Update from Annapolis
New Laws Important to Our Most Vulnerable Citizens and Their Families

June 11, 2009

Dear Friends,

       Children, the elderly, individuals with autism, and the developmentally disabled will be positively impacted by legislation that was signed into law recently. Each of these laws becomes effective Oct. 1:
                             statehouse  

  •  Emergency Preparedness Plans. The State Department of Education must adopt regulations requiring family day care homes and childcare centers to have written emergency preparedness plans for situations that require the evacuation, sheltering in place or other protection of children, including those with special health care needs.
  • Silver Alert. Creates a program similar to the Amber Alert system for missing children, except the Silver Alert will be for citizens with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's disease or dementia to the extent that the person requires assistance from a caregiver.       
  • Rosa's Law. Changes all references to "mental retardation" in Maryland law to "intellectual disability." This change was led by people with developmental disabilities.
  • Maryland Commission on Autism. Establishes the Maryland Commission on Autism to recommend services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders; develop a plan for training and treatment; and evaluate ways to promote autism awareness.
Eldersburg library to get upgrade 
 
   The 25-year-old Eldersburg library branch will receive $124,000 in state funds to improve the traffic flow in front of the library, which gets more than 200,000 visits a year. The county will supply $124,000 in matching funds. The state Board of Public Works approved the capital grant during its meeting last week.