A look back at some of the main accomplishments of the 2023 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session
Dear Friends,
Thank you for contacting me to express your views during the 2023 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly. 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 your District 33C Delegate in Annapolis. This letter is a final status report on both my legislation and the work of the General Assembly as a whole. I am grateful to once again have the ability to see and interact with many of you in person, whether at an event, in the office, or elsewhere. Your engagement with the legislative process is the most important component of our democracy.
I served on the Health and Government Operations Committee (HGO), working with my colleagues to tackle healthcare issues facing Marylanders across the state. Additionally, this session I was granted the honor of serving as chair of the Public Health and Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee, where I led discussions related to public health and safety and equitable healthcare for Marylanders.
This session, I also held the privilege of serving as chair of the House Anne Arundel County Delegation, where I led meetings and discussions regarding legislation specifically affecting Anne Arundel County. I continued to serve as a member of the Latino Caucus, Women’s Caucus, Veterans’ Caucus, Transit Caucus, and Watermans’ Caucus.
These past three months, my office and I have addressed numerous issues that constituents have brought to us while crafting solutions to new issues brought forth. Below is a summary of major legislation I supported and other work for public office I completed during the 2023 Legislative Session. For a complete list of all the bills introduced this session, and how I voted, please visit the Maryland General Assembly Home Page: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov.
Constituent Connections
As your Delegate, I always hold my constituents as my highest priority. Whether helping to untangle unemployment cases, connecting people with the State agencies and departments for relevant issues, or fielding questions and concerns about legislation in the General Assembly, my office is available to help address any governmental issues you may experience. In the last 90 days, we responded to over 500 questions and concerns raised by constituents, and helped guide State policy and law based on those concerns.
In addition to fielding concerns from individuals, I was able to recognize the growth of several businesses across District 33. I regularly attend ribbon cuttings and ceremonies to recognize grand openings, anniversaries, and other accomplishments made by members of the communities I represent. In the past year, I attended or recognized over 50 ceremonies to honor individuals and businesses reaching new milestones. It is my great honor to celebrate with you and ensure our community receives the recognition that they deserve from our office. Please reach out to my office if you would like us to participate in a ribbon cutting or other ceremony in the District.
This year, I worked with my colleagues Senator Dawn Gile and Delegates Andrew Pruski and Stuart Schmidt to hold District 33’s first annual District Night. District Nights are opportunities hosted by members of the General Assembly to invite constituents to the capital to meet their representatives and engage first-hand with the legislative process. 60 people from across the District attended this session, and I was incredibly thankful to have met them in person. We plan on hosting a District Night every year from now on - attendance is free and welcome to anyone in District 33. Stay tuned for more information about next year’s event, as it is a great opportunity to connect with our office!
Annually, our office offers Scholarships to eligible students across the District. Last year, our office awarded 96 Scholarships to students in District 33, totaling over $59,000. Scholarship applications for our office this year are available until April 30th, 2023 at 11:59pm. Please contact our office, and complete the following form if you are interested in applying: https://forms.gle/z1mYhazc5vPN7Nu37
Outside of District 33, I was invited over the past year to speak on a number of panels and present my priorities and perspectives of the people of District 33 to different groups across the State. I spoke at the Rural Health Association Conference in Western Maryland, where I was able to share insights on health issues faced by Marylanders living in sparsely populated areas. I spoke alongside Governor Moore at the Mental Health Association of MD Reception, where I was able to share my highest legislative priorities, and speak to how mental health policy impacts our communities. I spoke to a class on public policy at Salisbury University, sharing with students the challenges and triumphs that come with being a legislator, and what it means to be a representative of our District. Through these events and others, I have been able to share the thoughts and insights of District 33 with people across the State. It is my honor to represent you State-wide, and I look forward to continuing doing so faithfully.
Maryland’s Budget
Maryland is required under the State Constitution to pass a balanced budget. We successfully passed a $63.1 billion bipartisan budget for Fiscal Year 2024, while working hard to keep taxes at a current or lesser rate. With Governor Moore in office, this budget accounts for changes in administration and supplemental budget recommendations. Here is a summary of major appropriations set by the budget:
· Support for State agencies grew by $791.5 million, accounting for the Administration’s goal of improving the State employee workforce, and ensuring adequate services, oversight, and enforcement are provided by our agencies.
· Medicaid funding increased by $493 million, in order to meet increased demand for the program post-pandemic.
