Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. form letter to constituent, April 11, 1994

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE GOVERNOR S COUNCIL ON CHILD ABUSE Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. TENTH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21401-1991 LEGISLATIVE PHONE: 841-3350 Legislative Address: 309 LOWE BUILDING (JANUARY - APRIL) 5 ELPHIN COURT, SI Home Address: AND NEGLECT House of Delegates Annapolis , Maryland 21401-1991 April 11, 1994 TIMONIUM. MARYLAND 21093 Dear Thank you for your phone call regarding SB 630 ("The Domestic Violence Act of 1994"). As you may know by now, the bill is presently on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature. I voted for SB 630 on final reading in the House, but opposed two child abuse provisions that were amended onto the bill during second reader. These provisions eliminate the limited Christian Science exemption in our Child Abuse and Neglect statute as well as add a needlessly wide open definition of "mental abuse." I have consistently supported the Christian Scientist exemption, and did so again this year in the Committee vote and on the Floor. Similarly, I did not support the addition of the open-ended mental abuse pro¬ vision to our Maryland statute. I sincerely regret those of you in the Christian Scientist community were the victims of a united effort to amend SB 619 in a way far different from the version supported by the House Judiciary Committee. Again, I appreciate your attention to this very important matter. Please feel free to contact me over the interim should you wish to discuss this or any other issue of importance to you and your family. Very truly yours Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr RLE : pd