Advocacy Part II - What happens after a bill is passed?

Even after hardworking advocates are successful in getting a bill through the General Assembly, there is still another step or two in the process before the bill becomes law.

In Maryland, once the General Assembly acts to pass a piece of legislation, the governor has three options.

• the governor can sign the bill into law
• the governor can veto the bill (the General Assembly then has the option of attempting to override the veto - override requires a three-fifths vote of the elected membership of both the House and Senate) 
• the governor can do nothing --- you may have heard a staffer, lobbyist or legislator say the governor 'put it in a drawer' - in which case the bill goes into effect the same as if it were signed, just without the governor's imprimatur.

The vast majority of bills passed in any General Assembly session are passed in the final weeks... the final days are a flurry of floor votes, conference committees, and concurrences. The governor is authorized to act on any piece of legislation as soon as the bill is passed - which means the governor can sign or veto a bill during session.  It is relatively rare for the governor to veto a bill during session, because as soon as the governor vetoes, the legislature can attempt an override.  In the 2016 General Assembly session there were several vetoes during session this year, immediately overridden.  Here's an article discussing some:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-house-of-delegates-overturns-hogans-vetoes/2016/04/07/d2500e12-fcc4-11e5-80e4-c381214de1a3_story.html

Because so much happens at the end of the legislative session, usually the governor's office is presented with a large volume of passed legislation in a short space of time. The governor and his staff then have a maximum of 50 days to determine what action to take on each bill. Things generally take a pretty well-known path.

Even before the end of the legislative session, the governor's office announces multiple official post-session bill signing ceremonies --- there are usually about five or six of them. Then, after the governor's office is presented with the list of passed bills, the staff go through the list to determine which bills the governor will sign, and then assign each of those bills to one of the pre-determined bill signing ceremonies.

The bill signing ceremonies provide an opportunity for hardworking legislators and advocates to be present, be recognized, have a nice official photo op. with the governor etc. -- I'm sure you've all seen some of those photos - the governor, the speaker, the Senate president at the dais with a line of legislators and advocates behind.

You'd think that would be a pretty straightforward, transparent process -- but really not so much.  Sometimes, the governor's office notifies primary bill sponsors of the date on which their bill will be signed well in advance, but often there is little notice.  Many times the governor's office will release a list of bills to be signed only a day or two before the relevant signing ceremony.

Practically speaking, the Speaker's office and Senate president's office maintain a list of bills passed during session, and monitor the bill signing announcements that come out of the governor's office -- -checking bills off as they go. After the last bill signing ceremony a list of unsigned bills remains. Usually - and this year is no exception - the last bill signing ceremony takes place about a week before the final deadline for gubernatorial action on session legislation.  So then, you literally just wait to see what will happen with the remaining bills. 

Bills vetoed after the end of the General Assembly session have to wait til the General Assembly convenes again to attempt veto overrides.... and that's more than seven months.  Effectively that means when the governor vetoes a bill passed by the General Assembly with a veto-proof majority, the veto isn't the death of the bill, just a delay.  Which begs the question.... if you know the bill will eventually be enacted, why thwart the work of the General Assembly?  But it happens.....

Follow-up - Bills of special interest to students.... and more work to do!

This set of bills, that I thought might be of specific interest to students, fared pretty well in the General Assembly --- with one notable exception. The bills related to issues as diverse as voting rights for Montgomery County's Student Member of the Board of Education, creation of an anonymous text-messaging system for students to use to report bullying, and protecting the First Amendment rights of student journalists.

Here's a quick summary:

HB 41 Anonymous two-way text messaging tip programs – sponsor Del. Arentz

This bill would amend the Safe Schools Reporting Act to expand the model policy developed by the State Board of Education for reporting bullying, investigating reports of bullying, and disciplining students who have violated school bullying policies. The bill would require local boards of education to create and publicize two-way anonymous text messaging programs for use by students and others involved in or witnessing bullying to anonymously report the incidents.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=hb0041&stab=01&ys=2016RS

The 2016 General Assembly session was the second go around for this bill, and once again it died in committee. A little editorializing here.  I think this is a really good bill that aims to create a real, meaningful resource for students - allowing them to utilize technology they already use routinely (what does the latest research show -- the average US teenager sends over 100 texts/day??) to anonymously report concerns about their school environment and experience -- troubles on their bus, bullying, cheating, broken water fountains, etc. etc.

I talked to several members of our Delegation to get their thoughts on the bill -- it looked good to me, but maybe I was missing something???  Why was the bill struggling so much? What I heard was that yes, this is a good bill --- that could benefit from more coordinated advocacy.  I'm hoping to work with students, bill sponsors, school administrators and others interested in school safety issues over the summer to build a more robust advocacy effort around establishing this type of resource for students. If anyone is interested --- just let me know!!

HB87 – Student Member of the Board (SMOB) Voting – Montgomery County Delegation

This is a Montgomery County local bill (meaning its provisions would apply only in Montgomery County) to extend the voting rights and Board participation of the Student Member of the Board of Education.