· Blueprint for Maryland’s Future funding increased by $620 million in order to provide more support for public education initiatives.
· Local government aid increased by $248 million to ensure local services are adequately supported.
· The Rainy Day Fund has been maintained, allowing $2.5 billion to meet needs posed by emergencies threatening the well-being of the State.
· Tax relief of $206 million was passed by the General Assembly, targeted towards helping seniors and veterans across the State.
Capital Budget
The capital budget leverages a budget specifically for state capital spending - focusing on education, infrastructure, and public investments. Through our hard work and advocacy the members of the Anne Arundel County Delegation were able to secure over $2.4 million in state funding for capital improvement projects around the county. As chair of the Anne Arundel County delegation, I worked with 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.
Anne Arundel County Capital Budget Grants
· American Legion Post 40: $100,000
· Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds: $153,500
· Brooklyn Park ES Marque: $50,000
· Cedar and Morris Hill Community Center: $150,000
· Chesapeake High School Field House: $200,000
· Earleigh Heights New Fire Station: $50,000
· Eastport Veteran’s Park: $30,000
· Elks Camp Barrett Infrastructure: $50,000
· Freetown Community Improvement Association Rosenwald School: $250,000
· Hospice of the Chesapeake - Rebecca Fortney Buildings: $200,000
· Pascal Crisis Stabilization Center: $250,000
· Severna Park Train Station: $26,500
· South Shore Recovery Club SSRC Building Improvements: $56,000
· Swann Park and Willows Park Playgrounds: $350,000
· The Bernie House - Alma’s Angel House II: $100,000
· Village Commons Update: $100,000
· William Paca Garden Accessibility Construction: $100,000
· Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Dept: $400,000
TOTAL: $2,466,000
Other Anne Arundel County Budget Supplements
The FY2024 Budget included a number of other budgetary supplements for Anne Arundel County not listed above. I have listed those budgetary supplements here:
· New Anne Arundel County Court of Appeals Building: $51,117,000
· Joint Anne Arundel County 911 Public Safety Center: $10,000,000
· Luminis Health Behavioral Health Suite: $863,000
· Anne Arundel County Community College Renovations: $720,000
· Overlook Park Improvements: $100,000
· Anne Arundel County Grain Elevator Project: $1,500,000
· Parole Transportation Center Project: $1,150,000
· Annapolis Conference Center Feasibility Study: $150,000
· Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies Project: $850,000
· Senior Dog Sanctuary Improvements: $75,000
· Elks Lodge No. 2266 Improvements: $100,000
· Glen Burnie Rotary Park Electric Sign Project: $50,000
· Old Mill Community Association Park Improvements: $25,000
· North Linthicum Improvement and Protective Association Amphitheater Improvements: $150,000
· The Arc Central Chesapeake Improvements: $100,000
· St. John the Evangelist School Entrance Renovation: $20,000
· City of Annapolis – Stanton Community Center Renovation: $100,000
· Tanyard Springs Park Improvements: $250,000
· Southern High School Artificial Turf Field: $2,200,000
· Anne Arundel County Trail Network: $1,000,000
· South Shore Park Field Improvements: $1,000,000
· Chesapeake Bay Trust Green Campus Infrastructure Improvements: $250,000
· Chrysalis House Therapeutic Nature Trail Construction: $75,000
· Naval Academy Primary School Improvements: $75,000
· Havenwood Park Upgrades: $25,000
· UMD Baltimore-Washington Medical Center Improvements: $300,000
· Annapolis Dragon Boat Foundation Facilities Improvements: $55,000
· Charles “Hoppy” Adams, Jr. House Restoration: $145,000
· Hoop Bus Facility Construction: $25,000
· Anne Arundel County Food Bank Improvements: $200,000
· GFWC Woman’s Club of Linthicim Renovation: $25,000
· Sandy Point State Park Water Tower and Treatment Plant Upgrade: $2,500,000
TOTAL: $75,695,000
These appropriations will improve facilities across the County, directly and positively impacting the lives of the people who use them. To read the full Joint Chairmen’s Report on the FY2024 Budget, including additional information on the above appropriations please visit the following link: https://dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/OperBgt/Joint-Chairmens-Report-2023-Session.pdf
My Primary Legislation
I introduced nineteen pieces of legislation this session, and of those, eleven have successfully passed both chambers of the General Assembly. My number one priority this session was to improve access to mental health services across the State; we have accomplished that, ensuring that $30 million of additional resources from the State and Federal level are devoted to improving Maryland’s mental health services beginning in 2024. Included with these appropriations I passed, are mandates to address a shortage of mental health workers across the State, and establish new programs that will increase access to comprehensive behavioral mental health treatment. The following is a summary of my legislative work this session.
