General Assembly 2010 Session
JOTF tracks workforce development legislation in the Maryland State Senate and Maryland House of Delegates. We also provide written and verbal testimony on a variety of local, state, and national legislative and budget issues.
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Priority
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Summary
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Status
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JOTF Fact Sheet
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JOTF Testimony
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Unemployment Insurance Modernization - Alternative Base Period
SB 107
HB 91
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In Maryland, a worker's most recent earnings are not taken into account when determining unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits. This is especially damaging in times of recession when so many residents have been laid off, desperately need assistance and are denied solely because the state ignores recent data. By adopting the alternative base period and including workers most recent earnings, more Marylanders will qualify for benefits.
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SB 107 passed the Senate unanimously and is awaiting a vote from Economic Matters.
HB 91 was heard on 1/28/10 in Economic Matters. Awaiting committee vote.
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JOTF Fact Sheet |
JOTF Testimony |
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Parole Fees
SB 499
HB 1222
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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 committment toward policies that protect the public by promoting successful reentry of parolees. The proposed legislation would transfer the authority to grant fee exepemtions from the Parole Commission to the Department of Parole and Probation.
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SB 499 was heard on 3/2/10 in Judicial Proceedings. Awaiting committee vote.
HB 1222 hearing 3/16/10 at 10:30am in Judiciary.
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JOTF Fact Sheet |
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Credit Checks
SB 312
HB 175
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About 43% 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. The proposed legislation would limit employers' use of credit checks in hiring.
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SB 312 was heard on 2/25/10 in Finance. Awaiting committee vote.
HB 175 was heard on 2/18/10 in Economic Matters. Awaiting committee vote.
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JOTF Fact Sheet |
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Ban the Box
SB 581
HB 749
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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.
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SB 581 was heard on 2/25/10 in Finance. Awaiting committee vote.
HB 749 was heard on 2/23/10 in Approporiations. Awaiting committee vote.
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JOTF Fact Sheet |
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For more information on Maryland House and Senate bills, visit the Maryland General Assembly web site.