Maryland Catholic Conference

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to deeply impact families, schools, and businesses throughout the world, including here in Maryland, federal and state leaders have taken action to try to ease the impact. 

“The Federal CARES Act and Families First Coronavirus Act, as well as increased assistance made available by the State of Maryland, could offer significant benefits for families, schools, and businesses,” said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. 

“We are continuing to assess and monitor the legislation and assistance programs and do all that we can to ensure nonprofits and schools, including our Catholic programs, are able to access available funds,” she added. 

The CARES Act will provide $4.9 billion in federal assistance for Maryland. 

In addition, Maryland has opened a special health care enrollment period for residents who do not have health insurance (plans may not be changed at this time). Details are on the Maryland Health Connection website, and local navigators are available in each county to assist residents by phone. Applications must be in by June 15. 

RESOURCES FOR NON-PROFITS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provides $350 billion to help small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees — including faith-based organizations — through two programs administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) allows small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees to receive a loan up to 2.5 times an organization’s average monthly payroll expenditure. The intent is to help keep people employed during the crisis. Other allowable uses include business rent and/or mortgage payments and costs associated with continuing group health benefits during a period of paid sick, medical, or family leave. 

Loans will be forgiven by the Small Business Association if at least 75 percent of the borrowed funds are used to cover payroll and maintain employment for workers, and other certain conditions are met. Businesses and non-profits apply through local lenders, which will also disperse the loans. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis and may run out prior to the June 30 deadline. However, the Treasury Department today asked Congress to commit another $200 billion for this small business loan program.

The CARES Act also expands SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). Small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees can apply for low-interest loans of up to $2 million. If approved, a loan advance of up to $10,000 will be disbursed within three days of an application to help quickly provide working capital relief. This advance would not have to be repaid.

Another provision of the CARES Act provides an incentive to donate to nonprofits and faith-based organizations by allowing individual taxpayers to take an above-the-line tax deduction for up to $300 in cash charitable contributions on 2020 taxes – even taxpayers who will not itemize, but instead will take the standard deduction. 

SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

The CARES Act provides a number of benefits to assist families and individuals:

• Adds $600 to weekly unemployment checks for up to four months, on top of state benefits.
• Expands unemployment insurance to those previously ineligible, such as part-time, self-employed, and gig economy workers.
• Extends unemployment benefits an additional 13 weeks to 39 weeks total.
• Provides additional funding for state Medicare programs, including for Telehealth services.
• Allows for a forbearance in addition to a moratorium on foreclosures on properties with federally-backed mortgages and moratorium on rental evictions.
• Provides direct financial assistance to low- and middle-income Americans, of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married filing jointly, plus $500 for every child, for adjusted gross incomes up to $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples. The benefit phases out for incomes over $99,000 for individuals and $198,000 for married couples.

The direct financial assistance will be based on 2019 tax returns, if they have been filed and if not, on 2018 returns. Payments for those who provided direct deposit information with their tax return could begin by the middle of April. Individuals who receive Social Security, but do not file taxes, also will receive this relief.

In addition to the CARES Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides relief for employees and families who have additional caregiving or child-care needs as a result of the pandemic.

Businesses with fewer than 500 employees are required to provide two weeks (80 hours) of paid sick leave related to COVID-19 at full pay (up to $511 per day for an individual who is ill or $200 per day to care for a family member) and 12 weeks of paid family leave to parents caring for children whose schools have closed. The first two weeks would be unpaid or covered by paid sick leave, and the remaining 10 weeks would be paid at 2/3 salary, up to $200 per day. Employers with fewer than 50 employees can apply for a hardship exemption.

In addition, there will be a temporary increase in funding for Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), access to free testing for those enrolled in federal healthcare exchanges and for those without health insurance, and increased funding for federal food security programs, such as SNAP and WIC.  Work and employment training requirements for these programs also are suspended if an individual is jobless as a result of the pandemic.  

EDUCATION FUNDING

The CARES Act provides almost $31 billion for education nationally, split between higher education and K-12 schools, to assist with coronavirus-related expenditures, such as school closures, remote learning, technology support, and teacher costs.

