Expansive COVID-19 Recovery Bill Advancing in Legislature

A bill that would require the Maryland Department of Health to create and implement a two-year plan for COVID-19 recovery by June 1, among other measures, is nearing passage in the Maryland General Assembly. With a price tag of at least $152.5 million in federal funds, the COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing, and Vaccination Act of 2021 (SB 741) offers a multifaceted approach to COVID-19 recovery through the next two years. The bill passed unanimously in the state Senate two weeks ago and must get through two House committees before hitting the House floor. A companion bill was sponsored in the House by Del. Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s).