News from Annapolis  September 30, 2009 New Laws Take Effect Oct. 1 House Committee Visits Carroll Hospital Center Latest on Route 32 Dear Friends, Starting Thursday, Oct. 1, dozens of new laws become effective: Texting While Driving.  Maryland drivers caught typing or sending a text message on the road will be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum fine of $500.      This past session, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 98, causing Maryland to join 14 other states in banning texting while driving.       With the increasing trend of communicating by text message, the tendency to text and drive seems to be growing as well. Nationwide Insurance estimates that 20 percent of all drivers send or receive text messages while driving. But the habit is even more prevalent among younger drivers. A Zogby poll of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 reports that 66 percent text while driving.      On June 29, NBC's Today Show aired an excellent segment on the dangers of texting while driving. The link is provided below. Please take a moment to watch it and learn more about this serious issue.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31541736      Other bills passed by the General Assembly that become effective Thursday, Oct. 1, include the following: Early Voting. HB1179 implements an early voting system approved by voters in a November referendum. Under this new law, voters will be able to cast ballots at early voting centers in their county on specified days before each regularly scheduled primary or general election. Tougher Penalties for Possession of Child Pornography. HB9 increases the penalty for a first offense from two years to five years in prison. For a subsequent offense, the maximum sentence is increased from five years to 10 years, and the crime becomes a felony. Made-in-USA Flags. HB7 requires that any American or Maryland State flag that is displayed on state property and purchased with state funds must be manufactured in the United States.   House of Delegates Committee Visits Carroll County for Innovative Healthcare Ideas      Delegate Don Elliott and I hosted the House Health and Government Operations Committee today in Carroll County to showcase local efforts toward a healthier community and increased access to health care.      As national and state lawmakers seek affordable ways to increase healthcare access, it's no wonder that the HGO Chairman, Committee members and staff were anxious to see Carroll County's innovative efforts.       They saw how fortunate we are to have the Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County as the coordinating hub for our disease management and prevention efforts.      A Carroll Area Transit System bus dropped us at the following sites, where legislators had a chance to see how we take care of our own in Carroll County:             Carroll Hospital Center. Worked with the Carroll County Health Department in launching Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County, a non-profit organization devoted to building healthcare capacity.             Access Carroll. A successful free clinic for low-income uninsured Carroll County residents. Uses volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners and others in providing prescriptions and patient education.             Mission of Mercy. A mobile, faith-based volunteer effort that provides free medical and dental services.             Best Beginnings. Assures adequate prenatal care for pregnant women who are not Medicaid eligible. This effort exists because of the generosity of our local obstetricians, Carroll Hospital Center and the local Health Department.    The Latest on Route 32      Delegate Krebs Urges Governor to Improve     Safety on Route 32      "I strongly urge you to free up funds for immediate safety improvements that would prevent more tragic accidents on Route 32 near the Howard-Carroll county line. As you are aware, 49-year-old Dr. Brian Emery Thursday became the third person to die on this stretch of Route 32 in less than three months." Click here for full letter to the Governor...  ______________________________________ State Begins Long-requested Route 32 Improvements  As Reported in the Carroll Eagle:   "State and Howard County officials announced today they have begun work on safety improvements to Route 32 between I-70 and the Carroll County line, the site of a fatal collision that happened Thursday...      ...The announcement also followed years of complaints from local residents, who noted last week that the most recent fatality was not the first on that stretch of Route 32.      The projects are expected to last through the fall and will cost the State Highway Administration between $400,000 and $500,000, said Valerie Burnette Edgar an SHA spokeswoman."

 

Note from Susan:    I am dedicated to being your voice in Annapolis as we work toward better roads, schools and jobs, and also a reduced tax burden.    Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or ideas you may have. My legislative aide, Linda Schmuck, and I are always happy to help.