Governor Hogan announces supplemental budget for new public safety facilities, expanded cyber readiness, infrastructure and public health investments

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan this week announced that he has submitted a $2.8 billion supplemental budget to the General Assembly that makes key investments in some of his administration’s core priorities, including support for police and public safety, an expanded cyber readiness and workforce initiative, and critical infrastructure and public health investments. This supplemental budget also funds top priorities for […]

Governor Hogan announces $291.7M supplemental budget with health care services provider rate increases, support for child care providers and facilities

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan has submitted a $291.7 million supplemental budget to the Maryland General Assembly with substantial provider rate increases for health care and disability services providers, and additional resources to support child care providers and facilities. “Every day, we are inspired by the commitment of our health care and child care providers, and these investments will help further […]

BCPS: External vendor to discontinue optional COVID testing at schools

TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools officials on Tuesday announced that, due to low student and staff participation across the system, CIAN Diagnostics, the school system’s external testing vendor, cannot support continued optional COVID-19 testing in schools and offices. CIAN has made the decision to end optional testing in BCPS effective immediately. This change does not impact school-based testing that is […]

Masks to become optional at all Baltimore County Public Schools on March 1

TOWSON, MD—It’s official. Masks will become optional at all Baltimore County Public Schools on March 1st. BCPS made the announcement on Friday evening. Earlier this week, the Maryland State Board of Education lifted the statewide mask mandate. On Friday, the Maryland General Assembly’s AELR Committee agreed with the decision. BCPS officials say additional information will be sent to all families […]

Baltimore City to lift indoor mask mandate on March 1

BALTIMORE, MD—Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott on Thursday announced that the city’s indoor mask mandate would be lifted effective March 1st. The mandate will also be lifted for city employees, and customers in shops and restaurants will no longer need to wear face coverings. “We will continue to monitor our COVID-19 metrics and make informed decisions should another variant of […]

Maryland COVID-19 hospitalizations drop below 500, ICU levels fall below 100

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Thursday announced that the State of Maryland’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped below 500—another major milestone for the state’s declining health metrics. Hospitalizations: 480, ICU: 90 Since peaking last month just below 3,500, Maryland’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined by 86 percent. COVID-19 ICU levels statewide have dropped below 100 for the first time since August 8, […]

Maryland Department of Health announces nearly $8 million in emergency funding to support residential treatment centers

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health this week announced nearly $8 million in emergency funding to support the state’s four residential treatment centers and to mitigate financial losses they incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, will help ensure critical services are provided to children and adolescents enrolled in Medicaid. “This […]

Maryland Board of Education votes to lift school mask mandate

UPDATE: The AELR has voted to lift the mask mandate. Original story below… —— BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Board of Education on Tuesday voted to lift the statewide school mask mandate. The board voted 12-2 in favor of lifting the requirement. The measure will now need to receive final approval from the state’s Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) committee, […]