As a member of the Maryland General Assembly’s Health and Government Operations Committee and as a delegate from District 34A, one of my most consistent priorities has been public health and well-being. Every bill I introduce or attach my name to, I regard as important legislation that will benefit my constituents. Ever since coming to office, I’ve unapologetically pushed to create strong policies that will embolden our communities, while preserving our health and safety.
This session, I’ve been primarily focused on 10 bills, some of which will be highlighted in the rest of this article. My top priorities this year have been continuing to combat human trafficking, promotion of community incorporation, and expansion of access to affordable healthcare.
One bill I’ve submitted is HB 0620, the Human and Sex Trafficking prevention program bill, a piece of legislation that I’ve worked tirelessly to get passed for years. Human trafficking and sexual assault are serious issues in our state, to the point where Maryland’s human trafficking hotline is one of the most called in the entire country. This bill would require that schools enact a program within health classes that address the prevention of sexual abuse and human trafficking, between grades six and eight.
Nobody is spared from this crisis; regardless of gender, race, social class, or any other demographic, anyone can be a victim if they don’t know or understand the signs. What makes this crisis worse is how human traffickers see our state as a “gold mine” due to our easily accessible infrastructure, such as airports, bus stops and interstates. We can collectively fight against this crisis if we teach our youth how to be actively vigilant against traffickers.
Another bill I’ve been working on is HB 1436, the Municipal Incorporation bill. This bill would allow our unincorporated communities to organize and request a referendum which, if passed, would allow those communitites to begin the incorporation process.
Why is this important? Without incorporation, a town has very little autonomy or control over its own affairs. An unincorporated town doesn’t have the right to decide land usage, nor does it have its own emergency services or local governance which could respond to its needs more directly.
In trying to give the people the right to incorporate towns, it is my hope that newly incorporated towns can thrive with tax dollars being spent more locally to improve living conditions and strengthen the identity of communities while allowing citizens more say in their local governance.
Aside from these two bills, I’ve been diligently working to pass legislation to expand equity and access to healthcare here in Maryland.
HB 0879 outlines a plan to make healthcare more affordable, limiting how much healthcare operators can spike expenses while also requiring providers to engage in cost-sharing on high deductible health plans.
In a time when Americans everywhere are struggling to deal with these rising prices, I have been taking the initiative to combat the unfair rise in healthcare prices in our state.
These bills, as well as the many others I’ve chosen to support during this legislative session, demonstrate my commitment to serving the interests of all Marylanders equally.
With such little time left in the legislative session, I will be striving to ensure that every remaining day counts, and that no time is left unutilized. Even though it can be difficult to balance the needs of everyone, it is my intention to continue pushing bills that ultimately support Marylanders and my constituents in District 34A, and in doing so, to make our communities safer and more equitable for everyone.
Del. Steve Johnson is a Democrat and one of two delegates representing District 34A in Harford County. He can be reached at (410) 841-3280 or steve.johnson@house.state.md.us.
