Committee approves amended bill to exempt homeless people from certain fees, adds reporting requirement

The House Environment and Transportation Committee voted to approve an amended version of House Bill 1353 that prohibits the Maryland Department of Health from charging fees for certain copies of vital records issued to homeless individuals and establishes exemptions from specified motor vehicle–related fees for people experiencing homelessness.

Chair Lewis introduced the bill and said the subcommittee recommended it favorable with amendments. The amendments explicitly included homeless children and youth in the exemptions, struck a registration-fee provision, changed an implementation timing related to driver's licenses, and added a reporting requirement to track the number of homeless individuals who did not have a license fee imposed on them.

The reporting change was described in committee as a response to subcommittee conversation; the record shows counsel was asked to confirm the mechanics of that reporting. Committee members asked clarifying questions about which fees remained in the bill and whether the changes affected program elements referenced as the “V” program; the answers in committee indicated vital records and driver's-license fee exemptions remained in place and that the V program provision was retained.

The amended bill was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Multiple members asked to be recorded in opposition during the vote (Delegates Jacobs, Baker, Grammer, Anderson and Nurock were listed on the record as opposing). Several delegates volunteered to be co‑sponsors after passage.

Why it matters: supporters said the exemptions reduce financial barriers that can prevent people experiencing homelessness from obtaining vital identification and records necessary to access benefits, shelter and employment. The reporting requirement will provide a count of individuals who benefit from the change; the transcript does not specify the reporting timeline or the reporting office that will compile the data.

Next steps: the committee approved the amended measure on the panel’s voting list; the meeting recessed for hearings later in the afternoon. The transcript does not record further floor schedule or final enactment timing for the bill.