Hearing from my constituents is a vital part of serving as your Delegate and I truly appreciate engaging in the legislative process with you.
I want to thank you for the privilege of serving as one of your District 33 Delegates in Annapolis. This letter is a final status report on both my legislation and the work of the General Assembly as a whole.
I served on the Health and Government Operations Committee (HGO), working with my colleagues to tackle healthcare issues facing Marylanders across the state. I served on two HGO subcommittees: the Public Health and Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee and the Long Term Care Subcommittee.
This legislative session was by no means a normal one; for the first time since the Civil War, the legislature adjourned early (March 18) due to the dangers posed by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The decision to adjourn early did not come lightly. Leadership of the General Assembly in coordination with the Governor made this decision that was informed, research-based, and was done in order to protect the public health of the people of Maryland.
2020 Legislation
Due to the abbreviated session, many bills did not make it through the legislative process, but the legislature did work to pass several bills that help improve the lives of Marylanders, including a balanced budget and Coronavirus-related legislation.
Below is a summary of the major legislation from the 2020 legislative session.
Coronavirus Relief
HB 1661 (SB 1079) authorizes the Governor to take $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund to fund costs associated with fighting Coronavirus in our State. This bill passed unanimously and has been approved by the Governor.
Health Legislation
Health Care Practitioners – Telehealth and Shortage (HB 448)
This bill allows licensed healthcare providers to offer telehealth services so that Marylanders can visit with their doctors virtually. I cosponsored this bill and voted in favor of it. This bill has been approved by the Governor.
Telehealth – Mental Health and Chronic Condition Management Services – Coverage and Pilot Program (HB 1208/ SB 502)
This bill expands the definition of “telehealth” for private insurance coverage to include the delivery of mental health care services to a patient in the patient’s home. The bill also requires Medicaid to provide mental health services appropriately delivered through telehealth to a patient in the patient’s home setting. Further, the bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to study whether substance use disorder services may be appropriately provided through telehealth to a patient in the patient’s home setting under the Medicaid program. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers and has been approved by the Governor.
Protecting the Affordable Care Act (HB 959)
This legislation helps ensure Marylanders have health insurance protections by putting the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into state law, rather than only federal law. I cosponsored this bill and voted in favor of it. It was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
These provisions are:
● Allowing young adults to stay on their parents' plan until they turn 26
● Eliminating co-pays for certain preventive services
● Prohibiting health insurance companies from limiting how much they would pay for any individual’s medical bills over a lifetime
● Expanding coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions
● Providing base level healthcare plans
Maryland Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Registry and Referral System (HB 1121)
This bill establishes an online, statewide registry system for healthcare workers to track and share available resources. Hospitals have been experiencing a shortage of beds for patients needing substance abuse and mental health treatment; patients can wait in the emergency room for days before receiving a hospital bed. The registry will help healthcare workers have an accurate count of the available beds, get real-time updates and connect patients with resources. I cosponsored this bill and voted in favor of it. This bill was passed by both chambers.
Health Insurance - Prostate Cancer Screening - Prohibiting Cost-Sharing (HB 852/SB 661)
This bill prohibits carriers from applying a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance to coverage for preventative care screening services for prostate cancer. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers.
Health Insurance - Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders – Coverage (HB 447/SB475)
This bill requires Medicaid and carriers to provide coverage for medically necessary diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS), including the use of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG). The bill also specifies how PANDAS and PANS must be coded for billing and diagnosis purposes. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
Other Legislation:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge – Reconstruction Advisory Group and Transportation Facilities Projects (HB 56)
This bill establishes the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Reconstruction Advisory Group (BRAG) which will give the Maryland Transportation Authority an independent, citizen-informed perspective on the operation of the Bay Bridge. This bill will help to make sure all operations on the Bay Bridge are transparent and citizens' voices will be heard. I cosponsored this bill and voted in favor of it. It was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
Gerrymandering (HB 1491 and HB 1460)
This bill would have proposed a constitutional amendment requiring that each congressional district in the State consist of adjoining territory, be compact in form, and be substantially equal in population. I cosponsored this legislation, but it received an unfavorable report from the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee.
Maryland’s Budget
Budget Bill Fiscal Year 2021 (SB 190)
This is Maryland’s budget for the Fiscal Year 2021. Maryland is required under the State Constitution to pass a balanced budget. We successfully passed a bipartisan balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2021 while keeping taxes at their current rate.
