Tenure

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

Current Assignments

2017 Health and Government Operations Committee

2020 Chair, Government Operations and Health Facilities Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee

2017 Public Health and Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee

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

2017 Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics (House Chair, 2019)

2019 Marijuana Legalization Work Group

Past House Service

Work Group to Address Police Reform and Accountability in Maryland, 2020; Chair, Government Operations and Estates and Trusts Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2017-2020; Chair, Government Operations and Long Term Care Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2017; Legislative Policy Committee, 2017-2019; Judiciary Committee, 2013-2017; Chair, Civil Law and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee (Member 2013-), 2015-2017; Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2015-2017; Spending Affordability Committee, 2011-2017, 2002, 1988-1992; House Committee on Rules & Executive Nominations, 2015-2017; 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; 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; Hall of Records Commission, 2012-; 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 .

Awards

The Casper R. Taylor, Jr. Founder's Award, House of Delegates, 2016; Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland Access to Justice Commission, 2012; Michaeline R. Fedder, Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland Public Health Association, 2001.

Biographical Information

Born in 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, Beth Am Synagogue, Baltimore, Maryland.