After a flurry of bill introductions last week, most of the bills we have made a priority in 2024 have been introduced, and House and Senate committees have begun holding hearings.
Climate Change (several more priority bills to be introduced)
HB 516 – Climate Crisis and Environmental Justice Act
No hearing scheduled in Economic Matters Committee
SB 146 and HB 166 – Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Eligible Sources - Alterations (Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2024)
SB hearing held in held in Education, Energy and the Environment Committee – awaiting committee vote
HB No hearing scheduled in Economic Matters Committee
Criminal Justice (most bills introduced)
SB Hearing 2/07 at 2:00 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings Committee
HB No hearing scheduled – Judiciary and Health & Government Operations Committees
SB Hearing 2/07 at 2:00 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings Committee
HB No hearing scheduled in Judiciary Committee
SB 71 and HB 191 – Correctional Services - Pregnancy and Postpartum Support (Prevention of Forced Infant Separation Act):
SB Hearing 2/07 at 2:00 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings
HB No hearing scheduled in Judiciary Committee
SB No hearing scheduled in Education, Energy, and the Environment and Finance Committees
HB Hearing held in held in Appropriations Committee – awaiting committee vote
HB 37 – Reentry Services for Women - Commission and Pilot Program – Establishment:
No hearing scheduled in Judiciary Committee
SB 635 – Landlords and Prospective Tenants - Residential Leases - Criminal History Review (Maryland Fair Chance in Housing Act)
No hearing scheduled in Judicial Proceedings Committee
Gun Violence Prevention (most bills introduced)
SB Hearing 2/07 at 2:00 p.m. in Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
HB Hearing 2/07 at 1:00 p.m. in Ways and Means Committee
SB 488 – Civil Actions - Public Nuisances - Firearm Industry Members (Gun Industry Accountability Act of 2024):
No hearing scheduled in Judicial Proceedings Committee
SB 475 and HB 583 – [Governor’s initiative] – Center for Firearm Violence Prevention – Establishment:
SB No hearing scheduled in Finance Committee
HB No hearing scheduled in Judiciary Committee
Healthcare (all bills introduced)
SB Hearing 2/15 at 1:00 p.m. in Finance Committee
HB No hearing scheduled in Health and Government Operations Committee
SB 388 and HB 340 – Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Authority for Upper Payment Limits and Funding (Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Act of 2024):
SB Hearing 2/07 at 2:00 p.m. in Finance Committee
HB Hearing 2/08 at 1:00 p.m. in Health and Government Operations Committee
Immigration (both bills filed)
SB No hearing scheduled in Finance Committee
HB No hearing scheduled in Health & Government Operations Committees
Medical Aid in Dying (both bills filed)
SB 443 and HB 403– End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act)
SB Hearing 2/08 at 1:00 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings
HB No hearing scheduled – Health & Government Operations and Judiciary Committees
The hearing schedule is constantly changing, so we have posted a new table which we also update at least daily. The table shows only our priority bills scheduled. At this point, nine (9) of our priority bills are already scheduled for committee hearings in addition to two already heard (with our testimony).
Meanwhile, several of our issue allies are holding advocacy events in Annapolis, and we encourage our members to participate.
Anyone interested in providing testimony can do so in writing and/or verbally in person or remotely, as long as they are signed up in advance. Please contact our Coordinator, Ashley Egan at info@uulmmd.org if you want her to assist you in making your voice heard.
Currently we are focusing on:
SB 443 and HB 403– End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) - The Senate Bill Hearing will be Thursday, February 8th at 1:00 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings
Testimony Needs to be submitted to Ashley by Monday, February 5.
SB 119- Legally Protected Health Care - Gender-Affirming Treatment - This bill would protect medical providers, patients, and their support networks from out-of-state investigations and prosecutions related to gender affirming care. (SB Hearing on Thursday, February 15th in Finance Committee)
The UU Church of Annapolis will be sponsoring a slide show presentation of our
UULM-MD Issue bills!
Please join us:
in person or on Zoom.
Sunday, February 4th,
from 10:15-11:10 am.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Issue Updates
Criminal Justice Reform:
Next week willl be very busy, as a majority of our bills will have their first hearing in the Judicial Proceedings Committee on Wednesday, February 7th.
Many of our Criminal Justice bills will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee (JUD) and Senate Judicial Proceeding Committee (JPR). Please take a minute to go to our Legislator Lookup and see who your lawmakers are and what Committees they are on.
If your lawmakers are on the JUD or JPR Committees, please watch your email, we will send you email requests so that you can let your lawmaker know if you support one of our priority legislations. Your lawmaker wants to hear from you, we will send you talking points and a sample email, you can send the email as is or put it into your own words.
Gun Violence Prevention:
HB 416/ SB 432- Public Schools - Active Shooter Safety Drills or Training - UU youth have the opportunity to share their expertise on Active Shooter or "Lockdown" drills. This year, Delegate Jared Solomon has requested our youth submit testimony—written or in-person—to support the legislation.
The bill would standardize Active Shooter (Lockdown) Drills and ensure that they are utilizing trauma-informed practices. We want the state to develop the best practices for active shooter drills and reduce any trauma from active shooter(Lockdown) drills:
Important Dates:
• Testimony should be submitted to Ashley by Friday, February 2nd
• Testimony Submitted to the House - Monday, February 5th
• Testimony Submitted to the Senate - Tuesday, February 6th.
• The House and Senate will hold their Committee hearings on Wednesday, February 7th.
Healthcare Reform/Reproductive Rights:
Last Monday, Dr. Kari Alperovitz-Bichell was one of the speakers at the Freedom in Reproduction-Maryland Rally to kickoff their November Campaign to support the‘Reproductive Freedom’ Amendment on the ballot in November. She introduced Maryland's First Lady, Dawn Moore and was joined by the Speaker of the House, the Honorable Adrienne Jones and fellow UU's Dr. Jamie Harms and Mickey Goldberg.
Medical Aid in Dying:
On February 12th from 9am to 2pm, our supporters will join Compassion & Choices in Annapolis for our annual lobby day. At noon, we will hold a press conference at the Office of the Comptroller (110 Carroll Street, Annapolis, MD) with the bills' chief sponsor, Senator Jeff Waldstreicher.
We are also collecting testimony on SB 443 and HB 403 – End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) for the Senate Hearing 2/08 at 1:00 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings
Testimony Needs to be submitted to our Coordinator, Ashley Egan at info@uulmmd.org by Monday, February 5.
Upcoming Events:
Mom's Demand Action Advocacy Day
Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 9:00am
Lawyer's Mall
Annapolis, MD
Register Here: bit.ly/2024AD
January 31st: MD League of Conservation Voters
In-Person on
Wednesday, January 31st at the Graduate Hotel
West Street in Annapolis, MD
Register Here: MD Environmental Summit Link
Sierra Club "Virtual" Lobby Nights
Legislative Overview: February 7th
Lobby Night: February 12th
Register here by February 6th
Save the Date:
Medical Aid in Dying Lobby Day,
Feb. 12: 10am to 2pm