District Updates from Delegate Pat Young
Volume 38 | February 21st 2022
In this Edition:
1. Cybersecurity in the House
2. Scholarship Applications
3. Announcements
4. Covid-19 & News
It's Cyber Time:
Pat's Cybersecurity Package Hearings
Almost through the second month of session and bill hearings are raging! The Senate is back in person, but the House is still holding virtual sessions for the time being.
Pat's Cybersecurity Package
This week the Health & Government Operations Committee will hold hearings on three major bills Pat has up for consideration to upgrade Maryland's cybersecurity infrastructure and preparedness.
• Local Cybersecurity Support: Focused on funding and driving local cybersecurity initiatives.
• State Government Cybersecurity Infrastructure: Focused on funding & upgrading all state departments & agencies with protective hardware & software to prevent cyberattacks.
• Cybersecurity Governance & Coordination: Sets in place a command structure for reporting, preparing for, & reacting to cyberattacks so that every government organization in the state (whether local or state) in partnership with the private sector will be working together in the most efficient way possible.
This package of bills will go a long way toward addressing the major deficiencies and weakness in our system and protect the government and people of Maryland from future cyberattacks and the disruptions they cause.
Business & News
As things get back to normal in session, we are still using virtual meetings, but it was a pleasure to hear a presentation from Director Alcantara-Antoine from Baltimore County Public Library to update the Baltimore County Delegation on the state of our libraries, projects, and services.
Our libraries are changing into 21st century public institutions for lifelong learning and quality resources - not just providing books, but classes, job development, technologies, internet, and all sorts of media.
During Covid, libraries stepped up to provide critical services to the community beyond their normal functions.
As they grow and change, the County is proud to be investing in modern facilities - including several here in the southwest. I'm proud that my family frequently uses BCPL resources which not only include in-person facilities, but also ebook & streaming digital services:
Delegate Scholarship Application is Open!
If you or a promising student you know in District 44B are planning to attend a Maryland college/university, Pat's scholarship application is now available!
Please note to qualify for the scholarship with our office you must:
• reside in our district,
• plan to use the scholarship with a Maryland school/university (unless your major qualifies under the “Unique Major” program),
• and be enrolled in a minimum of six credits per semester.
Please complete the application by April 1st and reach out to the office if you need any assistance: Pat.Young@house.state.md.us
Baltimore County Commission for Women Seeking Nominees for the 40th Annual Women of the Year Awards
Make your nominations!
The Baltimore County Commission for Women is seeking nominations for its 40th annual Women of the Year Awards to honoring women for their outstanding contributions to the community.
Nominations are open until February 28, 2022.
Each year the Baltimore County Commission for Women accepts nominations for "Woman of the Year," "Young Woman of the Year" and "Woman Making a Difference" awards.
These awards honors female residents of Baltimore County who have made significant, unique and lasting contributions within the to champion the interests and needs of women and families; serve as role models of inspiration and achievement for other women; or enhance the lives of the citizens of Baltimore County.
Nominees must reside in Baltimore County for a minimum of three years. Previous winners and elected officials are not eligible.
Nominees for "Young Woman of the Year" must be a high school senior attending a Baltimore County school who is a proven leader and has made an extraordinary impact on her school and community through volunteering.
One woman—including college students—among the nominees who have made a powerful impact on the community through volunteer efforts will be recognized as "Woman Making a Difference."
Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony later this year.
2022 Women of the Year nomination forms are available online here. Nominations are open until February 28, 2022.
News & Local Updates
Baltimore County To End Mask Requirements
Amid continued decreases in COVID-19 metrics especially for the vaccinated, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced plans to lift the indoor mask requirement for County buildings and facilities and to end required COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated employees, effective, Monday, February 28 2022.
Baltimore County is currently at ~52 cases per 100,000 people and with lower hospitalization rates in the Omicron surge - things are beginning to get closer toward normal again.
Several other mask mandates in Maryland are ending at midnight tonight including Montgomery County & Howard County.
Ghost Gun Proliferation & the Maryland Assembly
Ghost Guns are on the rise and pose an increasing risk to our communities.
Last week an 18-year-old in Montgomery County was sentenced to five years for having a so-called unregulated ghost gun in his possession on the basketball court at Burnt Mills Elementary School in Silver Spring and last Tuesday night saw the arrest in Hagerstown of a twice-convicted felon, on parole, in possession of a so-called ghost gun.
“Not only have we seen thousands of these guns shipped to Maryland with no background check, not serialized,” said John McCarthy, Montgomery County State’s Attorney. “We are finding that increasingly they are falling into the hands of young people and in some instances kids under the age of 18.”
Legislation in the General Assembly would prohibit dealer licenses for ghost guns and prosecute the buying, selling, receiving, and building of the weapons.
Updated Scheduled for 2022 Budget Town Hall Meetings
1st District Town Hall
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 16th; 6:30 p.m.
Location: CCBC – Catonsville, Center for the Arts, 800 S Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228. Campus Map here.
Committee Assignments and Caucus Memberships
• Deputy Majority Whip
• Appropriations Committee
• Oversight Subcommittee on Personnel - Chair
• Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds - House Chair
• Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology - House Chair
• Capital Budget Subcommittee
• Health and Social Services Subcommittee
• Baltimore County Delegation - Chair
• Veterans Caucus - Chair
Check out my page on the Maryland General Assembly's Website
