House Votes to Toughen Coastal Development Restrictions

"Some of us have maintained that he has unlawfully suspended our death penalty law," House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert) said of O'Malley.

Action on the bill was postponed until tomorrow so Republicans could draw possible amendments.

There was no debate yesterday as lawmakers voted on a compromise on another criminal justice issue, a proposal by O'Malley to expand Maryland's DNA database to include samples from people charged with violent crimes and burglary. Under current law, samples are taken only from those convicted of violent felonies.

The legislation, which passed 135 to 3, was amended after O'Malley and the Legislative Black Caucus agreed to require that DNA samples of suspects found not guilty be automatically expunged.

Many black lawmakers opposed the original proposal, saying it was too broad. Only one black lawmaker, Del. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore), and two white Republicans voted against the compromise. The measure now heads to the Senate.

A bill outlining a deal among lawmakers, O'Malley and Prince George's County officials to save the county's financially troubled hospital system also received preliminary approval. The bill would establish an interim independent authority to take over the hospital system while officials seek a long-term transfer to a private hospital management company.

Also yesterday, delegates gave preliminary approval to a bill to combat bullying by teens in public schools and on the Internet by requiring school officials to set new standards for investigating complaints and disciplining students. Del. Craig L. Rice (D-Montgomery) said he introduced the proposal at the request of a Montgomery County high school student tormented by her peers when she came out as a lesbian.

The House also voted to allow Montgomery to establish a public financing system for county executive and council campaigns. Del. Susan C. Lee (D-Montgomery) said she introduced the proposal because campaigns in the county have become more expensive than ever, with some candidates in 2006 spending more than $1 million.