Advocacy

Mid-Maryland Chapter ENA

Government Affairs Report

Submitted by Lisa Tenney 

5-1-2024

The Maryland 90- day General Assembly ended at Midnight on Monday, 4-8-2024.

A group of people standing together Description automatically generated

This group testified before the House Judiciary Committee on 2/13/24 in favor of

HB 547 Crime of Violence-Educational Facilities, Medical Facilities, and Places of Worship- “Sacred Places.”

Bill titles that passed this year are in GREEN 

  1. MHA reported that the $1 million-dollar one-time line-item budget to fund 2022’s SB 700 -Public Service WPV prevention Campaign is in the Governor’s final budget.

  1. HB 547/SB 1158 Crime of Violence- Educational Facilities, Medical Facilities, and Places of Worship - “Sacred Places”

  • MDENA was in favor of this bill.

  • Heard in both chambers. Did not make it out of either committee.

  • Senator McKay asked for amendment saying PHYSICAL violence.

 

  1. HB 1053 State Board of Nursing -Executive Director Qualifications

  • MD ENA opposed this MDH bill. 

  • Passed House and Senate.

  • Association Maryland Nursing Organizations plans to form a huge coalition next year to reverse this. 

  1. HB 1143/ no Senate # Emergency Medical Services - Maryland Emergency Department Wait Time Reduction Committee- Establishment

  • MD ENA in favor.

  • Passed House and Senate.

  • Will work on implementing the thirty recommendations from the 2023 

      Legislative Hospital Throughput-Long ED Wait Times Workgroup. MIEMMS will 

      administrate.

  1. HB 576/SB 453 Mental Health – Emergency Evaluation and involuntary Admission Procedures and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs

  • MD ENA was in favor.

  • Passed House and Senate.

  1. HB698/ SB 759 Estates and Trusts - Guardianship of the Person of a Disabled Person - Expedited Proceedings

  • MD ENA was in favor.

  • Recommendation from Legislative Long ED Wait Times/Hospital Throughput 

        Workgroup.

  • Heard in House and Senate-did not make it out of committees.

  1. HB 639/SB 503 Vehicle Laws – Protective Headgear Requirement – Exception (In Remembrance of Gary “Pappy” Boward

  •  MD ENA opposed. Maintains “all ages motorcycle helmet” requirement!

  • Injury prevention bill.

  • Heard in Heard in House and Senate. Did not get out of committees.

  1. HB 105/ SB 421 Drunk Driving Offenses – Ignition Interlock System Program

  • MD ENA in favor – injury prevention bill

  • Passed House and Senate.

  1. HB 277/ SB 729 Business Occupations and Professions - Security Guards - Use of Force Reporting, Standards, and Certifications

  • MD ENA supported this.

  • Passed House and Senate.

  1. House Bill 354/SB 718 - Maryland Pathway to Nursing Program and Advisory Committee

  • MNA bill. MD ENA was in favor at Nurses Night in Annapolis.

  • Passed House and Senate.

 

  1. House Bill 425/Senate Bill 359 - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

  •  MNA bill. MD ENA was in favor at Nurses Night in Annapolis.

  • Heard in House and Senate. Did not make it out of committees.

 

  1. House Bill 545/Senate Bill 441 - Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program - Nancy Grasmick Public School Professional Award - Public School Nurses

  • MNA bill. MD ENA was in favor at Nurses Night in Annapolis.

  • Passed House and Senate.

  1. HB 86/SB 180 Public and Nonpublic Schools - Bronchodilators - Use, Availability, Training, and Policies

  • MD ENA initially opposed this, then supported it with many amendments.

  • MD ENA supported the MASHN 

  • Passed House and Senate