[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6622938,"mediaKeyId","2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad","parentId",2778426,"title","Bill would add one‑hour domestic‑violence training to barber and cosmetology licensure requirements, Speaker Jones says","audioSeconds",166,"startMs",2180000,"endMs",2346000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad&start=2180&end=2346","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad/thumbnail_2180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622938/Maryland/Bill-would-add-onehour-domesticviolence-training-to-barber-and-cosmetology-licensure-requirements-Speaker-Jones-says","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622938-22f7012e2272094f081c773c2de7692a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136948&Signature=c5USuztmMqyfxhPbJ~sNH9TXq-ADRsKRHSHjwvGmg8hrm2mt1zKUG9X8VtiLdh3G-YcaMuPIdEfWcnXQs7ZCBwBN29sIfD-mNAVlfi9m50xx-ISNJDlRgiLZxdbLfSUB2TbqEMrJWsNC9uFZN8wnVAJe68hpZqHKorgp5kfMa03tGzQoO1~gTLtKVz4JxRtJqf20VLO2rhY7KGi40uOVaXgMjtoSEYXGj2H10n3PJ7Nw8~QP9S5g9V8YkXYnJHfCG0oVyQ3ETG0p4RIYtxTy0vS0Qwt-ybrpSu0uJBBHo0Z37rLzzTcGcX7aI8QRpp9PH9RlhmpbqAbA1xk75MhILw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Education, Energy and Environment","date","2025-03-26T17:53:46.497Z","article","Speaker Adrienne Jones told the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee she supports House Bill 1547, which would add a one‑hour domestic‑violence awareness training to licensure requirements for barbers and cosmetologists.

\"Barbers and cosmetologists are among the few places victims can visit alone,\" Jones said. \"The training will help them recognize signs of domestic violence, start conversations with compassion and care, listen in a way that builds trust, and connect clients to resources that can help them escape abuse.\" She asked the committee for a favorable report.

The training would be developed by the Maryland Department of Labor and cover recognition of domestic violence, communication skills to approach clients sensitively, and referral pathways to services. Speaker Jones noted the policy builds on Maryland's existing work to protect and support victims and said the license requirement would be one hour in length.

No committee vote was recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EEE Committee Session, 3/26/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1547 would require barbers and cosmetologists to complete a one‑hour domestic violence awareness course developed by the Maryland Department of Labor; Speaker Adrienne Jones and supporters said salons are often places victims disclose abuse and training could improve recognition and referral to services.","taxTitle","Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15092,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622943,"Speaker Jones proposes new cabinet‑level Department of Social and Economic Mobility to centralize equity programs",422,1842000,2264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad&start=1842&end=2264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad/thumbnail_1842000.jpg","/articles/6622943/Maryland/Speaker-Jones-proposes-new-cabinetlevel-Department-of-Social-and-Economic-Mobility-to-centralize-equity-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622943-61e204ab3b31335b1c3eb82b7261d0f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136948&Signature=LTWsfqpnmIQnwGQpd~lQEV9OzlrxwiDjVRMBstGCSbPRSbKudSrMqY5ErYU5Ks5ApBhfD3PqS5H-5dl1UF8Ed2MA5r~shZ~Y~HK86aA0tKQUyTX44kfxFZesfm4Icu3aHAU91HBiPaSHUXjyJ-ZacmH4xj36np7DCjROK0cF8FFpl6~7XfZVqLj3RdbSIpdAPhTQymYe8SEbQyJgMA1Z6R0fFxbBzXGLlY0M14SJEm3uNysF~NumYMBliifbTPWnLsrBFk~bmWMj1Zxd8o5ghX7qMLeUltWqe4pWMqConoEHwB3Bbjl5p1plBljPuZcJVXj4J-Ccq3l5hCGJJKQAQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speaker Adrienne Jones asked the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee for a favorable report on House Bill 1253, proposing creation of a cabinet‑level Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility to consolidate social equity programs across state government.

\"This new agency will conduct a review of all state programs dedicated to social equity and streamline how they could more effectively coordinate support for businesses, outside entities, and our state government,\" Speaker Jones said, describing the proposal as an organizational change intended to improve access to resources for historically disadvantaged communities and make government supports more efficient and accessible statewide.

Senator Washington asked whether the new department would perform work on racial equity policy notes; Speaker Jones said the Department of Legislative Services would continue to produce social equity notes, but that a unified departmental source could provide a single place for DLS to draw information. Committee members sought assurance about funding sources for specific programs; Speaker Jones clarified that the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund would not be tapped and that funds would come from enforcement and other specified accounts.

