Click here to download a copy
of the 2008 Legislative Agenda Document.
2008 Legislative Wrap Up
The 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned
on April 7, 2008. During this
session, MLAW and its supporter worked hard to pass the legislation that
comprised our 2008
Legislative
Agenda. Of the eight
initiatives on the agenda, three bills passed, three failed, and two were
withdrawn. Thanks to all MLAW
members and supporters for their grassroots action.
Thanks also to the legislators who supported these important initiatives.
êHB500/SB516
- Family Law - Denial of Paternity, Custody, and Visitation
This bill would have limited the custody and
paternity rights of the father of a child conceived through rape.
Outcome: This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 46-0, but the House
Judiciary Committee failed to vote on the bill.
The bill failed.
éHB1156-
Labor and Employment - Pay Disparity Data – Reporting
This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to collect data
from employers regarding the racial classification and gender of employees and
allows the Commissioner to analyze the records to study pay disparity issues.
Outcome: This bill passed the Senate (36-11) and House (114-24) and was
signed into law by the Governor.
éHB40/SB344
- Flexible Leave Act
This bill provides that if an employee works for an employer that employs 15
or more individuals and provides leave with pay, the employee may use his or her
earned leave to care for the illness of the employee’s immediate family.
Outcome: An amended version of the bill passed the Senate (29-18) and
House (97-73). The bill is now
awaiting approval or veto by the Governor.
êHB1147
- Family Law - Child Custody Determinations
This bill would have codified the
existing
Maryland
case law regarding custody determinations into a statute that clearly
articulated all factors to be considered, including the best interests of the
child.
Outcome: This bill received an unfavorable report by the House Judiciary
Committee. The bill failed.
êHB181/SB394
- Criminal Procedure - Pretrial Release - Violation of Condition of "No
Contact" – Penalty
This bill would have made it a crime
to violate a special condition of pretrial release that prohibits the defendant
from contacting the victim.
Outcome: This bill received an unfavorable report by both the House
Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
The bill failed.
éHB1391
- Kids First Act
This bill requires taxpayers, beginning with tax year 2008, to indicate on
their income tax return whether each dependent child for whom an exemption is
claimed has health care coverage.
Outcome: An amended version of the bill passed the Senate (39-8) and
House (132-7). The bill is now
awaiting approval or veto by the Governor.
£HB1406
- Foster Kids Coverage Act
This
bill would require the Maryland Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to provide
coverage for “independent foster care adolescents” who are not otherwise
eligible for Medicaid benefits and whose annual household income is at or below
300% of federal poverty guidelines.
Outcome: This bill was withdrawn.
£HB1404
- Eliminating Barriers to Enrollment Act
This bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to
provide for Medicaid and Maryland
Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollees up to the age of 19.
Outcome: This bill was withdrawn.
Maryland
Legislative Agenda for Women 
