2/6/2015 – JOTF Policy Update

The Job Opportunities Task Force is pleased to bring you our first public policy update of the 2015 Maryland General Assembly session. Our weekly emails provide updates on legislation, budgets, and other state-level policy news that impacts working families in Maryland.

Save the Date – The Rally for Jobs & Housing
8:30 a.m. — Feb. 26  — Annapolis 

Join JOTF and our partners for this annual march on the state capitol and rally on Lawyer’s Mall. Participants will ask lawmakers to support second chance measures for people with criminal records, prioritize access to housing and preserve state budgetary safety nets for vulnerable communities. For more information or to get involved, contact Caryn Aslan 443-692-9421.

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 hearing in the House Economic Matters Committee.	Fact SheetWorking Matters Coalition
Maryland Second Chance Act of 2015HB 244	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 will be heard at 1 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the House Judiciary Committee.	Fact SheetTo provide oral or written testimony, please contact Caryn Aslan
Criminal Records Expungement -Non-ConvictionsHB 304	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 will be heard at 1 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the House Judiciary Committee.	To provide oral or written testimony, please contact Caryn Aslan.
Criminal Records – Expungement Without Petition	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.Many employers refuse to hire applicants with any criminal record, even if the potential employee was acquitted or their case was dismissed. JOTF supports legislation that would establish the immediate expungement of nolle prosequi and dismissal charges after three years.	Awaiting Introduction
Post-Secondary Access and Affordability	Increasing access to post-secondary education can strengthen Maryland’s families and communities while improving outcomes for the working poor. While federal student aid plays a major role in college financing, state policy ultimately drives the cost of college.  JOTF will support legislation to expand access and increase affordability for credit and non-credit programs.	Awaiting Introduction
Adult Education – State Budget	Nearly 1 million working-age Maryland adults lack a high school diploma. More education could help many move into high-demand, better-paying jobs.JOTF will carefully monitor the state budget to ensure the protection of funding for adult education. We will also work to preserve the access to and affordability of the GED exam.	The Governor’s budget proposal includes level funding foradult education services.
Low-cost Auto Insurance: Task Force to Study Methods to Reduce the Rate of Uninsured Drivers	Mobility is a important for working families, yet the insurance industry practice of territorial rating — setting premiums based on the statistical likelihood of accidents and claims by residents of a given area — means that urban drivers pay considerably more for car insurance than other Maryland residents.In 2014 the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to establish the Task Force to Study Methods to Reduce the Rate of Uninsured Drivers. This year we will closely monitor any legislation introduced as a result of the Task Force’s recommendations.	Awaiting Introduction
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

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 will be heard at 1 p.m. on Feb. 11 in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
UniversitySystem of Maryland Pay It Forward Pilot Program and Tuition Freeze – StudiesHB 57	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	HB 57 is awaiting a vote from the House Appropriations Committee
Human Services -No WrongDoor 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 from the House Appropriations Committee
Maryland Wage & Hour Law -State MinimumWage – 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 hearing in the House Economic Matters Committee
State MinimumWage Rate -Exceptions – Social Service Nonprofit Organizations SB 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 Convictions SB 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 hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Criminal Procedure – Expungement – Misdemeanor& Felony Convictions SB 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 hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee