Breaking Things is Easy. Picking Up the Pieces Takes Work

As the wreckage from the Trump administration's actions continues to mount, I am heartened that elected officials, judges, and so many people from communities around the country are taking action.  

This past week I attended protests defending the vital work done both by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Looking for ways YOU can be involved?

I hope you will help spread the word—far and wide—about how Trump’s actions are affecting you and what your concerns for our shared future are.  Raising our voices is necessary and important work.  

Here are just some of the many groups listing protests and other forms of direct action:

•   Silver Spring Progressive Action

•   Civic Action Hub of Maryland

•   Indivisible(national)

•   Indivisible Montgomery

•  Takoma Park Mobilization

•  Third Act Maryland

What Maryland Legislators Are Doing

Mostly, my work in recent weeks has been laser-focused at the state level.  My colleagues and I are working hard to minimize the damage Marylanders might experience from this unprecedented assault on our democracy.  With only one month before the Maryland General Assembly adjourns for the year, the next week will see a flurry of action as both the House and Senate work to pass and “cross over” bills to the other chamber in order for them to be considered this Session, including:   

Immigrant Protections

President Trump and his administration have stated their intention to deport massive numbers of immigrants through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions.  Here in Maryland, we are working to protect immigrants and our communities.  Three bills, including one of mine, are now being considered: 

1) Maryland Data Privacy Act (House Bill [HB]1431/Senate Bill [SB]977) - My bill will prevent ICE from accessing state and local data of immigrant Marylanders without a warrant.

 2) Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (HB 1006 / SB 828) -  This act establishes clear guidelines on limiting ICE access to sensitive locations, including schools, courthouses, hospitals, places of worship, and other vital spaces.

3) Maryland Values Act (HB 1222) - This legislation terminates harmful agreements that allow local police to act as ICE agents.

Health Insurance Protections

Over the past several years, my fellow state legislators and I have been working to incorporate key provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) into state law.  This way, if parts or all the of the ACA are repealed, Marylanders would still have:

•    coverage for pre-existing conditions,

•    family coverage for children up to the age of 26,

•    annual limits to cost sharing,

•    guaranteed access to coverage, and

•    access to family planning and other vital services.

For more information on these health insurance bills, check out:

1.    Consumer protections HB 959 (from 2020), with updates currently being considered in HB 1045, and

2.    Coverage protections in HB 718, also currently being considered.

My Legislation is Moving Forward!

Two of my bills passed the House this week. I expect several others will pass and cross over to the Senate in the next week:

•    Assisting Patients with Hospital Debt (HB 268): Hospital debt can be financially devastating for low-income patients.  This bill creates a standard amount hospitals must offer to those patients.  It also protects patients from predatory lawsuits and deceptive practices.

•    Farm-to-School Procurement (HB 56): Local food producers can more easily sell their products to schools with a coordinated buying process from the Maryland State Department of Education.  Students will then get to eat more fish and healthy local foods.  Win-win!

Need help with a state issue?

Please contact my office at lorig.charkoudian@house.state.md.us or leave us a message at (410)-841-3423.

Onward,

Lorig