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.
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Last update: June 9, 2010
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 |
Funding preserved for FY 2011 at $4.4 million. |
Catholic Schools |
Helps increase scholarships for Catholic school students by offering businesses a state income tax credit in exchange for their donations to such programs. |
SUPPORT |
Passed full Senate 30-17; defeated in House Ways and Means Committee. Read the bishops' statement on the vote.
|
|
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
|
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. |
SUPPORT |
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. |
OPPOSE |
No votes in House or Senate committees. |
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. |
OPPOSE |
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. |
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. |
SUPPORT |
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. |
Area |
Legislation |
Summary |
Conference Position |
Status |
Employment |
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 |
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. |
Oppose cuts to programs that serve those most in need.
|
Funding for poverty programs remained largely intact. |
Public Safety |
Preventing convicted criminals from accessing weapons and requiring a handgun purchase permit. |
SUPPORT |
Defeated in House Judiciary Committee. |