Dear Friends,

One of the legislature's top priorities is to provide the best education possible for our children. I have been and will continue to be a strong voice for education. Here are a few of the education bills we passed this session. As always, you can find additional information on the General Assembly website.

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future remains one of the most transformative education investments in our State’s history. It is already expanding access to publicly funded Pre-K, strengthening teacher pipelines, and building clearer pathways to college and career readiness as students graduate. 

The Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act (HB504) builds on those efforts by giving local school systems increased flexibility around some State funding, extending career counseling services, creating a school leadership training program for administrators, building pathways for more school professionals to enter the teaching profession, and strengthening the community school model. Additional details regarding HB504 can be found in the 90-Day Report. 

We passed House Bill 879 establishing the Task Force to Improve Attendance and Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Schools. The task force will analyze data regarding chronic absenteeism by students in schools in the State; identify and evaluate local and national strategies and best practices to address chronic absenteeism. By June 30, 2026, MSDE must distribute a toolkit for school leaders on identifying and preventing chronic absenteeism and provide guidance to each local school system on effective prevention strategies.

We passed the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act (SB431) to modernize the State’s apprenticeship system. Meeting the demands of a 21st century economy means developing alternative pathways to our State’s workforce through opportunities. 

Our economic future depends on Maryland employers' ability to build a dependable and skilled labor force. The traditional method of workforce development heavily relies on school-based learning, which often leaves students with burdensome college debt and a lack of practical on-the-job experience. Apprenticeships shift our workforce training paradigm to allow individuals to earn a living wage while they learn their necessary trade skills.  The law will expand the definition of a qualifying apprenticeship, ensuring more Marylanders can access career training programs that align with industry needs. Marylanders need more than a job after school–they need accessible and sustainable careers.

My office has heard from numerous federal employees expressing concerns about job security and the potential defunding of essential services they provide. In addition, many constituents have voiced worries about funding and their rights.

To assist those affected by these challenges, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth has also compiled a comprehensive resource guide, which will be especially valuable to federal workers, immigrant families, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community during this period of uncertainty. Click here to view the guide.

Governor Moore has also launched the Maryland Public Servants Resource Website, which serves as a centralized hub for programs and resources to support Maryland’s federal employees and contractors impacted by federal workforce layoffs, firings, and changes to federal funding. 

The website provides resources for impacted federal workers, including information on unemployment insurance, job search and career support, legal resources, and an index of key rules and regulations that govern the federal employment process. 

The site includes resources for Unemployment Insurance, Career Support, Health Coverage, Legal Resources and more.

• MD Labor Resource Website - This website provides information on resources like unemployment insurance benefits, career guidance, and reemployment support.
• FAQs for Federal Employees - Unemployment Insurance -Resource for Federal civilian employees who become unemployed due to no fault of their own can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).
• Regular Unemployment Insurance Overview - Other workers impacted by federal actions - such as employees who worked for a private sector employer that contracted with the federal government - may be eligible to apply for regular unemployment insurance.
• Virtual Workshop - A virtual workshop designed specifically for former federal employees, federal contractors, and other workers impacted by federal government transition is available on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. See workshop details (información del taller en español) and email FedWorker.Transition@maryland.gov to sign up.

The website will be updated regularly as additional information becomes available.

The Comptroller of Maryland - Frozen Federal Funds Reporting. Recent federal actions have resulted in the freezing and/or revocation of federal loans and grants to some nonprofit organizations. The Comptroller of Maryland has been closely monitoring this situation, particularly given the potential impact on Maryland’s economy, workforce, and communities. To assist us in assessing the scope and impact of these funding cuts, we invite you to share information with us if you have had problems accessing federal funding.

The Maryland Department of Labor (MD Labor) has prepared resources to support Maryland workers impacted by the federal government transition, including employees of the federal government and federal government contractors.

• Resource pages
  The MD Labor resource page provides information about unemployment insurance benefits and reemployment support, linking to our FAQs, application portals, and most-requested flyers for rapid access to key information. Governor Moore’s Resources for Impacted Workers page also provides legal resources, information on federal employment rules and regulations, and county programs and resources.
• Unemployment insurance FAQs
  Federal civilian employees who become unemployed due to no fault of their own can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). See our Unemployment Insurance FAQs for Federal Workers. Other workers impacted by federal actions—such as employees who worked for a private sector employer that contracted with the federal government—may be eligible to apply for regular unemployment insurance. See the Regular Unemployment Insurance Overview flyer for details. Individuals who are found eligible can receive up to $430 in weekly benefits (pre-tax).
  
