2007 END OF SESSION REPORT
Priorities:
SB 192/HB 878- Procurement-Commercial Nondiscrimination Policy-Modifications
Sponsored by Senator Joan Carter Conway and Delegate Herman L. Taylor, Jr.
This bill modifies and clarifies provisions of the State’s commercial nondiscrimination policy, which was enacted in 2006.
HB 430- State Procurement Contracts-Living Wage
Sponsored by Delegate Herman L. Taylor, Jr.
Requires State contractors to pay their employees a “living wage.” For
fiscal year 2008, the living wage is set at $ 11.30 in Montgomery, Prince
George’s, Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore
City. It is set at $8.50 for all other areas of the State.
SB 488-Voters Registration Protection Act
Sponsored by Senator Gwendolyn Britt
This bill allows an individual convicted of any crime, with the exception
of buying or selling votes, to register to vote if not actually serving
a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole
or probation, for a felony conviction.
SB 543-2007 Darfur Protection Act-Divestiture from
the Republic of Sudan
Sponsored by Senator Verna L. Jones
This bill requires the Board
of Trustees of the State Retirement and Pension System to encourage companies
held by actively traded accounts in its portfolio that conduct business in
Sudan to act responsibly and avoid actions that promote or enable human rights
violations in Sudan. It further authorizes the board to divest from companies
that conduct business in Sudan and from any security or instrument issued by
Sudan, based on factors outlined in the bill.
Other supported legislation:
SJ 6- Slavery in Maryland
Sponsored by Senator Nathaniel Exum
This bill requires the state
to express regret for the role that Maryland played in instituting and maintaining
slavery and for the discrimination that was slavery’s legacy.
HB 988- State Board of Dental Examiners- Restructuring
and License Protection-(Governor Veto)
Sponsored by Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam
This bill
expands the Health Care Worker Whistleblower Protection Act’s protections
by allowing an individual subject to an action to institute a civil action
for an alleged violation of the Act. Also, a health occupations board is prohibited
from taking or refusing to take any action as reprisal against a licensee or
certificate holder who takes certain actions.
This bill also advances the
State Board of Dental Examiners’ termination date by two years. A full
evaluation of the board under the Maryland Program Evaluation Act is required
by July 1, 2008.
HB 793-Sickle Cell Disease-Adults-Best Practices Treatment
and Awareness Act
Sponsored by Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam
This bill establishes the Statewide Steering Committee on Services for
Adults with Sickle Cell Disease. The committee must establish institution
and community partnerships; establish a statewide network of stakeholders
who care for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD); develop, implement
and lead a State comprehensive education and treatment program for adults
with SCD; educate individuals with SCD, the public, and health care providers
about the State options for care of SCD; and seek grant funding to develop
and establish a case management system for adults with SCD and establish
an adult SCD day infusion center.
HB 148- Presidential Elections- Agreement Among the States
to Elect the President by National Popular Vote
Sponsored by Delegate Shelia Hixson
This
bill establishes Maryland as a member of the “ Agreement Among the States
to Elect the President by National Popular Vote,” which Maryland would
commit its presidential electors to the national popular vote winner in a presidential
election.
The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland also supported the creation of state debt for funding for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C. $ 500,000 was awarded to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation.
