Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Legislative Agenda, 1994

HOUSE OF DELEGATES Annapolis, Maryland 21401-1991 Contact: Melanie Panos Ortel (410) 321-8733 Ehrlich's Legislative Agenda 1994 Session of the Maryland General Assembly CRIME AND PUNISHMENT CHILD ABUSE * Proposed legislation will give child abuse victims a voice in court by allowing their statements to be used in court by licensed professionals. Currently, statements provided by very young victims are rarely allowed into evidence. * As a member of the Governor's Council on Child Abuse and Neglect since 1987, Ehrlich serves as an advisor on the implementation of programs to prevent, detect and treat child abuse and neglect. * Ehrlich's numerous efforts in the area of child abuse and neglect exhibit a longstanding commitment to strengthening Maryland's laws on this critical issue, including: * Possession of child pornography (criminal offense). * Liberalized rules of evidence in "Child In Need of Assistance" cases. * Strengthening Maryland's child abuse reporting laws. CRIMINAL MISUSE OF FIREARMS (Lead sponsor: Ellen Sauerbrey, Co¬ sponsors: Ehrlich and Harkins) * Proposed legislation will expand Maryland's five year mandatory sentence statute for use of a handgun in a crime of violence to include ALL firearms, whether concealed or open. This legislation will also call for parole ineligibility for subsequent offenders.