Delegate Kipke Sponsors and Co-Sponsors legislation that is important to him and our community. Below are highlights of the upcoming and previous legislative sessions. Please email if you have an idea for possible legislation or would like more information.

2009 Session Sponsored Bills

HB503 - Maryland Commission on Autism - PASSED!

HB503 bill signing

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 HB1573 repealed this antiquated law and stopped thousands of small businesses from being "nickel and dimed."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

2008 Session Sponsored Bills

HB64 - Fallen Soldier Privacy Protection Act – PASSED!

Some very shameful companies are using the names of fallen military men and women for profit. They include the names of these American Heroes on shirts that are sold for profit. Delegate Kipke believes this should be prohibited without the consent of the fallen soldiers family or legal representative.

HB343 - Pharmacy Benefit Managers – Therapeutic Interchanges – PASSED!

When the Governor signs this bill, it will lower the price of prescription drugs. Marylanders buy billions of dollars of pharmaceutical prescription drugs and unfortunately, when generic drugs become available often consumers do not have access to them. My bill will encourage the availability of generic drugs when appropriate. This bill will save Maryland consumers millions each year.

Another important requirement of HB343 is related to the use of Mail-order Pharmacies. In an effort to save money, the use of Mail-order Pharmacies has become very common, especially for long-term maintenance drugs like those for high cholesterol or diabetes. My bill will require that if your prescription plan changes the brand name drug that you are using to another brand name drug, you will now have the right to receive a free refill at a local pharmacy so that you do not have an interruption in your therapy.

HB1369 - Vehicle Laws – Uninsured Motorist – Waiver of Right to Noneconomic Damages – Interim Study!

It is illegal to drive a car in Maryland without car insurance, however thousands drive illegally every day. Many of these lawbreakers will sue an insured motorist if they get into an accident for “non-economic” damages like pain, depression, and “suffering.” These settlements are often many hundreds of thousands of dollars, even millions! This bill when passed, with save Marylanders millions each year by waiving the right for the lawbreakers to sue an insured motorist for “non-economic” damages.

2008 Co-Sponsored Bills, Highlights

Other Sponsored Bills That Did Not Pass in 2008

Continue to the bills from 2007.