News from Annapolis

 

                                 Listening.  Taking Action.  Getting Results.

 

Laws Taking Effect on October 1, 2011

                           

 

Carroll County Specific Legislation

 

September 30, 2011 

 

Dear Friends, 

 

   There are many laws that will take effect on October 1, 2011 and I wanted to make sure that you are informed of them. A complete list of laws that will take effect can be found by clicking here on this link. Below is a sampling of laws that may be of interest to you. The individual bills listed below can be read in full by clicking on their bill number.

 

HB 227: Increasing animal protections - Authorizing a court, as a condition of probation for specified violations concerning animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty, to prohibit the defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal.

 

HB 87: Employee credit reports - Prohibiting employers from using an applicant's or employee's credit report or credit history in determining whether to deny employment, discharge the employee, or determine compensation or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

 

SB 885: Drunk driving - Establishing that a conviction for driving while impaired by alcohol is among the standards that may be applied by an insurer for purposes of canceling or refusing to underwrite or renew.

 

HB 105: Car racing - Authorizing a police officer to arrest without a warrant a person for driving a vehicle in a specified race or speed contest that results in serious bodily injury to another person under specified circumstances.


HB 241Penalties for possessing firearms - Increasing to 15 years the maximum term of imprisonment for a violation of the prohibition against possession of a regulated firearm by a person who was previously convicted of a crime of violence or a specified drug-related crime.


SB 883: Establishing the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.


HB 671: Changing the State election law to comply with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act.


SB 679: School bus monitoring cameras - Authorizing a law enforcement agency, in consultation with a county board of education, to place school bus monitoring cameras on county school buses for the purpose of recording motor vehicles committing violations relating to overtaking and passing school vehicles, if authorized to do so by the local governing body.


HB 363: Negligent driving - Making it a misdemeanor for a person to cause the death of another as a result of the person's driving, operating, or controlling a vehicle or vessel in a criminally negligent manner.


HB 196: Texting while driving - Prohibiting a person from using a text messaging device to read a text message while operating a motor vehicle; and repealing a provision of law that applies the text messaging prohibition only to an operator of a motor vehicle in motion.


HB 529: Phone books - Providing that a telephone company may not be required to distribute a specified telephone directory to an address in the State unless the property owner or an occupant requests the directory.


HB 1276: Expanding participation in the Ignition Interlock System Program by requiring specified individuals who are convicted of drunk driving and who had an alcohol concentration at the time of testing of .15 or more to participate in the program for specified periods of time and successfully complete the Program; etc.

 

SB 977: Funeral protesting distance - Increasing the distance within which a person is prohibited from engaging in picketing activities at a funeral, burial, memorial service, or funeral procession from 100 feet to 500 feet.

 

HB 302: Parole for life sentences - Authorizing the Governor to disapprove the decision by the Board of Review to parole an eligible person sentenced to life imprisonment; providing the decision becomes effective if the Governor does not disapprove the decision within 180 days.

 

SB 287: Education requirement for accountants - Altering the educational requirements for an applicant to take the examination for a license to practice certified public accountancy to 120 semester hours and the possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree; and maintaining the education requirements for a license to practice at 150 semester hours and the possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree.

 

 

 

 

Carroll County Specific Legislation

 

   There are also many Carroll County specific pieces of legislation:

 

HB 534: Electioneering - Specifying that in Carroll County and Montgomery County, on approval of the local board, the line beyond which electioneering is prohibited outside a polling place may be located at any point between 25 feet and100 feet from the entrance and exit. 

 

HB 900: Repeal fortune telling ban - Repealing a provision that prohibits a person from demanding or accepting payment or gratuity to forecast or foretell, or pretend to forecast or foretell, the future of another person by specified methods in Carroll County; and repealing a penalty.

 

HB 477: Commissioner term limits - Stating that the term of a County Commissioner on the Board of County Commissioners for Carroll County is 4 years; providing for the appointment to fill a vacancy; and prohibiting a County Commissioner from being elected to serve more than two consecutive terms.

 

HB 826: Abatement of nuisances - Altering from 10 to 15 the number of days' advance notice the County Commissioners of Carroll County must give to an owner or occupant of property before removing a specified nuisance or menace; authorizing a property owner or occupant to file an appeal within 10 business days after receiving notice.

 

 

 

Interim Office Hours

Our office is open Tuesdays through Thursdays during the Legislative Interim.

  

 

 

Note from Susan:

   I am dedicated to being your voice in Annapolis as we work toward better roads, schools and jobs, and also a reduced tax burden.
   Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or ideas you may have. My legislative assistant, Jeffrey Peters, and I are always happy to help.
 

 

Contact Information

Susan W. Krebs

Maryland House of Delegates

6 Bladen Street, Room 311

Annapolis, MD  21401 

410-841-3200

 

 

Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 1, 2011 From 7:00 pm to 12:00 am

4th annual Crabtoberfest to benefit the Freedom Rec fields. Held  at the Freedom Community Center on Rt 32. Tickets are 40 dollars in advance and 45 at the door. For tickets, email 

Andy Roberts by clicking here on this link


Saturday, October 1, 2011 From 1:00 pm to 4:00pm

The "Cider Open House" at the Historic Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse.

 

Friday, October 7, 2011 At 6:30 pm

Human trafficking awareness "Call and Response Film Screening" at the Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church in the Community Life Center.

 

Saturday, October 15, 2011 From 5:00 am to 11:00 am

Piney Run Park will host its annual "Fall Fishing Tournament". $20 per person. For more information, click on this link.

 

Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Carroll County Republican Womens Club are sponsoring an "Italian Casino Night" to benefit "A Taste of Home," supporting Maryland Guard members serving in harm's way. Hosted at the Westminster American Legion Carroll Post 31. Tickets are $45. For more information, call Leith at (410) 206-3696 or Linda (410) 871-0699

 

Saturday, October 29, 2011 From 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Piney Run Park and Nature Center will host its Children "Just for Fun" Pet Show for children 6 to 12 years old. For more information, click on this link.

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for crime reports and safety tips.

 

Helpful Links

 

 

 

  

 

registerRegister to Vote!

 Uncle Sam graphic