Michelle Lambert, staff for Speaker Jones, and Matt Jackson, identified as staff, were present at the table to support the testimony. The transcript does not record a committee vote on the bill.","Speaker Adrienne Jones testified in favor of House Bill 1253 to create a cabinet‑level Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility to consolidate social equity programs, improve coordination, and serve historically disadvantaged communities; senators asked about alignment with existing equity policy notes and funding sources.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622947,"Bill would require HVAC distributors to sell systems only to licensed installers to curb unlicensed work, proponents say",397,1491000,1888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad&start=1491&end=1888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","/articles/6622947/Maryland/Bill-would-require-HVAC-distributors-to-sell-systems-only-to-licensed-installers-to-curb-unlicensed-work-proponents-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622947-0f34f9b16c91bce9a36bb2824e4caba6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136948&Signature=LjjTyDD-VXP3ygyCiM~F654u92vwCtf7uHnyWiMbmdOpbm0kBS~AB4a0NqIRjwksRzcXty7teDyLz-kF8Ptt9qmjZs~5nxs-QyynTj1zOig~0UeEoSTEONCq-c3NcnyWAen3HM7YYEx7NqmnHaGViWsxAzesUnyzXCIXfkIoC1T7So7VPR2PB9yJ6yhG3vTlYAzkpAmAHHvpERdwrOiT-GgdBiFdUUjKz6i0kVtLxOgGIKqL--UXbe5KuxHLGuDSk66CyD33nXwq2c3fQ8Nq6CJ3vM1J5yEeEynP~kTjTRf9H1F6hjm3kBSap7Of3tzkBZEgtp-TJVwhTY19mMOiaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Margie Bridal, representing Delegate Dana Stein, said House Bill 1162 would require HVACR equipment distributors to sell equipment only to individuals legally authorized to install that equipment, a step she said will reduce consumer harm from unlicensed installers.

\"Maryland's current HVAC licensing requirements provide important consumer protections,\" Margie Bridal said, noting dozens of annual consumer complaints alleging unlicensed contractors install equipment despite prohibitions. The bill would require sellers to verify purchaser authorization and would make violations a misdemeanor consistent with other license infractions.

Sean Maloney, president of the Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors of Maryland (HACC) and owner of SM Mechanical, testified in support, saying unlicensed installers lack required training and insurance, which can result in unsafe installations, higher energy bills, and additional remedial costs. \"Modern HVAC systems are highly complex, and achieving peak energy efficiency performance is an essential part of lowering monthly cost for all Marylanders,\" Maloney said.

The bill retains several exceptions, as described by the sponsor: a building owner may install equipment on their property; utility and government employees and holders of other professional licenses are exempt; small plug‑in appliances such as window air conditioners and space heaters are excluded; and construction material suppliers and retail hardware stores were carved out to avoid imposing verification burdens they cannot reasonably meet.

Sponsor testimony said the latest amendments removed an annual reporting requirement after stakeholder feedback to reduce burdens on small businesses, while strengthening enforcement by classifying violations as a misdemeanor. The transcript shows no committee vote on the measure during the hearing.","House Bill 1162 would prohibit HVAC equipment sellers from selling to purchasers who are not legally authorized to install HVACR equipment; sponsor and industry representatives said the change will improve safety, efficiency, and permit compliance while preserving limited exemptions for owners and small retail sellers.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622952,"Maryland Energy Administration seeks authority to use strategic energy funds for electrification and to expand low‑income eligibility",411,850000,1261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad&start=850&end=1261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad/thumbnail_850000.jpg","/articles/6622952/Maryland/Maryland-Energy-Administration-seeks-authority-to-use-strategic-energy-funds-for-electrification-and-to-expand-lowincome-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622952-1e68c135449277db53ed6b4e34db891e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136948&Signature=h4nBI-lDxQbIhswivKKeMNwS8fkom~r4N-KmSVTVzbkosRSPsKLHMAyzh9SoRFXWAUb11oD663fYrH8VnnVUz8q6yyS2pBTVd4NcMPKSI9hUlOQXbZ233NesNEhNhOoKJFqsd84Bg3O6g2HzEbc9Ob4-COMtXqHfZsdClarKFYz72O9n94gFJ8EbKAFSFRVp90Qjs48l4w8YqwJ2Iy90Si6JNffEB5GKl0W2XdNVWwro-4Ua3mfkZvv3Mg17iK09XFGej7obyt1QhjYG551dYeWY1nLE43JLRntsxcoYYd1IrQ5M2~7EpeXFAxLoTDRRtXqVnkOo6zTyVR0tdxRN0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Landon Farrick, legislative liaison for the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), told the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee that House Bill 1273 would add building and transportation electrification to allowable uses of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF), expand Tier 1 alternative compliance payment (ACP) eligibility to include low‑ and moderate‑income households statewide, and streamline reporting requirements.

\"This bill accomplishes 3 things,\" Landon Farrick said. \"It adds building transportation and electrification to the allowable uses of the strategic energy fund. It expands the use of Tier 1 ACP to include households with low to moderate income and clarifies the definition of that term. And it streamlines reporting requirements.\" He said MEA would clarify that area median income (AMI) should be used rather than an undefined \"average median.\"

Kathy McGruder, executive director of the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), described an amendment that would allow a transfer of funds authorized in Senate Bill 960 (passed in 2024) to be used for technical assistance and early‑stage investment in Maryland climate‑tech startups. McGruder said the funds were authorized but not transferred by an original 06/30/2024 deadline, and the amendment would permit the transfer beyond that date.