H.B. 48 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Collaborative Care Model Services – Implementation and Reimbursement Expansion: This bill requires the Department of Health to expand access to the the currently-piloted Collaborative Care Model, a health model that focuses on treating physical and behavioral healthcare as an all-encompassing picture of a person’s overall health. The expansion of the Collaborative Care model will provide a more streamlined process for Marylanders to access both mental health and somatic care services.
H.B. 322 - Public Health - Home- and Community-Based Services for Children and Youth: This bill requires the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to expand access to in-home mental health and case management services for children and youth that require intensive mental health treatment. With this bill, children who have the greatest need for comprehensive mental health treatment will receive access to care that they need.
H.B. 260 - Maryland Sign Language Interpreters Act: This bill was introduced at the request of deaf and hard-of-hearing Marylanders who have been adversely affected by a lack of properly vetted sign language interpreters. The bill establishes a statewide regulatory framework for licensing sign language interpreters via the new State Board of Sign Language Interpreters, ensuring deaf Marylanders receive adequate interpreting services. Additionally, it establishes the Sign Language Interpreter’s Fund to provide funding for licensing and regulatory expenses.
H.B. 418 - Mental Health - Workforce Development - Fund Established: Maryland is facing a shortage of behavioral health professionals that is preventing individuals across the state from obtaining the care they need. This bill establishes the Behavioral Health Workforce Investment Fund to provide state dollars for the education, training, certification, recruitment, placement, and retention of behavioral health professionals in Maryland.
H.B. 26 - Health Occupations - Psychologists - Licensure Qualification: This bill creates a streamlined progress for doctors of certain practices to respecialize into clinical psychology. Recognizing the need for more mental health professionals across the state, this bill allows qualified individuals to more easily attain a licensure in psychology.
H.B. 290 - Public Health - Dental Services - Access: Introduced based on the recommendations of the 2022 Oral Health Taskforce, this bill promotes dental health by requiring the State to share information about the importance and accessibility of dental health in plain language. The Maryland Department of Health will be required to distribute plain-language materials regarding dental services, and the Board of Dental Examiners will be required to publish a database of licensed providers for mobile dental services.
H.B. 316 - Income Tax Checkoff - Maryland Veterans’ Trust Fund: This bill establishes a mechanism for voluntary contributions to the Maryland Veterans’ Trust Fund through a checkoff on the state individual income tax form similar to checkoffs for other funds that already are printed on the form. It also requires the Comptroller’s office to provide requisite information about the fund on the individual tax return. This measure will increase revenues to the Maryland Veterans’ Trust Fund, enabling more direct help for service members in need.
H.B. 242 - Massage Therapy - Definition and Reimbursement: Previously, the legal definition for massage therapy precluded licensed practitioners from being reimbursed by insurance when practicing massage therapy for treatment. This bill ensures that massage therapy, when used as treatment for injury, will be reimbursed fairly by insurance, and brings the definition for the practice in line with other definitions related to physical therapy.
H.B. 710 - Anne Arundel County - Speed Monitoring Systems - Residential Districts: This bill was a delegation priority. It authorizes the placement of speed cameras on roads with a maximum posted speed limit of 35 mph in Anne Arundel County, ensuring that Anne Arundel neighborhoods will have a greater influence on safe driving in their communities.
H.B. 717 - State Board of Nursing - Peer Advisory Committees, Scopes of Practice, and Licensure Requirements: Aligns scope-of-practice for certified midwives to that of certified nurse midwives, allowing midwives of all practicing backgrounds the permissions they need in order to practice. This bill increases the amount of practitioners able to perform a full range of services related to midwifery, addressing a shortage of professionals offering choice in birth care.
H.B. 1272 - Maryland Insurance Commissioner Enforcement - Specialty Mental Health Services and Payment of Claims - Sunset Extesion: During the Pandemic, the insurance group Optum was tasked by the State as an administrative service organization to pay mental health insurance claims. In 2021, it was determined that they had failed to do so in many instances, and a bill was introduced to allow the Maryland Insurance Agency to enforce delivery of those claims. This bill extends that measure, allowing the Maryland Insurance Agency to continue two years of work enforcing claim payments. This measure is necessary to ensure mental health providers receive reimbursement to continue providing care to Marylanders in need.