Maryland is expected to receive $207 million in K-12 funding formula grants for its local education agencies (in Maryland, counties). Congress requires that these local agencies share a portion equitably with Catholic and other nonpublic school students and teachers in the jurisdictions. The distribution will be determined in consultation with nonpublic school representatives. 

The same requirement is in place for a discretionary fund being provided to state governors.  Maryland also is expected to receive more than $183 million in direct federal aid for higher education, and $45 million in discretionary education grants through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund.

 STATE ASSISTANCE

On March 23, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland would provide an additional $175 million of relief to individual workers, businesses, and nonprofits affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This includes a $7 million layoff-aversion fund for businesses and workers that can be tapped for technological resources to allow employees to work from home, and other measures to mitigate potential layoffs.

The Maryland Department of Commerce will oversee two programs totaling $125 million:

• $75 million loan program for small businesses to help them stay afloat during the pandemic, with loans of up to $50,000. 
• $50 million grant fund that provides grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses and nonprofits, with fewer than 50 employees. The fund includes $1 million dedicated to non-profits, to provide working capital for operational expenditures.

UPDATE: The application deadline for BOOST is now JULY 15, 2020.
You must file your 2019 taxes before completing the application.

The deadline to apply for a BOOST scholarship was extended to Monday, June 1, 2020. The original deadline was Friday, April 24, at midnight. The scholarships, available to qualifying low-income students, will assist parents in sending their children to a non-public school for the 2020-21 school year. The Maryland Department of Education announced the new date on April 1, while also noting that program administrators will continue to monitor coronavirus developments, should additional adjustments be necessary. 

"As of today, the application deadline for BOOST has not changed. We encourage parents to fill out their applications as soon as possible. This program is a great opportunity for families whose children currently attend public school, as well as those with children in a Catholic school who are struggling with tuition," said Garrett O'Day, deputy director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. He also shared the list of schools that are eligible to participate in BOOST for the next school year. See the list HERE. 

Approximately $7.5 million in scholarships is expected to be awarded by the State of Maryland through BOOST next year.

Since BOOST was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2016, the state has awarded more than 10,000 scholarships, totaling upwards of $24 million, to students to attend a nonpublic that fits their educational needs. 

Apply for BOOST here: marylandpublicschools.org/pages/boost/index.aspx

UPDATE: On Thursday, March 19, 2020, Gov. Hogan imposed further restrictions on Marylanders, after announcing the first coronavirus-related death in our state. The administration continued to expand its closures, adding all indoor malls and arenas to the growing list of businesses and public places that have been closed to slow the spread of the virus. Among other measures, the administration also banned gatherings of more than 10 people in close proximity, and is actively working to increase the number of hospital beds available across the state by reopening closed facilities. For the latest on the coronavirus in Maryland CLICK HERE.

On Wed. March 18, 2020, the Maryland General Assembly adjourned the legislative session, nearly 3 weeks ahead of schedule. The abbreviated session left many pieces of legislation unresolved but legislative leaders have said they are planning to return in the end of May for a special session. Read more about the end of session HERE.

Our Catholic churches remain closed in light of the state's actions, but our Catholic Charities continue to work to serve our communities, particularly those who are deeply impacted by these closures and restrictions. Baltimore Archbishop Lori addressed the faithful about the pandemic on March 18. Read his statement HERE. 

MARCH 13, 2020 — As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Maryland continues to rise, our state's Governor and General Assembly have established new social distancing mandates, many of which impact the work of the Maryland Catholic Conference and our Catholic faithful. 

The Conference is monitoring the situation and will work to keep our network abreast of changes as they unfold. 

What do we know so far?

Governor Larry Hogan announced Thursday numerous actions his administration has taken to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the coming weeks, including closing schools and senior centers, banning gatherings of more than 250 people — including religious gatherings — and limiting access to state buildings. 

On Friday, leaders of the General Assembly extended these restrictions, banning access for the time being to the State House, the Senate and House office buildings by the public, advocates and lobbyists. This directly impacts our staff who frequently enter these buildings to meet with legislative and administrative staff, and legislators.

Additionally, the General Assembly will now only accept testimony in writing and encouraged testimony to be submitted to a member who will ensure it is placed in the bill file, as advocates no longer may enter the buildings to submit testimony. As of Friday, only a bill's sponsor is permitted to testify in person. 

