Natasha Mehu, Author at Conduit Street

Governor Reopens Coronavirus Special Enrollment Period

Governor Larry Hogan has reopened the special enrollment period for health insurance until December 15. The special enrollment period first launched in March and was extended to July 15 as part of Governor Larry Hogan’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Order over the coronavirus pandemic. During that time more than 54,000 Marylanders enrolled in coverage. With the reopening, Maryland is now offering the longest coronavirus emergency-related special enrollment period in the nation. From Nottingham MD: To…

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August 7, 2020

General Assembly News / Public Safety and Corrections

Advocates, Public Provide Input to House Police Reform Workgroup

The House Police Reform and Accountability Workgroup heard testimony from public interest advocates and members of the public on a variety of police reform topics and experiences. The panel of public interest advocates included presentations by Willie Flowers President of the Maryland State Conference NAACP; Kristina Roth, Senior Advocate in the Criminal Justice Program of Amnesty International USA; Monisha Cherayil an attorney from the Public Justice Center; David Rocah, Senior Staff Attorney with the American Civil…

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August 7, 2020

Coronavirus / County News / Health and Human Services

Baltimore County, CASH Campaign Launch Benefits Screening Call Center

Under the new initiative, low- and moderate-income Baltimore County residents can call 311 to be connected to federal, state, and local services. The Benefits Screening Call Center is a partnership between Baltimore County and the CASH Campaign of Maryland to strengthen the safety net for families suffering economically from the coronavirus pandemic. From a Baltimore County news release: The CASH Campaign of Maryland is now offering its benefits screening and support services to County residents.…

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August 6, 2020

County News / Government Liability and Courts / Housing and Community Development

County, Cities Sued by Landlords Over COVID-19 Rent Increase Bans

Howard County, Baltimore City, and Salisbury have been sued by a group of landlords over local laws prohibiting rent increases during the pandemic. Each of the jurisdictions has passed local laws prohibiting rent increases or charging of rent fees during the pandemic or for a certain amount of time following it. The group of landlords, who own a couple thousand rental properties across the jurisdictions, argue the laws are unconstitutional. The Baltimore Sun reports: This…

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August 5, 2020

County News / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

Montgomery Expands Staff, Increases Reach of Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team

Montgomery adds six new positions to the county's mobile crisis team which is on call 24/7 to respond to mental health crisis calls. The Montgomery County Council recently approved $600,000 in funding that will be used to add six new staff members to respond to crisis calls. These social workers will be spread around the county to increase the team's reach. The team responds to calls involving mental health issues in place of or in…

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August 3, 2020

Read more about the article Deputy Secretary for Public Health Retires, Assistant Secretary Steps into Top Role

Fran Phillips (photo source: Anne Arundel County Department of Health

Health and Human Services

Deputy Secretary for Public Health Retires, Assistant Secretary Steps into Top Role

Deputy Secretary of Public Health Fran Phillips has retired and Assistant Secretary of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jinlene Chan will assume her role. Governor Hogan presented Phillips with a citation in honor of her services and announced Dr. Chan as her replacement at a press conference on Wednesday. The Baltimore Sun reports: Since 2018, Phillips had been serving as deputy state health secretary for public health, her second time as a high-ranking…

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July 30, 2020

County News / Public Safety and Corrections

Baltimore and Harford Join Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network

The Baltimore County Police Department and the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office will lead the newest coalition members of the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network. The Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) is a criminal justice strategy where law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels collaborate to target and dismantle criminal networks and their drugs, firearms, and human trafficking operations. From a Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services press release: The MCIN…

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July 29, 2020

NACo and Federal Issues

Nominations Welcome for 2020-2021 NACo Policy Steering Committee Membership!

Do you want a voice in creating the national legislative policies of the National Association of Counties (NACo)? The nomination process for membership on NACo policy steering committees is underway! Consider filling out a NACo nomination form to be appointed to one of ten steering committees. If you are chosen as a NACo steering committee member, you would be responsible for debating and creating national policies and priorities affecting counties and serving on NACo’s front-line…

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July 29, 2020

Coronavirus / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development

Workgroup Issues Recommendations to Stem Looming COVID-19 Housing Crisis

The workgroup chaired by Senator Shelly Hettleman and established by Judicial Proceedings Chairman Will Smith released a 24-page report of recommendations. As concerns mount over a COVID-19 housing crisis the workgroup has issued dozens of recommendations that would help keep Marylanders in their homes. From The Maryland Reporter: The 24-page Workgroup Report on COVID-19 and Housing was crafted with input from various state entities and agencies such as the District Court of Maryland and the Department of…

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July 28, 2020

Coronavirus / Health and Human Services

Drug Treatment Clinics Struggle Under COVID-19 Pressures

Increasing caseloads, coronavirus safety precautions, and uncertainty leading up to a last-minute extension of the President's Public Health Emergency declaration have left drug treatment clinics on edge. As allowed under the emergency order drug treatment providers have instituted telehealth, bulk medication distribution, and new cleaning and PPE measures to ensure continued care for their patients, but they and their patients still face challenges, disparities, and burdens that are unique and not as readily recognized as…

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July 28, 2020