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 Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness (Member, 2016)

2019 House Study Group on Economic Stability

2011- Women Legislators of Maryland

2012 Maryland Veterans Caucus

2015 Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, Associate Member

Past House Service

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; Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2019-2021; Assessment and Funding of School Facilities Workgroup, 2018-2021; 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

Self-Direction Workgroup (formerly DDA Workgroup on HB318 of 2021), 2021-; Appointed Commissioner, Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission (Member, 2017-2018), 2020-; 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; American Nurses Association; Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women; Women's Bar Association of Maryland; Maryland Women's Legislative Caucus; Maryland Veterans Caucus; Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus; Young Men's Democratic Club; Soroptimist International, Bowie-Crofton; Honorary Member of the Free State Marine Detachment #544 Marine Corps League.

Awards

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Maryland Legislator of the Year, 2022; Maryland Hunger Solutions "Hunger Hero" Award, 2022; The American Legion Department of Maryland, Legislative Distinguished Service Award, 2022; Maryland Military Coalition, Legislator of the Year, 2021; Department of Defense-Certificate of Appreciation, 2021, 2020; Arc of Maryland, Legislator of the Year, 2020; Maryland Community Action Partnership, 2020; Purple Light-Bulb Award, Partnership, 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 Crime Victims Resource Center, Inc., Maryland Champion for Crime Victims, 2016; 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, Women's Bar Association of Maryland; Bowie City Council Member at Large 2007-2010 (Bowie City Council Liaison to the Education and Diversity Committee; Bowie City Council Representative to 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.