2010 Session Sponsored Bills
HB1302 - Health Occupations - Dental Hygienists - Practice in Long-Term Care Facilities - PASSED!
As a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee, I have listened to thousands of hours of testimony and briefings on health care policy. This has given me a chance to stand up for consumers on a wide array of health insurance and medical issues. For years my grandparents lived in a long term care facility and I would take turns with other relatives to chauffeur them to doctor's appointments, this became increasingly difficult as their health failed. This prompted me to look at ways to integrate access to onsite services at long term care facilities. So this year we passed HB1302 - Health Occupations - Dental Hygienists - Practice in Long-Term Care Facilities which will allow dental hygienists to work independently, within their scope of practice, in long term care facilities and nursing homes. Emerging evidence suggests that oral infections lead to a greater risk for other health complications in the body, including heart disease, diabetes, even pneumonia. I believe this will improve the quality of life for thousands of aging Marylanders by expanding their access to an important opportunity to prevent, identify, and treat oral health issues.
2010 Co-Sponsored Bills, Highlights
- HB163 - Taxpayers' Bill of Rights
- HB265 - Criminal Law - Abuse or Neglect of Animal - Increased Penalties
- HB289 - Correctional Services - Child Sexual Offenders - Diminution Credits - PASSED!
- HB344 - Maryland Open Government Act
- HB359 - Procurement - Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise Participation - PASSED!
- HB435 - Health Insurance - Reimbursement of Primary Care Providers for After Hours Care - Bonus Payments - PASSED!
- HB659 - Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act (Loretta's Law) - PASSED!
- HB778 - Crimes - Unauthorized Computer Access for Sabotage of State Government, Public Utilities, or Other Energy Infrastructure - PASSED!
- HB849 - Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Home- and Community-Based Services Waiver - Denial of Access Prohibited - PASSED!
- HB870 - State Board of Physicians - Offices or Facilities for Performing Cosmetic Surgical Procedures - PASSED!
- HB910 - State Government - Commemorative Days - Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services Workers - PASSED!
- HB929 - Patient Centered Medical Home Program - PASSED!
- HB1042 - State Government - Disclosure of Personal Information on Websites - Prohibition - PASSED!
- HB1156 - Victims' Rights - Fatal Vehicular Accident - Suspension of License - PASSED!
- HB1335 - Mental Health - Local Correctional Facilities - Incarcerated Individuals with Mental Illness - PASSED!
- HB1353 - Veterans Affairs - Military Health Care Provider Transition Plan - PASSED!
- HB1380 - County Boards of Education - Green Product Cleaning Supplies - Written Policies
- HB1430 - Student Health and Fitness Act
- HB1493 - Election Law - Voting by Registered Offenders at Polling Places - Prohibition
2009 Session Sponsored Bills
HB503 - Maryland Commission on Autism - PASSED!
There is another important public health bill that I am very proud to have sponsored, which passed. HB503 will create a Maryland Commission on Autism. This "blue ribbon" group of stake holders will evaluate the services we provide for kids and adults with autism as well as create a statewide plan to improve these services. The best science suggests that 1 in 150 children born in Maryland develop an autism spectrum disorder, but there is no consensus on what causes it or how to treat it.
HB1363 - Green and Healthy Cleaning in Public Schools - PASSED!
There were two other bills that I sponsored which passed. HB1363 will require all public schools to buy "green" cleaning supplies. This makes Maryland the third state in the nation to create a statewide preference for healthier cleaning products in schools that contain environmentally friendly ingredients.
HB1573 - Soda Fountain Tax Repeal - PASSED!
This bill repeals a law that has been on the book since 1916. This law allowed the state to charge a licensing fee for "old-fashioned" soda fountains. These fees became obsolete when soda fountain operations evolved into restaurants. But last month, the Comptroller of Maryland sent out a mandate that the fee be reincarnated and charged "every soda delivery device." This would have cost restaurants, convenience stores bowling alleys, movie theatres, and any establishment with sodas tens-of-millions of dollars each year. HB1573 repealed this antiquated law and stopped thousands of small businesses from being "nickel and dimed."
2009 Co-Sponsored Bills, Highlights
- HB7 - State Procurement - U.S. Flags Made in the U.S.A. - PASSED!
- HB20 - Rosa's Law - Intellectual Disability to Replace Mental Retardation - PASSED!
- HB85 - College Textbook Affordability Act of 2009 - PASSED!
- HB405 - Breast Cancer Screening - PASSED!
- HB275 - Historic Freetown Renovation - PASSED!
- HB674 - Health Insurance - Small Group Market Regulation - Modifications - PASSED!
- HB739 - Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Substance Abuse Services - PASSED!
Continue to the bills from 2008.

