Sen. Jacobs’ Property Tax Credit and Jessica’s Law Enhancement Bills Advance

Sen. Nancy Jacobs’ SB622 emerged from the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee this week by a unanimous vote. SB622 changed the penalties for 2nd degree rape and 2nd degree sex offenses against a victim younger than 13 from the current mandatory minimum of 5 years to 20 years. The bill came out after Jacobs began circulating a petition to use Rule 42, which allows for a bill to be brought out of committee with 16 signatures. She had the correct number of signatures and was ready to move it, but the committee held a voting session and passed it out. This bill is commonly referred to as Jessica’s Law enhancement. You can find out more about it at: http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/fnotes/bil_0002/sb0622.pdf

The senate also unanimously passed another piece of Jacobs’ legislation, Senate Bill 1013 – Harford County Property Tax Credit – Homes near a Refuse Disposal System – Extension to Additional Properties. This bill will extend the ability of the Harford County Council to provide property tax credit for those folks with homes built after 1989 and who live near the Harford Waste-to-Energy Plant (located within the boundaries of Trimble Rd, Magnolia Rd., Fort Hoyle Rd. and Aberdeen Providing Ground). This is a continuation of the legislation recently passed to provide for the eligibility of a property tax credit. You can find more out about it at: http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/sb/sb1013t.pdf