Fiscal Responsibility
Eliminates the structural deficit for next year
Left over 1 billion in cash reserves to guard against an economic recession
Education
The budget fully funds education and continues investment in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and funds much needed school construction across the State.
Investment in Crime Prevention
Critical funding for staffing to eliminate vacancies to prevent recidivism in:
Parole & Probation
Juvenile Services and Corrections
Additional funding for targeted prosecutions of violent offenders and increase monitoring for illegal guns and drugs.
Coronavirus
On the last day of session, I voted in favor of an amendment to the budget to allow up to $100 million in additional funding to support small business, expand the number of hospital beds and reopen hospitals to help respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
My Legislation
One of my main focuses as your Delegate is expanding access to mental and behavioral health treatment. Much of the legislation I introduced this session aimed to expand access to mental health services by taking down structural barriers in the way of treatment.
Below are my two bills that successfully made it to the Governor’s desk this session.
Mental Health – Confidentiality of Medical Records and Emergency Facilities List (HB 332)
This bill helps individuals in mental health crisis receive the best care they need as quickly as possible by doing two major things:
Requiring the Maryland Department of Health to evaluate each program seeking to be designated as an “Emergency Facility” where individuals in crisis can be taken, and
Include programs meeting these requirements on the lists provided to health departments, judges, sheriff’s offices, police stations, and Secret Service offices so that our first responders know where someone in crisis can be taken to receive safe, effective treatment.
This will keep people experiencing a mental health crisis out of the Emergency Room, which is often not the best environment for them, and into treatment facilities designed to meet their specific needs. This bill was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
Property Tax - Exemption - Maryland Farm Bureau, Inc. (HB889)
This bill only impacts one property in the State of Maryland—the Maryland Farm Bureau (MFB) in Davidsonville. The MFB is a non-profit farm organization whose mission is to protect and grow Maryland agriculture and preserve rural life. This bill puts the Maryland Farm Bureau in line with other educational programs that have a 501(c)(5) classification, like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. This bill was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
In addition to my legislative priorities, I worked with many of my Anne Arundel County colleagues in both the House and the Senate to secure key funding for projects and organizations in our community and county. The funding bills I sponsored are listed below.
Cape St. Claire Beach Replenishment ($250,000): This project helps fix Cape St. Claire’s rapidly eroding shoreline and provide other erosion prevention and environmental protective measures. I am proud to say that we secured full funding for this project from the capital budget
Langton Green Community Farm ($100,00): Langton Green is a residential community farm that supports adults with intellectual disabilities. We successfully secured funding for this project.
Goshen Farmhouse ($60,000): This project was to help stabilize the historic farmhouse at Goshen Farm which needed critical infrastructure repairs. We successfully secured funding for this project.
Maryland Theater for the Performing Arts ($100,000): This project was to help fund a cultural and performing arts center in Annapolis. This facility would allow for the hosting of conferences, large scale performances, and bring tourist dollars into Anne Arundel County and Annapolis. While funds were not available this year, I am working to find alternative funding options for them.
Woods Community Center ($100,000): This project was to provide funding for replacing the failing HVAC system at the community center. We secured full funding for this project from the capital budget.
Pascal Crisis Stabilization ($300,000): The Pascal Center is a non-profit agency that provides mental health support services to Anne Arundel County. This grant would allow them to expand their capacity to treat those in need of crisis and mental health services. We secured funding for this project.
Maryland Schools
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future-Implementation (HB 1300)
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a policy blueprint based on the recommendations of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (Kirwan Commission) that will transform the State’s early childhood, primary and secondary education system into a world–class system. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
The Blueprint is a transformational plan that makes 5 key investments, implemented over 10 years:
● Expanding full-day prekindergarten for low-income 3 and 4 year olds and provides more family support centers in high-poverty areas.
● Hiring and keeping high-quality, diverse teachers by paying teachers a salary comparable to other fields, providing more rigorous teacher preparation programs and implementing career ladders to provide more opportunities for career advancement.
● Raising the standards for college and career readiness so students can compete with their international peers.
● Providing more resources for the students who need them most.
● Implementing an accountability board to monitor progress and ensure tax-payer funds are being used effectively.
Now is a critical time to address the gaps in funding for our schools. I am committed to fighting for all Marylanders to have equal and equitable access to a quality education and to ensure our public education system is competitive statewide. As an arts educator, the quality of our schools is one of the issues that is closest to my heart.
