3/3/2015 – JOTF Policy Update

Lawmakers need to hear from you!

Votes on several JOTF priorities are quickly approaching in the Senate Judicial Proceedings and House Judiciary Committees. Please take a minute to call committee members and let them know you support the following measures:

SB 526 / HB 244 – Maryland Second Chance Act of 2015
SB 651 / HB 124 – Expungement of a conviction that is no longer a crime
SB 652 / HB 304 – Repeal of the law that prohibits expungement of a non-conviction if a person receives a subsequent conviction
HB 904 – Immediate expungement of certain non-convictions without petition or fee

For more information, contact Caryn Aslan at 443-692-9424.

JOTF Legislative Priorities

Bill	Summary	Status	Resources
Healthy Working Families Act SB 40 HB 385	Everyone gets sick and everyone deserves time to recover without risking their economic stability, yet 41 percent of American workers are unable to earn paid sick days.In Maryland, more than 700,000 of our neighbors are forced to make impossible choices:Go to work sick, send an ill child to school or daycare, or stay home and sacrifice much-needed income or, worse, risk job loss.The Working Matters Coalition, of which JOTF is a founding member, supports legislation that would enable workers to earn a limited number of annual paid sick and safe days from their employer.	SB 40 is awaiting a vote in the Senate  Finance Committee.HB 385 is awaiting a vote in the House  Economic Matters Committee.	Fact Sheet Working Matters Coalition
Maryland Second Chance Act of 2015 HB 244 SB 526	Jobs are the key to our economic recovery, and the ability to secure a job is crucial to the successful reentry of those returning to society from prison. Research shows that recidivism risks are highest in the first 3-5 years following incarceration.Given that recidivism declines steadily over time, the proposed legislation would make certain nonviolent misdemeanor convictions eligible for shielding with the filing a petition after a waiting period. Law enforcement will continue to have access to the shielded records.	HB 244 is awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary Committee.SB 526 is awaiting a vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.	Fact SheetTo provide oral or written testimony, please contact Caryn Aslan
Criminal Records Expungement – Non -Convictions  HB 304 SB 652	Employers often refuse to hire applicants with criminal records, even if the person was never convicted. Maryland law prohibits the expungement of non-convictions if a person is subsequently convicted of any crime, no matter how minor.JOTF believes that Marylanders should not be penalized for offenses for which they were never convicted.  JOTF supports legislation that would repeal the subsequent conviction rule.	HB 304 is awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary Committee.SB 652 is awaiting a vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.	Fact SheetTo provide oral or written testimony, please contact Caryn Aslan.
Criminal  Procedure —  Expungement of Court and Police Records —  Acquittal or Dismissal HB 904	Maryland’s existing laws require a formal petition process and fee to expunge eligible criminal records. This process is cumbersome and presents significant barriers for job seekers.This bill would authorize the automatic expungement of court and police records related to charges that result in a dismissal or acquittal.	HB 904 is awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary Committee.	“Expungement should be automatic” video
Criminal Procedure-  Expungement – Conviction of a Crime that is No Longer a CrimeSB 651 HB 124	This legislation would allow a person to petition for expungement of criminal records for crimes that are no longer considered illegal.	SB 651 received a favorable report from the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.HB 124 is awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary Committee.
Motor Vehicle Insurance – Discrimination in Underwriting and Rating – Prohibitions SB 749	Mobility is a important for working families, yet the insurance industry practices of setting rates based on factors unrelated to driving performance mean certain Marylanders pay more for insurance than others.SB 749 would prevent auto insurers from using factors including credit history, education, martial status and occupation to set insurance rates.	SB 749 will be heard at 1 p.m. on March 17 in the Senate Finance Committee.

*During the 2015 state legislative session, JOTF will also closely monitor the budget process and be prepared to act should harmful cuts arise in the areas of post-secondary access, adult education, and workforce development.

JOTF Legislative Watch List

Bills featured in the watch list are tracked by our policy experts, but their appearance here does not necessarily indicate JOTF support.