Here is a link to the HB87 bill page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0087&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill is almost the dictionary definition of  legislation that takes a marathon, not a sprint!  This was at least the 4th time the MoCo SMOB voting rights bill was filed in the General Assembly.  Several years back it got close --- with near unanimous support of our Montgomery County Delegation -- but certain committee chairs killed it in committee.  This year it moved forward with complete support - every member of our Montgomery County delegation supported it - and it finally passed!

One interesting thing for fellow legislative nerds.  Every year in the Maryland General Assembly, every county's delegation puts forward a variety of local bills -- legislation with purely local impact that, for one reason or another, must be approved by the General Assembly. Now, you would think that - as a courtesy if nothing else - when a local bill moves forward with the unanimous support of its Delegation - all other members of the General Assembly would defer to the will of the local jurisdiction to regulate itself.  But if you click on the link above, and go to the "history" section of the bill page, you'll see yet another instance of legislators voting against bills that they have absolutely no interest in. 

Eight members of the House, and four members of the Senate, voted against the MoCo SMOB voting rights bill.  Why on earth electeds like Sen. Hershey of Queen Anne County, or Delegate Kittleman of Carroll County voted against this bill, or even thought it was appropriate to vote against a bill of purely local effect in Montgomery County, eludes me.  But that sort of thing happens all the time.....

HB115/SB582 - Public School Robotics Club Grant Program -  sponsor Del. Reznik/Sen. King

This bill created a grant program, administered by the State Dept. of Education, to support and expand robotics clubs in public schools.  The bill would require the governor to provide at least $500,000 to seed the program. 

Here’s a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0115&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill passed easily, but the governor opted not to sign it.  I doubt very much he'll veto it

HB708/SB781 – Maryland Seal of Biliteracy – Del. Gutierrez

A little bit of history. This bill was back for the third time this year - it failed even to get a vote in the House Ways and Means committee last year – even though it sailed through committee on the Senate side, and was unanimously approved in the Senate.

The bill establishes a Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Program to recognize public high school graduates, beginning with the graduating class of 2017, who have attained proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. The purpose of the program is to promote linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in one or more languages in addition to English and to provide recognition of the attainment of those skills by affixing a Seal of Biliteracy to the student’s diploma or transcript at graduation. Participation in the program by a local school system is voluntary; however, if a local school system chooses to participate, an individual school may not opt out.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the General Assembly website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0708&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS 

The third time was the charm --- the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy was unanimously passed by both the House and Senate, and was signed by the governor on April 26.  Congratulations to D18 Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez for the persistence and passion!

SB764 – Student Journalists – Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press – Sen. Raskin

This bill – to ensure student journalists enjoy the Constitutionally protected Freedoms of Speech and the Press, was sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin.  In his other life, Senator Raskin is a nationally recognized Constitutional Law scholar, and a professor of Constitutional Law at American University.  In other words, he knows the subject.

And - if you talk to Sen. Raskin, he'll tell you that part of his motivation for sponsoring this legislation was an experience he had several years ago at Montgomery Blair HS.

In 2009, a student organization at Blair was producing a program debating the merits of marriage equality, in a fairly traditional debate format - proposition, with pro/con debate -  two speakers supporting each side of the question. The students videotaped their debate, but school administration refused to let them air the video stating that the subject was too controversial.  The students and their advisor reached out to Sen. Raskin to help them argue against the school's censorship of their work.

Here’s a link to the bill’s page on the General Assembly website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=sb0764&stab=01&ys=2016RS

This was one of my favorite bills this year. It was filed a bit late (but before the filing deadline), and didn't have a crossfile.  But the bill succeeded, and now Maryland's student journalists enjoy full First Amendment protection.  The governor signed it on April 26.

Post-session summary of Special Education and Mental Health bills

Aside from some of the (in my opinion really important and necessary) testing bills, this was a fairly good year for student-focused bills -- and D14 Del. Eric Luedtke --- whose street cred. as a long-time MCPS teacher is always on display in Annapolis -- had a pretty good year!

There are three successes here, and one bill that didn't succeed.  One commonality in those that made it through - they were each straightforward, clear --- and frankly, embodied commonsense. Some of you commented on some of these bills, in essence saying 'we don't already do this?????'

HB85 – Children with Disabilities – Parental Notice -  sponsor Del. Luedtke

The bill would add to existing law the requirement that schools provide to parents of children with disabilities written information explaining available early intervention and special education family support services, with information on how to contact the providers of those services.  That information is to be provided at the first IEP meeting to discuss interventions for the child, and the information must be provided in the language in which the parents are most fluent.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0085&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill sailed through both Chambers with broad bi-partisan support, and was signed by the governor on April 26.

HB86/SB421 – Translation of IEP and family service plans – sponsor Del. Luedtke/Sen. Ramirez

Authorizing the parents of a child with a completed individualized education program (IEP) or a completed individualized family service plan to request translation of the document into the parents' native language.

Here is a link to the HB86 bill page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0086&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill too made it through both the House and Senate easily, and was signed by the governor on April 26.

HB 142 – Emotional Health Awareness Programs in Schools -  sponsor Del. Hixson

The bill would require local school systems to implement programs of emotional suffering awareness, and also programs for middle and high school coaches and athletes focused on creating a character building culture in youth sports programs.