Anne Arundel County
The following pieces of legislation are bills which will improve businesses and livelihoods across our County. I voted in favor of each, they have passed the House and Senate, and are now being sent to the Governor for his approval.
H.B. 520 - Alcoholic Beverages - Art Establishment: This bill establishes a specific art establishment beer and wine license within the jurisdiction of the City of Annapolis. Art establishments will be able to apply for an alcoholic beverages permit, removing a series of fees and barriers otherwise necessary to serve alcohol at artistic events.
While the worst of COVID-19 is now behind us, the pandemic exposed a number of shortcomings in Maryland’s health systems that the General Assembly made a priority to address this session. Members of the House and Senate passed bills addressing mental and behavioral health, reproductive care, and access to healthcare regardless of socioeconomic status. I am proud of our work addressing these issues as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee. I voted in favor of each of the following bills, they have passed the House and Senate, and are now being sent to the Governor for his approval.
H.B. 271 - 9–8–8 Trust Fund – Funding: This bill appropriates an additional $10 million for the 988 Trust Fund, established last year to support the 988 line for immediate mental health crisis services. With this funding, call centers will be equipped to hire and train more staff and acquire additional resources to reduce wait times, and keep local calls going to Maryland call centers.
H.B. 1148 - Behavioral Health Care - Treatment and Access (Behavioral Health Model for Maryland): This bill creates a 4-year framework to improve Maryland’s mental and behavioral health systems as they relate to healthcare and court proceedings. Included within that plan are providing for a Behavioral Health Care Coordination Pilot Program, requiring the Department of Health to apply for certain federal grants related to mental health, and establishing a Commission on Behavioral Health to address next steps to improve Maryland’s behavioral health systems.
H.B. 811 - Hospitals - Testing for Fentanyl (The Josh Siems Act): Requires hospitals to conduct a test for fentanyl when a urine test is used to determine an individual’s health. This bill increases data availability to ascertain where fentanyl is used and distributed in the State, allowing the State to address the fentanyl crisis in more detail.
H.B. 812 - Health - Reproductive Health Services - Protected Information and Insurance Requirements: This bill protects the privacy of patients who have sought an abortion or other forms of reproductive health care in Maryland and establishes the Protected Health Care Commission. It ensures that personal medical information related to reproductive care cannot be shared or used in a criminal prosecution or civil litigation outside of Maryland.
H.B. 705 - Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Freedom: In response to challenges against reproductive liberty across the nation, this bill puts the question of reproductive freedom of choice on the ballot in 2024. With this measure, Maryland voters will be empowered to directly voice their opinions on freedom of reproductive care, and should the measure pass, the right to reproductive freedom will be enshrined in the Maryland Constitution.
H.B. 283 - Trans Health Equity Act: This bill requires Medicaid to cover medically-supervised gender-affirming care, ensuring that Marylanders, regardless of their insurance, will be able to receive necessary gender-affirming care.
Economy
H.B. 556 - Cannabis Reform: Following the 2022 passage of the constitutional amendment legalizing the sale of cannabis for recreational use beginning July 1, 2023, this bill establishes the regulatory and tax framework that will govern the sale and use of recreational cannabis in Maryland. The bill charges the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, now known as the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC), with regulating commercial activity related to cannabis sales. The commission will also assume jurisdiction over the dispensing of medicinal cannabis by absorbing the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.
H.B. 547 - Family Prosperity Act of 2023: This bill eliminates the sunset on a temporary expansion of the Maryland earned income tax credit (EITC), including the establishment of the Maryland Child Tax Credit (CTC), making both permanent. The expansion will reduce childhood poverty in Maryland by providing relief to families with children under 5 who have an income of $15,000 or less.
H.B. 554 - Keep Our Heroes Home Act: This bill, a priority of the Moore administration, cuts state income taxes on military pensions. With this measure, more veterans will be able to affordably retire in Maryland and contribute their unique and robust skill sets to Maryland’s economy.
Justice
S.B. 1 - Criminal Law - Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting Firearms - Restrictions: Alters carrying restrictions on firearms to prevent concealed or open carry in certain public venues, or where an owner of a private space has not authorized their carry. Firearm carry will be generally prohibited in places such as schools, government buildings, and grounds such as theaters or stadiums, and at other private properties where firearms are prohibited by the owner.
