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College Park 2025 State Spotlight: A look ahead

Posted on: January 12, 2025

The Maryland General Assembly will be in session from Jan. 8 to April 7. College Park Here & Now asked the senator and delegates from District 21, who represent College Park, what they will be working on during the session. Their answers are below. 

Sen. Jim Rosapepe (District 21)

James_Rosapepe
Courtesy of James Rosapepe

What are you most proud of from last year’s session?

Bringing back state investment to College Park for local schools, roads and road safety, Metro and MARC mass transit, and the University of Maryland. The delegates and I helped pass the law allowing speed cameras near stop signs at dangerous intersections and boosting enforcement against loud and dangerous driving. We also got $1 million to improve Paint Branch Parkway Park Trail.

What’s an opportunity that the state Legislature missed last session or an area where you hope to do better?

Investing more in apprenticeships to create career opportunities for College Park’s young people and reduce skills shortages for local businesses. This is particularly important for health care and cybersecurity.  Making the tax system more fair for working families by closing tax loopholes for big corporations and the rich.

How do you anticipate that your work this session will change life for residents in your district specifically?

The delegates and I are going to push for the state to begin planning safety and other improvements to U.S. Route 1 north of Greenbelt Road, similar to the ones recently completed south of Greenbelt Road.

Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (District 21)

Joseline-Pena-Melnyk
Courtesy of Joseline Peña-Melnyk

What are you most proud of from last year’s session?

I’m proud of key achievements that advanced health care and technology in Maryland. The Artificial Intelligence Governance Act established policies for state agencies’ use of AI, promoting transparency and oversight, while the Information Technology Modernization Act streamlined IT processes, ensuring efficiency and innovation. In health care, the Access to Care Act expanded health insurance access for Maryland residents, and Lochlin’s Law implemented life-saving sepsis protocols. Additionally, the Maryland Maternal Health Act strengthened maternal and infant health measures, while the establishment of Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs ensured better mental health care for those with severe mental illness. These initiatives reflect a commitment to improving lives across the state.

What’s an opportunity that the state Legislature missed last session, or an area where you hope to do better?

One missed opportunity was addressing prior authorizations and access to behavioral health care, particularly acute psychiatric services. Hospital overstays and the need for better oversight of behavioral health facilities remain concerns. Additionally, the Patient Accumulator Bill, which would allow patients to use manufacturer coupons and discounts regardless of deductibles, could have provided critical financial relief. Expanding pathways for licensing foreign-trained physicians is another area where progress is needed to address workforce shortages.

How do you anticipate that your work this session will change life for residents in your district specifically?

I will prioritize initiatives that directly benefit residents of College Park, Hyattsville and Laurel. Strengthening Affordable Care Act protections will ensure continued coverage for pre-existing conditions and essential health benefits, safeguarding affordable care for our community. To make medications more accessible, we will address cost-sharing for prescription drugs, reducing out-of-pocket expenses such as copayments and deductibles. Additionally, expanding the authority of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will further our mission to lower prescription drug costs and keep essential medications affordable for all residents.

Expanding telehealth services is another key focus, as it improves health care access and equity, particularly for underserved populations. Together, these efforts aim to enhance health care access, affordability and innovation for the residents of District 21.

Del. Mary Lehman (District 21)

MARY LEHMAN
Courtesy of MARY LEHMAN

What are you most proud of from last year’s session?

I was proud to successfully pass our street racing bill, which has already had an impact on dangerous activities across the state, alongside four other bills now officially signed into law. 

What’s an opportunity that the state Legislature missed last session, or an area where you hope to do better?

The Maryland General Assembly only meets for a short 90 days a year, and considering the time frame, I feel we have achieved an extraordinary amount of change through the 1,053 bills passed last session.

How do you anticipate that your work this session will change life for residents in your district specifically?

We are currently working on passing a bill to resolve the housing crisis impacting backstretch workers on the Laurel racetrack, which will hopefully provide adequate housing support, social services, and medical care for this marginalized community. We are also looking to support local newspapers, provide benefits to first responders and dispatchers, and establish an online dashboard for the opioid restitution fund. And though these efforts are not exclusive to College Park, Hyattsville or Laurel, they will definitely improve the livelihoods of constituents in these districts as well. 

Delegate Ben Barnes (District 21) had not responded to our inquiry as of press time. Any additional submissions we receive this month will be published on our website.

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