Here is the link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0142&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

 This was a mental health bill inculcating programs championed by the Campaign to Change Direction and the Positive Coaching Alliance.  It didn't go anywhere this year, though I think the intent was good, and the need for programs to increase mental health awareness, decrease bullying, and destigmatize mental and behavioral health is great.

I think this bill could be back, and with a better chance, particularly if the citizen advocates really get organized, and make a concerted effort to reach out to electeds and folks like us who care deeply about public education, and supporting all our students.

HB713/SB494 – School Behavioral Health Accountability Act –Del. Luedtke/Sen. Nathan-Pulliam

This bill would require the State Dept. of Education and local school boards and departments of health to develop and implement a standardized reporting system to determine the effectiveness of community-partnered school behavioral health services programs.

Here’s the link to the bill page on the General Assembly webpage:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0713&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This was another win for Del. Luedtke -- a legislative hat-trick of bills supporting some of our most vulnerable students! The bill made it through both the House and Senate easily, and was signed by the governor on April 26.

Child Health and Safety bills --- post-session summary

A variety of bills involving child health and safety were filed in the General Assembly this year. From a variant of Erin's Law (requiring the development of age-appropriate curricula focusing on sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention), to legislation specifying penalties for youth sports coaches who fail to follow concussion awareness and prevention protocols,  and even a bill requiring elementary students to get more physical activity during school hours!

The Student Diabetes Management Program bill was also back this year - a bill to allow students with diabetes more autonomy to manage their diabetes in school, and would also provide the opportunity for school staff who volunteer to be trained to assist diabetic students.

Here is a summary of the fate of the child health and safety bills I blogged about in February:

HB29  Youth Sports Programs - Concussion prevention – coaching – sponsor Del. Chang

This bill would expand current law on concussion prevention in youth sports programs by requiring the suspension of coaches who violate concussion protocols by allowing an athlete to return to play or practice after a suspected concussion injury without adequate medical clearance. For school sports programs the Act would require the State Board of Education to establish this policy; and all local boards of education to follow it.  The Act also requires non-school based youth sports programs to institute and follow this policy.

Of interest, the fiscal note cites MCPS policy as state-wide best practices that already embody the substance of this bill.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=01&id=hb0029&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

I thought this bill embodied some pretty good, evidence-based policy --- but it went nowhere this year -- didn't even get a vote in committee.  Hopefully it will be back next year, with more vigorous advocacy.  Sometimes making good law is a marathon, not a sprint! 

HB72 Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program - sponsor Del. Luedtke

The bill would require the State Board of Education and specified nonpublic schools to develop and implement a program of age-appropriate education relating to the awareness and prevention of sexual abuse and assault.  This information would be incorporated into the health curriculum and taught by teachers specially trained to deliver the content.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0072&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill was back after having a tough road in 2015 - but second time was a charm, and the bill passed both the House and Senate.  As of yet the governor hasn't signed it, but he won't veto it either ---- and if the governor takes no action on a bill passed by the General Assembly, it goes into effect the same as if the governor signed it.
 

HB198 – School Resource Officers -   sponsor Del. Cluster

The bill would require every school district to hire and staff a School Resource Officer for every Maryland public school.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0198&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This is one of those bills that reasonable minds can seriously differ about, and that local school systems really chafe at on 'local control' and budgetary grounds.  Not all counties are as adept at sharing services between entities as Montgomery.  Here, different government agencies and offices often work together to provide services -- in the schools we see that with community partners like DHHS providing social and wrap-around services in some schools, and the police department providing SROs in high schools.

But I digress.  This bill went nowhere this year.

HB 245/SB310 – Child Abuse and Neglect – Failure to Report -  Del. Dumais

The bill specifies penalties when, during the course of an investigation into a case of suspected child abuse or neglect, an investigating agency suspects that an individual or organization legally required to report suspected abuse failed to do so.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=hb0245&stab=01&ys=2016RS

Both the House and Senate versions of this bill passed both the House and Senate, and the governor signed the bill into law on May 10. On the surface not surprising, seems like a pretty straightforward, commonsense bill ---- but, traditionally getting a bill through the House Judiciary committee is no easy thing.... so kudos to Del. Dumais!

HB409/SB564 – Providing alcohol to minors - penalty– Alex and Calvin’s Law Del. Fraser-Hidalgo & Sen. Feldman
This bill increases the penalties for adults who obtain or provide alcohol to minors.

Here’s a link to the bill page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=01&id=hb0409&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

Two MoCo legislators from District 15 sponsored this bill (Del. Fraser-Hidalgo in the House, Sen. Feldman in the Senate) - which arose from a tragedy in the Wootton community last summer.  Advocates in the Wootton cluster very effectively spoke out in favor of this legislation, both versions of which passed both the House and Senate. As yet the governor hasn't signed the bill, but hopefully it will be part of the governor's final 2016 bill signing ceremony next week. 

HB474 – Elementary Schools – Daily Physical Activity – Del. Walker

The bill would require that all elementary school students be provided a daily program of physical activity totaling 150 minutes each week, a minimum of 90 minutes of which must be physical education.

