Maryland

A Look at Bills That Passed the Maryland General Assembly

The Maryland General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its 90-day legislation session at midnight Monday.

Here is a look at some of the legislation that has been passed so far:

FRACKING MORATORIUM

Permits to conduct hydraulic drilling for natural gas using the process known as fracking could not be granted in Maryland until October 2017.

TRAVEL SITES-SALES TAX

Third-party travel websites would have to pay all of the state's 6 percent sales tax, closing what supporters of the bill say is a loophole, but opponents say is a new tax.

MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA

Marijuana-related paraphernalia like pipes would be decriminalized. Smoking marijuana in public also would become a civil offense, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

FALSE CLAIMS

Whistleblowers with knowledge of fraud against state and local governments could receive an award if they come forward with information and the government recoups money as a result.

FREDERICK-INFANT DEATH

Added protections would be in place to prevent foster care children from being returned to abusive biological parents. It would give social service agencies the ability to keep children in foster care, if there is severe abuse by biological parents, or parents do not protect their children from serious mistreatment.

EX-FELONS-VOTING RIGHTS

Ex-felons would have their voting rights restored after their release from prison. They would not have to complete probation and parole to regain voting rights.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION-INSURANCE

Female same-sex couples would have the same health care benefits for artificial insemination as heterosexual couples.

TRANSGENDER-BIRTH CERTIFICATES

Transgender residents will be able to get new birth certificates without having surgery, and the certificates will not be marked as a change in the person's gender.

INAUGURATIONS DISCLOSURE

Private donations for inaugural festivities for governors would need to be publicly disclosed.

SPEED LIMIT

Maryland's speed limit could be raised from 65 to 70 miles per hour on specified state highways.

MARYLAND PRIMARY DATE

Maryland's primary in presidential election years would be moved to the last Tuesday in April, making it April 26 next year.

HIT-AND-RUN ALERTS

The state would create an alert program to find missing drivers in hit-and-run accidents that result in serious injury.

CORRECTIONS-REINVESTMENT

A council would work on ways to cut spending in the corrections system and reduce recidivism.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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