legislative
This is where MHAMD supporters can find weekly updates from Annapolis when the Maryland General Assembly is in session. Scroll down for our 2012 weekly legislative updates!
You can also take advantage of various other legislative resources by clicking on the links to the left. From our comprehensive Advocacy Guide to our year-round policy alerts, MHAMD strives to bring you the most up-to-date information concerning mental health policy.
Questions? Concerns? Contact:
Dan Martin
Director of Public Policy
(410) 235-1178 ext. 208
____________________________________________
2012 Weekly Legislative Reports from Annapolis
January 30, 2012
Bill introductions have been slow but they are increasing daily. The majority of the Senate bills should be introduced by this Friday, February 3. Friday is the Senate bill introduction deadline, meaning Senate bills introduced after this date are referred to the Senate Rules Committee before being assigned to a standing committee. The legislative process is already multi-step, and the addition of one more hurdle is something legislators try to avoid. Traditionally, the day after a bill introduction date is marked by the influx of hundreds of new legislative proposals. The House bill introduction deadline is February 10.
Also this week, Governor O’Malley delivers the State of the State Address at noon on Wednesday, February 1.
Remember, the MHAMD 2012 Annual Legislative Reception is just over a week away! If you haven’t already, please register now.
Below is a list of bills MHAMD is focused on this week.
Bill Hearings
HB 103 MHAMD supports this bill to expand Medicaid coverage to independent foster care adolescents up to 26 years of age. [Tuesday, January 31 – 1pm – Health and Government Operations Committee]
SB 167 MHAMD supports this bill to repeal the termination date of the Qualifying Employees With Disabilities Tax Credit. [Wednesday, February 1 – 3pm – Budget and Taxation Committee]
HB 53 MHAMD supports this bill to provide a community college tuition waiver to disabled individuals for continuing education instruction designed to lead to employment, including life skills instruction. [Thursday, February 2 – 2pm – Ways and Means Committee]
SB 107 MHAMD supports this bill to expand the prohibition and penalties against using electronic communication to terrify, intimidate or harass. [Thursday, February 2 – 1pm – Judicial Proceedings Committee]
Further information about the material above is available on the Maryland General Assembly website at http://mlis.state.md.us/index.html
January 23, 2012
There is plenty on the agenda this week in Annapolis. MHAMD will join Health Secretary Dr. Josh Sharfstein and the Lorraine Sheehan Alcohol Tax Coalition at a press conference tomorrow for an announcement regarding the 2011 alcohol tax increase. We also expect an announcement sometime this week regarding The Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012. This legislation will continue to build on the health care reform progress Maryland has made over the past year.
Additionally, a number of our Mental Health Coalition partners are holding advocacy events in the coming days, including:
→ The Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health will hold its Children’s Mental Health Day in Annapolis on Tuesday, January 24.
→ Also on Tuesday, January 24 is the NAMI Maryland Advocacy Day in Annapolis.
→ The Maryland Disability Law Center and On Our Own of Maryland team up to bring you Action Annapolis 2012 on Wednesday, January 25.
Budget Update
MHAMD has been working to put in context the details of the Governor’s recently released budget for Fiscal Year 2013. Many questions remain, but we’ve tried to provide a preliminary overview of the big picture for mental health spending in Maryland over the next year. What follows is a snapshot of some key details.
→ The Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA) budget remains flat for FY 2013, despite a projected 7% increase in volume for the coming year.
Included in the proposed budget are:
- a 1% cost of living adjustment, amounting to $3 million in general fund expenditures
- $1.5 million to establish a health home pilot for individuals with significant behavioral health and medical conditions
- $1 million for a combined developmental disabilities and mental health housing initiative
- $500,000 to facilitate securing personal identification for homeless individuals
- $500,000 for a community forensic initiative
In order to facilitate the expected growth in the number of individuals seeking care, the FY 2013 MHA budget includes $30 million in cost containment measures apportioned as follows:
- $10 million inpatient utilization reduction (Medicaid) – this will be achieved through an increased focus on effective diversion strategies
- $4.25 million inpatient utilization reduction (purchase of care beds)
- $3.4 million reduction in psychiatric rehabilitation programming – to be achieved through further limitations in access for uninsured individuals
- $1.5 million reduction in psychiatric rehabilitation programs (services paid at the HSCRC rate)
- $3 million reduction in residential treatment center utilization
- $2.5 million in savings through fraud and abuse identification
- $4.4. million in savings through privatization of 48 ALU beds at Spring Grove Hospital Center and 40 ALU beds at Springfield Hospital Center
- $1 million in IMD pilot savings
Bill introductions have been slow so far but they will surely increase as we inch closer to the Senate and House introduction deadlines. Nevertheless, several bills have caught our attention. Below is a list of bills MHAMD is focused on this week. A complete list is attached.
Bill Hearings
HB 70 MHAMD opposes this bill requiring the State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors, in certain situations, to require an applicant or licensee to submit to a competency examination. This is the House version of a bill MHAMD opposed last week in the Senate. [Thursday, January 26 – 1:30pm – Health and Government Operations Committee]
SB 72 MHAMD will monitor this bill proposing the addition of several categories of providers/professionals to the list of individuals permitted to make recommendations to which a minor can consent regarding medical treatment in emergency situations.
[Thursday, January 26 – 2pm – Finance Committee]
Further information about the material above is available on the Maryland General Assembly website at http://mlis.state.md.us/index.html
January 16, 2012
Today marks the beginning of the first full week of the 2012 legislative session. The 430th Maryland General Assembly convened last Wednesday and adjourns in early April. Over the next 90 days, the legislature will debate and act on well over 2,000 bills. MHAMD and its supporters must remain vigilant and prepared to act on behalf of our fellow Marylanders living with mental illness. On the agenda this week:
→ The Governor introduces his budget bill for the next fiscal year this Wednesday, January 18. The budget must be balanced and the legislature cannot add to it. It can, however, make cuts. The legislature cut $77 million from the Governor’s FY 2012 proposal.
→ On Wednesday, January 18 the House Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources will receive an update on health care reform efforts currently underway. (1:00 pm)
Bill Hearings
HB 34 MHAMD opposes this bill authorizing a court to hold a new hearing to receive additional evidence and testimony on a recommendation as to whether a person previously found not criminally responsible is eligible for discharge or conditional release from commitment [Tuesday, January 17 – 1pm – Judiciary Committee]
SB 14 MHAMD opposes this bill requiring the State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors, in certain situations, to require an applicant or licensee to submit to a competency examination. [Tuesday, January 17 – 1pm – Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee]
Further information about the material above is available on the Maryland General Assembly website at http://mlis.state.md.us/index.html