Three of Gov. Wes Moore's (D) priority bills to create affordable housing options are nearing the finish line toward the end of the legislative session.
One of the bills is ready for his signature. House Bill 599 would create the Maryland Community Investment Corporation, a state agency that makes loans and investments for the development and improvement of low-income communities.
The Senate passed the bill on a 30-9 vote Friday afternoon. It has already been approved by the House of Representatives.
Two other bills included in Moore's housing plan have also been approved by the House and are expected to be voted on in the Senate on Saturday or Monday, the last day of the 2024 session.
HB 693, known as the state Tenant Rights Stabilization Act, the Office of Tenant Affairs and the Office of Landlord Affairs, will help tenants learn what protections and legal actions they have under Maryland law. Helpful. The bill also takes steps to reduce the number of unnecessary evictions, including increasing certain fees involved in the eviction process.
Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-Carroll and Frederick) on Friday attempted to amend HB 693 to allow property owners to use law enforcement to remove “squatters” living in their homes without permission. I tried to add a process to make it easier. This is inspired by the new state of Florida. The law was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) just one week ago.
“This is just a common sense safety measure and I think it's a great thing to have in place,” Reddy said.
Senate Judicial Procedures Committee Chairman William C. Smith Jr. (D-Montgomery) argued that Maryland already has “strong and draconian unlawful detention laws” and no changes are needed. The amendment was rejected.
Another bill likely to receive a vote for final passage soon is HB 538, which aims to incentivize developers to add affordable housing options in future developments. It would allow certain development projects to exceed typical density limits if the new development incorporates a certain percentage of affordable housing. housing unit.
Over the course of the legislative process, the percentage of affordable housing units required to receive these density bonuses was watered down from Moore's original bill.
Revised Juvenile Law passed
The juvenile justice reform bill, which was amended in the Senate this week, received final approval in the House of Delegates on Friday.
Among the provisions is requiring juveniles charged with auto theft to receive a Petition of a Child in Need of Supervision, also known as CINS. The petition would make the young person and his family eligible for a variety of services.
Another provision would require all 23 county and Baltimore City school boards to provide alternatives to public education for young people registered as juvenile sex offenders.
A new proposed Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging Best Practices to review state Juvenile Services programs and services is scheduled to hold its first meeting by June 1.
The 114-8 vote for the amended bill was similar to last month's overwhelming support. The five delegates who previously voted against it — Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery), Tiffany Alston (D-Prince George's), Debra Davis (D-Charles), and Ashanti Martinez (D-Charles) (Prince George's) and Kaylin Young (D-Baltimore City) — voted no again Friday.
A sixth delegate, Jamila Woods (D-Prince George's), who voted against the bill in March, was excused from absenting Friday.
Three more lawmakers voted against the bill on Friday. Rorig Chalkudian (D-Montgomery), Charlotte Crutchfield (D-Montgomery) and Malcolm Ruff (D-Baltimore City).
Charkoudian and Ruff voted in favor of the bill last month.
Crutchfield said he does not support the bill because it would expand DJS's jurisdiction to include children ages 10 to 12.
“I believe there is a lot we can do to help our young people here, and the only way we can do that is through this bill,” said Crutchfield, who was excused from being absent during the bill's vote last month. Told.
According to Friday's tally, 11 delegates did not vote.
Rep. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the next step will be for the committee to begin its work in June to evaluate the department.
“The time has come for real oversight of government agencies,” he said in an interview with reporters. “It's a very long process and it never stops. This will always be a priority for many of us because we don't want to see our children fail.”
Approved for court-ordered mental health treatment
The Senate unanimously approved a delicate bill that would allow court-ordered mental health treatment for people with ongoing and significant mental health needs if they do not voluntarily agree to a treatment program.
On Friday, the Senate approved HB 576, entitled “Emergency Evaluation and Involuntary Hospital Procedures and Outpatient Treatment Support Program.”
The House has already approved the bill by a vote of 137-2. The bill has been sent to the Governor's desk for Moore's consideration.
The bill would create a statewide “Assisted Outpatient Treatment” program that would allow circuit courts to provide specific mental health treatment plans to people with severe and persistent mental health needs, sometimes without their consent. Be able to give commands.
Supporters of the bill say it is devastating to see a loved one with a serious mental illness repeatedly in and out of the hospital due to symptoms of severe mental health needs.
But some disability rights and mental health advocates say outpatient treatment support programs ignore the voices of people with mental health needs and are more sensitive to the needs of families. .
Despite emotional testimony from the public throughout the committee process, the Senate approved the bill without floor debate or debate.
Among the 44 “yes” votes in the Senate was health physician Sen. Clarence K. Lamb (D-Howard and Anne Arundel), who several days ago said They expressed concern that there were few barriers to sexual treatment and procedures. The court made the order without the recipient's consent. Lam previously withheld a vote on the bill when it was debated by the Senate Finance Committee on Monday.
new women caucus officer
The Maryland State Women's Caucus, known as the Women's Caucus, recently selected its officers for next year.
The caucus unanimously elected Rep. Dana Jones (D-Anne Arundel) as president, Rep. Michelle Guyton (D-Baltimore County) as first vice president, and Rep. Jennifer White Holland (D-Baltimore County) as first vice president. was elected second vice president. Brooke Grossman (D-Wash.) will serve as secretary, Linda Foley (D-Montgomery) as treasurer and Dells. Kim Taylor (D-Prince George's) and Jackie Addison (D-Baltimore City) were sworn in as principal members of the board.
Outgoing Women's Caucus Chair Rep. Edith J. Patterson (D-Charles) said this year's board was “remarkably effective and achieved each of the priorities set this year.”
“Seeing the courageous women who will lead the next session fills me with pride and hope,” she said. “Maryland's women have a bright future.”