Because these changes prepare our students for the workforce, the bill will have a positive impact on the state’s economy as a whole. Maryland currently has a one to seven dollar return on education investment. After the implementation of the Blueprint, this will increase to a twenty dollar return per dollar spent by the year 2034 and will help attract new businesses and entrepreneurs as our state adapts to an economy increasingly rooted in technological innovation.
The Blueprint relies on strong accountability measures to ensure that new funding is spent how it should be, and will be overseen by the new Office of the Inspector General for Education.
Built to Learn Act (HB 1)
The Built to Learn Act is the largest one-time school construction investment in Maryland history. This historic bill invests an additional $2.2B into school construction, on top of current school construction program funding ($400M per year) and helps counties across the state build new schools and jumpstart much needed maintenance projects. It prioritizes schools with the oldest buildings in the system with significant facility deficiencies, schools with high concentrations of students eligible for free and reduced price meals, and schools with a high number of relocatable classrooms. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities -Funding (HB 1260)
House Bill 1260 resolves the 13-year ongoing litigation around Maryland’s historically black colleges and universities. It establishes a special fund and dedicates $577 million over 10 years to the state’s four historically black colleges and universities, if the case is settled by December 1 of this year. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
Ballot Questions
Ballot questions are bills passed by the General Assembly that need to go before the voters for final approval because they change the State Constitution. Two ballot questions passed the General Assembly this year and will likely be on your ballot in November, pending the decision of the Governor.
Sports Betting Referendum (SB 4)
This referendum, if approved by Maryland’s voters, would allow Maryland to become the 15th state to legalize sports betting, potentially bringing new revenue to the State. This referendum would only allow for the possibility of sports betting; the details would be worked out in a future legislative session. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
Balancing the State Budget (SB 1028)
This Constitutional Amendment will be on the 2020 ballot so voters can decide if the General Assembly can move money within the budget, like 49 other states allow. This would allow the General Assembly greater flexibility in funding their priorities, and balance the power of the Executive Branch. The State budget will still have to be balanced every year. I voted in favor of this bill; it was passed by both chambers and is waiting on the decision of the Governor.
For a complete list of all the bills and how I voted, please go to the Maryland General Assembly Home Page: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information
I want to take this time to share a few resources and some helpful guidelines with you all on how to best protect yourself and your families, during these trying times.
This is a serious concern and necessary precautions must be taken to the greatest extent possible to protect the lives of you, your families and your at-risk neighbors.
Be sure to get your information from trusted scientifically backed resources. These include the CDC and Maryland's Coronavirus website.
Symptoms include:
High, long-lasting fever
Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
In most severe cases, pneumonia (infection in the lungs)
COVID 19 can be spread like the cold or flu through:
Coughing and sneezing
Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it
What should you do if you think you are sick with COVID-19:
If you become sick with fever, cough or you are have difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider. If you do not have a health care provider, contact your local health department. Follow these steps:
Call your healthcare provider, local health department or emergency room before you go
Tell them about your symptoms, any recent travel and close contacts (such as people in your household)
Wear a mask, if one is available
Follow all guidelines and executive orders issued from the Governor’s Office. Violating these orders can subject you to fines and jail time. For a complete list of the Governor’s Executive Orders, please click here.
These include:
The Stay at Home order. This means we all must stay home, except if conducting an approved essential activity. Essential activities include:
Obtaining necessary supplies such as food or medicine for your household,
Caring for a family member of friend (ie. to and from medical care),
Traveling to and from educational institutions for the purposes of receiving meals or instruction materials for distance learning,
Engaging in outdoor recreation such as walking or running while still in compliance with all other mandates,
Travel mandated by law enforcement or court order, and
Travel to and from government buildings for a necessary purpose.
All gatherings over 10 people are prohibited
All non essential businesses are closed.
If you or a loved one is sick, please stay home
Wash your hands frequently, especially after coming in contact with public places, such as grocery stores, doctor’s offices, and pharmacies
If you have lost your job due to COVID-19 you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance. You can find information on how to file and eligibility here.
If you or your business is looking for State and Federal Assistance Programs click here
If you need further help navigating these resources, please contact my office at heather.bagnall@house.state.md.us
I am so thankful to all of my constituents for the honor to serve as one of your representatives in District 33. Your feedback and comments are important to me, and I value your input. When I prepare to cast a vote, the impact on my constituents is the first thing I consider. Should you need anything from my office, please do not hesitate to contact me at this email address - heather.bagnall@house.state.md.us - or by telephone at 410-841-3406
I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe during this crisis. Please continue to follow the advice of health care officials and all executive orders by the governor.
Sincerely,
Heather A. Bagnall