BARBULLETIN Volume XXXVII, Number 3 • March 15, 2020
What’s Inside Alternative Spring Break Page 6
Proposed Improvements to Maryland’s Vacatur Statute Would Provide “True Freedom” to Human Trafficking Survivors Page 10
MSBA Leadership Academy Launches Courtroom Closet Program Page 11
Taxation of Representation Page 13
Clean Up Your Writing: Make it Clear and Concise Page 15
WANT MORE MSBA?
MSBA Supports Bill Allowing for Standard Security Procedures at Courthouses Across Maryland Delegate Erek Barron and Senator Chris West, have both proposed bi-partisan legislation that would provide attorneys in good standing expedited security entry in all Maryland courthouses by presenting an MSBA Attorney Security Pass.
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he bills were responsive to MSBA members and other Maryland attorneys that have identified varied approaches to courthouse security by county, expressed issues with the increased amount of time it takes to pass through security, and the invasiveness of some security measures, including the need to remove shoes, belts, and other clothing items to clear security. House Bill 1009 - Adjudicatory Hearings - Attorney Security Passes for Attorneys in Good Standing was heard on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 in the House Judiciary Committee, with Past President Kathy Howard testifying in SUPPORT on behalf of MSBA. On HB 1009, Delegate Barron led a panel of supporters that included Kathy Howard of MSBA, John Giannetti of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (MCDAA), Delegate Shoemaker (co-sponsor), and Bruce Plaxen of the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ). Testifying separately was Debra Saltz, also of MCDAA. Delegate Barron and Kathy Howard explained the bill and the MSBA amendments, and addressed concerns raised by the Judiciary and the MD Sheriff 's Association. Additionally, Del. Barron and Kathy Howard expressed the Sponsor's and MSBA's willingness to continue to work with the Judiciary and Sheriffs to craft solutions tailored to each individual court facility, as appropriate. Several lawyer members of the Judiciary Committee recalled easy admittance afforded by Bar cards in the past, but noted that they had merely adapted when they began to encounter facilities where the cards were no longer honored. Testifying in opposition to HB 1009 were Chief Judge of the District Court John MorVIDEO EXCLUSIVE
rissey, Judge Laura Ripken, Administrative Judge for the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County, and the Sheriffs of Harford County, Anne Arundel County, and the Deputy Sheriff of Baltimore City. Much of the opposition’s testimony was related to drawing security ONLINE CONTENT
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distinctions between courthouse security considerations and needs with those of the TSA in an airport environment, and the priority admittance granted to Cabinet Secretaries, lobbyists, and others in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
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