We are more than halfway done.
Legislative Spotlight
Prohibited Appropriations - Magnetic Levitation Transport will prohibit the State from using any appropriations for a magnetic levitation transportation system in Maryland. This bill also prohibits any public or private entities that receive money from the state from authorizing a permit for the MAGLEV.
Criminal Law - Law Enforcement Officers - Prohibition on Sexual Activity will prohibit law enforcement officers from engaging in sexual conduct with victims, witnesses, and suspects during an active investigation or emergency response. As I'm sure some will remember, a Prince George's County resident was raped by police officers. I am sponsoring this bill to make sure that gross law enforcement conduct is adequately addressed, not only in District 22, but across the entire state.
Mental Health Training - HB1470 First Responders - Mandatory Mental Health Training will require every first responder in the State to complete certain mental health awareness training approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service Systems. Our first responders are first on the scene, encountering daily challenges that for many, it may be hard to imagine. Ensuring that these first responders are equipped to employ de-escalation techniques as well as enabling recognition of symptoms of mental illness is imperative to the safety of every Marylander. It will go in front of the House Judiciary Committee on March 10 at 1:00 p.m.
Juvenile Court Records - HB1069 Juvenile Causes - Court Records will allow the Department of Juvenile Services to access court records of children that they are providing treatment, services, or care to. It will allow court record sharing between the Department of Human Services and the Department of Juvenile Services, which will allow for a streamline of data, instead of jumping through hoops to take care of those in need.
Honorable Mentions: Co-Sponsored Bills
Crimes - Hate Crimes -Use of an Item or a Symbol to Threaten or Intimidate is sponsored by Delegate Chang. It will prohibit a person from placing or inscribing an item or a symbol, including an actual or depicted noose or swastika, without the express permission of the owner, owner's agent, or lawful occupant of the property, with the intent to threaten or intimidate any person or group of persons. A person who violates this will face a penalty of 3 years imprisonment or a fine not to exceed $5,000. There is no room for intolerance and hatred in our great state.
Plastic Ban - HB209 Plastics and Packaging Reduction Act is a bill introduced by Delegate Lierman that will prohibit a store from distributing plastic bags at the point of sale. The bill will also require stores to charge 10 cents per paper bag provided to the customer, which, in turn, will encourage customers to use reusable shopping bags. This is a part of the effort to ban the use of single-use plastics. Charging for bags/not allowing stores to distribute them is a crucial step in reducing Maryland's litter and waste. This is just a small step towards a big environmental impact.
Toll Roads, Highways, and Bridges - County Government Consent Requirement - Expansion is a bill co-introduced by Delegate Lehman and Senator Lee, prohibiting state agencies from constructing toll roads within certain counties without first obtaining the permission of the majority of counties affected. It is imperative that counties get a say in massive projects such as toll roads.
Legislative Bond Initiatives
Here is a list of legislative bond initiatives that Team 22 is supporting alongside our other legislative priorities:
Greenbelt Station Hiker and Biker Trail
Hyattsville Teen Activity and Mentoring Center
Hyattsville Police Headquarters
Riverdale Park Trolley Car/ Public Amenity Space
Sarvis Empowerment Cafe
Berwyn Heights Senior Center
I'm so grateful I was given the opportunity to talk about my bill, Prohibition on Sexual Activity, on Comcast Newsmakers! You can click here to watch the clip. It is also available on Xfinity OnDemand.
It was an honor to be able to award my fellow Sorors with a Citation of Recognition during Delta Day in Annapolis!
I had a great visit with some constituents that were here in Annapolis for Arts Advocacy Day. As an alum of The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, I am a huge supporter of the Arts and Arts Education!
The Delegate Nicole A. Williams' District 22 Scholarship
I am so honored to be given the opportunity to serve District 22 as a State Delegate. These first few weeks of session have come and gone in the blink of an eye, but there is still so much to be accomplished.
Serving as a State Delegate means that I am constantly faced with issues that could potentially change the state and lives of Marylander’s forever; something I do not take likely-- which is why I am so excited to announce the Delegate Nicole A. Williams' Scholarship. Every session, Maryland Delegates and Senators offer scholarships to those in their districts that are pursuing a higher education.
As a Delegate from Prince George’s County, a county in which 60% of every dollar brought into the county goes towards education, education always has and always will be a priority for me. Education is the foundation for significant and enriching community engagement. As representatives of the State, we want to ensure that we are giving back to the communities we come from.
The deadline to apply is April 1, with awards being announced in mid-May. More information, along with the application itself can be found on my website.
Due to the high volume of applicants, those not chosen will not be contacted via email or phone.
In prior years, Prince George's County has time and time again been under-counted in the U.S. Census. Being under-counted may not seem like a big deal, but in reality, each person not counted is a loss of $1,800 a person, which translates to $18,000 lost per person over the course of 10 years. The Census is important because it is imperative that our community gets the representation and funding we deserve. We are proud to be counted. You will begin to receive information in the mail mid-March about how to respond to the 2020 Census. Everyone should make sure that they fill out the census regardless of citizenship. Click the button above to be taken to the Census page, and make sure that you are represented.
Coronavirus Update
The CDC has reported a small number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. The State of Maryland is actively monitoring the risks of the virus and I wanted to update you with our latest information.
The Maryland Department of Health has provided a thorough fact sheet about the virus. The information includes the definition of what the virus is, who is currently impacted, the best way to protect yourself, typical symptoms as well as precautions you may take. Click here to read.
You may also sign up for a weekly CDC email about the virus by entering your email address here