JOTF Public Policy Update, 3/18/11

JOTF Weekly Public Policy Update / March 18, 2011

The Job Opportunities Task Force is pleased to bring you this week's public policy update of the 2011 state legislative session. These weekly updates provide information on legislation, budgets, and other state policy activities that impact working families in Maryland.

Click here to view JOTF’s 2011 Policy Agenda. For more information about the items discussed in this update, please contact Melissa Broome at 410-234-8046.

Alert
Extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Hearing Thursday!

Legislation to provide an additional 13 weeks of benefits to the long-term unemployed will be heard this Thursday, March 22 in both the House Economic Matters and Senate Finance committees. If adopted, SB 882 / HB 1228 would enable up to 70,000 Marylanders to become eligible for $283 million in benefits.

We need your help! Contact Melissa Broome at 410.234.8046 if you're available to provide written or oral testimony in support of the bill at Thursday's hearings.

Click here to read JOTF's fact sheet.

JOTF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

PRIORITY	SUMMARY	STATUS	HOW TO HELP

Job Applicant Fairness Act - Credit Checks SB 132 HB 87	60% of employers use credit history checks as a tool in their pre-employment screening, even if the information has no relation to the job. In these trying economic times, many Marylanders are experiencing financial hardship, which negatively impacts their credit. In addition, uncovered medical expenses and divorce are some of the leading causes of blemished credit. The proposed legislation would limit employers' use of credit checks in hiring.	SB 132 passed the Senate with a 32-14 vote. The bill will now cross to the House. HB 87 is expected to be before the House Economic Matters Committee for a full vote next week.	Contact members of the House Economic Matters Committee to urge their support of HB 87. Click here for a sample e-mail that you may personalize to your liking. Read JOTF's fact sheet and testimony on the Job Applicant Fairness Act. View the list of 58 organizations supporting the bill. In the Press: Daily Record 3/10/11 Baltimore Sun Editorial Maryland Reporter Daily Record Baltimore Business Journal Huffington Post Article Gazette

Ban the Box SB 448 HB 920	The State of Maryland should encourage all qualified applicants, including those with a prior criminal conviction history, to apply for State employment. The proposed legislation would remove the question from state job applications that asks applicants to check a box if they have ever been convicted a crime. Removing the question from the application simply allows applicants to get a foot in the door and prove their qualifications rather than be automatically dismissed because of a box they checked at the beginning of the process.	SB 448 hearing 2/17/11 at 1pm in Senate Finance. Awaiting committee vote. HB 920 hearing 3/8/11 at 1pm in Appropriations. Awaiting committee vote.	Contact members of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees to urge them to support "Ban the Box". Read JOTF's fact sheet and testimony on banning the box.

Parole Fees SB 362 HB 749	Persons on parole in Maryland are billed $40 per month for their supervision. The fee is largely uncollectible since most parolees are in dire financial situations. The imposition of the fee is out of line with Maryland's commitment toward policies that protect the public by promoting successful reentry of parolees. The proposed legislation would ensure that parolees be adequately informed of and have access to the fee exemption process.	HB 749 passed the House with a 119-20 vote. The bill will now cross to the Senate. SB 362 received a favorable with amendments report from the Judicial Proceedings Committee and will now move to the full Senate for a vote.	Read JOTF's fact sheet on parole fees. Read the Brennan Center for Justice Report: Maryland's Parole Supervision Fee: A Barrier to Reentry

0.5% Transportation Training Fund SB 796 HB 1139	States are permitted to use up to 0.5% of their federal transportation dollars for workforce training. Maryland should take advantage of this opportunity to link workforce and economic development. Providing training and linking graduates to jobs on major infrastructure projects would strengthen Maryland's commitment to a healthy workforce by creating pathways to employment for disadvantaged, underemployed	SB 796 hearing 2/17/11 at 1pm in Senate Finance. Awaiting committee vote. HB 1139 hearing 3/1/11 in Ways and Means. Awaiting committee vote.	Read JOTF's fact sheet. Read JOTF's synopsis.

