COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF LEGAL EXCELLENCE, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND INCREASED MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW

2008 Legislative Reception

You are cordially invited to attend
THE JFB 2008 LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
Prince George’s County and Montgomery County Elected Officials Invited

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2008
6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Harry Browne’s Restaurant
66 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401

Please RSVP by March 7, 2008;
Donation: $10.00 JFB Members; $20.00 Non-Members

Contacts:
Traci Scudder (301)572-3245 &
Colette Gresham (301)952-5434

2007 Legislative Corner Update

Greetings JFB Members

The 2007 General Assembly session adjourned on April 9, which is also referred to as “Sine Die”, at midnight. The J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association began the session with a dialogue that included our State and County elected officials from Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. As a result of the Association’s commitment to addressing issues involving education, public safety, healthcare, gaming and voting rights, we informed our elected officials of our readiness to be involved in the process and to let our voice be heard. The Legislative Committee is happy to report that Bourne was involved in the legislative process and kept abreast of the issues affecting our communities. The status of the bills the Legislative Committee has tracked during the session that are of interest to the membership are as follows:

• Truancy Reduction Pilot Program (HB 1325): Passed and sent to Governor for signature
• Truancy - Prohibition Against Issuance of Learner's Instructional Permit (HB 571): Passed and sent to Governor for signature
• Voter Registration Protection Act (SB 488): Approved by Governor on April 24 (Chapter 159)
• Election Law - Voting Systems - Voter-Verifiable Paper Records (HB 18): Passed and sent to Governor for signature
• Elective Franchise - Authority to Establish Early Voting (HB 201): Approved in House, died in Senate
• Prince George's County Hospital Authority PG 430-07 (HB 510): Approved in House, died in Senate
• “Jessica’s Law” (deny parole to those who commit first-degree rape against a child younger than 13 – HB 930): Passed and sent to Governor for signature
• Gangs (provide additional tools to prosecutors – HB 713): Passed and sent to Governor for signature
• Drug sentences (allow twice-convicted drug dealers the chance for parole instead of the mandatory 10-year sentence – HB 992): Passed and sent to Governor for signature
• Death penalty (replace the death penalty with life without parole – HB 225): Voted down in Senate committee
• Juvenile sex offenders (allow court to require registration of offenses committed by juveniles): Passed in Senate, died in House
• Assault weapons ban (ban the sale and possession of 45 assault-style weapons): Voted down in Senate committee
• Smoking ban (ban smoking in bars and restaurants statewide – HB 359): Passed and sent to Governor for signature

The Legislative Committee looks forward to continuing to bring forth to the membership all issues that impact the Association’s mission of defending, protecting and assisting in the cultural, economic, social, and political development of the African-American community through the vehicle of law.

Colette R. Gresham, Esq.
Legislative Committee Co-Chair

2007 Legislative Corner Update

Now that the General Assembly has reached its major “cross-over” date of March 26 for all bills to be considered prior to Sine Die, April 9, there are a few bills that have passed at least one chamber and crossed over to the opposite chamber that would be of interest to the membership.

One topic that has kept our interest has been truancy and currently two bills are still moving toward passage in the Senate. The first is HB 1325, which would create a truancy court similar to the pilot programs located on the Eastern Shore but omits the electronic monitoring provision that was included in HB 506, which was evidentially withdrawn. The second truancy bill is HB 571 that prohibits issuing a learner’s permit if the applicant has more than 10 unexcused absences.

Another major piece of legislation that has passed both houses is SB 488 the Voter Registration Protection Act; this bill allows an individual convicted of any crime to register to vote if he/she is not serving a court-ordered sentence, including parole or probation, for a felony conviction. The early voting bill, HB 201 and HB 18, a bill that would allow for voter-verified paper records, are moving through the Senate as well.

The Hospital Authority bill, HB 510, has also moved over to the Senate side and it continues to generate much debate. The latest amendment to the bill would require Prince George’s County to levy an additional County property tax on the homeowners in Prince George’s County.

One piece of legislation, however, that did not make cross-over and received an unfavorable report in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, was SB 211/HB 225, the death penalty repeal bill.

