One concerns universal newborn home visits.
Md Senator Karen Lewis Young
Frederick, Md (KM) Legislation passed by the 2025 Maryland General Assembly to set up a workgroup to study universal newborn home visits took affect on July 1st. It was sponsored by Frederick County State Senator Karen Lewis Young. She says the county had a similar program during the COVID-19 pandemic. “A very successful program. It was called Family Connects. That was funded by federal money during COVID with ARPA {American Rescue Plan Act} funding. The funding runs out at the end of this year,” she says.
Under a universal newborn home visit program, a nurse would come to the homes of women who recently gave birth to check on the health of both the mother and the child, and connect them with services if necessary.
Senator Lewis Young says the workgroup will study a number of issues. “One is which of the programs that are currently implemented would be the most effective for statewide rollout. And two, what are the potential sources funding since we don’t have federal money,” Lewis Young says.
A sponsor of this bill in the House of Delegates was Frederick County Delegate Ken Kerr.
Another piece of legislation would address the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary professionals in Maryland. Lewis Young says this measure she sponsored would provide loan repayment assistance for tuition expenses for men and women who go into this profession up to $30,000. “There is a scholarship fund called the Janet Hoffman Fund that has been allocated for teachers and social workers and a variety of other professions. And I saw that there is some money within the fund that has been underutilized,” she says.
But, Senator Lewis Young says, there are requirements that applicants need to meet before being eligible for financial assistance. “In order to access those funds, you have to either agree to practice in the state of Maryland for five years; or donate time at a shelter for 100 hours a year for three years,” she says.
Another measures sponsored by Senator Lewis Young which took affect July 1st would deal with collisions between motor vehicles and wildlife crossing the roads. This legislation would set up a workgroup to come up with ways to let the State Highway Administration incorporate wildlife crossings in future road improvement projects. “This workgroup would look at where the crossings are the worse, or where the accidents are the worst; look at best practices around the country,” she says.
Frederick County is number six in the country for most animal-related vehicle accidents. Howard County is number ten, says Senator Lewis Young.
She noted that other states are experiencing this problem. “Several states have already implemented mitigation efforts, crossings, underpasses, overpasses, fences, culverts. And they have reduced these accidents by as much as 95 percent,,” she says.
The recommendations from this workgroup will help save the lives of motorists and wildlife, save money on vehicle repairs, and potentially reduce insurance premiums, Senator Lewis Young says.
In a little less than six months, Maryland legislators will be gathering in Annapolis for the 2026 General Assembly. Lewis Young says she will be put on a budget committee. “We will have a lot of budget challenges because a lot of federal funding is being cut back. There’s contemplation about cutting back more,” she says.
That will probably mean the states will be taking on more and more responsibilities. Senator Lewis Young says there are some areas she will work for protect from drastic funding cuts. “So we will make sure that we have adequate funding for our values which include health care and its patients, and program support for our disabled community. So I will be working on those topics,” she says.
The 2026 Maryland General Assembly will begin its 90-day session on Wednesday, January 14th.
By Kevin McManus