Last Updated on May 22, 2022
Legislation of Interest to Charlestown Residents
The Legislative/Political Committee of the Residents’ Council is non-partisan and does not take a position on any bill being heard before the Maryland General Assembly. Bills will be added for tracking, as selected by the Legislative/Political Committee.
The following bills were selected by the committee because of their interest to Charlestown residents.
The status of these bills was updated throughout the 2020 session. That normally runs from January 8 to April 6. However, because of the coronavirus, lawmakers ended their session Wednesday March 18, focusing on the most urgent legislation to keep government funded and running. They then hope to come back into session in May–depending on the state of coronavirus and its impact. Those bills residents tracked which were passed and sent to the Governor are noted, along with a list of all the bills tracked with their final status.
The Maryland General Assembly has an excellent website mgaleg.maryland.gov. The website can provide you with copies of the bills, sponsors and hearing dates, including all Committee media.
Bills Passed and Sent to Governor that were Enacted
| TITLE OF BILL | HOUSE BILL | SENATE BILL | |
| 1 | Election Law – References to Absentee Voting in Communications – Mail-In Voting | HB0037 | SB0145 |
| 6 | Health Insurance – Coverage for Mental Health Benefits and Substance Use Disorder Benefits – Treatment Criteria | HB455 | SB334 |
| 10 | Health Facilities – Hospitals – Disclosure of Outpatient Facility Fees (Facility Fee Right-to-Know Act | HB915 | SB632 |
| 13 | Health Facilities – Assisted Living Programs – Referrals and Licenses | HB1615 | SB966 |
| 15 | Criminal Law – Abuse or Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult – Causing Severe Emotional Distress | HB33 | SB153 |
| 20 | Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act | HB231 | SB530 |
Bills Passed and Sent to Governor that were Tracked and Vetoed
| TITLE OF BILL | HOUSE BILL | SENATE BILL | |
| 8 | Public Health – Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Drug | HB1095 | SB669 |
| 12 | Public Safety – Rifles and Shotguns – Secondary Transactions | HB4 | SB208 |
| 14 | Department of Aging – Grants for Aging in Place Programs – Funding | HB498 |
All Bills Tracked 2020
| TITLE OF BILL | HOUSE BILL | SENATE BILL | |
| 1 | Election Law – References to Absentee Voting in Communications – Mail-In Voting | HB0037 | SB0145 |
| 2 | Health Insurance – Prescription Insulin Drugs – Limits on Copayment and Coinsurance | HB134 | |
| 3 | Election Law – Voting by Absentee Ballot – Prepaid Postage for Return of Ballots | HB881 | SB0033 |
| 4 | Sales and Use Tax – Diapers – Exemption | HB345 | SB0040 |
| 5 | Fair Maps | HB1431 | SB967 |
| 6 | Health Insurance – Coverage for Mental Health Benefits and Substance Use Disorder Benefits – Treatment Criteria | HB455 | SB334 |
| 7 | End of Life Option Act | HB643 | SB701 |
| 8 | Public Health – Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Drug | HB1095 | SB669 |
| 9 | Climate Solutions Act of 2020 – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act | HB1425 | SB0926 |
| 10 | Health Facilities – Hospitals – Disclosure of Outpatient Facility Fees (Facility Fee Right-to-Know Act | HB915 | SB632 |
| 11 | Office of the Attorney General – Senior and Vulnerable Adult Asset Recovery Unit | HB745 | |
| 12 | Public Safety – Rifles and Shotguns – Secondary Transactions | HB4 | SB208 |
| 13 | Health Facilities – Assisted Living Programs – Referrals and Licenses | HB1615 | SB966 |
| 14 | Department of Aging – Grants for Aging in Place Programs – Funding | HB498 | |
| 15 | Criminal Law – Abuse or Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult – Causing Severe Emotional Distress | HB33 | SB153 |
| 16 | Election Law – Voting Order Priority – Individuals Who Need Extra Assistance | HB142 | |
| 17 | Solid Waste -Prohibition on Releasing a Balloon into the Atmosphere | HB13 | SB28 |
| 18 | Qualification of Voters – Proof of Identity | HB197 | |
| 19 | Plastics and Packaging Reduction Act | HB209 | SB313 |
| 20 | Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act | HB231 | SB530 |
| 21 | Voting Registration and Voting by Students | HB245 | SB647 |
| 22 | Redistricting Reform Act of 2020 | HB346 | SB284 |
| 23 | Department of Aging – Assisted Living Program Subsidies – Determinations | HB564 | SB670 |
| 24 | Criminal Law – Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult or Elderly Individual – Undue Influence | HB0320 | SB0702 |