Three Up! But Three Down?

Three Madaleno bills signed into law — but three community-focused bills ignored

KENSINGTON, Md — Today three bills sponsored by State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Rich Madaleno were signed into law:

1) Youth Mental Health Protection Act — SB 1028

Sponsored by State Senator Rich Madaleno and Delegate Bonnie Cullison, it provides that certain mental health or child care practitioners are prohibited from engaging in conversion therapy with individuals who are minors. We are now joining the progressive ranks of ten other states and the District of Columbia, which have already enacted protections for LGBTQ youth.

2) Earned Income Tax Credit — SB 647

Before, the EITC could only be claimed by people under 25 provided they had children — or by individuals between 25 and 64 without children. Now, Senator Madaleno introduced this law so that more low-income young people in need of a little financial push will be able to thrive and succeed, by expanding the EITC to people below 25 years of age without children.

3) Collaborative Care Pilot Program — SB 835

This law creates a Collaborative Care Model in primary care settings to provide health care services to recipients enrolled in HealthChoice, under the supervision of the MD Health Department. This bill works to address the mental health funding crisis and provide patients with comprehensive, holistic care.

Madaleno declared: “I am thrilled that we have made such great progress, thanks to the work of my colleagues at the General Assembly and my perseverance in standing up to Larry Hogan to force him to do the right thing. Now, we have secured protection for — and saved the lives of — LGBTQ youth in our state; we have made it possible for more low-income young people to thrive and succeed in our great state by lessening the burden of income tax for them; and we are now taking steps to make mental health care better for all Marylanders.”

However, other bills of Madaleno’s were not on today’s bill-signing list, which may indicate the governor’s disapproval:

1. Parents and teachers on the State Board of Education — SB 739

Bill to add seats to the State Board of Education so that two teachers and one parent have a say in the decision-making that affect them directly.

2. Protecting the Resources of Children in State Custody — SB 291
Bill aims to ensure that Social Security Survivor and Disability benefits are accounted for and are used for the benefit and care of the child in custody. Additionally, the transition to out-of-state care can be difficult, especially when there has been no effort by the state, acting as the child’s representative payee, to conserve the child’s resources while he/she is in the state’s custody for use upon emancipation.

3. Community Development Program Act of 2018 — SB 821

Bill to provide financial assistance to community development projects and community development organizations around the State.

Today was the last known scheduled bill-signing date: the governor might either veto these bills, putting himself against the interest of Maryland’s people; or at best, he will leave them to be enacted via his inaction.

Rich Madaleno has served Montgomery County for 16 years in the Maryland General Assembly. He is an expert on budget issues, serving as Vice-Chair of the Budget and Taxation Committee. Additionally, Rich has been a leader in passing legislation on key progressive issues like marriage equality, ensuring funding for Planned Parenthood, investing in education, gender identity anti-discrimination, and protecting the environment.

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BY AUTHORITY: Marylanders for Rich Madaleno. Linda Eisenstadt, Treasurer.