 

Here’s a link to the bill page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0474&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

I think everyone agrees physical education, and daily physical activity, are incredibly important for kids --- it helps every aspect of their well-being, and makes it easier for them to do the intellectual work of school.  But -- there's almost always pushback from the local Boards of Education and school systems when the state tries to add something mandatory to school curricula.  This bill didn't even get a vote in committee.

SB71 – Student Diabetes Management Program – Senator Young

This bill requires the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), to establish guidelines for volunteer school employees to become trained diabetes care providers. Each school system would create a Student Diabetes Management Program that includes training volunteers to become diabetes care providers. Students requiring diabetes care at school must provide a Diabetes Medical Management Plan to the school. If a student’s plan states that the student may independently monitor and treat their diabetes while at school, the student may perform the authorized tasks wherever the student considers necessary, and possess and carry any necessary supplies and equipment.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0071&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This was the second go-around for this piece of legislation, which had a tough go in 2015.  The Senate version of the bill passed the Senate last year, but didn't even get a vote in the House -- and the House version of the bill didn't even get a vote in committee last year. But - again, second time's a charm --- both the House and Senate versions of the bill passed both chambers, and the bill was signed by the governor on April 26.

Less Testing, More Learning - what happened to these bills in the 2016 General Assembly

Decreasing the sheer number of tests, and volume of time spent preparing for and taking tests, K-12 students take in their school life is a major focus of the Maryland State Education Association(MSEA) these days.  It's "Less Testing, More Learning" initiative successfully partnered with a number of legislators to introduce a package of bills in the General Assembly this year, with mixed results. Here's a link to the MSEA's summary report from its "Less Testing, More Learning" website:

http://lesstestingmorelearning.com/learn-more/

Here is a brief review of the various bills, including how the bill progressed through the General Assembly this year.

HB141/SB407 – Education Accountability Act – Limits on Testing -   sponsor Del. Luedtke

The bill would require the State Board of Education to adopt regulations limiting the total amount of time that may be devoted to federal, State, and locally mandated tests for each grade to 2% of the specified minimum required annual instructional hours.

Here is the link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=hb0141&stab=01&ys=2016RS

The House version of the bill made it through the Ways and Means committee, and was passed unanimously by the House, but the House bill never made it out of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee.  The Senate version of the bill didn't make it out of committee.

HB397 – Education – Best Practices in Administration of Assessments –

Dels. M. Washington and Ebersole

The bill would require the State Department of Education to develop a specific set of best practices that the State and local school districts must use when deciding whether to administer an assessment or test to students.

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Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0397&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

Like HB141, this bill was voted out of the Ways and Means committee, and passed unanimously in the House, but died in the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee.

HB412/SB533 – Education -Administration of Assessments – Notice -   Del. Kaiser
The bill would require each county board of education to provide information relating to each assessment administered in a local school system that includes the title, purpose, grade level tested, subject area, testing window, time to complete, loss of instruction time, and accommodations for students with special needs.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0412&stab.01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill passed both the House and Senate, and was signed by the governor on April 26.

 

HB657 - Pre-K and Kindergarten Readiness Assessments  -   Del. Shoemaker
This bill would limit administration of state mandated 'school readiness' assessments to a random sampling of Pre-K and Kindergarten students in each local school district.  According to legislators I've spoken to, this bill addresses concerns expressed by a large number of teachers and school administrators concerned about the amount of instructional and interactive class time lost to the process of administering school readiness assessments to every pre-k and kindergarten student.

Here is a link to the bill page on the GA website:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0657&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill unanimously passed both the House and Senate, and was signed by the governor on April 26.

Election year reminders for MCCPTA/local PTAs as 501(c)(3) organizations --

No news flash here - it is an election year.  In fact, early voting for the primary begins in less than two months -- on April 14, to be precise.  So ---- just a few reminders about what - as 501(c)(3) organizations - it is permissible for MCCPTA and PTAs to do in the world of elections and politics, and what organizationally we need to avoid.

 

The issues that seem to create the most uncertainty boil down to two things:

1. Distinguishing personal activity from MCCPTA/PTA sponsored or sanctioned activity
2. Candidates vs. elected officials

It's really pretty simple.  Acting in your personal capacity you can be as active as you want on any issue, or on behalf of any candidate, that you choose. And I hope you are very civically engaged - watching, listening, getting informed, supporting candidates of your choice etc. If anyone criticizes you for your personal engagement in the political process because you are a member or officer of your local PTA or MCCPTA ---- they are WAY off base.  You DO NOT forfeit your right to have opinions, and work for the candidates or issues you care about, just because you are also a member or officer of a 501(c)(3) organization.  The key is not trumpeting your involvement in MCCPTA/PTA as part of, or while you're engaged in, advocacy or support for a particular issue or candidate.

 

BUT - as 501(c)(3)s - MCCPTA and local PTAs can not support or endorse any political candidate. That means all of us - when wearing our MCCPTA or local PTA hats, or acting in our PTA capacity on behalf of MCCPTA or our local PTAs - are similarly constrained. And - as MCCPTA or your local PTA - you can not claim to support or endorse a particular issue unless the membership has voted to do so (and the position MCCPTA/your local PTA takes is not in opposition to an official issue stance taken by National PTA or Maryland PTA).

