I wanted to update you on Statewide bills that have been introduced that impact our immigrant population. For your convenience, I have provided details below.
House Bill 1362 (cross-filed as Senate Bill 835), also known as the Maryland Law Enforcement and Governmental Trust Act, proposes to disentangle our local law enforcement agencies from federal immigration enforcement efforts. A hearing on HB1362 is scheduled for February 28 at 1 p.m. in Judiciary and a hearing on SB835 is scheduled for February 21 at 1 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings. Collectively, it has over 40 sponsors including our very own Senator Guzzone and Delegates Atterbeary, Ebersole, Hill, Lam, Pendergrass, and Turner. More information is available here >>
House Bill 1208 (cross-filed as Senate Bill 616) relates victims and witnesses of domestic violence as well as when an individual can file a petition for U Nonimmigrant Status. I commend Howard County Delegate Lam for his leadership on this initiative. HB1208 has scheduled a hearing in Judiciary for February 28 at 1 p.m. SB616 has scheduled a hearing in Judicial Proceedings for February 21 at 1 p.m. Details are available here >>
House Bill 272 would establish a sanctuary campus for our public institutions of higher education and prohibit the release of immigration status. Information on the bill, including upcoming hearings and sponsors, can be found here >>
I'm disappointed to see the introduction of House Bill 539, co-sponsored by Howard County Delegates Kittleman and Miller which imposes additional voter registration requirements. This is likely to have a chilling effect by requiring individuals who register to vote after June 30, 2017 to submit proof of citizenship. A hearing in Ways and Means is set for February 23 at 1 p.m. More details available here >>
House Bill 1362 (cross-filed as Senate Bill 835), also known as the Maryland Law Enforcement and Governmental Trust Act, proposes to disentangle our local law enforcement agencies from federal immigration enforcement efforts. A hearing on HB1362 is scheduled for February 28 at 1 p.m. in Judiciary and a hearing on SB835 is scheduled for February 21 at 1 p.m. in Judicial Proceedings. Collectively, it has over 40 sponsors including our very own Senator Guzzone and Delegates Atterbeary, Ebersole, Hill, Lam, Pendergrass, and Turner. More information is available here >>
House Bill 1208 (cross-filed as Senate Bill 616) relates victims and witnesses of domestic violence as well as when an individual can file a petition for U Nonimmigrant Status. I commend Howard County Delegate Lam for his leadership on this initiative. HB1208 has scheduled a hearing in Judiciary for February 28 at 1 p.m. SB616 has scheduled a hearing in Judicial Proceedings for February 21 at 1 p.m. Details are available here >>
House Bill 272 would establish a sanctuary campus for our public institutions of higher education and prohibit the release of immigration status. Information on the bill, including upcoming hearings and sponsors, can be found here >>
I'm disappointed to see the introduction of House Bill 539, co-sponsored by Howard County Delegates Kittleman and Miller which imposes additional voter registration requirements. This is likely to have a chilling effect by requiring individuals who register to vote after June 30, 2017 to submit proof of citizenship. A hearing in Ways and Means is set for February 23 at 1 p.m. More details available here >>
House Bill 598, co-sponsored Howard County Delegate Warren Miller, requires local jurisdictions like Howard County, to fully comply with and support federal immigration law. In doing so, it places an undue financial burden on local jurisdictions, strips away the ability to operate efficiently, and, will increase local costs to the detriment of projects and priorities we have long established. Information is available here >>
Senate Bill 830 is co-sponsored by Howard County Senator Gail Bates and requires State and local correctional facilities to provide specified notice to the Department of Homeland Security and maintain custody to not exceed 48 hours beyond the time when they would have been released. This legislation could potentially expose both the State and County to liability by denying the release of individuals in custody. A hearing has been scheduled in Judicial Proceedings for February 21 at 1 p.m. For more information, go here >>
Senate Bill 842 (cross-filed as House Bill 1354) also known as Voter Registration Integrity Act of 2017, co-sponsored Howard County Senator Bates and requires a jury commissioner to provide prospective juror information concerning individuals who are not US citizens to the State Board of Elections within 5 days. Further, it requires the State Administrator of Elections to make certain arrangements to receive the information and retain the list. A hearing for SB842 has been set for March 2 at 1 p.m. in Education, Health, and Environment. For more details, go here >>
Senate Bill 883 prohibits individuals who are not lawfully residing in the United States from voting in municipal elections. Furthermore, where a municipality permits individuals who are residents but are not U.S. citizens to vote in its municipal elections, the municipality shall verify the lawful presence of each such individual in the United States before the individual votes. A hearing in Education, Health, and Environment has been scheduled for February 23rd at 1pm. For more details, go here >>
House Bill 1074 is under consideration and provides that a citizen of the United States who is a resident of the State shall have standing to file suit in the appropriate Circuit Court against an elected official who creates or maintains a sanctuary program in violation of the federal immigration and Nationality Act for an injunction against the sanctuary program. A hearing is scheduled for February 22nd at 1pm in the Judiciary. For more information, go here >>
