Agency or Department Name Here (for pda/handhelds)

General Assembly Web Site

General Assembly

To track pending legislation that affects deaf and hard of hearing people do the following:
1. Follow this website www.mlis.state.md.us to the Maryland General Assembly
2. click Bill Indexes & Profiles (third on the left)
3. click One or Two Subjects (second choice)
4. at the first drop down menu choose “Deaf Persons”
5. at the second drop down menu choose “Disabilities, Depart of”
6. click Select
7. Current bills pending will appear.

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2009 Legislative Session
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

It has been a very busy legislative session for the General Assembly and ODHH. There were a number of bills in the legislature this year that directly impact Marylanders who are deaf or hard of hearing.

GOOD NEWS FOR ODHH: As you may recall, early in February the State of Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services (DLS) recommended that the legislative budget committees adopt the following amendments to the Governor's Proposed Budget:

• Delete Assistant Director Position and related expenditures for ODHH
• Delete funding for reclassification of ODHH staff
• Merge ODHH into the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD)

On March 17th, the House Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources met and rejected the DLS recommendations to eliminate the Assistant Director position and to dissolve the Office and move the services under the Maryland Department of Disabilities. On March 25th the full House met and supported the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee recommendations to reject the Department of Legislative Services recommendations.

Meanwhile, the Senate Subcommittee on Health, Education and Human Resources met on Tuesday, March 24 to review the DLS recommendations. The Senate Subcommittee concurred with the recommendation of the House to reject the DLS recommendations to eliminate the Assistant Director position and to dissolve the Office and move the services under the Maryland Department of Disabilities. On Friday, the full Senate Budget and Taxation Committee accepted the recommendations of the subcommittee, keeping the Office and its current staffing pattern intact.

Legislation Related to Individuals who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• SB97 – Election Law - Campaign Advertisements - Closed Captioning This bill died in Committee.
• HB1478 - Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – Responsibilities This bill was withdrawn
• HB1480 - Interagency Committee on Aging Services – Membership This bill passed – and ODHH will now participate fully in the Interagency Committee on Aging.
• Other Bills of Interest
  HB756 - Cultural and Linguistic Health Care Provider Competency Program

This bill passed. ODHH will be communicating with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to encourage that the cultural and linguistic needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community are considered in the implementation of this bill.