Favorable
Committee: Environment and Transportation
HB1196
House Bill 1196 ensures that residents of mobile home parks—many of whom are low-income, elderly, or part of marginalized communities—have reliable access to clean, safe water. By requiring the Department of the Environment to create a statewide water quality testing program, conducting regular testing by set deadlines, and ensure that park owners remediate any identified issues, the bill directly addresses longstanding gaps in oversight and environmental health protections. It ensures that water quality in mobile home communities is not overlooked, neglected, or subject to inconsistent local practices.
Clean water is a foundational public health necessity, and this bill brings essential protection to populations who have historically faced higher risks of contamination. When families know their water is safe, they experience better health outcomes, reduced rates of illness, and improved quality of life. This also lifts financial burdens associated with medical treatment and bottled water reliance. At a broader level, guaranteeing water safety promotes environmental equity, strengthens community trust in public institutions, and helps prevent future crises that are far more costly to address once contamination has spread. The legislation ensures that all Marylanders—regardless of housing status—are treated with dignity and provided with the same environmental protection as any other household.
Access to clean water is not merely a policy preference—it is a moral obligation rooted in the belief that every person is created in the image of God and deserves conditions that promote health and human flourishing. The bill also upholds the principles of the common good and solidarity, reminding us that environmental safety must not depend on one’s income or neighborhood. By passing this legislation, Maryland moves closer to a society that protects the vulnerable, safeguards creation, and ensures fair and just treatment for all families.
For these reasons, the Maryland Catholic Conference urges a favorable report on House Bill 1196.