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Assembly Sends Governor Bill on Drug Subsidy for Senior Citizens
Revised Underage Drinking Bill Passes
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The Senate voted unanimously yesterday to impose stiffer civil fines but no jail time on adults who hand a drink to someone younger than 21.
Senators removed criminal penalties of up to 60 days in jail proposed by the bill's sponsor, Sen. Larry E. Haines (R-Carroll County).
It is illegal in Maryland for anyone but a parent to give alcohol to someone younger than 21, the legal drinking age. The violation is punishable by a civil fine, although police officers can seek criminal penalties if the underage drinker is younger than 18.
Civil penalties under the bill would increase from $1,000 to $2,500 for a first offense and from $1,500 to $5,000 for a second.
The House has passed a version of the measure that includes jail time, so the versions must be reconciled.
-- Lisa Rein
Senate Approves Protection for Banks
The Senate gave final approval yesterday to a bill to save state banks from paying damages from a potentially costly class-action suit.
For years, the banks have imposed penalties on borrowers who pay off home equity loans early, in exchange for waiving closing costs. They sought the legislature's help after the Maryland Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, ruled in December that the fees were illegal. The borrower who brought the case against the banks is represented by the law firm of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos.
The bill would reinstate the banks' authority to charge early payment fees and would prohibit homeowners from seeking from the banks the damages that the courts said they were entitled to.
The bill was among the most controversial in the session, opposed by some senators who said it was bailing out a powerful industry.
The vote was 34 to 10, with Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) in opposition. The House has approved a similar measure.
-- Lisa Rein
Penalties for Low-Level Dealers Debated
The House of Delegates began a spirited debate yesterday on a bill to establish a new misdemeanor charge for low-level drug dealers.
Del. Curtis S. Anderson (D-Baltimore), the bill's sponsor, said Maryland's drug laws penalize addicts who sell drugs to support their addiction as heavily as volume dealers, who can receive a maximum of 20 years in prison for a first offense.
The bill would provide a five-year maximum for those caught with up to four grams of heroin or cocaine. Anderson said dozens of states have enacted similar laws.
Opponents, however, said many offenders caught with relatively small quantities of drugs are selling for kingpins and should not receive leniency from the court system.
Debate is expected to resume today.
-- Lisa Rein
