Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2010. Member of the House since 2011.

Current Assignments

2015 Deputy Majority Whip

2016 Appropriations Committee

2016 Vice-Chair, Health and Social Services Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee (Member, 2016)

2016 Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee

2019 Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee

2019 House Chair, Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness (Member, 2016)

2019 Assessment and Funding of School Facilities Workgroup

2019 House Study Group to Study Economic Stability

2011- Women Legislators of Maryland

2012 Maryland Veterans Caucus

2015 Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, Associate Member

Past House Service

Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2019-2021; Judiciary Committee, 2011-2016; Chair, Family Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2015-2016; Juvenile Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2011-2016; House Chair, Spending Affordability Committee, 2020; Workgroup on Death with Dignity, 2015; Affordable Care Act (ACA) Workgroup, 2018; Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families (House Chair 2015-2016), 2015-2017; First Vice-Chair, Prince George's County House Delegation, 2015-2018; Chair, Education Committee, Prince George's County House Delegation, 2017-2018.

Public Service

Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission (Member, 2017-2018), 2021-; Prince George's County School Construction Master Plan Work Group, 2018; Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council, 2015-2016; Prince George's County Juvenile Court and School Safety Workgroup, 2013-2014; Law Enforcement and State Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2013-2016; Maryland Organization of Nurse Executives Advisory Board for the Nurse Graduate Residency Program, 2013-2018; Task Force on Military Service Members, Veterans and the Courts, 2012-2014; Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2011-2012; Governor's Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council, Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, 2011-2017; Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2009-2010; Metropolitan Development Policy Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2008-2010; Bowie City Council, Member At Large, 2007-2010.

Memberships

National Foundation for Women Legislators; The National Caucus of Environmenal Legislators; Bowie State University Foundation Board; Young Men's Democratic Club; Soroptimist International, Bowie-Crofton; Honorary Member of the Free State Marine Detachment #544 Marine Corps League.

Awards

Arc of Maryland, Legislator of the Year for work on behalf of people with I/DD during the Legislative Session and her interest and support of the Arc of Prince George's County, 2020; Department of Defense-Certificate of Appreciation for leadership on public policy positively impacting the quality of life of Service members and their families, 2020; Maryland Community Action Partnership Community Action Partner, 2020; Purple Light-Bulb Award-Partnership Support, Fearless Leadership in the fight against Domestic Violence, with the "Extreme Risk Protection Order" legislation, 2019; Department of Defense-Certificate of Appreciation for Leadership for Service Members and Families, 2018; Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council Governor's Citation for Outstanding Service, 2017; Prince Georges County Municipal Association and Maryland Municipal League Award, 2017; American Veteran's Leo Anderson Memorial Freestate Award of Excellence, 2017; Women Veterans United Committee, Inc., Certificate of Appreciation Support of Veterans, 2017; Maryland State Medical Society Legislative Award, 2016; Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility Outstanding Commitment and Leadership in the Fight Against Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking, 2016; Maryland Nurses Association Service Award, 2015; Washington Regional Alcohol Program Award for Public Service, 2014; Maryland Municipal League Outstanding Friend Award, 2014; Maryland State's Attorneys' Association Legislator of the Year, 2014; Maryland Municipal League Certificate of Appreciation, 2013; Maryland Nurse's Association, Legislator of the Year Award, 2012; Martin Luther King Commemoration Award, 2012; Department of Maryland Disabled American Veterans Outstanding Freshman Legislator, 2011; Prince George's County Educators' Association Award, 2011; Maryland Speech-Language-Hearing Association Outstanding Legislative Advocacy Award, 2001.

Biographical Information

Born, Brooklyn, New York, March 5, 1964; Attended Bowie High School, 1982; Catholic University, B.S., Nursing, 1987; Catholic University Columbia School of Law, J.D., 1992; Former Clinical Nurse, National Institutes of Health; Member, Maryland Bar; Bowie City Council Member at Large 2007-2010 (Council Liaison to the Education and Diversity Committee; the Prince George's Municipal Association;; The Metropolitan Council on Government; co-chair, the Children's National Medical Center on Advocacy and Public Policy); Member, Sacred Heart Catholic Church.