Senators pressed on whether the bill would reduce existing energy efficiency programs and how the SEIF changes interact with RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) accounts. Farrick said the administration aimed to balance energy efficiency and electrification needs and that the chosen funding account was selected to avoid constrained RGGI clean energy auction funds. \"The most constrained portion of the ... RGGI auctions is the clean energy account,\" Farrick said; the bill associates electrification with a different account to preserve energy‑efficiency funding directed to LMI households.

The bill would raise the MEA reporting threshold so detailed accounting is required only for disbursements exceeding $10,000, reduce appendices and administrative burden, and require estimation of greenhouse gas reductions rather than raw electricity‑savings figures in the annual report.

McGruder and MEA said they were working on amendment language with the Maryland Clean Energy Center to address a funding technicality tied to SB 960. No committee vote was recorded in the transcript.","House Bill 1273 would allow the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to support building and transportation electrification, expand Tier 1 ACP use to benefit low‑ and moderate‑income (LMI) households statewide, clarify that area median income will be used, and raise reporting thresholds to reduce administrative burden.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622958,"Maryland lawmakers hear bill to require five-year review and greater use of grid-enhancing technologies for transmission projects",1015,0,1015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad&start=0&end=1015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778426-94794d8e22e974cd9e2ae7fad14da9ad/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6622958/Maryland/Maryland-lawmakers-hear-bill-to-require-five-year-review-and-greater-use-of-grid-enhancing-technologies-for-transmission-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622958-8f0103fb294e23f255c6a13dd65d20c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136948&Signature=ZrHz9t163g9cFdogtKtq5TWSb6fywL85Nl~j56x6NHaPitFknkHaqdwL7pMUwMinHWDKRM-j1yq~hIt4sp14kjTMTWFFeQodq3DpNZPNTGaDWhB9ExQj6CTFfWaIcN-SZcBqB0t5RUUicmxQAsg29gJOGMWNeFAqpU42EOqD3Jg94tDUMIIv25Z-IcldTBZtExy9FLntlO5Zxxi0iSWpf2HLU62Snt2aE6ZQiVhkH7tUdSPckp9yIH96Rzck3keR6Tu8my3i~5XMFFb7vnGTNcWSzogvJByUVdQr280oJpcv7MuG3URNE-G1rSbhHyLjPy6q~O9wofCpu698p7VYqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Lorie Charcuttian asked the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee for a favorable report on House Bill 829, proposing statewide steps to maximize use of grid-enhancing technologies and alternatives before building new transmission lines.

The bill would require that existing transmission infrastructure in Maryland be reviewed every five years to identify opportunities such as reconductoring and grid-enhancing technologies (including dynamic line rating and advanced conductors) that can increase capacity on existing rights of way. It would also require applicants in a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) proceeding to include analysis of alternatives to new lines, alternative routes, and documentation showing efforts to maximize grid-enhancing technology use.

\"So what this bill does ... it requires that all of our current transmission in the state be reviewed on a 5 year cycle to see is there something we can add to our current transmission,\" Delegate Lorie Charcuttian said. She framed the measure as a way to reduce the need for controversial new rights of way while protecting ratepayers from unnecessary cost increases.

Technical witness Rob Gramlich, introduced as president of Bridal Strategies and a former senior economist at PJM, told the committee the bill would help “squeeze as much as possible out of the existing wires,” describing grid-enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors as tools to avoid new rights of way and their attendant controversies.

Senators on the panel questioned cost and incentive structures. Senator Brooks asked why utilities would not adopt these measures voluntarily; Charcuttian replied that utilities are incentivized to invest capital projects because regulated returns accrue on capitalized investments, whereas software-based measures are typically expensed and do not generate the same long-term return. \"Utility companies make money when they build things,\" Charcuttian said. \"So it's our responsibility ... to require advanced transmission technologies.\"

Committee materials and Charcuttian's remarks referenced the interplay of state authority and federal jurisdiction (FERC and PJM) and noted the bill was drafted in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Public Service Commission to fit within the state's existing regulatory authority. The bill language cited section 7-207.4 as the statutory location for the five-year review requirement.

The hearing closed with the sponsor noting a technical amendment would be provided to correct an omission in the House version. No final vote was recorded in the transcript.","Delegate Lorie Charcuttian urged a favorable report on House Bill 829, which would require five-year reviews of existing transmission and add alternative and grid-enhancing-technology considerations to Public Service Commission CPCN filings; supporters and senators discussed costs, incentives and route alternatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would add one‑hour domestic‑violence training to barber and cosmetology licensure requirements, Speaker Jones says

Speaker Jones proposes new cabinet‑level Department of Social and Economic Mobility to centralize equity programs

Bill would require HVAC distributors to sell systems only to licensed installers to curb unlicensed work, proponents say

Maryland Energy Administration seeks authority to use strategic energy funds for electrification and to expand low‑income eligibility

Maryland lawmakers hear bill to require five-year review and greater use of grid-enhancing technologies for transmission projects