 

Also -- there is a big difference between an elected official, and a candidate for office.  In an election year, sometimes the one is also the other --- but your only concern is not endorsing or supporting a candidate for office.  So what if it is a Maryland election year, and all of the members of your General Assembly delegation (your senator and three delegates) and your county councilmember are running for re-election (or for another office) in competitive races?  And what if you have an issue about which your PTA would contact your senator and delegates or county councilmember - can you do that?  Of course --- they are still your elected voice in the General Assembly or on the County Council. 

 

Or what if there is an event to which your senator and delegates (or county councilmember etc.) are typically invited in their official capacity - can they be invited?  Probably so -- as long as it's clear that their presence is because of the office they hold, not the office they seek.  No campaigning of any type - even the passing out of campaign materials, should be permitted UNLESS all the other candidates for office are also invited to appear.

 

Here are the basics to keep in mind.

 

As a PTA or while acting as a PTA representative you can NOT:

• openly support a particular candidate
• encourage others to support a particular candidate
• host a PTA sponsored event to which you invite only one, or only a select few, candidates for office
• share information about only one candidate for a particular office

As a PTA or PTA representative you CAN (and hopefully you will):

• share candidate-neutral information about events and opportunities for your membership to learn about the candidates and issues
• host a 'meet the candidates' type event or forum AS LONG AS you invite all candidates for a given office
• post/share non-partisan resources for candidate/issue information -- i.e. the League of Women Voters "Voter Guide", a list of upcoming candidate debates and the like
• what's candidate-neutral?  Mere notice that an event is happening is neutral, but only sharing information about one candidate's events, or ANY political literature - not neutral

What does that all really mean?  Some examples:

• you (in your personal capacity) can go out and canvass for your chosen candidate for dog-catcher, but you really shouldn't do it wearing your "BestEver ES PTA" t-shirt
• you can host a 'meet and greet' for your dog-catcher candidate, but don't post an invitation to it on your PTA listserv, or announce it at your PTA meeting
• if your PTA invites one candidate for the "at-large" Board of Education seat to talk at a meeting, you have to invite them all (now, whether or not they accept -- that you can't control - you just have to issue the invitation equally and equitably)
• if you have information about a public all-candidate event -- say a local civic group is sponsoring a candidate forum for one of the congressional seats - you can share or post that information through your PTA communication resources
• notices about political fundraisers - those you should NOT circulate through PTA avenues

What do you do if a candidate contacts you -- as a representative of your PTA - and asks you to share information about them via your PTA resources?  It depends, a little bit.

• political candidate literature  --- even accompanied by a PTA disclaimer 'we do not endorse or support this message' - I wouldn't do it.
• mere notice of an event (no political literature)-- candidate X is having a townhall  - that's probably okay --- as long as you do it for everyone who asks, not just for one or a few.  I would also accompany that with a disclaimer.
• What if a candidate wants to come speak at a meeting --- vs. you inviting them --- that's a little trickier. It's up to your PTA Board - but if you allow it, you MUST make clear the PTA did not invite the candidate, the PTA neither endorses nor supports the candidate, and if you decide to let them appear --- if it were me -- I'd reach out to all the other candidates for the same office and invite them as well.  Cover your bases.

 

School Construction funding -- seems to be always on the agenda, the hardworking Appropriations Committee, and RIP Delegate James Proctor.

If your particular public education passion is school construction, here's an important chance for you to SPEAK!!!

 

SB271/HB722 - Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems With Significant Enrollment Growth or Relocatable Classrooms

This bill expands the amount of grant funds available under this program created last year, which MCCPTA advocacy was instrumental in passing!

 

Last year we were successful in our advocacy for the establishment of  this Capital Grant program because we spoke on behalf of ALL the school districts that could benefit, not just our own. The language of the bill makes 11 of Maryland's 24 school districts eligible to apply for this grant  at various times in the coming seven years- Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, Charles, St. Mary's, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester and Somerset counties due to growth, and Prince George's county based on the number of relocateables.

Here's a link to the General Assembly website bill page for SB271:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=sb0271&stab=01&ys=2016RS

The Senate bill is assigned to the Budget and Tax committee, and was heard on 2/10 - MCCPTA had a witness panel there to support the legislation.  Here's a link to the Budget and Tax committee membership -- each name is a hyperlink to their contact information.  Keep in mind, the bill is sponsored by Montgomery County Senator (and former MCCPTA president) Nancy King (D39), and the vice-chair of the B&T committee is MoCo Senator (and MCPS parent) Rich Madaleno (D18):

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=b%26t&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The House crossfile, HB722, is sponsored by D20 Delegate (and Ways and Means Committee Chair) Sheila Hixson. There's a link to the HB722 bill page on the SB271 bill page.  Hb722 is assigned to the Appropriations Committee, and is set for hearing on 2/23.  Here's a link to the membership of Appropriations, each name a hyperlink to the Delegate's contact information:

 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=app&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

 

Even after losing D14 Delegate Craig Zucker on Appropriations (because he was appointed to replace retiring D14 Senator Karen Montgomery, so is now Senator Zucker), Montgomery County still has four seats on that important committee, Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez (S18), Del. Marc Korman (D16), Del. Aruna Miller (D15) and new committee member Del. Kirill Reznik (D39).