  Workers should apply for UI benefits in the jurisdiction of their "duty station." This means, for example, that if you are a Marylander who is laid off from a federal job based in Virginia, you should apply for benefits in Virginia. Here are direct links to apply for UI benefits in Maryland; Washington, DC; and Virginia.
• Unemployment insurance phone line
  To apply for unemployment, workers can file online or call 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Federal workers should select option #9.
• Virtual workshop for impacted workers
  A virtual workshop designed specifically for former federal employees, federal contractors, and other workers impacted by federal government transition is available on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. See workshop details (información del taller en español) and email FedWorker.Transition@maryland.gov to sign up.
• Support in finding a new job
  MD Labor offers résumé workshops, individualized career guidance, mock interviews, career and skills assessment, effective job search strategies, support in coping with job loss and job transition, networking support, reemployment workshops, and more. These resources are provided through 33 American Job Centers (AJCs) and our specialized Professional Outplacement Assistance Center (POAC). See our resource guide (guía de recursos en español) for details. See our FAQ page for answers to common questions from workers transitioning from federal employment to new opportunities.

Sincerely,

Pamela Beidle

Senator, District 32, Maryland General Assembly

Click here to be directed to our Unemployment Insurance Assistance Form. 

New automated enforcement cameras are now active in six school zone locations throughout the county. These cameras will be active from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Citations will be issued following a 15-day warning period.

Below are the locations of the newly installed speed enforcement cameras.

• Belle Grove Elementary School - Belle Grove Road, Brooklyn Park
• Linthicum Elementary School - S Camp Meade Road, Linthicum Heights
• School of the Incarnation - Waugh Chapel Road, Gambrills
• Van Bokkelen Elementary School - Reece Road, Severn
• Benfield Elementary School - Benfield Road, Severna Park
• Marley Middle School - Marley Station Road, Glen Burnie

For information about the program and to view the locations of all active camera locations, visit the Automated Traffic Enforcement Speed Program web page 

The full press release can be found HERE. To access the Comptroller of Maryland's Service Portal and popular tax help services, visit this LINK.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced the launch of the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park Virtual Photo Tour. 

This online resource will offer residents a comprehensive view and historical context of the park's current structures to bridge the gap between current restricted access and a time in the future when open access will be granted to the planned Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park. 

Following Anne Arundel County’s acquisition of the former Crownsville Hospital Complex from the State of Maryland in December 2022, the county initiated an extensive planning process.

In February 2025, the County Executive unveiled the Final Master Plan after more than a year of gathering information and community engagement. This serves as a blueprint for future development, providing detailed recommendations for land use, building programming, open space, traffic management, and public art installations. 

These multi-year efforts to reimagine Crownsville, led by County Executive Pittman, will lay the groundwork for a lasting legacy that will inform and inspire future generations. 

To learn more about the steps taken to develop Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park, visit AACounty.Org/CrownsvillePark.

On Tuesday, May 6th, at 2:00 p.m., Dawn Lewis, Development Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Parkinson's Foundation, will present “Parkinson's Disease." Living with Parkinson's disease can be challenging but there are many things that can be done to maintain and improve the quality of life for a loved one. This program will provide families with information to help those with Parkinson's find the balance between a proactive approach and wondering what lies ahead. This workshop will be held at the Crofton Library, 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton, MD 21114. 

Also on Tuesday, May 6th, at 6:00 p.m., Family Caregiver Support Program staff will present "What Caregivers Want (and Need) to Know." Caregivers typically want to know about the specific medical condition of the person they are caring for and how the condition might progress. They are also looking at how to access support systems and resources and how to plan for the future. Most importantly, they need to know how to prioritize their own physical and emotional well-being while providing quality care. Join the Department of Aging & Disabilities Caregiver Support Program staff as we dive into these questions, as well as any other questions you bring to the session. This workshop will be held at the Severna Park Library, 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park, MD 21146.

Register online for these workshops at www.aacounty.org/aging or by calling 410-222-4377 or 410-222-4339. These workshops are presented at no cost to the public through the National Family Caregiver Support Program of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities.

Anyone needing accommodations must contact Mary Chaput at 410-222-4339 or by email at agchap01@aacounty.org at least seven days in advance of the event. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. All materials are available in an alternative format upon request.

The County Executive has announced the dates for the 2025 River Days Festivals. These events provide families with an opportunity to get out on the water, fall in love with the place they live, and inspire our residents to become stewards who will protect the health of our local waterways.

Each festival is free and will feature fun activities for all ages, including boat rides, water activities, environmental educators, live music, games, crafts, food trucks, and more. 

To learn more, visit AACounty.Org/RiverDays.

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