It was another extremely busy week working in Annapolis as we entered into the heart of this legislative session. We heard dozens of bills and stayed up late with committee voting sessions. Our team is fully committed to serving the 8th District and the state of Maryland. I’m excited to work towards passing more legislation in the coming weeks. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome, so please continue to share them with us.
HGO Updates:
This week, the Health and Government Operations Committee passed several bills. These bills covered a range of topics, including healthcare, construction contracts, open meetings, and occupational licensing. Some bills passed included HB0956, HB1166, and HB0111, which aimed to reform procurement processes, drug screening and testing, and healthcare programs. The committee also passed bills related to occupational licensing, such as HB0273, HB0278, and HB0401. In addition, bills related to prompt payment requirements for state and private construction contracts and the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission were also discussed. Finally, the committee passed my bill HB0633, which deals with the hospital credentialing and reappointment process for physical staff.
HGO Passes HB0633: Reforms Hospital Credentialing Process for Medical Staff
The Health and Government Operations Committee passed my bill, HB0633, which aims to align physical staff’s hospital credentialing and reappointment process with The Joint Commission’s standards. Currently, the law requires reappointment every two years, which is burdensome for medical staff. The bill proposes changing this to every three years, giving them more time to focus on patient care.
Taking on the Role of Floor Leader
I was honored to serve as the Floor Leader in defense of HB036, which aims to reduce the high cost of co-pays associated with mammograms. The bill passed the House with unanimous support, and I’m proud to have played a part in saving the lives of countless Marylanders by making mammograms more affordable. Sadly, many people avoid this vital screening due to the high costs, and my goal was to help make early detection and prevention more accessible for all Marylanders. As Floor Leader, I’ll continue to work towards improving the health of Marylanders and will be defending HB0633 in the coming weeks. The current state law requires a formal written reappointment process every two years, which is burdensome for our medical staff. HB 633 would change this requirement to align with The Joint Commission’s standards, which require reappointment every three years. This change will allow our medical staff more time to focus on patient care and help ease an undue burden on top of the monumental tasks they currently face
Thank you, Maryland Matters.
We would like to express our gratitude to Maryland Matters for covering the legislation(HB0300/SBSB0235 we introduced in collaboration with Sen. Chris West. The bill aims to encourage Maryland school districts to consider incorporating solar energy in their construction projects without imposing a mandate. Specifically, the bill requires school districts to formally consider placing solar panels on new or rebuilt school rooftops between 2025 and 2034 and provide a written explanation if they choose not to use solar. In addition, the school construction agency would then be required to issue an annual report on these decisions to the governor and the presiding officers of the General Assembly. We appreciate the coverage of this critical issue and the recognition of the significance of sustainable energy in building a better future for the next generation. Please follow the link to read in detail: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/02/28/campaign-for-rooftop-solar-goes-to-school/
Pic: Maryland Matters
Happy Read Across America Day!
On Friday, we were thrilled to be joined by some special guests for our reading celebration, including Elmo from Sesame Street and President Cheryl Bost and Vice President Theresa Mitchell Dudley of the Maryland State Educators Association. Seeing everyone come together to celebrate the power of reading and literacy was a joy. Let’s continue to encourage and inspire young minds to love reading every day!
Celebrating the Achievements of Cub Scout Pack 746
Being invited to Cub Scout Pack 746’s Blue and Gold Dinner was an absolute pleasure! This week, I had a wonderful time celebrating the accomplishments of all the scouts and their families, along with local and state elected officers. Congratulations to all those who received their Arrow of Light awards – what a tremendous achievement! It was inspiring to witness your dedication and hard work throughout their time in Cub Scouts. Their commitment to the values of Scouting is a testament to their character, and I do not doubt that they will continue to positively impact our communities as they move on to the next stage of your scouting journey. Keep up the great work!
How to follow Maryland General Assembly’s 2023 session
To follow the Maryland General Assembly’s 2023 session, you can visit the Maryland General Assembly’s website. The website provides the following resources:
- The Schedule for the 2023 Session
- The Committee Schedule (which will be updated regularly to reflect any changes)
- The Legislation Charts allow you to look up and track proposed bills.
It’s important to note that every bill introduced before the deadline will be granted a hearing. In addition, before the hearing takes place, a fiscal and policy note will be published regarding the bill. By utilizing these resources, you can stay up-to-date with the Maryland General Assembly’s 2023 session and track the progress of proposed bills.
Stay Aware, Stay Safe
As the new year begins and everything appears to be back to normal, it is important to remember that we are not out of the woods yet.
With the emergence of the new Omicron variant XBB.1.5, it’s crucial to continue taking precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones. However, we have tools to prevent severe infection and maintain a sense of normalcy. So please, make sure to get vaccinated and stay safe.
Opportunity for Excellence: Apply Now for Delegate Scholarship Program
My office now accepts applications for the District 8 Delegate Scholarship in collaboration with Delegate Nick Allen and Delegate Carl Jackson. This scholarship aims to assist as many local students as possible, as we have done in previous years. Therefore, we encourage interested students to submit their applications early. To apply, please visit the following link: https://forms.gle/UvbvxSe8wgVsBqz9A.
Your Voice Matters
Thank everyone for reaching out with their thoughts on legislation, and all of your advocacy is heard and greatly appreciated. Whether at the federal, state, or local level, our government operates at a higher level with an informed and active constituency. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, concerns, or requests for help. My staff and I are here to help, and I can be reached via email harry.bhandari@house.state.md.us or by phone at 410-841-3524.