 

The Appropriations committee works HARD.  They're the ones who take the lead on creating each year's budget, and all of us who care deeply about public education should be grateful to the hardworking delegates who serve there, and in particular the committee chair Maggie Macintosh - who is a HUGE friend to public education, and also seems to have a soft spot for Montgomery County.

 

One sad note though. Last summer we lost the long-serving co-chair of the Appropriations committee, Del. James Proctor of Prince George's County.  He was a stalwart champion of public education, and a true gentleman.  I know his voice, and concern for all of Maryland's public schools and public school students, is missed.

 

Public Safety - some important bills filed just this week

On just one day this past week, over 170 bills were filed ----- that's a lot of bills, in a session that has already seen more bills filed than is typical.  Several of the bills filed Wednesday relate to public safety. Here are three gun safety bills - prohibiting guns and other weapons on college campuses, preventing those convicted of domestic violence from possessing firearms,and expanding notice requirements when a gun license application is denied. 

Another bill -- increasing penalties for drunk driving and increasing the use of the Ignition Interlock technology (which prevents drunk drivers from starting their cars) - has a strong Montgomery County connection.  This bill is now named for Montgomery County police officer Noah Leotta, killed in the line by a drunk driver in December.  Noah's father is championing the advocacy effort to get the bill passed.

This isn't the first time bills to increase the penalties for drunk driving, and to increase utilization of Ignition Interlock technology, have been filed in Annapolis.  This is one of those times it seems it may take a tragedy to pass good public policy.

I'm going to lean on my street cred. as a former trauma nurse to opine just a bit here.  Cars are deadly weapons.  They are huge, heavy, and go fast.  No living creature has much of a chance against one, and there are almost no controls over who gets in one, and goes barreling off down public streets full of other living creatures.  Scraping up the pieces of a person assaulted by a car sucks, telling a parent their child is dead is unimaginably hard - and being that parent, I can't even imagine. Take it from me -- some things you NEVER get over.

It utterly eludes me that it is so difficult to get policy-makers to treat cars as the deadly weapons they are, and the damage wrought by them with the seriousness it deserves. Using technology that can prevent convicted drunk drivers from driving drunk is just common sense. Making penalties for drunk and impaired driving actual penalties - that makes sense too. MADD, SADD, police unions, public safety groups, doctors, nurses, any organization whose focus is child health and safety --- all should get behind this bill. At least, that's what I think.  Now, the bills themselves:

SB906/HB1102 – Weapon-Free Higher Education Zones -Senator Madaleno, Delegate Barnes

Synposis: The bill would amend the state’s Criminal Law statutes to prohibit the carrying or possession of firearms, knives, or deadly weapons on the property of public institutions of higher education.  The bill provides exceptions for law enforcement officers, retired or off-duty law enforcement officers authorized to carry a weapon, a person hired for the purpose of guarding the institution's property, a person engaged in organized shooting activity for educational purposes, and a person who has a written invitation from the president of the institution to engage in a historical demonstration.

Here is the link to the SB906 page on the General Assembly website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0906&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

SB906 is assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, and is set for hearing on 3/9.  Here is a link to the Judicial Proceedings committee membership – each name is a hyperlink to the senator’s contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=jpr&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The House crossfile, HB1102, is assigned to the House Appropriations committe, and as of 2/12 does not have an initial hearing date. Here is a link to the committee's membership, each name a hyperlink to the delegate's contact information: 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=app&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS 

SB943/HB1101 – Criminal Procedure - Firearms – Transfer - Sen. Raskin, Del. Will Smith

Synposis: This bill would prohibit individuals convicted of a crime of domestic violence from obtaining and/or possessing firearms. The bill provides a mechanism by which individuals convicted of domestic violence would legally dispose of or transfer any firearms in their possession. 

The full text of the bill can be found at:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0243&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

SB943 is assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, and is set for hearing on 3/9.  Here is a link to the Judicial Proceedings committee membership – each name is a hyperlink to the senator’s contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=jpr&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The House crossfile, HB1001, is assigned to the House Judiciary committee, and is set for hearing on 2/26. Here is a link to the committee's membership, each name a hyperlink to the delegate's contact information: 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=jud&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

 

SB944/HB1340 – Firearms - Applications - Notification and Reporting - Senator Raskin 

Synposis: The bill would amend the Public Safety Article by requiring the Secretary of State Police to provide notice to relevant agencies anytime an application for a gun license is denied because the applicant is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm, or because the applicant made false statements on the gun license application.  The bill would require notice of the license denial within 24 hours of the decision, unless a law enforcement investigation would be compromised.

