By Brian WitteThe Related Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Black Maryland lawmakers highlighted a bundle of measures on Jan. 18 that they’re prioritizing to enhance well being, entry to housing, minority enterprise alternatives, training and prison justice reforms.
Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, famous that the caucus consists of 66 of the Maryland Normal Meeting’s 188 legislators, the biggest caucus of its sort within the nation.
“Our agenda seeks to handle well being disparities and maternal well being and most cancers that plague our communities and result in excessive mortality charges,” Wilkins, a Montgomery County Democrat, stated at a information convention. “We’ll search to extend entry to housing and create a extra secure setting for renters and Marylanders.”
Right here’s a have a look at among the measures which can be being prioritized by the caucus:
HEALTH
The caucus is supporting a measure to enhance the well being of pregnant ladies by streamlining medical kinds after they’re discharged from hospitals and connecting sufferers with community-based companies.
Black lawmakers are also including their assist to a invoice to broaden the authority of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set higher cost limits on pharmaceuticals statewide. The caucus additionally desires to do extra to lift public consciousness concerning the availability of most cancers screening.
HOUSING
The caucus is backing a invoice to present native governments the authority to require simply trigger to disclaim the renewal of leases and set up clear standards for evictions to guard tenants. One other invoice would prohibit housing suppliers from discriminating towards potential tenants who’ve prison information by barring landlords from reviewing prison historical past three years after launch.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
The caucus is looking for to broaden prison document expungement legal guidelines. One measure would allow courts to determine whether or not an individual’s document might be expunged, even when against the law falls exterior of present statutory allowances. Supporters say that whereas the state has made progress on expungement rights, there are nonetheless various misdemeanors — like driving and not using a license or with out insurance coverage — that may’t be expunged.
The caucus additionally helps a invoice to create an ombudsman’s workplace for the correctional system that would supply a voice for the incarcerated and their households about situations in correctional amenities.
EDUCATION
A measure with caucus assist would be certain that Maryland just isn’t approving duplicative applications that already are being supplied by the state’s 4 traditionally Black faculties and universities.
The caucus additionally expressed opposition to a proposal in Gov. Wes Moore’s funds proposal that will create a copayment of as much as 7 % of households’ earnings to take part in a toddler care scholarship program. Del. Stephanie Smith, a Baltimore Democrat, stated the potential copays “may truly make the worth of the scholarship program much less potent.” The governor’s workplace stated Moore is proud to have put ahead the biggest funding ever in this system, and that the governor seems to be ahead to persevering with conversations with lawmakers, native leaders and advocates.
MINORITY BUSINESS
The caucus highlighted a invoice to extend transparency within the awarding of state contracts. One measure would create an interactive public dashboard for the state’s Board of Public Works, which approves most state contracts. One other measure would enhance prime contracting alternatives for minority companies.
