Legislative Update 29 March 2010

House gives preliminary OK to extended sentence for child predators
Delegates approve two other sex offender reforms in wake of killing of Shore girl, 11. Child predators would face at least 15 years in prison without the possibility of parole under a new measure given preliminary approval Friday morning by the Maryland House of Delegates. The move came as delegates gave their final OK to two other sex offender reforms -- eliminating good-time prison credits and requiring lifetime supervision for violent and repeat offenders.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/legislature/bal-sex-offender-b...

Child support payments could go up significantly. Proposed legislation rewrites guidelines for courts to use; covers wealthy for first time
Some child support payments in Maryland could soon go up - a change that state Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald called "long overdue."
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/legislature/bal-md.childsuppor...

On the Tab: Food, Drinks, and Health Care
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/03/24/on-the-check-food-drinks-h...

Senate gives final approval to ban on holding cell phones while driving
Bill would allow headsets, cut proposed fine Maryland's Senate wants motorists to keep both hands on the steering wheel, giving final approval Wednesday to a measure that outlaws holding a cell phone while driving.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/legislature/bal-cell-phone-ban...

Senate panel rejects change in death-penalty criteria
Miller bid to ease prosecution countered by Frosh
It appears that Maryland lawmakers this year will not be making it easier for prosecutors to pursue the death penalty.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.penalty24mar24,0,253080...

Senate committee kills bill to limit credit checks by employers
A state proposal to ban employers' use of credit histories to screen job
applicants or fire workers has been rejected by a Senate committee, lessening chances for a similar measure under consideration in the House of Delegates.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-credit-bill-0325,0,1709594.story

Assembly OKs revised jobless benefits
Changes to bring in $126 million in federal funds
The Maryland General Assembly passed a measure Tuesday that changes unemployment benefits in a way that enables the state to tap into nearly $127 million in federal stimulus money.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bal-md.br.unemploymen...

Tax credit for hiring state's unemployed nears approval
Businesses can receive a $5,000 tax credit for each out-of-work Marylander hired this year, under a plan nearing final approval in the General Assembly. Gov. Martin O'Malley pushed the tax credit as a way to stimulate hiring at a time when the state faces a 7.5 percent unemployment rate - the worst in a quarter-century. Lawmakers increased the credit from the $3,000 O'Malley proposed. The House of Delegates approved the Senate's legislation Wednesday, but the two chambers must agree upon slight changes added by the House. To protect against abuse, the measure requires that, to receive the credit, employers fill a new position or one that has been vacant for at least six months. The employees hired must be either collecting unemployment or within a
year of the expiration of those benefits.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.briefs251mar25,0,622835...