Information about the bill and its progress can be found on it's General Assembly webpage:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0944&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

SB944 is assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, and is set for hearing on 3/9.  Here is a link to the Judicial Proceedings committee membership – each name is a hyperlink to the senator’s contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=jpr&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The House crossfile, HB1340, is assigned to the House Judiciary committee, and is set for hearing on 3/15. Here is a link to the committee's membership, each name a hyperlink to the delegate's contact information: 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=jud&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

SB945/HB1342 – Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016 (Noah's Law) -Sen. Raskin, Del. Kramer

Synposis: The bill would amend the Transportation Article by increasing the suspension periods for the driver's license of a person who is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.  The bill would require persons convicted of driving under the influence to participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program for a specified period of time.  The bill would require revocation of a driver’s license in the case of a conviction for vehicular homicide. Generally the bill expands the optional and mandatory use of Ignition Interlock technology.  That technology requires Breathalyzer analysis showing no blood alcohol content before a car's ignition can be engaged.  In other words, if the breath test reveals alcohol, the car won't start.

Here's a link to the bill's page on the General Assembly website at:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=sb0945&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

 

SB945 is assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, and is set for hearing on 3/10.  Here is a link to the Judicial Proceedings committee membership – each name is a hyperlink to the senator’s contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=jpr&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The House crossfile, HB1342, is assigned to the House Judiciary committee, and is set for hearing on 2/24. Here is a link to the committee's membership, each name a hyperlink to the delegate's contact information: 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=jud&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

 

Bills that might be of particular interest to students

There are some bills before the General Assembly this session that may be of particular interest to students.  I've already blogged about bills that could affect the ability to pay for college, but students care about more things than that!  Here are a some bills relating to issues as diverse as voting rights for Montgomery County's Student Member of the Board of Education, creation of an anonymous text-messaging system for students to use to report bullying, and protecting the First Amendment rights of student journalists.

HB 41 Anonymous two-way text messaging tip programs – sponsor Del. Arentz

This bill would amend the Safe Schools Reporting Act to expand the model policy developed by the State Board of Education for reporting bullying, investigating reports of bullying, and disciplining students who have violated school bullying policies. The bill would require local boards of education to create and publicize two-way anonymous text messaging programs for use by students and others involved in or witnessing bullying to anonymously report the incidents.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=hb0041&stab=01&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the House Ways and Means committee, and had an initial hearing on 1/28– no further action yet.  As of 2/11 there is no Senate cross-file.  Here is a link to the Ways and Means committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=w%26m&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

HB87 – Student Member of the Board (SMOB) Voting – Montgomery County Delegation

This is a Montgomery County local bill (meaning its provisions would apply only in Montgomery County) to extend the voting rights and Board participation of the Student Member of the Board of Education. Here is the contact information for all of the members of the Montgomery County Delegation:

http://www.montgomerycountydelegation.com/contact.html 

Here is a link to the HB87 bill page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0087&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the House Ways and Means committee, and had an initial hearing on 2/4.  No further action as of 2/11 - as of  that date there is no Senate cross-file.  Here is a link to the Ways and Means committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=w%26m&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

HB115/SB582 - Public School Robotics Club Grant Program -  sponsor Del. Reznik

The bill would create a grant program, administered by the State Dept. of Education, to support and expand robotics clubs in public schools.  The bill would require the governor to provide at least $500,000 to seed the program. 

Here’s a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0115&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the House Ways and Means committee, and had an initial hearing on 2/4, no further action as of 2/11. Here is a link to the Ways and Means committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=w%26m&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

SB582 is the Senate cross-file.  There is a hyperlink to the SB582 bill page on the HB115 bill page.  SB582 is assigned to the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee. The bill will be heard in EHEA on 2/24. Here is a link to the EHEA committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=ehe&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

HB708/SB781 – Maryland Seal of Biliteracy – Del. Gutierrez

A little bit of history. This bill is back after failing to get a vote in the House Ways and Means committee last year – even though it sailed through committee on the Senate side, and was unanimously approved in the Senate.

The bill establishes a Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Program to recognize public high school graduates, beginning with the graduating class of 2017, who have attained proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English. The purpose of the program is to promote linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in one or more languages in addition to English and to provide recognition of the attainment of those skills by affixing a Seal of Biliteracy to the student’s diploma or transcript at graduation. Participation in the program by a local school system is voluntary; however, if a local school system chooses to participate, an individual school may not opt out.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the General Assembly website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0708&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS 

The House version of the bill is assigned to the Ways and Means committee, and is set for initial hearing on 3/10.  Here is a link to the membership of Ways and Means – each name is a hyperlink to the delegate’s contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=w%26m&tab=subject7&ys=2016RS

There is a link to the Senate version of the bill on the HB708 bill page.  SB781 is assigned to the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee. The bill will be heard in EHEA on 2/24. Here is a link to the EHEA committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=ehe&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

SB764 – Student Journalists – Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press – Sen. Raskin

This bill – which would ensure student journalists enjoy the Constitutionally protected Freedoms of Speech and the Press, is sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin.  In his other life, Senator Raskin is a nationally recognized Constitutional Law scholar, and a professor of Constitutional Law at American University.  In other words, he knows the subject.

Here’s a link to the bill’s page on the General Assembly website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=sb0764&stab=01&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee, and set for hearing on 3/2. As of 2/11 there is no House crossfile. Here is a link to the EHEA committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=ehe&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

Things all of us should know during an election year!

