senate:

JPR, 1:00 PM
SB0607: Criminal Law - Harm to Service Animals
Thursday, February 18th
House:

HGO, 1:30 PM
HB0652: Health Facilities - Residential Service Agencies - Guidance and Reporting
Senate:

EHEA, 11:00 AM
SB0271: Election Law – Voting Systems – Accessibility for Voters With Disabilities

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0542: State Health Care Facilities - Employees - Alternative Workweeks
Tuesday, February 23rd
House:

EMC, 1:30 PM
HB0906: Unemployment Insurance - Earned Rating Record - Waiver of Benefit Charges Due to COVID-19

HB0908: Unemployment Insurance - Employer Contributions - Payment Plans

HB1002: Unemployment Insurance - Revisions and Required Study

HB1126: Unemployment Insurance – Earned Rating Record – Waiver of Benefit Charges Due to COVID–19

JUD, 1:30 PM
HB0238: Criminal Procedure - Automatic Expungement
Wednesday, February 24th
House:

JUD, 1:30 PM
HB1000: Estates and Trusts - Guardian of Property of Minor or Disabled Person - Prohibition on Distribution or Disbursement

W&M, 1:30 PM
HB0998: County Boards of Education - In-Person Instruction and Related Services - Requirement

HB1166: Education – Physical Restraint and Seclusion – Requirements, Reporting, and Training
Senate:

EHEA, 1:00 PM
SB0546: School Buildings - Drinking Water Outlets - Elevated Level of Lead (Safe School Drinking Water Act)
Thursday, February 25th
Senate:

FIN, 1:00 PM
SB0610: Lodging Establishments – Accessible Rooms for Individuals With Disabilities – Deadlines

SB0707: Office of Health Care Quality – Influenza Virus Immunization Education and Information – Assisted Living Facilities
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