How a Bill Becomes a Law in Maryland
In Maryland anyone can suggest an idea to be considered for a law. Generally, a local Delegate or Senator's
office will work up an idea and then ask an attorney that works for the Maryland Assembly to draft the idea into
a bill. The bill is then introduced into the House or Senate as its First Reading. A First Reading involves
a person reading the bill's number and title. The bill is then assigned to a particular committee.
When the committee holds its hearing on the bill, members of the public as well as experts in the field are allowed
to present testimony in support or against the bill. Anyone may testify as long as they arrive before the hearing
and sign up. All persons testifying should have printed copies of their remarks that will be distributed to committee
members.
After the hearing, the committee will vote to favorably recommend the bill, recommend the bill with amendments, or
give the bill an unfavorable recommendation. At this point, the bill is sent back to the full floor for its
Second Reading. The Second Reading is when all the members of either the House or Senate can debate the bill.
Addtional amendments can be included at this time. The bill is then printed one final time and returned for
its Third Reading.
If the bill passes in its chamber of origin, it is then sent over to the other chamber for consideration. A
similar process occurs with three Readings and a committee hearing. Once a bill passes in both chambers, it is
sent to the governor for his signature. The governor may sign the bill into law or kill the bill with a veto.
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Legal Updates
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2005: HB 26 - Teacher Supply Tax Credit
UPDATE: This bill died in committee.
This bill seeks to give specified elementary or secondary school teachers a credit against their
State income tax for specified classroom supplies purchased, providing that the credit may not exceed $300.
The bill defines a teacher as working a minimum of 900 hours in a K-12 classroom.
Get the latest update on HB 26.
Facts: Prefiled in July 2004 and sponsored by numerous delegate.
Status: Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Hearing set for Feb. 25 at 1:30.
What You Can Do: Send a letter, e-mail or call the members of the committee and request that the
definition of a teacher be expanded to include homeschoolers.
2005: HB 296 - Eagle Scout and Girl Scout College Scholarships
UPDATE: This bill died in committee.
This bill would provide for an automatic tuition waiver to Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold
Award recipients who meet residency requirements. As the bill stands there are no provisions for qualifying
what a student did to attain their rank. Nor, is there a provision for an alternative leadership achievement
that a student may demonstrate in order to qualify for this scholarship should they have been excluded from
either scouting program based upon religious or sexual orientation.
Get the latest update on HB 26.
Facts: Filed by Delegate Smigiel of Southern Maryland.
Status: Hearing held by the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 8, 2005. The Committee
requested additional fiscal information before rendering an action.
What You Can Do: It's not too late to send a letter, e-mail or call the members of the committee
to express your support or concern for this bill.
Homeschooling Regulations
Become familiar with Maryland Regulations
governing how families may homeschool in the state of Maryland. Remember, local school boards may not impose
additional requirements on homeschooling families beyond what is required through COMAR. It is recommended that
families print a copy of the regulations for easy and accurate reference during any county conducted review you may attend.
Still have questions? Read our Q/A on what
you can be asked to provide at a review.
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Special Education Services for Maryland Homeschoolers
In January 2005, Howard County Public Schools (HCPS) sent out a memo to local homeschoolers informing them
that special education services would no longer available to them, effective June 13, 2005. HCPS based this
decision on advice given to them from Jackie La Fiandra, Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland
in a memo dated April 5, 2000.
Facts: Read more about this issue in detail.
2005: HB 733 - Raven as the 2nd Official State Bird
UPDATE: This bill died in committee.
School children in Owings Mills are asking that the Raven become Maryland's second official state bird.
Is this a great hands-on learning lesson where the children can go to Annapolis to testify and see first hand how a
bill becomes a law? Or, is this a misguided learning opportunity built upon branding and commercialism?
Get the latest update on HB 733.
Facts: Introduced by Delegate Bobby Zirkin on Feb. 9.
Status: Referred to the Health and Government Operations Committee. No hearing date set, yet.
What You Can Do: Send a letter, e-mail or call the members of the committee to voice your support
or concern for this bill. Your child can also plan to provide testimony on the date of the hearing, for or against the
issue. You will need to show up early and sign up in order to testify. Plan on having typed copies of the testimony
to hand out to each committee member.
Maryland Assembly Online
The Maryland Assembly maintains a easy-to-access website
where you can find information on
how a bill becomes a law in our state. You can also locate your State or
Federal elected officials in order to contact them online, by phone, fax or mail with your opinion. Finally,
you can check here for a list of
Maryland House Committees or for a
Maryland Senate Committee that may be considering a specific bill.
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