On March 1, 2024, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Health and Government Operations Committee in support of HB 1141 – Human Services – 2-1-1 and 3-1-1 Systems – Nonemergency Information and Referrals with amendments. This bill envisions a statewide 2-1-1 and 3-1-1 system for nonemergency government services, resources, and information to streamline service delivery for Maryland residents, businesses, and visitors.
While counties support a coordinated, stakeholder-driven approach to guide the design and implementation of an integrated system, MACo urges friendly amendments to guard against unintended costs for county governments.
HB 1141 establishes the Maryland 2-1-1 and 3-1-1 Board within the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) to create and operate a statewide integrated system capable of notifying the appropriate state or local agencies, programs, and departments of requests for nonemergency services, information, resources, and referrals. Counties could join a department-funded statewide system, as specified in the bill, or operate a separate, county-funded 3-1-1 system
2-1-1 and 3-1-1 are fast, simple, and convenient numbers for nonemergency issues and information on government services like refuse collection, snow removal, pothole repair, public transportation schedules, public hearings, resources, and referrals. This service makes customer service more effective and responsive, allowing 9-1-1 specialists to focus on emergency calls.
In 2019, the General Assembly passed Carl Henn’s Law, landmark legislation to update state laws and the 9-1-1 financing system, to provide the flexibility and resources needed to deploy a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) system that Maryland residents expect and deserve. As Maryland accelerates its move toward NG911, reducing the number of 9-1-1 calls related to non-emergency issues is critical.
HB 1141’s cross-file, SB 1068, was heard on March 7, 2024 in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Kevin Kinnally testified in support of this bill with amendments.
SB 1068 was heard in the opposite chamber, the House Health and Government Operations Committee, on March 27. MACo submitted testimony in support of this bill with amendments.
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