Seventh Week of the Legislative Session

This week, as a member of the Environment and Transportation Committee, I had the opportunity to hear a bill that threatened to take powers away from the Eastern Shore Delegates as it relates to the Bay Bridge extension. It’s vitally important for the Eastern Shore to have a say in whether or not a bridge should be put there. I, along with the rest of the Eastern Shore Delegation, will fight to make sure every voice on the Eastern Shore is heard when it comes to a decision being made.

We have made monumental progress in protecting women and children from their abusers. On Tuesday, the Governor signed the Rape Survivor Family Protection Act into law. This allows rape victims to deny parental rights to their rapist.

This week Governor Hogan also signed a proclamation declaring 2018 as the “Year of Frederick Douglass” in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the famed abolitionist, writer, and orator. 

Known as the “Father of America’s Civil Rights Movement,” Douglass was born on the Eastern Shore in Talbot County.

Governor Hogan also proposed legislation to establish an employment program that expands apprenticeship and job readiness training to children in foster care and unaccompanied homeless youth. Since taking office, The Hogan administration has invested over $744 million in Maryland’s Foster Care Program. We were privileged to meet two incredible young people who came to the State House for Youth Foster Day. We spent the day discussing the legislative process and what they would like to see changed in Maryland. We look forward to seeing where their bright minds take them in the future!

This week the Eastern Shore Delegation welcomed Secretary Neall from the Maryland Department of Health to discuss his agenda for the year. Mary Beth Wade joined the panel to update the delegation on the mold remediation at Deer’s Head Hospital. The YMCA spoke about their new projects, including the new aqua center in Wicomico County. Lastly, we spoke with Kent Conservation & Preservation Alliance about our Bay Bridge veto rights and solar facilities in Kent County.

Our office has received a lot of emails regarding the Paid Sick Leave bill that went into effect as of February 11th. Under this piece of legislation, businesses with 15 or more employees must provide paid leave, while businesses with less than 15 employees must provide unpaid leave. Full-time employees receive sick and safe leave. By definition, "full-time employees" refers to someone who works 12 or more hours/week. For part-time employees, business owners must provide one hour of sick leave for every thirty hours worked, and can accrue a maximum of forty hours per year.

If you would like to read the bill, here is a link: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/chapters_noln/Ch_1_hb0001E.pdf.

The Commission has created a helpful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document, available at www.dllr.maryland.gov/paidleave.

Finally, congratulations to Delmar Deputy Mayor Lloyd Unsell on winning the 3rd Annual Wood Creek Chili Cook Off!
Thank you for the continuous support! If you would like to contact us with an idea, issue, or concern, please either call: 410-841-3431 or email Carl.Anderton@house.state.md.us. We look forward to hearing from you!