Bill	Summary	Sponsor	Status
Baltimore City Community College – Tuition Waivers:  Graduates of Baltimore City Public High SchoolsSB 131	SB 131 would exempt eligible Baltimore City public high school graduates from tuition payments at Baltimore City Community College.	Sen. Gladden	SB 131 is awaiting a vote in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
University System of Maryland Pay It Forward Pilot Program and Tuition Freeze – StudiesHB 57 SB 237	This legislation would require the University System of Maryland Board of Regents study the creation of Pay It Forward tuition programs which create payment plans based on a percentage of a graduate’s salary after graduation.JOTF believes this model may ultimately make college less affordable for low-income populations who currently rely on financial aid.	Del. Reznik Sen. Madaleno	HB 57 is awaiting a vote in the House Appropriations CommitteeSB 237 is awaiting a vote in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
Human Services – No Wrong Door Pilot ProgramHB 66	This legislation will establish a program to ensure low-income Marylanders have access to services to sustain themselves and their families.It aims to close gaps in services, increase access to state resources, provide more access for under-served populations and foster better coordination between public and private service providers.	Del. Rosenberg	HB 66 is awaiting a vote in the House Appropriations Committee
Maryland Wage & Hour Law – State Minimum Wage – IncreaseHB 4	The legislation would increase the state minimum wage to $10.10 hour beginning July 1, 2015.	Del. Glenn	HB 4 is awaiting a vote in the House Economic Matters Committee.
State Minimum Wage Rate – Exceptions – Social Service Nonprofit OrganizationsSB 3	This bill would authorize nonprofit organizations that provide social services and have a budget less than $250,000 to pay 85 percent of the state minimum wage.	Sen. Getty	SB 3 is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee
Criminal Procedure – Shielding – Misdemeanor ConvictionsSB 130	This legislation would allow Marylanders to request that certain court and police records for certain misdemeanor convictions be shielded from the public record.	Sen. Gladden	SB 130 is awaiting a vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Criminal Procedure – Expungement – Misdemeanor & Felony ConvictionsSB 16	The proposed legislation would expand the crimes eligible for expungement to include certain misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. Applicable crimes could be expunged after seven and 12 years, respectively.	Sen. Conway	SB 16 is awaiting a vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Equal Pay for Equal WorkSB 424 HB 1051	This bill would prohibit employers from providing “less-favorable” working opportunities based on a worker’s sex or  gender identity. The measure also would prevent an employer from taking action against a worker for disclosure or discussion of wages.	Sen. Lee Del. Valderrama	SB 424 will be heard at 1 p.m. on March 5 in the Senate Finance Committee.HB 1051 will be heard at 1 p.m. on March 10 in the House Economic Matters Committee.
Fiscal Notes –  Criminal Justice Policy Impact  StatementsSB 478 HB 678	The bill would require future legislation to include a criminal justice policy impact statement if it creates a criminal offense, significantly alters the elements of an existing offense, alters existing  penalties or changes sentencing, parole or probation procedures.	Sen. Ramirez Del. Valentino- Smith	SB 478 will be heard at 9 a.m. on March 5 in the Senate Rules CommitteeHB 678 is awaiting a vote in the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee
Prevailing Wage – Payment for Apprenticeship Programs HB 370 SB 777	This legislation would require contractors and subcontractors with public work  contracts to pay the full cost of apprenticeship programs for each apprentice that works on the contract.	Del. McCray Sen. McFadden	HB 370 is awaiting a vote in the House Economic Matters Committee.SB 777 will be heard at 1 p.m. on March 19 in the Senate Finance Committee.
Justice Reinvestment Initiative	JOTF is a member of the Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform, a bi-partisan, statewide coalition seeking legislative solutions to the collateral consequences that result from mass incarceration policies in Maryland.One of MAJR’s legislative solutions is a statewide Justice Reinvestment Initiative proposal that would reinvest savings from reduced incarceration to increase job training and educational opportunities for those who are incarcerated, and identify and review policies that restrict license and certification opportunities due to a criminal record.The proposal would also require court officials to advise defendants of the collateral consequences associated with a guilty plea.		Awaiting Introduction