With just 25 days remaining in the 2020 legislative session, many bills have yet to receive full consideration. We do not know yet if the General Assembly will continue through its scheduled Sine Die of April 6, or end early. 

Both chambers announced they will work through the weekend of March 14 and 15, holding floor sessions on Sunday — something neither has done in decades.

Both chambers also instructed their leadership to prioritize, where possible, outstanding legislation to focus on the most important bills. 

The majority of the bills the Conference has been working on this session remain outstanding and it is unclear which, besides the budget, will be resolved before the General Assembly adjourns. Any bill that fails to pass both chambers before midnight on Sine Die is dead and must be reintroduced in a subsequent legislative session. 

By law, the General Assembly is only mandated to pass two pieces of legislation each session: the operating budget and the capital budget. As of Friday, the Senate has passed its version of the operating budget and the House was expected to bring its to the floor during a session on Friday.

Our state's BOOST Scholarship Program funding is part of the operating budget and the Senate version of the budget includes $10 million for BOOST for the upcoming school year. The House Appropriations Committee, however, voted to phase out the BOOST program in the version of the budget it sent to the House floor for consideration. Both chambers must agree on the final budget for it to pass onto the Governor for a signature. The budget would take effect July 1, 2020. 

As of Friday afternoon, the crossover deadline for legislation remained in place at March 16 — this is the deadline by which any bill must pass out of its original chamber and move to the other. Those which pass out of their originating chamber after this deadline are assigned to the Rules committee, which will determine if the bill may proceed or if it dies. 

What does this all mean?

The Conference staff continues to work on outstanding legislation in the ways we can, including reaching members by phone and email, submitting testimony in writing, and watching or listening to committee and floor sessions online.

We are aware that many advocates and some individuals were planning to testify on Friday in favor of numerous bills that would protect women and the unborn or attend the hearing, and were unable to do so.

We encourage those who have not yet already done so, to consider sending a message to their lawmakers about these and other outstanding bills.

Please visit our Action Alerts page to find the current actions available through the Maryland Catholic Conference. 

The executive orders from Gov. Hogan have impacted Catholic parishes, schools and parishioners across Maryland. Catholic social service agencies that serve vulnerable Maryland residents are making changes in programs and volunteer services during this time. We encourage anyone who is concerned about how these changes impact them to visit the diocesan websites for more information.

• Archdiocese of Baltimore
• Archdiocese of Washington 
• Diocese of Wilmington

Finally, we encourage all Catholics in Maryland to pray for our state, those across the world who have been infected by this virus, the medical teams working to treat the sick and stop the virus' rapid spread, and our communities as a whole. 

CLICK HERE to access Pope Francis' prayer to Mary to intercede in this time of crisis, and CLICK HERE for the USCCB's prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede for our country. 

The Maryland General Assembly will hear ten pro-life bills this week, with most of the bills scheduled for a hearing in the House Health and Government Operations committee on Friday, March 13. 

The Maryland Catholic Conference testifies each year in support of legislation that seeks to promote life in our state, including unborn life, and will continue to be a voice for life in the 2020 session by testifying in support of the bills which uphold life and against those that seek to undermine life.

"We continue to support legislative efforts to create a culture of life in Maryland, including those that would limit or eliminate the practice of abortion in our state," said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. "As Pope Francis has said: 'All life has inestimable value' and that is why we, as a Church, will always be a voice for life in Maryland."

Among the bills scheduled for hearing this week are ones that would:

• ban abortion in instances where the unborn child can feel pain
• establish requirements for reporting abortion data to the Maryland Health Department 
• regulate the disposal of aborted remains, including requiring humane disposal and preventing remains from being sold for research or other purposes
• prohibit, in most instances, dismemberment abortions
• require doctors and technicians to perform an ultrasound prior to obtaining informed consent from a patient for an abortion and demonstrate during that exam the presence of a heartbeat
• prohibit doctors from inserting or implanting contraceptive devices in minors without parental consent
• prohibit doctors who refer patients for abortions from having a financial relationship with the abortion provider
• require abortion providers attempt to detect the presence of a heartbeat in the unborn baby before performing an abortion

To watch Friday's hearing live CLICK HERE. The feed will be live starting Friday at 1 p.m.

