MACo Associate Director Kevin Kinnally testified January 29, 2020, before the House Health and Government Operations Committee in support HB 44 – Commission to Advance Next Generation 9-1-1 Across Maryland – Extension and Alteration (cross-filed with SB 47). This bill will help Maryland continue its move toward Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911), deliver these services equitably across the state, and assure effective coordination with communications providers.

From the MACo Testimony:

As Maryland accelerates its move toward NG911, proper oversight is necessary to guide this critical transition, harnessing public safety leadership and expertise to address complex public safety concerns.

HB 44 extends the sunset for the Commission to Advance Next Generation 9-1-1 Across Maryland in order to monitor and report on the progress toward the implementation and evolution of NG911. Specifically, the Commission will assess the revised financing structure and its propriety for next-generation demands, ensure all applicable fees and charges are properly remitted to the State and local jurisdictions, recommend policies to protect against cybersecurity threats, and evaluate the overall implementation of Carl Henn’s Law.

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2020 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.