The Senate and House acted on the urgent issues resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. SB1080 addresses the inevitable hardships caused by this frightening pandemic. We prohibited price gouging on essential items like food, water, and medication. We protected quarantined employees facing termination. These measures and several others build on emergency legislation that allocated $50 million to cover some of the costs associated with this public health emergency. [Read on for more resources.]

 

In this abbreviated session, legislators were primarily focused on their key priorities. For me, this meant continuing to enact laws to upgrade Maryland’s 9-1-1 emergency response systems.

 

As Chair of the NG911 Commission, I have spent years collaborating with experts to upgrade us to “Next Generation 9-1-1.” Last year, we enacted three laws that earned national recognition for their comprehensive attention to funding, staffing, cybersecurity, and oversight. I’m delighted to report that we passed most of this year’s agenda. Some of what we accomplished includes:

 

You can learn more about my Omnibus 9-1-1 legislation from a recent interview on Maryland Public Television’s “State Circle.”

 

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• Shutting down all public schools from March 16-27, during which time they will be cleaned and sanitized;
• Closing restaurants, bars, movie theaters, gyms, etc. on March 16 (carry-out food is still permitted);
• Postponing the April 28 Primary Election to June 2; (You can request your absentee ballot online now!);
• Advising hospitals to adopt procedures that limit visitors;
• Giving licensed health professionals from another state the authority to practice in Maryland;
• Prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people;
• Mandating that non-essential State employees telework; 
• Forcing all phone, cable, and other utility companies to waive late fees;
• Forbidding the eviction of renters during the quarantine;
• Using Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program sites for drive-thru testing when kits become available;
• Reducing public transit schedules and applying cashless tolling;
• Limiting cruise ship operations at the Port of Baltimore;
• Activating the National Guard to carry out necessary emergency functions;
• Ceasing all visitation at correctional facilities; and
• Continuing to operate under a State of Emergency. 

 

 

With COVID-19 dominating the news, we’ve heard a great deal about “telehealth.” This system uses technology to provide medical care while protecting both providers and patients from possible exposure. My emergency bill, SB402, which passed in the final hours of the legislative session, creates a framework for telehealth across the state. It authorizes and expands this option that’s especially valuable for those in rural and underserved areas. It eliminates the need to find child care, transportation, or take time off from a job paying hourly wages. Most urgent now, telehealth will expand access to care during our current time of need.

In the midst of this public health crisis, we have both a Primary and General Election rapidly approaching. It is clear that traditional polling places are not a safe option at this time. To keep voters safe, Maryland’s primary election has been postponed until June. (The special election that will choose a successor for my friend Congressman Elijah Cummings will be conducted by mail in April.) I was thrilled that my bill to mandate postage-paid absentee ballots was incorporated into another election bill and passed unanimously in the Senate. Assuming that the Governor signs this Emergency Bill, voters will be able to cast their ballots at no cost and without having to leave their homes.

 

The 2020 Census questionnaire is now available online. It only takes 10 minutes to respond to the Census, and the results are tied to representation and the allocation of resource for the next ten years. PLEASE complete the form by April 1 to ensure that we are accurately counted and properly represented.

Like many of you, my staff and I will be teleworking in the upcoming weeks. You can stay connected by following me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for photos and posts. Please check my website for information about internships, Senatorial Scholarships, and updates on the Coronavirus. And, you can send questions or comments to me via email.