Bills benefiting members signed into law

AFT-Maryland had a busy legislative session, working to get several bills passed and signed into law. Gov. Larry Hogan held a signing ceremony for three bills that affected locals in the state federation. One was a bill placing employees at the Maryland School for the Deaf into the State Personnel Management System. This was a bill that MSD and AFT-Maryland worked hard over the course of several sessions to get passed. Teachers at the Maryland School for the Deaf are fully considered state employees and are no longer contractual.

The other two bills signed were pieces of legislation of particular interest to the Baltimore Teachers Union. Gov. Hogan signed a bill into law that established statewide definitions for a community school. This will be important as increased state investment in education will call for more funding for students affected by concentrated poverty. Community schools have proven to be helpful addressing the needs of students living in concentrated poverty.

Finally, a bill that would help lower the level of lead in water in Baltimore city public schools was also signed into law. BTU members testified on this bill and worked closely with legislators in both the House and Senate to see that it passed. 

photo via http://govpics.maryland.gov

2019-05-14