Colette R. Gresham, Esq.
Legislative Committee Co-Chair

2007 Legislative Corner Update

During our Legislative Reception held in January, various issues involving education, public safety, healthcare, gaming and voting rights were discussed with our State and local elected officials. As the General Assembly session in Annapolis continues and has reached day 50 of the 90 day session, the Legislative Committee wanted to update the members on some of the bills that would be of interest to the Association.

There is a truancy bill that has generated a lot of discussion in Prince George’s County, HB 506/SB 113, which would establish a pilot program similar to the program implemented on the Eastern Shore and includes electronic monitoring of truants. The bill has not passed out of the House Delegation and has been special ordered for more discussion.

The death penalty repeal bill, HB 225, has been supported by Governor O’Malley and the Montgomery County Council. HB 225 would provide that an inmate who has been sentenced to death before the bill’s October 1, 2007 effective date and who has not been executed, may not be executed and will be considered as having received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Another popular bill that was passed out of the House is the early voting bill, HB 201, which authorizes the General Assembly to provide by suitable enactment a process to allow voters to vote at specified polling places in specified locations and on specified days prior to specified election dates and submits the amendment to the qualified voters of the State of Maryland for their adoption or rejection. There does not appear to be any significant movement on any slots bills this session.

As to healthcare, HB 510 is an emergency bill sponsored by Del. Niemann that would create a Prince George’s County Hospital Authority that would develop and implement a long-term plan for hospital and health care services, as well as having the authority to acquire the health care facilities and leases held by Dimensions Health Care. The Prince George’s County Council is in opposition to the bill.

Colette R. Gresham, Esq.
Legislative Committee Co-Chair

2007 Legislative Reception

On January 18, 2007, JFB held its 2007 Legislative Reception. This event provided our membership with an invaluable opportunity to meet and dialogue with elected official on issues of mutual interest and concern.

The 423rd General Assembly session officially began on January 10, 2007 and will adjourn on April 9, 2007. This session promises to generate various debates on some pertinent issues and concerns shared by JFB, for example, legalization of slots at Maryland racetracks, death penalty moratorium or abolishment, and voting, disenfranchisement. JFB Legislative Committee will continue to track and monitor the bills that impact our mission and update the membership.

Bills of interest for JFB are as follows: PG 316-07 (Docketing Fee for Appearance of Counsel) – this bill establishes a fee and collection structure for attorney appearance filings; PG 404-07/PG 408/07 (Compensation for Election Judges) – these bills propose an increase in compensation for election judges; PG 418-07 (University of Maryland Medical System) – this bill requires the University of Maryland Medical System to acquire the Dimensions Healthcare system; and MC/PG 104-07/MC/PG 118-07 (WSSC Minority and Local Small Business Enterprise Program) – these bills seek to reestablish MBE programs.

It is only through our vigilance that we will ensure the full participation of African-Americans in the democratic process.

Meet Your Legislators Breakfast 2004

Our Delegate Odie Patterson (DP. G.), Chair of Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus, consults with JFB’s President, Debra M. Davis, on legislative priorities during a break at JFB’s Annual Legislative Breakfast at the Greenbelt Marriott Hotel on Saturday, February 7, 2004.

Our Legislative Breakfast at the Greenbelt Marriott on February 7th was a success. Marva Jo Camp and Abigail Bruce Watson organized an informative and inspiring program, as usual. Our thanks to them for once again stepping forward to insure the success of the Breakfast.

The Prince George’s County legislative delegation asked JFB to serve as a resource as they address issues such as slots in Prince George’s County, a review of the Bail system for the entire State of Maryland, and the National elections in November, to name a few issues. We spearhead our alliance with our political leaders at our Annual Legislative Breakfast. This was an excellent opportunity to meet local officials from Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. We also presented our legislative agenda.

I reminded the audience that most of the leaders in the room were involved in at least one other organization, and “had at least three jobs”. Our active members are involved in local bar associations, church groups and politics while still practicing law full time. Our goal must be to inspire others to become active in at least one organization.

June-July Newsletter
CLICK HERE

President's Message
CLICK HERE

JFB/PGCBA Scholarship Golf Classic Recap
CLICK HERE

New Admittees Reception
CLICK HERE

Preparing for Judicial Nominations
CLICK HERE

With
Howard U. Sch. of Law
&
Black Women's Bar Association of Suburban Maryland