Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1982. Member of the House since 1983.

Current Assignments

2013- Judiciary Committee

2015 Chair, Civil Law and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee (Member 2013-)

2015 Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee

2013- House Chair, Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)

2015 House Committee on Rules & Executive Nominations

2011- Spending Affordability Committee

Past House Service

Vice Chair, Ways and Means Committee, 2011-2013; Chair, Vice Chair’s Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2011-2013; House Vice Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, 2007-2011; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2006-2011; Civil Law and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2005-2011; Vice Chair, Judiciary Committee, 2004-2011; Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 1996-2014; Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, 1993-2011; House Workgroup to Study Maryland Law regarding Access to Firearms and Sharing of Health ###Information, 2007; Joint Audit Committee, 1999-2006; Assistant Majority Leader, 2003-2005; Health and Government Operations Committee, 2003-2004; Chair, Public Health Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2003-2004; House Chair, Joint Audit Committee, 1999-2003; House Chair, Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 1996-2003; House Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations, 2004-2014; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 1995-2003; Chair, Health and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 1995-2003; Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee, 1993-2003; Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 1992-2003; Appropriations Committee, 1983-2003; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2002; Spending Affordability Committee, 2002, 1988-1992; Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; Special Joint Committee on Pensions, 1993-1998; Special Joint Committee on Competitive Taxation and Economic Development, 1996-1997; Chair, Health and the Environment Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 1993-1994; House Chair, Joint Expenditure Study Group on Education and Human Resources, 1991.

Public Service

State Early Childhood Advisory Council, 2014-; Governor's Task Force to Ensure Retirement Security for all Marylanders, 2014-2015; Task Force to Study Implementing a Civil Right to Counsel in Maryland, 2013-2014; Task Force to Study the Renovation and Repair Needs of Senior Homeowners, 2012-2013; State Advisory Council on Administrative Hearings, 2011-; Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment, 2008; Task Force on Child Welfare System Accountability, 2003-2004; State Information Technology Board, 2000-2004; Museum Assistance Review Panel, 1996-2002; Special Commission to Study Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Maryland, 2000-2001; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2000, 1996, 1988; Oversight Committee on the Administration of the HealthChoice Program, 1999; Task Force to End Smoking in Maryland, 1999; Commission on Inadvertent Displacement, 1997-1998; Maryland Housing Policy Commission, 1996-1997; Peabody Institute Oversight Committee, 1990-1996; Task Force to Study Incentive Awards Program for State Employees, 1990; Commission on Hereditary Disorders, 1983-1987; Mayor's Task Force for Liaison with General Assembly, Baltimore City, 1980-1981; Liaison Workgroup, Baltimore City Delegation; Task Force on Welfare Reform Reauthorization, National Conference of State Legislatures; Past Vice Chair, Human Services and Welfare Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures; Past Member, Maryland State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Memberships

New Democratic Coalition ; Westside, Hampden and Dolfield Democratic Clubs ; Democratic Leadership Council ; Common Cause ; Jewish Historical Society ; Planned Parenthood of Maryland ; Action for the Homeless ; Baltimore Jewish Community Relations Council ; Past Board Member, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ; Past Board Member, Citizens Planning and Housing Association .

Biographical Information

Born, Baltimore, Maryland, May 18, 1950; Baltimore City College; Amherst College, B.A., Political Science, 1972; Columbia University Law School, J.D., 1975; Producer and Assistant to Program Manager, “Square Off” , WJZ-TV, 1976-79; Program Administrator, Housing Authority of Baltimore City, 1975-76, 1979-81; Executive Director, Homeless Persons Representation Project, 1989-90; Adjunct Professor, University of Baltimore and University of Maryland Schools of Law, 1990-; Former Legislative Assistant, Capitol Hill; Member, Bolton Street Synagogue; Single.