Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2006. Member of the House since 2007.

Current Assignments

2022 Chair, Health and Government Operations Committee (Member 2007, Vice Chair 2019-2022)

2022 Insurance and Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee

2019 Legislative Policy Committee

2019 Rules and Executive Nominations Committee

2015 Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus (Chair 2017, Secretary, 2017-2018, Vice Chair, 2019-2024)

2007- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

2007- Women Legislators of Maryland

2016 Maryland Veterans Caucus

2024 Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus, Associate Member

Past House Service

Chair, Public Health & Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operation Committee, 2015-2022; House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup (Chair, Health Determinants Subcommittee), 2021-2023; Joint Covid-19 Response Workgroup, 2020; Opioid Workgroup, 2018; Chair, Affordable Care Act (ACA) Workgroup, 2018; House Chair, Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission, 2017-2023; Punitive Damages Workgroup, 2016-2017; Government Operations & Long Term Care Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2014-2017; Government Operations and Estates and Trusts Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2017-2019; Government Operations and Health Facilities Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2020-2021; Joint Oversight Committee on the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, 2014-2017; Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, 2015-2016; House Chair, Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2011-2014; Public Health and Long Term Care Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2007-2014; Regional Revitalization Work Group, 2015-2019; Joint Committee on Behavioral Health and Opioid Use Disorders, 2015-2021.

Public Service

Maryland State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2019-; Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee, 2015-2022; Governor's Commission to Reform Maryland's Pretrial System, 2014; Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Council, 2013-2016; Chair, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2011-2012; Governor's Wellmobile Program Advisory Board, 2011-; Task Force to Study the Procurement of Health, Education, and Social Services by State Agencies (House Co-Chair 2009-2010), 2009-2012; Vice Chair, County Affairs Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2008-2010; Task Force on the Preservation of Heritage Language Skills in Maryland, 2008-2009; Task Force on Health Care Access and Reimbursement, 2007-2008; Vice Chair, Law Enforcement and State Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2007-2008; City Council, College Park, representing District 4, 2003-2006; Former Member, Recreation Board, College Park.

Memberships

Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, 2019-; Maryland Military Installation Caucus, 2017-; Co-Chair, Latino Leadership Council, Maryland Democratic Party, 2010-; Eastern Region Board of Directors, Women in Government; North College Park Civic Association; West College Park Civic Association; College Park Rotary Club.

Awards

Power 30 Health Care, The Daily Record, 2023, 2021; Maryland's Top 100 Women, The Daily Record, 2021, 2018, 2015; Outstanding Legislator of the Year, Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2017; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2009-2011, 2007; Municipal Super Star, Maryland Municipal League, 2008.

Biographical Information

Born, Dominican Republic, June 27, 1966; John F. Kennedy High School, Bronx, New York; Buffalo State College, B.A., Criminal Justice, 1987; University at Buffalo Law School, The State University of New York, J.D., 1991; Attorney, Defender Association of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1991-92; Assistant U.S. Attorney, Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, U.S. Department of Justice, 1997-99; Married; three children.