Read more about the article City to Dedicate $6M to Assist Families with Essential Needs During the Pandemic
Coronavirus / County News / Health and Human Services
City to Dedicate $6M to Assist Families with Essential Needs During the Pandemic

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates has approved the use of $6 million from the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund to help provide families in need with groceries and other essentials during the pandemic.  The new program, which is a partnership with Open Society Institute Baltimore, will target vulnerable groups such as homeless youth as well as families who may not be eligible for assistance supported by federal coronavirus funds including undocumented immigrants. The Baltimore…

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September 29, 2020
Read more about the article Drug and Alcohol Deaths Continue to Spike in Maryland During Pandemic
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services
Drug and Alcohol Deaths Continue to Spike in Maryland During Pandemic

Quarterly data released from the Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) shows a continued increase in drug and alcohol deaths in the state -- an increase which has been tied to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  The data released by the OOCC and MDH includes preliminary reports from January - June of 2020 and shows a nine percent increase in overdose deaths compared to the same time period in 2019.…

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September 29, 2020
Read more about the article MACo, MML Release Joint Statement on Proposed Local Government Tort Claim Act Legislation
General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections
MACo, MML Release Joint Statement on Proposed Local Government Tort Claim Act Legislation

MACo and MML submitted a joint letter of information on proposed legislation regarding the Local Government Tort Claims Act (LGTCA) that was heard by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. The proposed legislation, JPR 11 - Tort Claims Acts – Limits on Liability – Law Enforcement Officers, is part of the draft Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021. The Local Government Tort Claims Act (LGTCA) sets reasonable judgment limits on claims against local governments and their…

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September 25, 2020
Read more about the article MACo, MML Release Joint Statement on Proposed Police Body-worn Camera Recordings Legislation
Bill Hearing / General Assembly News / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections
MACo, MML Release Joint Statement on Proposed Police Body-worn Camera Recordings Legislation

MACo and MML submitted a joint letter of information on proposed legislation regarding the release of police body-worn camera recordings in front of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. The proposed legislation, JPR 8 – Public Information Act – Police Body-worn Camera Recordings, is part of the draft Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021. The draft bill provides a framework for when police body-worn camera recordings are to be released under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).…

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September 25, 2020
Read more about the article Senate JPR Tackles Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBR) on Day Three of Police Accountability Hearings
Bill Hearing / General Assembly News / Public Safety and Corrections
Senate JPR Tackles Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBR) on Day Three of Police Accountability Hearings

The two bills heard on the final day of virtual Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR) hearings on draft police accountability and law enforcement reform legislation for the 2021 session solely centered on the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBR).  The LEOBR is arguably one of the most controversial statutes in Maryland law. It establishes the procedures and framework for police discipline. Generally, proponents of the statute believe it provides a uniform system of due…

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September 24, 2020
Read more about the article Senate JPR Police Reform Hearing Two of Three Centers on Tech, Torts, and Investigations
General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections
Senate JPR Police Reform Hearing Two of Three Centers on Tech, Torts, and Investigations

The second day of virtual Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR) hearings on draft police accountability and law enforcement reform legislation for the 2021 session focused on police body cameras, tort claims liabilities, and state prosecutor investigator authority among other issues.  JPR Chair Will Smith jumped right into the day's work noting that the hearing on Wednesday's six bill proposals would follow the same format as the day before. First, the sponsors would introduce the bills.…

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September 24, 2020
Read more about the article Senate JPR Held First of Three Hearings on Draft Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 Legislative Proposals
General Assembly News / Public Safety and Corrections
Senate JPR Held First of Three Hearings on Draft Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 Legislative Proposals

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee held the first of three hearings Tuesday on draft Police Accountability and Law Enforcement Reform legislation for the 2021 session.  The package of reform proposals falls under the umbrella of the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021. In his opening statement, Chair Will Smith clarified that the hearings being held this week were just the beginning of the committee's work on police reform and not final products. His goal is…

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September 23, 2020
Read more about the article Group Awarded Federal Funds to Treat Opioid-Related Illnesses in Western Maryland Newborns
County News / Health and Human Services
Group Awarded Federal Funds to Treat Opioid-Related Illnesses in Western Maryland Newborns

The federal government has granted $166,000 to AHEC West for the Healthy Moms and Babies project which aims to reduce the prevalence and impacts of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Allegany and Garrett Counties. The funding awarded to the Healthy Moms ad Babies project comes from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). NAS is an illness that newborns can experience after exposure to opioids…

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September 21, 2020
Read more about the article MACo Announces 2021 Legislative Initiatives
Coronavirus / County Budgets / Elections / General Assembly News / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / News You Can Use
MACo Announces 2021 Legislative Initiatives

MACo to prioritize county budget security, elections, broadband access, and public health support in the 2021 session.  MACo’s Legislative Committee voted at the September 16, 2020 meeting to adopt the Association’s four priorities for the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session. These issues cover a broad range of important county concerns that MACo will proactively advocate for in front of the General Assembly. DEFEND COUNTY BUDGET SECURITY The State and Counties together face an unprecedented public…

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September 17, 2020
Read more about the article NCSL Presents National Overview to Law Enforcement Body Camera Task Force
General Assembly News / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections
NCSL Presents National Overview to Law Enforcement Body Camera Task Force

A representative from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) briefed the task force on body camera legislation passed across the nation since May 2020. Amanda Widgery, Senior Policy Specialist at NCSL, provided the task force an overview on police body camera legislation that has recently been passed in states across the U.S. Additionally, she shared insight into what role states play in assisting departments with storage; establishing security measures to protect data and enable…

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September 16, 2020
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