Read more about the article Preventing Burnout at #MACoCon
Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / Economic Development / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Summer Conference
Preventing Burnout at #MACoCon

During the 2022 MACo Summer Conference, experts from across Maryland discussed how to address worker burnout amongst county employees. The “Great Resignation” has seen workforce numbers dip across all sectors, including those government workers most responsible for protecting the public from COVID-19. From mental health first aid to providing self-care opportunities in the office, counties have employed numerous strategies to avoid burnout and attrition amongst their most overworked staff. Presenters advised county officials on how…

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August 24, 2022
Read more about the article Local Health Departments Partner Up at #MACoCon
County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Summer Conference
Local Health Departments Partner Up at #MACoCon

During the 2022 MACo Summer Conference, officials from County Health Departments joined with their community partners to discuss their joint efforts to promote public health. The COVID-19 pandemic forced county actors, especially local health departments, to think creatively and cultivate unlikely partnerships with nonprofits and businesses, alike. Moreover, the lessons and relationships gained from this public health crisis did not go to waste as county governments have continued to tackle epidemics like opioid use. During…

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August 24, 2022
Read more about the article Building Equitable Infrastructure: A Luncheon Conversation at #MACoCon
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Finance and Procurement / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works
Building Equitable Infrastructure: A Luncheon Conversation at #MACoCon

The Maryland County Officials Diversity Caucus (Diversity Caucus) and Women of MACo jointly hosted a luncheon at MACo's Summer Conference featuring a much-needed discussion regarding equity and public infrastructure. The Diversity Caucus and Women of MACo are chaired by Commissioner President Craig Mathies, Sr., and Council President MC Keegan-Ayer, respectively. In addition, two speakers joined the luncheon: Delegate Robbyn Lewis and Thomas D. Peterson, President of the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS). Each speaker highlighted inequities resulting…

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August 23, 2022
Read more about the article Freedom Accounting at #MACoCon: The Bottomline on “First Amendment Audits”
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Government Liability and Courts / Intergovernmental Relations / Summer Conference
Freedom Accounting at #MACoCon: The Bottomline on “First Amendment Audits”

During the 2022 MACo Summer Conference, two expert attorneys provided best practices when faced with First Amendment audits. Governments at every level are experiencing increasing episodes of individuals and organizations entering public facilities requesting immediate, unfettered access to public documents. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution offers great latitude to conduct oneself in this manner, but it does have its limits. Speakers at the "Freedom Accountants: The Bottomline on 'First Amendment Audits'" evaluated these limits…

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August 23, 2022
Read more about the article MD THINK: Discussing the Future of Healthcare Technology at Summer #MACoCon
County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / Summer Conference
MD THINK: Discussing the Future of Healthcare Technology at Summer #MACoCon

At this year's MACo Summer Conference, officials from the Maryland Department of Human Services provided an in-depth view into MD THINK, a cloud-based utility revolutionizing service delivery across the state. A renewed and intensified focus on public health has forced state and local governments to rethink how they deliver critical, often life-saving services to their communities. The State of Maryland has invested in a streamlined approach to health and human services delivery through the Maryland Total Human Services…

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August 23, 2022
Read more about the article Footage A La Carte: Counties Discuss Bodycam Footage Requests at #MACoCon
County Budgets / County News / Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference
Footage A La Carte: Counties Discuss Bodycam Footage Requests at #MACoCon

At this year's MACo Summer Conference, county officials joined to discuss the many roadblocks and best practices for accommodating body-worn camera footage requests made under the Maryland Public Information Act. With the passage of 2021's Maryland Police Accountability Act, county law enforcement agencies must equip their officers with body-worn cameras. As a result, counties must now reckon with countless hours of captured footage and an unprecedented influx of Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) requests to…

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August 23, 2022
Read more about the article Senator Cardin Conversed with Attendees at #MACoCon’s Town Hall
County Government and Structure / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / Summer Conference
Senator Cardin Conversed with Attendees at #MACoCon’s Town Hall

United States Senator Ben Cardin fielded questions from MACo Summer Conference attendees about federal policy at a well-attended town hall forum. US Senator Ben Cardin answered questions at MACo’s Town Hall Forum with US Senator Ben Cardin on topics including, but not limited to, healthcare, opioids, immigration, and major federal legislation, most notably the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Senator Cardin also emphasized the importance of cooperation between Maryland’s federal, state,…

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August 23, 2022
Read more about the article DLS Analyzes Police Oversight Regs
County News / Government Liability and Courts / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections
DLS Analyzes Police Oversight Regs

The Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) has reviewed and refined emergency police oversight regulations drafted by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (PTSC). DLS codified PTSC's emergency regulations regarding PABs/ACCs and the uniform disciplinary matrix into COMAR 12.04.09 and 12.04.10, respectively. Before the regulations can be finalized and officially published, the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive & Legislative Review (AELR), an oversight body established by the Maryland General Assembly, will conduct a review to ensure…

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August 12, 2022
Read more about the article Court of Special Appeals Limits Judges’ Discretion to Expunge Records
County News / Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Public Safety and Corrections
Court of Special Appeals Limits Judges’ Discretion to Expunge Records

In an unreported opinion filed on August 8th, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals held that the Circuit Court for Baltimore County erred in granting an expungement of records for identity fraud. In re Expungement Petition of Meagan H. concerned a woman who had satisfactorily completed probation and subsequently received bachelor's and master's degrees, served in the Army, and now works in the social work field. Despite having an exemplary post-conviction record, the Court of Special…

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August 11, 2022
Read more about the article FDA Warns Against Using Kratom, an Unregulated Drug, as Opioid Treatment
County News / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections
FDA Warns Against Using Kratom, an Unregulated Drug, as Opioid Treatment

On June 30th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working jointly with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), issued warning letters to companies selling kratom products to treat or cure opioid use disorder and withdrawal symptoms.    Mitragyna speciosa, or kratom, is a plant native to Southeast Asia with no FDA-approved uses. The FDA is concerned kratom users are susceptible to addiction, abuse, and dependence as the product affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine. Between…

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August 11, 2022
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