Monday, April 11, 2011

The Clock Ticks Toward HB235's Death

Despite the best efforts of InEquality Maryland and the deceptive spin coming from the pro-HB 235 crowd over this unjust bill, even they can't stop the passage of time. 

Today is the last day of the Maryland legislative session.   If it doesn't get voted on today and passed by midnight, it dies.

Tick, tick tick

There was more drama Saturday as amendments to HB 235 were proposed and voted on in the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.   Three were rejected that sought to make the unjust bill even more worthless than it already is.    One sought to take housing off the protected list, while a GOP legislator sought to take housing and employment off the protected list

The amendment that was adopted .was from Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Montgomery) was a language change to take out protections against discrimination based on "appearance, expression or behavior" and instead adding "the manifestation of that identity in gender-related appearance, characteristics and mannerisms."

That passed, and then the bill passed out of the Judicial Proceedings Committee on a 7-4 vote.

However, because the senate version of HB 235 now has the Frosh amendment attached to it, if it passes the Senate, it must go back to the House to be repassed before the end of the legislative session at midnight.    And that can't happen until HB 235 is voted on and passed by the Maryland Senate.


As Otto von Bismarck once stated, 'those who like laws and sausages should never watch either being made'.

Going to be a long day. 

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