2010 Session Update
The 2010 Maryland General Assembly session begins Wednesday, January 13 and is scheduled to end Monday, April 12. Check the chart below to learn where the Church stands on legislation and stay up-to-date on the progress of bills.
Maryland Catholic Conference 2010 session preview.
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Last update: March 5, 2010
Area |
Legislation |
Summary |
Conference Position |
Status |
Catholic Schools
|
Nonpublic School Textbooks Program (budget item) |
Program funds nonreligious textbooks and computer hardware and software for more than 93,000 students at more than 350 nonpublic schools. |
SUPPORT full funding at $4.4 million |
Hearing Feb. 18 in House Appropriations Committee, Feb. 22 in Senate Budget and Taxation Committee |
Catholic Schools |
Helps increase scholarships for Catholic school students by offering businesses a state income tax credit in exchange for their donations to such programs. |
SUPPORT |
Passed Senate committee 10-5; will be heard March 17 in House Ways and Means. |
|
Child Protection |
SB 61 - Criminal History Records Checks |
Extend criminal background check requirements to additional entities serving children, including private recreational centers and programs. |
SUPPORT
|
Passed Senate 43-0, now heads to House. |
Marriage |
HB 90/SB 852 - Same Sex Marriages - Foreign Jurisdictions - Invalidity |
Upholds MD's marriage statute by explicitly declining to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. |
SUPPORT |
HB 90 defeated in House Judiciary Committee; SB 852 scheduled for Senate hearing March 3. |
Marriage |
SB 582/HB 808 - "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act" |
Redefines marriage to include same-sex couples. |
OPPOSE |
Heard March 3 in Senate and March 4 in House. |
Area |
Legislation |
Summary |
Conference Position |
Status |
Abortion |
SB 250 - Medical Procedures - Ultrasound Options |
Assures that women have the choice of viewing an ultrasound before an abortion. |
SUPPORT |
Heard February 17 in Senate Finance Committee. |
Death Penalty |
SB 404 "Criminal Law Death Penalty Evidence" |
Diminishes the strict evidence requirements passed in 2009 for death penalty cases by expanding eligible evidence to include fingerprints or photographs. |
OPPOSE |
Hearing March 10 in Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. |
Stem Cell Research |
Stem Cell Research Fund (budget item) |
Provides $12.4 million - level funding - for both embryonic and adult stem cell research. |
Direct all funds to ethical, proven stem cell research. |
Heard Feb. 18 in House Appropriations subcommittee and Feb. 22 in Senate Budget and Taxation subcommittee. |
Stem Cell Research |
HB 371 - "Stem Cell Research Sickle Cell Disease Funding" |
Dedicates 5% of the MD Stem Cell Research Fund annually to adult stem cell research for sickle cell disease. |
SUPPORT |
Heard February 23 in House Health and Government Operations Committee. |
Area |
Legislation |
Summary |
Conference Position |
Status |
Housing |
SB 243 - "Housing Discrimination Based on Source of Income Prohibitions" |
Prohibits landlords from discriminating against potential tenants based on their lawful source of income (housing vouchers, child support, etc). |
SUPPORT |
Hearing February 24 in Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee |
Poverty |
Social Service Programs - budget items |
FY 2011 funding for social service programs that serve the poor and most vulnerable in Maryland. |
Oppose cuts to programs that serve those most in need. |
Various department hearings underway. |