H.B. 4 - Criminal Law - Sexual Crimes - Repeal of Spousal Defense: Previously, certain sexual offenses were prohibited from prosecution of the perpetrator was the spouse of the victim. This bill repeals the spousal defense, providing married women further protections against sexual assault.
H.B. 1 - Child Victims Act of 2023: In response to allegations of institutional sexual assault committed over the course of many years, this bill repeals the statute of limitations for crimes related to child sexual abuse, allowing adults who were victims of sexual abuse when they were children to pursue civil damages related to those abuses.
H.B. 1071 - Criminal Law and Procedure - Cannabis - Fines for Smoking in Public, Stops, and Searches: This bill prohibits stop and search of a person or motor vehicle in certain circumstances, including for the smell of cannabis. The bill also lowers fines related to certain cannabis-related offenses. With the legalization of recreational-use cannabis on the way, this bill ensures equity in enforcement related to crimes involving cannabis.
Environment and Transportation
H.B. 9 Equity in Transportation Sector Guidelines and Analyses: This bill requires the Maryland Department of Transportation to conduct equity analyses and cost-benefit analyses in consultation with affected communities prior to major service changes or capital expansion. With HB9, Marylanders will be given greater opportunities to voice their opinions related to transit projects in their community, and MDOT will be required to consider equity between communities as they plan transit projects.
H.B. 550 - Clean Transportation and Energy Act: This bill extends the electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Program through fiscal year 2026. It also alters the definition of "grant" for purposes of the Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Grant Program. This encourages a greater amount of consumers to utilize electric vehicles, as rebates on those are no longer limited to light vehicles.
H.B. 552 - Innovation Economy Infrastructure Act of 2023: This bill creates the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program within the Department of Commerce. The Department will award grants for innovative infrastructure projects in a variety of fields, and spur economic and technological development in Maryland infrastructure.
H.B. 6 - Maryland Sustainable Buildings Act: This bill requires new building standards for state buildings acquired, constructed, and renovated by the Department of General Services, including energy efficiency standards and regulations to protect native bird species. These measures will ensure that state-operated properties are built and maintained in a way that has a minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
H.B. 192 - Currency - Campaign Finance Prohibitions - Disclosures by Financial Institutions: This bill strengthens campaign financelaw by preventing any entity engaged in financing a campaign in Maryland from accepting money in any currency other than official US currency. Additionally, it prevents expenditures by these entities in any currency other than official US currency.
H.B. 535 - Election Law - Ballots - Issuance, Processing, and Reporting Procedures: This bill expands access to mail-in (absentee) voting and makes several statutory revisions to the counting procedure for mail-in ballots. It requires all local boards of elections to send a mail-in ballot to all eligible voters who requested one within a set timeframe; requests must be submitted at least 60 days prior to Election Day, and ensures that Boards of Elections will begin processing mail-in ballots before election day.
Education
H.B. 1219 - Maryland Educator Shortage Act of 2023: This bill requires the State Department of Education to create specific and attainable goals for the recruitment of teachers in preparation programs. It also established the Teacher Development and Retention Program as a pilot program to retain educators in Maryland. These measures will address a critical shortfall in educators within the State of Maryland.
S.B. 959 - Higher Education - Maryland 529 Program - Reform: In response to errors made by the Maryland 529 Board preventing Maryland families from accessing education savings, the General Assembly passed this bill, which overhauls the administration of the 529 program with the intent to restore access to saved funds. The Treasurer will be given jurisdiction over the 529 Program, and be required to rectify accounts that have not been fairly and adequately paid out.
Miscellaneous
H.B. 58 - Open Meetings Act: This bill requires the State Ethics Commission to livestream its meetings online publicly to provide greater transparency and public accountability for the Commission.
H.B. 546 - Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration Act (SERVE Act):This bill was one of the first major priorities of Governor Moore. It establishes the Maryland Corps, a service option for recent high school graduates that would allow them to gain relevant experience in career or technical fields while serving their fellow Marylanders. Participants in the service year program would be compensated at $15/hour and there is the option for the department to disburse a $6,000 stipend to a participant upon completion of the program.
I am so thankful to all of my constituents for the honor to serve as your representative in District 33C. 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 our office be able to provide any assistance, or if you would like to voice your opinion on matters being considered by the General Assembly, please do not hesitate to contact me at Heather.Bagnall@house.state.md.us or 410-841-3406.
I am proud of all that my colleagues and I accomplished this session in the General Assembly. Together, we achieved many bipartisan solutions that will ensure Marylanders have a clean environment, strong education, and access to affordable health care.
