Email: Anne.Healey@house.state.md.us, delegatehealey@gmail.com
Phone: 301-858-3961 and 301-779-4515
Dear Neighbors,
The end of the 2022 legislative session came earlier this week with what felt like our first real Sine Die in a long time. The weather was great, and State Circle was filled with Delegates, Senators, state leaders, staff, and friends celebrating a long, productive session.
I'm so proud of the work we accomplished in the House of Delegates. We passed the biggest climate bill in the last decade, which will put Maryland at the forefront nationally in addressing climate change. We banned ghost guns from our state, banned the inhumane practice of declawing cats, enacted a gas tax holiday, and passed a budget that included $800 million for education, $50 million to help families afford childcare, a $150 million increase for crime prevention and $10 million to finally launch paid family leave. We reformed the Juvenile Justice program, put a referendum for legalized cannabis on the 2022 ballot, and made Juneteenth a state holiday.
These are all incredible accomplishments and with your help, we achieved it in 90 days, setting the tone for a much-improved Maryland in 2022. It was so great to finally host community members and advocates in the capital as we continue to recover from the pandemic. I'm so excited to be back in the district with you all and have a chance to see you in person again. It's going to be a great spring and summer, I'll see you soon!
The General Assembly
Environment and Climate
SB528
Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022
As amended by the House, this landmark legislation strengthens Maryland’s commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change by setting these achievable goals and many more:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2006 levels by 2031, which is 20% greater than requirements under current law.
Achieve net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Require the MDE, in coordination with the Commission on Environmental Justice to address issues of climate equity for communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
Require MDE to develop building energy performance standards to achieve a 20% reduction in net direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero direct by 2040.
Promote the expansion of electric school buses.
Require 100% of the passenger car state vehicle fleet to be Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by 2031 and other light-duty vehicles to be ZEVs by 2036.
Family Care
SB275
Time to Care Act of 2022
This bill gives Marylanders 12 weeks of partially paid family leave each year to care for themselves or a loved one after a serious health issue and up to 24 weeks of paid leave for new parents.
Ghost Guns
SB387
Public Safety - Untraceable Firearms
This bill bans untraceable and unregistered guns, also known as ghost guns.
Marijuana
HB1
Constitutional Amendment - Cannabis - Adult Use and Possession
This constitutional amendment would legalize that on or after July 1, 2023, an individual in the state who is at least 21 years old may use and possess cannabis. It won't become law unless the voters approve it on the ballot in November's General Election.
Juvenile Law
SB0053
Juvenile Law - Child Interrogation Protection Act
This bill requires a parent, guardian, or custodian to be notified when a child is taken into custody or charged with a criminal violation.
It also requires the notice to include the child's location, the reason for the custody action or charge, and instructions on how to make in-person contact.
It prohibits the interrogation of a child until the child has consulted with an attorney.
My Co-Sponsored Bills
Mental Health
HB293
Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services - 9-8-8 Trust Fund
This bill establishes the "9-8-8 Trust Fund" to provide reimbursement for costs associated with designating and maintaining 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.
It also requires the Maryland Department of Health to designate 9-8-8 as the primary phone number for the State's behavioral health crisis hotline.
Environment
HB133
Safer Sealant Act of 2022
This bill bans a person from supplying, selling, or using a high-PAH sealant product for application to a driveway or parking area.
A high-PAH is considered a sealant product containing more than 0.100% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by weight.
Membership
HB75
Maryland Agricultural Commission - Hemp Industry Member
This bill increases the number of members of the Maryland Agricultural Commission from 29 to 30 and requires the Governor to appoint one member from a list of at least two nominees representing the hemp industry.
Law
HB559
Probation Before Judgment - Probation Agreements - Probation Not Deportation
This bill allows a court to put a defendant on probation before judgment if the court finds facts that may result in a guilty verdict.
Animals
HB16
Crimes - Unattended Dogs - Extreme Weather Conditions and Heat
This bill criminalizes leaving a dog outside and unattended for longer than 30 minutes without access to continuous suitable shelter or suitable shade during extreme weather conditions or temperatures.
"Extreme weather conditions" are defined as temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or during an active weather warning.
This bill makes a violation a civil offense and penalties range from a warning for a first violation to a fine of up to $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
Russia
HB1482
State Retirement and Pension System - Divestment From Russia
This emergency bill requires the Board of Trustees for the State Retirement and Pension System to review investment holdings in eligible accounts to determine the extent to which these funds are invested in Russia-restricted investments.
It also requires the Board of Trustees to act in good faith in taking certain actions in a certain manner in regards to investments.
My Bills
The bills below have passed both chambers and await signature from the Governor.
HB0038
Maryland Transportation Authority -
Video Tolls - Collection
After numerous issues with the EZ Pass system in the last several years, we passed multiple bills to aid consumers including this bill, which authorizes the MTA to recall certain delinquent accounts from the Central Collection Unit and waive unpaid tolls and associated penalties. It prohibits the CCU from collecting a delinquent account that is recalled by the MTA.
HB615
Real Property - Condominiums and Homeowners Associations - Dispute Settlement
This bill changes how disputes are handled between HOA or condo associations and
Women's Caucus Celebrates 50th Anniversary
I was proud to serve as the President of the Women's Caucus this year. We have more women legislators in Maryland now than ever before and we celebrated our 'first in the nation' status with our 50th anniversary this year. We commemorated our 50th anniversary with a professionally-produced video that shows so much of the history and how we've persevered to make it to this point. It also highlights so many of the incredible women who came before us and paved a path through so much adversity. To check out the video, click here.