Increase Funding for Adult Education and Literacy Services

HB 978 / SB 647

The National Adult Literacy survey reports that nearly 20% of Marylanders function at the lowest literacy level, reading at less than a fourth grade level. Only 4% of the target population in Maryland receives adult education and literacy services each year, while nearly 5,000 adults sit on long waiting lists. The proposed legislation would increase Maryland’s investment in adult education and literacy services by $19 million over the next five years.

Bill failed after never being brought up for a committee vote.

Flexible Leave Act

HB 40 / SB 344

Managing work and care for young or elderly family members is a fact of life for most Marylanders. Nationally, of workers with paid sick days, less than one in three can use their leave when their child gets sick. The proposed Flexible Leave Act would enable workers to use their already accrued sick leave to care for an ill child, parent, or spouse.

The Flexible Leave Act passed the Maryland General Assembly.

Expungement - Nuisance Crimes

HB 685 / SB 695

Possession of a criminal record is one of the biggest barriers to employment ex-offenders face when they return to the community. In Maryland, convictions of any kind cannot be expunged from a person’s criminal history record. The proposed legislation would allow convictions for minor, non-violent offenses to be expunged from public record – but not internal police files – after a certain period of time.

Expungement of Nuisance Crimes passed the Maryland General Assembly.

Unemployment Insurance for Part-Time Workers

HB 627 / SB 328

Maryland’s economy could not function without the state’s nearly 500,000 part-time workers. Although these workers pay into the unemployment insurance system, they are ineligible to receive benefits if they lose their job. The proposed legislation would make part-time workers eligible if they meet other criteria.

SB 328 passed the Senate but the House Economic Matters was deadlocked 10-10 leaving the bill with an unfavorable report.

Unemployment Insurance - Benefit Increase

HB 1580

Unemployment insurance is a critical safety net for workers forced to leave their jobs involuntarily. In Maryland, unfortunately, the unemployment insurance system gives only minimal support to workers facing this sudden hardship. The proposed legislation would increase unemployment insurance benefits so that workers are able to pay their bills while seeking employment.

Bill failed after never being brought up for a committee vote.

Ex-Offenders - Certificate of Relief from Disabilities

HB 1123 / SB 698

In Maryland, nearly 60 occupations list a license, certification, or registration as a prerequisite to employment. Some of these licensing methods automatically bar an individual from receiving a license if they have a past conviction. The proposed legislation would enable ex-offenders to earn certificates of relief from disabilities, which would serve as evidence that they are rehabilitated and therefore able to apply for the license. The individual would still be required to list their complete conviction history on employment applications, and employers would still be legally permitted to refuse employment if the conviction is job-related.

Bill failed after receiving an unfavorable committee report.

Job Training for Inmates

HB 744

Each year approximately 15,000 inmates return from prison to communities across Maryland. By investing in transitional services in prison, we can help ensure these Marylanders find legitimate work, contribute to the economy, and turn their lives around. The proposed legislation would support additional job training programs for inmates.

House Bill 744 passed the Maryland General Assembly unanimously.

The Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF) is the insurer of last resort for about 70,000 residents who cannot get insurance elsewhere. By law, MAIF is not allowed to offer installment billing to its policyholders like other insurance companies do. 96% of MAIF’s policyholders cannot pay their premium in full (typically about $1,750) and therefore are forced to turn to premium finance companies, which charge an interest rate of 25-30%. The proposed legislation would enable MAIF to offer installment billing and therefore help policyholders avoid predatory lending practices.

Senate Bill 603 passed second reader but never made it any further on the Senate floor. The House crossfile received a favorable with amendments committee report but never made it to second reader on the House floor. Both bills failed.