Read more about the article Police Body Camera Task Force Reviews Proposed Recommendations
Public Safety and Corrections
Police Body Camera Task Force Reviews Proposed Recommendations

Task Force members walked through a seven-page document of recommendations each member and prior presenters thought prudent to have addressed in relation to use and economic storage of police body worn cameras.  The document reviewed by the Task Force at the November 19, 2020 meeting was a compilation of the top three recommendations each of the stakeholders chose to submit for consideration. Task Force members that submitted recommendations included: Delegate Jazz Lewis, Delegate David Moon, Senator…

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November 19, 2020
Read more about the article Amal Awad Selected to Serve as Anne Arundel County Police Chief
County News / Public Safety and Corrections
Amal Awad Selected to Serve as Anne Arundel County Police Chief

County Executive Steuart Pittman has chosen Amal Awad to serve as Anne Arundel County Chief of Police.   After a rigorous search and an interview process involving both community and law enforcement stakeholders, I am proud to announce that I have chosen Hyattsville Police Chief Amal Awad as my selection for @AACOPD Chief of Police. https://t.co/3CG9OBuGPx pic.twitter.com/BEYBggJIPA — AACoExec (@AACoExec) November 16, 2020 Awad currently serves as the City of Hyattsville Police Chief and formerly served…

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November 17, 2020
Read more about the article Governor Announces $70 Million in New COVID-19 Response Funding
Coronavirus
Governor Announces $70 Million in New COVID-19 Response Funding

Governor Larry Hogan announced the release of $70 million in CARES funding to bolster state pandemic response efforts by funding new programs and expanding existing initiatives.  The $70 million dollars is being allocated in the following amounts to the following programs: $20 million to continue to build and maintain the state's strategic stockpile of PPE $15 million for the Maryland Department of Labor to ramp up the call center, staffing, customer service management software, and…

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November 12, 2020
Read more about the article Behavioral Health Provider Coalition Seeks to Create Centralized Crisis Care System
County News / Health and Human Services
Behavioral Health Provider Coalition Seeks to Create Centralized Crisis Care System

A coalition of behavioral health providers, including Behavioral Health System Baltimore and the Horizon Foundation, have approached the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission with a plan to create a centralized crisis care system across counties in the Baltimore metro region.  The proposal would create a centralized crisis response system across Baltimore City and Howard, Carroll, and Baltimore counties. It would enable specialized care teams to coordinate to respond and connect individuals experiencing a mental…

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November 12, 2020
Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services
Stakeholders Near Agreement on $26 Billion Settlement for Opioid Lawsuits

The tentative deal between four major drug companies would settle thousands of state and local lawsuits across the nation. The settlement, if reached, would stop the jury trials that have been tentatively set for January of next year and any future lawsuits against the companies. While, state attorney generals, local governments and their lawyers nationwide still need to decide to accept the terms insiders say the response has been much more positive than that to…

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November 5, 2020
Read more about the article Harford County Executive Briefs Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Health and Human Services
Harford County Executive Briefs Prescription Drug Affordability Board

As part of their statewide community listening tour, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board heard from Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and community members about the impacts of drug costs.  The Prescription Drug Affordability Board was created to review and make recommendations on the rising costs of prescription drugs. As part of their work, they have been meeting with communities across the state to hear and discuss the local impacts of rising drug costs. Most recently,…

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November 5, 2020
Read more about the article Maryland Re-elects Incumbent Congressional Representatives
Elections
Maryland Re-elects Incumbent Congressional Representatives

All eight incumbent Maryland Congressional Representatives will retain their seats.  Note: Vote totals or percentages in this article are based on unofficial results of the Maryland State Board of Elections as of 11:57 am Wednesday morning. Official results will follow in the days to come. To view the most up-to-date results, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website. In District 1, incumbent Andy Harris (R) fended off challenger Mia Mason (D). Harris won his…

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November 4, 2020
Read more about the article Cecil Jail Experiences Largest Correctional COVID-19 Outbreak in State
Coronavirus / County News / Public Safety and Corrections
Cecil Jail Experiences Largest Correctional COVID-19 Outbreak in State

In the past week, the Cecil County jail has seen over 70 inmates and 16 workers test positive -- a sixfold increase from the previous week.  In the week prior to this spike, the number of positive cases in the jail was one inmate and four officers. So far 133 inmates and 84 staff members have tested negative. The Baltimore Sun reports on the jail's response to the outbreak and other precautionary measures that have…

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October 23, 2020
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Expands COVID-19 Support With Three New Safety Net Programs
Coronavirus / County News / Health and Human Services
Anne Arundel Expands COVID-19 Support With Three New Safety Net Programs

Three new Anne Arundel County programs to provide essential health and financial supports to those hard hit by the pandemic.  https://twitter.com/AACoExec/status/1319293681191575552 As detailed in a county press release the new programs include: Enhanced contact tracing and case management to provide wraparound services for COVID-positive individuals and families; Expanded grief counseling and mental health support for survivors of COVID; and Financial relief for families with delinquent water bills, which in some instances is a leading indicator…

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October 22, 2020
Read more about the article Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty to DOJ Criminal Charges in Opioid Case
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty to DOJ Criminal Charges in Opioid Case

The pharmaceutical company has pled guilty to federal criminal charges and agrees to pay $8.3 billion in penalties. Purdue Pharma has settled with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on criminal charges from its role in the opioid epidemic. State and local lawsuits against the company remain in play. The Washington Post reports: Purdue Pharma agreed to plead guilty in federal court in New Jersey to three felony counts for defrauding the United States and…

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October 21, 2020
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