MARYLAND, July 13 - For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 13, 2022

The joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet on Thursday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m. to review Bill 4-22, Human Rights and Civil Liberties - Public Accommodations - Gender Inclusive Restroom, Bill 10-22, Personnel and Human Resources - Paid Parental Leave and Bill 11-22, Buildings - Lactation Rooms in County Buildings – Required.

The members of the GO Committee include Chair Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz.

The members of the HHS Committee include Chair and Council President Gabe Albornoz, Council Vice President Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Councilmember Craig Rice.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below. 

Bill 4-22, Human Rights and Civil Liberties - Public Accommodations - Gender Inclusive Restroom

Review: The joint GO and HHS Committee will review and make a recommendation to the Council on Bill 4-22, Human Rights and Civil Liberties – Public Accommodations – Gender Inclusive Restrooms, which would require gender-inclusive restrooms in certain places of public accommodation and County-owned buildings and generally amends the law regarding prohibited discrimination in public accommodations. The lead sponsors of Bill 4-22 are Councilmember Katz and Council Vice President Glass. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors.

The purpose of Bill 4-22 is to increase accessibility for anyone to use a single-user restroom regardless of gender, gender identity or expression and benefit people with disabilities who have caregivers of a different gender or parents with children of a different gender who may require assistance using a public restroom. The goals of this bill include helping to decrease barriers, encourage full community inclusion and strengthen dignity and personal safety.

Bill 10-22, Personnel and Human Resources - Paid Parental Leave

Review: The joint GO and HHS Committee will review and make a recommendation to the Council on Bill 10-22, the Paid Parental Leave Act, which would provide six weeks of paid parental leave for County employees.  By providing paid parental leave, the Paid Parental Leave Act is likely to improve maternal mental and physical health, allow for parents to have greater involvement in care and enhance the economic security of the many families who support the County government’s operations. In addition, paid parental leave has been shown to increase retention and productivity and boost labor force participation.

Bill 10-22 would require the County to provide paid parental leave to County employees prior to the effective date of the State Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. In addition, the bill would require the County to pay an employee’s salary, minus benefits under the state Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, for certain leave taken under the state Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program.

The lead sponsor is Councilmember Friedson. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors.

Bill 11-22, Buildings - Lactation Rooms in County Buildings - Required

Review: The joint GO and HHS Committee will review and make a recommendation to the Council on Bill 11-22, the Right to Nourish Act, which would require the County to provide lactation rooms or alternative accommodations for employees in its buildings. The Right to Nourish Act would allow parents who are able to and choose to breastfeed, to continue to do so when they return to work at any County-owned building.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Montgomery County has one of the highest rates of breastfeeding initiation in the state of Maryland, at 96.3 percent. The Right to Nourish Act is aimed at supporting these efforts, so that parents won’t be forced to choose between returning to work and continuing to breastfeed.

The lead sponsor is Councilmember Friedson. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors. 

The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.

The Council recommends that residents, who choose to attend in-person Council or committee meetings, get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. If this is not possible, virtual participation is encouraged.

Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.

Release ID: 22-274
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Benjamin Sky Brandt 240-777-7884