GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT
FOR MARYLANDERS WITH DISABILITIES
Baltimore, MD (May 2, 2013) - Governor Martin O'Malley today signed into law new legislation that provides additional support for individuals with disabilities and their families. The new legislation will improve access to voting; create a task force to study the impact of expanding credit and noncredit courses for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities; establish the Aging and Disability Resource Center Program in the Department of Aging; and exclude non profits organizations that promote the interests of physically or mentally disabled individuals from being counted as part of the State MBE program.
"In Maryland we believe in the dignity of every individual and share an understanding that our choices in this lifetime matter," said Governor O'Malley. "Laws that address access to voting, educational opportunities for students with disabilities, employment, and resources for Maryland's older citizens are some of the ways we are working to make Maryland stronger and better for all of our citizens.
New legislation approved during the 2013 Maryland General Assembly Session and signed by Governor O'Malley includes the following:
House Bill 224 / Senate Bill 279 - Election Law - Improving Access to Voting - Provides an exception to the voter registration deadline to allow an individual to register to vote or update an existing voter registration address and vote during early voting; specifies methods of voting using an absentee ballot, including through an accessible online application.
House Bill 813 - Task Force to Study the Impact of Expanding Credit and Noncredit Courses for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - Creates a Task Force to Study the Impact of Expanding Credit and Noncredit Courses for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and includes the Maryland Department of Disabilities as a member.
Senate Bill 83 - Department of Aging - Aging and Disability Resource Center Program - Maryland Access Point - Establishes the Aging and Disability Resource Center Program in the Department of Aging; designating the Program as the State's Aging and Disability Resource Center for purposes of the federal Older Americans Act; requiring the Department to administer, supervise, and coordinate the Program with the cooperation of other State agencies; requiring the Program to designate local Program offices and provide specified services and materials.
House Bill 48 / Senate Bill 1066 - Minority Business Enterprises - Not-for-Profit Entities - Excludes non-profits organized to promote the interests of physically or mentally disabled individuals from being counted as part of the State MBE program effective as of July 1, 2015, allows for continuation of existing contracts through end of contract, prohibits certain contracts from being counted as part of a unit of State government's total procurement contracting for the purposes of the MBE, requires MDOD to evaluate and report on the impact of removing nonprofit entities from the Minority Business Enterprise Program in December of 2015 and 2016 and calls for data collection and reporting on an annual basis by the Department of General Services to the Board of Public Works and General Assembly.
House Bill 374 / Senate Bill 212 - Vehicle Laws - Registration Plates for Motorcycles - Individuals with Disabilities - Authorizes special motorcycle registration plates for individuals with disabilities.
House Bill 1279 / Senate Bill 902 - Statewide Building Codes - Maryland Accessibility Code - Enforcement - Authorizes an occupant, a dependent of an occupant, or a prospective tenant who otherwise meets the requirements for tenancy to commence a civil action to obtain relief for a violation of the Maryland Accessibility Code with regard to a building of four or more dwelling units that is subject to the Code.
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