Driver's Licensing for Adults SB 361 HB 1185	Maryland is the only state in the nation that requires drivers of all ages to complete the same driver's education and practice requirements. Most significantly, all new drivers must complete 60 hours of supervised practice, in addition to 36 hours of driver's education, before being eligible for a license. These requirements have created a barrier to mobility and employment for low-income adults. The proposed legislation would eliminate the 60-hour rule and reduce the time for holding a provisional license from 9 months to 45 days for new drivers over the age of 18.	SB 361 received a favorable with amendments report from the Judicial Proceedings Committee and will now move to the full Senate for a vote. HB 1185 hearing 3/15/11 at 1pm in Environmental Matters. Awaiting committee vote.	In the press: Baltimore Sun Article Read JOTF's fact sheet. Read JOTF's report: The 60-Hour Practice Driving Law: Unintended Consequences for Maryland's Economy

Unemployment Insurance - Extended Benefits SB 882 HB 1228	The Extended Benefits program (EB) would provide 13 weeks of additional benefits to the long-term unemployed. The federal government is funding the EB program through 2011, but in order to activate it, each state must adopt a high-unemployment indicator to trigger the program "on." By adopting this trigger, up to 70,000 Marylanders would become eligible for $283 million in benefits.	SB 882 hearing 3/22/11 at 1pm in Finance. HB 1228 hearing 3/22/11 at 1pm in Economic Matters.	Contact Melissa Broome if you're available to provide written or oral testimony at Thursday's hearings. Read JOTF's fact sheet on extended benefits.

JOTF WATCH LIST

PRIORITY	SUMMARY	STATUS

Earned Income Credit Information Act SB 473 HB 632	The proposed legislation would require employers to notify employees who may be eligible for Maryland's Earned Income Tax Credit.	SB 473 hearing 3/10/11 at 1pm in Budget and Taxation. Awaiting commtitee vote. HB 632 hearing 3/10/11 at 1pm in Ways and Means. Awaiting commtitee vote.

Maryland Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act SB 643 HB 902	The Maryland HOME Act of 2011 would prohibit landlords from discriminating against rental applicants based solely on the applicant's source of lawful income. "Source of income" means any lawful source of funds to be used in the rental of housing such as housing choice vouchers, veterans affairs supportive housing vouchers, or any other form of public assistance.	SB 643 hearing 3/2/11 at 1pm in Judicial Proceedings. Awaiting committee vote. HB 902 hearing 3/3/11 at 1pm in Environmental Matters. Awaiting committee vote.

Unemployment Insurance - Messenger Service Exemption SB 685 HB 589	The proposed legislattion would prohibit a certain sector of the workforce from receiving unemployment insurance benefits if they lose their job through no fault of their own.	SB 685 hearing 3/1/11 at 1pm in Finance. Awaiting committee vote. HB 589 hearing 2/22/11 at 1pm in Economic Matters. Awaiting committee vote.

Inmate Aftercare Plans SB 242	The proposed legislattion would require a comprehensive aftercare plan to be developed in collaboration with community programs and government agencies that serve ex-offenders before an inmate exits the prerelease unit.	Bill withdrawn by sponsor.

Frederick County - Adult Detention Center - Fees SB 263 HB 149	The proposed legislation would increase medical and dental fees, and establish a processing fee, incarceration fee, and general educational development adminstrative fee for individuals incarcerated in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.	HB 149 received an unfavorable report from the Judiciary Committee. SB 263 received an unfavorable report from the Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Criminal Justice Information System - Prohibited Dissemination HB 458	The proposed legislation would prohibit nonviolent offenses that occurred more than ten years ago from being disseminated in a criminal history record.	HB 458 received an unfavorable report from the Judiciary Commtitee.

Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Prohibited Dissemination SB 394	The Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF) is the insurer of last resort for about 100.000 residents who cannot get insurance elsewhere. By law, MAIF is not allowed to offer installment billing to its policyholders like other insurance companies do. 96% of MAIF's policyholders cannot pay their premium in full (typically about $1,750) and therefore are forced to turn to premium finance companies, which charge an interest rate of 25-30%. The proposed legislation would enable MAIF to offer installment billing and therefore help policyholders avoid predatory lending practices.	Hearing 2/22/11 at 1pm in Finance. Awaiting committee vote.

Employment Discrimination - Criminal Convictions HB 907	The proposed legislation would prohibit employers from being able to refuse to hire, discharge or otherwise discriminate against an individual because of information indicating that the individual has been convicted of a criminal offense that is not directly related to employment.	Hearing 3/9/11 at 1pm in Health and Government Operations. Awaiting committee vote.