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State legislators churned through hundreds of bills in the last several days of their abbreviated session, passing an astonishing 660 pieces of legislation in the final four days alone.
Who has time to catalog them all? Here are capsule looks at 25 key pieces of legislation:
School construction
Provides for an additional $2.2 billion in school construction funding, authorizing the use of bonds that would be paid off from casino revenues.
聽Long gun sales
Requires background checks for people acquiring rifles or shotguns from private sales or transfers.
聽Hate crimes
Prohibits the public display of an item or depiction of an item, like a noose or swastika, on property without the permission of the owner. Violators can face up three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
聽Olivia鈥檚 Law聽
Named for Olivia Paregol, the University of Maryland student who died from an adenovirus, the legislation requires colleges and universities to create plans to address the outbreak of infectious diseases.
聽HOME Act
Extends the state鈥檚 Fair Housing Act to prevent housing discrimination based on a renter鈥檚 source of income 鈥� discrimination that usually targets families on public assistance.
聽Strangulation a felony
Creates a first-degree category of felony assault for the act of strangulation.
聽Driver鈥檚 license suspension bill
Promoted by Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D), the bill repeals the authority of the Motor Vehicle Administration to suspend a driver鈥檚 license for nonpayment of a traffic citation or judgment and lays out a process for setting appropriate fines and payment schedules.
聽Developer contributions in Prince George鈥檚 County
Repeals a ban on developers and other real estate interests making campaign contributions to the Prince George鈥檚 County executive when the developer has a project pending before county government.
听罢别濒别丑别补濒迟丑听
Authorizes the use of telehealth by all types of health care practitioners, enabling Marylanders to get health care services in their home.
聽Witness intimidation
Makes it easier for law enforcement authorities to crack down on witness intimidation.
Preakness
Authorizes the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $375 million in bonds to pay for renovations at the state鈥檚 leading thoroughbred racing tracks, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and Laurel Park, and keep the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.
听厂辞诲辞尘测
The bill repeal decades-old statutes making certain sex acts illegal.
聽Tobacco tax
Increases the tobacco tax and creates sales taxes for E-cig and vaping products.
聽Governor鈥檚 power in COVID-19 outbreak
Lays out certain powers the governor can take during the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
聽Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Provides a funding source for the state鈥檚 new Prescription Drug Affordability Board.
听贬叠颁鲍蝉听
The bill provides an extra $577.7 million over the next decade for the state鈥檚 four historically black colleges and universities, with the aim of settling a years-long lawsuit against the state for disparity in funding and resources.
聽The Blueprint for Maryland鈥檚 Future
The signature education legislation of the session, a sweeping reform plan produced by the Kirwan Commission.
聽Chlorpyrifos ban
The legislation bans the use of chlorpyrifos, a toxic, nerve-agent pesticide.
聽CROWN Act
Informally known as the CROWN Act, this bill bans discrimination based on hairstyle.
聽Women鈥檚 prerelease center
Requires the Division of Correction to operate a prerelease facility for women who have been incarcerated.
聽Affordable Care Act protections
The bill provides guidelines for state agencies to provide services currently contained in the federal Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare) in case the ACA is appealed.
聽Maryland State Crime Plan
Establishes the Law Enforcement Coordinating Council to prevent and reduce crime by focusing on interagency communication and intelligence-sharing.
聽PROTECT Act聽
Addresses motor vehicle laws and neighborhood decline in Baltimore City.
聽Dedicated funding for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Provides an extra $5.5 million in state aid for the BSO over the next five years.
听骋补苍驳蝉
Makes changes to criminal statute governing investigations and prosecutions of gangs.
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