| Maryland Health Insurance Plan - Access for Bridge Eligible Individuals* |
SB134 |
Allows individuals who have had trouble enrolling in the state's online health insurance exchange to temporarily enroll in the Maryland Health Insurance Plan. |
Health insurance |
Sent to governor. Passed House 94-42 on Jan. 28; passed Senate 34-7 on final vote Jan. 29. |
Md. Senate approves plan to help residents shut out of insurance exchange.Read more |
| Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2015)* |
HB160 |
The state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2015. |
Budget and taxes |
Pending in House committee |
O’Malley unveils $39 billion budget that he says closes shortfall without raising taxes.Read more |
| Maryland Minimum Wage Act of 2014* |
HB295andSB331 |
Raises the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 by 2016. |
Economy |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
O’Malley talks up successes of previous seven years, calls for increase in minimum wage. Read more |
| Designation of New Wildlands* |
HB296andSB336 |
Designates specified areas of the state as wildlands. |
Environment and natural resources |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
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| Prekindergarten Expansion Act of 2014* |
HB297andSB332 |
Establishes a grant program as the first step of phasing in "universal" pre-kindergarten. |
Education |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
Maryland looks to expand access to pre-kindergarten to more 4-year-olds.Read more |
| Health Services Cost Review Commission - Maryland All-Payer Model Contract* |
HB298andSB335 |
Authorizes a commission to set hospital rates and rate increases. |
Health |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
Maryland’s plan to upend health care spending.Read more |
| Crimes Committed in the Presence of a Minor* |
HB306andSB337 |
Authorizes judges to impose enhanced penalties for acts of violence committed in front of a child. |
Public safety |
Pending in House adn Senate committees |
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| Peace Orders and Protective Orders - Burden of Proof* |
HB307andSB333 |
Changing the standard of proof from "clear and convincing evidence" to "a preponderance of the evidence" for final protective orders. |
Public safety |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
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| Statewide Interoperability Radio Control Board* |
HB307andSB338 |
Establishes a board to oversee integrated radio statewide radio system for first-responders and other emergency personnel. |
Public safety |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
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| Contraband - Telecommunication Devices - Penalty |
HB159andSB113andHB175andSB206 |
Makes it a felony to deliver a cell phone to someone in prison or jail. |
Public safety |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
As Baltimore jail corruption case unfolds, cellphone-penalty legislation returns to spotlight.Read more |
| Prohibition of Polygraph Examinations by Employers - Exemption |
HB173andSB126 |
Permits polygraphs of correctional facility employees. |
Public safety |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
Panel backs 10-year plan to replace antiquated Baltimore jail complex.Read more |
| Internal Investigative Unit - Name Change and Duties |
HB174andSB114 |
Expands duties of the corrections department's Internal Investigative Unit. |
Public safety |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
Panel backs 10-year plan to replace antiquated Baltimore jail complex.Read more |
| Correctional Facilities - Officers and Inspection Standards |
HB176andSB205 |
Allows officials to suspend correctional officers without pay for certain contraband violations. |
Public safety |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
Panel backs 10-year plan to replace antiquated Baltimore jail complex.Read more |
| Possession of Marijuana - Civil Offense |
SB364 |
Makes the possession or use of less than 10 grams of marijuana a civil offense. |
Public safety |
Pending in House and Senate committees |
Poll: Majority of Marylanders favor legalization of marijuana, consequences other than jail. Read more |
| Healthy Births for Incarcerated Women Act |
HB27 |
Prohibits use of physical restraints on female inmates who are giving birth or in labor and requires medical professionals to determine when an inmate is healthy enough to be returned to the correctional facility after giving birth. |
Public safety |
Pending in House committee |
Maryland delegates consider a ban on using restraints on pregnant inmates.Read more |
| Raw Milk - Consumer-owned Livestock |
HB3 |
Allows the sale and distribution of raw milk to consumers who buy an ownership interest in specified dairy animals. |
Health |
Pending in House committee |
Raw milk: Devotees seek their fix, despite the warnings about health risks. Read more |