An update to Maryland’s hate crimes law, named for slain Army 2nd Lt. Richard Collins III, is one of several anti-discrimination measures going into effect Oct. 1. Other notable bills address crime, the environment and healthcare, including an infectious disease mandate named for Olivia Paregol, a University of Maryland freshman who died during a 2018 campus outbreak.
Annapolis
Questions mount for Maryland’s next General Assembly session
General Assembly leaders in Maryland ended the 2020 session early and declined a special session due to pandemic and presidential election concerns. But they have yet to announce plans, particularly regarding legislative voting, as the next session draws near.
Substance-abuse deaths in Maryland spike during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a spike in methamphetamine, alcohol, cocaine and opioid-related overdose deaths in Maryland in the first half of 2020, according to a state health department report.
Hogan’s political future tied to Maryland’s economic recovery
Grappling with the greatest test of his term, Gov. Larry Hogan has been lauded for his leadership by experts who say his focus on facts and the future have saved lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
Collegiate coaches moving forward through coronavirus concerns
Athlete eligibility and scholarship availability are two of the biggest questions college coaches are now tasked with moving forward as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the United States.
Annapolis theaters share financial and cancelation concerns as COVID-19 spreads
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Annapolis theaters and stage performers are struggling to keep afloat with financial concerns and show practices.
Maryland bill would ease rules for mortician apprenticeships
An emergency bill would deaden the requirement that Maryland mortuary science students must complete the majority of their education prior to starting an apprenticeship.
Maryland preps resources as coronavirus cases grow
The announcement came amid a push for state resources to battle the growing crisis.
Bill in General Assembly would increase the tax credit for living organ donors
After returning home from Iraq, Army veteran Kellen Leech, who was deployed three times over the course of 14 year, wrestled with his mental health: PTSD, survivor’s guilt and depression — until he read a Facebook post about Ellery Payton.
Payton’s previous kidney transplant failed, and in 2012 he needed another one; Leech, a Prince George’s County, Maryland, resident, decided he wanted to donate his.
Maryland bill strives to include tourism minority groups
Under a bill in the Maryland General Assembly, data would be gathered on how the funding for the tourism industry is divided and attempt to divide the funding with equity.