We made it to the end of Maryland’s legislative session! Many of the bills that 1199 supported passed the state legislature and will soon be signed by Governor Wes Moore:

Fair Wage Act: (HB549/SB555) raises the state’s minimum wage to $15/hour by Jan. 1, 2024

Income Tax: Union Dues (HB 2) allows union dues to be tax deductible

Bridging Ownership and Quality in Nursing Homes: (HB 702/SB 509) protects quality of care and regulates the actions of entities acquiring nursing homes 

Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Upper Payment Limits: (HB 279/SB 202) allows the Board to put price caps on certain drugs

Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Modifications: (HB988/SB 828) will ensure that paid leave implemented equitably

Family Prosperity Act: expands the eligibility criteria for the child and dependent care tax credit

Hospital Reimbursement for Patient Medical Bills: (HB 333/SB 404) will reimburse hospital patients who qualified for free healthcare but were wrongly billed

Trans Health Equity Act: (HB 283/SB 460) will allow Medicaid to cover gender-affirming care

A package of Cannabis Reform bills passed:

1. (HB556/SB516) will democratize the licensing approval process

2. (HB980) provides that solely testing positive for cannabis use will not impact parole, probation, or pre-trial release 

3. (HB232/SB653) provides that cannabis use by a parent does not qualify as neglect

4. (HB1071/SB51) provides that the odor of cannabis alone is not grounds for a search and reduces the fine for public smoking from $250 to $50 for a first offense

A Reproductive Freedom package also passed: 

1. (HB 477/SB 341) will ensure that emergency contraception is available at public universities 

2. (HB 812/SB 786) will protect the personal data of individuals seeking reproductive health services in Maryland 

3. (HB 808/SB 859) will protect patients, providers, and individuals associated with support networks from legal prosecution out of state 

4. (HB 705/SB 789) will create a ballot question allowing us to vote on protecting the right to use contraception and to continue or terminate pregnancy