It's an election year!!  Not a newsflash, I know.... but - hard to believe though it is - the Maryland polls open for the first time this election cycle in barely two months.

Yup - early voting for the primary begins on April 14.  Primary day itself is April 26.  Really, that means it will be here before you blink twice.

 

First things first.  Are you registered to vote? Not sure? Have you recently moved and don't know if you changed your address with the Board of Elections?

DID YOU KNOW that in Maryland, you can register to vote at age 16, and anyone who is age 18 as of November 8, 2016 (date of the General Election) can vote in the ENTIRE election cycle? That means as long as you are 18 as of Nov. 8, you can vote in the Primary election as well as the General Election.... but only if you register!!

 

Here's a link to the Board of Elections website --- you can check your voter registration status, find out your election districts, you can even register to vote online.  You have until April 8 to get registered and make sure your voter registration is up-to-date if you want to vote in the Primary:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections/index2.html

Bills that just might make paying for college easier --- or at least more predictable

There are a passle of bills surrounding the issue of paying for college circulating in the General Assembly this year.  Some have a pretty hefty pricetag --- like Delegate Haynes' Maryland Education Opportunity Act (which would waive community college tuition for degree or certificate seeking students who graduated from MD high schools or have GEDs) - so many predict a short life for this one --- but, hey, the bill specifies that the funding for the program would come out of gaming revenue ---and lots of us think more of that money should go into the Education Trust Fund anyway.

Others are just common sense --- like HB230 - Reduction in Financial Aid - Notification - and cost basically nothing. 

And one - Delegate Kaiser's local Montgomery County bill to create a Montgomery County Student Loan Financing Authority -- could be a serious game-changer.....with the potential to make paying for college, and repaying student debt, a much easier proposition for hard working Montgomery County residents -- like teachers, nurses, non-profit staffers, civil servants and so on.

Here's a look:

HB 18 – Maryland Education Opportunity Act – sponsor Del. Haynes

This bill would waive tuition for State residents who enroll at a community college as a candidate for a vocational certificate or an associate’s degree within two years after graduation from a MD high school or completion of a GED.  The bill also establishes a 50% community college tuition discount for State residents who do not have a high school diploma or GED and have been actively seeking employment but have been unemployed for at least six months.   

Funds for this program would come out of gaming revenues assigned to the Education Trust Fund.  The major challenge to this bill is the hefty price tag. Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website, you can read all the funding details in the fiscal note:

 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0018&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the House Appropriations committee, and had an initial hearing on 1/26 – no further action yet.  As of 2/9 there is no Senate cross-file.  Here is a link to the Appropriations committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information: 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=app&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

HB64 Community College Tuition Tax Credit – sponsor Del. Haynes

This bill creates a tax credit against the State income tax for 100% of eligible community college tuition and fees, not to exceed the tax liability imposed in the year.  The tax credit is limited to tuition and fees actually paid, not those covered by grants or loans.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0064&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the House Ways and Means committee, and had an initial hearing on 1/27– no further action yet.  As of 2/9 there is no Senate cross-file.  Here is a link to the Ways and Means committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=w%26m&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

HB 230 – Reduction in student financial aid – notice – Del. Ebersole

This bill would require colleges, universities etc. which reduce the amount of institutional financial aid to a student because the student received additional aid from the state or a 501(c)(3) to notifiy the financial aid provider of the reduction in institutional aid within 30 days.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=01&id=hb0230&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the Appropriations committee, and is set for initial hearing on 2/9.  As of 2/1 there is no Senate crossfile. Here is a link to the Appropriations committee membership – each name is a hyperlink to the committee member’s contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=app&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

HB 231 – Student financial aid - reduction prohibited – Del. Stein

The bill would prohibit financial aid awarded to a student by a public institution of higher education from being reduced by any other form of financial aid awarded to the student; and prohibit a public institution of higher education from considering private scholarships when assembling financial aid packages.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0231&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

The bill is assigned to the Appropriations committee, and had an initial hearing on 2/9.  Here is a link to the Appropriations committee membership – each name is a hyperlink to the committee member’s contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=app&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

There is a Senate crossfile – SB313. There is a hyperlink to the Senate bill page on the HB231 bill page.  SB313 is assigned to the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee, and is scheduled for an initial hearing on 2/10. Here is a link to the EHEA committee members – each name is a hyperlink to their contact information:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=cmtepage&stab=04&id=ehe&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

 

MC27-16 - Montgomery County local bill authorizing the creation of a student loan refinancing authority

This is Del. Kaiser's local bill, which would authorize the County Council to create the Montgomery County Student Loan Refinancing Authority. The purpose of the agency would be to finance post-secondary education for Montgomery County residents.

 

IMPORTANT - this bill would not create such an Authority, it would authorize the County Council to create a student loan refinancing authority by legislation.

 

Local bills are those having purely local (county) effect, but requiring General Assembly approval. Here's a link to the local bill information on the Delegation's website:

http://www.montgomerycountydelegation.com/MC27-16.html

As of 2/9, the bill hasn't yet been approved by the Montgomery County General Assembly delegation. If the delegation approves the bill, it will be assigned to House/Senate committees for hearing and consideration.