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Legislative Session Update

2010 Session Update


The 2010 Maryland General Assembly ended Monday, April 12. Check the chart below to learn where the Church stands on legislation and what happened with key bills.

NEW! - 2010 Legislative Outcomes document - in-depth list of every bill the Conference worked on in 2010 and what its outcome was.

2010 Legislative Session Wrap Up - Learn more!

Bishops' statement on BOAST Tax Credit vote.

Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to get the latest updates and to stay in touch with elected officials!

Last update: June 9, 2010

Education and Family Life

Area

Legislation

Summary

Conference Position

Status

Catholic Schools

Nonpublic School Textbooks Program (budget item)

Program funds nonreligious textbooks and computer hardware and software for more than 93,000 students at more than 350 nonpublic schools.

SUPPORT full funding at $4.4 million

(Testimony)

Funding preserved for FY 2011 at $4.4 million.

Catholic Schools

SB 385/HB 946 - BOAST Maryland Tax Credit

Helps increase scholarships for Catholic school students by offering businesses a state income tax credit in exchange for their donations to such programs.

(Learn more)

(Issue Sheet)

(Governor's letter)

SUPPORT

(Abp. O'Brien's testimony)

Passed full Senate 30-17; defeated in House Ways and Means Committee.

Read the bishops' statement on the vote.

See how the committee voted.

Child Protection

SB 61 - Criminal History Records Checks

Extend criminal background check requirements to additional entities serving children, including private recreational centers and programs.

SUPPORT

(Testimony)

Passed Senate 43-0, passed House 139-0; awaiting governor's signature.

Marriage

HB 90/SB 852 - Same Sex Marriages - Foreign Jurisdictions - Invalidity

Upholds MD's marriage statute by explicitly declining to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

(Learn more)

(Issue Sheet)

(Bishops' statement)

SUPPORT

(Testimony)

HB 90 defeated in House Judiciary Committee; SB 852 did not receive committee vote.

Marriage

SB 582/HB 808 - "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act"

Redefines marriage to include same-sex couples.

(Learn more)

(Issue Sheet)

OPPOSE

(Testimony)

No votes in House or Senate committees.

Respect for Life

Area

Legislation

Summary

Conference Position

Status

Abortion

SB 250 - Medical Procedures - Ultrasound Options

Assures that women have the choice of viewing an ultrasound before an abortion.

SUPPORT

Defeated in committee on February 25.

Death Penalty

SB 404 "Criminal Law Death Penalty Evidence"

Diminishes the strict evidence requirements passed in 2009 for death penalty cases by expanding eligible evidence to include fingerprints or photographs.

(Issue Sheet)

OPPOSE

(Testimony)

Defeated in committee on March 19.

Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell Research Fund (budget item)

Provides $12.4 million - level funding - for both embryonic and adult stem cell research.

Direct all funds to ethical, proven stem cell research.

(Testimony)

Funded at about $10 million for FY 2011.

Stem Cell Research

HB 371 - "Stem Cell Research Sickle Cell Disease Funding"

Dedicates 5% of the MD Stem Cell Research Fund annually to adult stem cell research for sickle cell disease.

(Issue Sheet)

SUPPORT

(Testimony)

Withdrawn by the sponsor.

Stem Cell Research

SB 628 - MD Stem Cell Research Fund Annual Report Requirements

Requires annual report on projects funded through the MD Stem Cell Research Fund to include information about the number of patients treated.

SUPPORT

Passed Senate 47-0; did not receive a vote by House committee.

Social Concerns

Area

Legislation

Summary

Conference Position

Status

Employment

HB 175/SB 312 - Limitations on Credit Checks by Employers

Prevents employers from checking an applicant or employee's credit unless it relates directly to their job.

SUPPORT

Defeated in both House and Senate committees.

Housing

SB 243 - "Housing Discrimination Based on Source of Income Prohibitions"

Prohibits landlords from discriminating against potential tenants based on their lawful source of income (housing vouchers, child support, etc).

SUPPORT

Defeated in committee on March 4.

Housing

SB 971/HB 1255 - Public Service Companies Alternative Payment Agreements

Requiring that utilities offer an alternative payment plan to customers at risk of service termination because of a hardship, provided they can show a hardship.

SUPPORT

(Testimony)

Did not receive House or Senate committee votes, but utilities expected to implement some form of plan without legislation.

Poverty

Social Service Programs - budget items

FY 2011 funding for social service programs that serve the poor and most vulnerable in Maryland.

(Issue Sheet)

Oppose cuts to programs that serve those most in need.

Funding for poverty programs remained largely intact.

Public Safety

HB 820/SB 645 - Firearm Safety Act of 2010

Preventing convicted criminals from accessing weapons and requiring a handgun purchase permit.

SUPPORT

(Testimony)

Defeated in House Judiciary Committee.

The Maryland Catholic Conference
10 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
410.269.1155 / 301.261.1979
410.269.1790 (fax)
info@mdcathcon.org
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