To speak up in support of these bills, be sure to join our Catholic Advocacy Network by visiting: www.mdcatholic.org/joincan and be on the lookout for an alert this week. 

Hundreds of students from Catholic and other nonpublic schools across Maryland gathered in Annapolis on March 4 to advocate for programs that serve the state's nonpublic schools. 

Hosted by the Maryland chapter of the Council for American Private Education (Maryland CAPE) together with the Maryland Catholic Conference, Nonpublic Schools Advocacy allows students from Maryland's nonpublic schools to advocate for programs like the BOOST Scholarship Program and the Nonpublic Aging Schools program, which respectively, provide scholarships to low-income students and infrastructure funding to aging school buildings.

"Seeing Annapolis filled with students from our Catholic and other nonpublic schools is a strong reminder to the legislators that it is their constituents — students in their district — who are served by programs like BOOST," said Garrett O'Day, deputy director of the Conference, and vice-president of Maryland CAPE. "This year, education has been a central focus of the work in Annapolis, and it was great to see so many students here to show our legislature the diversity of education in our state and why those options are so important."

Students started the day at a rally with Governor Larry Hogan and a bipartisan group of legislative champions, before meeting with individual district representatives about how Maryland can, and why it should, continue to support its nonpublic schools. 

To view more pictures from the day, check out Gov. Hogan's Flickr.

Starting in March, Marylanders will be asked to take part in the 2020 U.S. Census, and the Church is encouraging everyone to participate. 

Every ten years, the U.S. Constitution requires the federal government to take a count of everyone living in the country. The 2020 count will begin in March. 

"The Census has a profound impact on the shape of our government and our communities by helping define everything from our state's representation in Congress, to funding for programs, such as those that serve our most vulnerable and that keep us safe," said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. "It is important that each of us do our part by completing the Census and encouraging others to do so as well." 

Census forms will be mailed to each household starting mid-March and the deadline to respond is July 31, 2020. The form asks important information such as number of people living in the home and each person's demographic information. It does not include a question about citizenship. 

The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of caring for the most vulnerable in our society. While individual Catholics and Catholic organizations have a responsibility to address local needs, government programs and funding also play a role in combatting poverty, educating children, and providing support for the vulnerable. In Fiscal Year 2016, Maryland received more than $16 billion through federal programs that used 2010 census data to determine our state's allocation. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops outlined the significance of an accurate Census by stating that: “The Catholic Church and other service providers rely on the national Census to provide an accurate count in order to effectively serve those in need. We urge for all people to be counted in the Census, regardless of their citizenship…Our society, rooted in the strength of the family, cannot risk missing this opportunity to give children and parents the tools they need to succeed.”

To learn more about the Census and to download resources, visit: www.mdcatholic.org/2020census.

Dozens of people wearing nearly every shade of green crammed into the Judicial Proceedings wing of the Miller Senate building in Annapolis on Friday, Feb. 28 to oppose the proposed physician-assisted suicide bill (SB 701), also known as the "End of Life Options Act."

More than 40 people testified against the bill, expressing opposition to the risks posed by legalizing assisted suicide, the bill's lack of safeguards for vulnerable populations, its direct affront to medical ethics, and more. Dozens more attended the hearing to stand in solidarity with the many communities who the bill puts at grave risk — including those with disabilities, veterans, the elderly and those struggling with prescription drug addiction — in opposition to its advancing. The Senate had to provide an overflow room to accommodate the vast number of people who attended the hearing.

"The large number of people who came on Friday to testify or simply stand up against the 'End of Life Options Act' is a testament to just how dangerous this bill is for Maryland and how many Marylanders do not want to see it become the law of our state," said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. "We are grateful to everyone who took the time to come to Annapolis and show the large, powerful opposition to assisted suicide. Your voices were heard!" 

For those who were unable to attend the hearing or to testify, the Conference — together with the Maryland Against Physician Assisted Suicide Coalition — encourages everyone to send their Maryland State Senator a message in opposition to the bill. To send a message CLICK HERE. 

As of March 2, the House of Delegates has not scheduled a hearing on its version of the bill, HB 643. Both chambers only have until March 16 to consider and pass legislation out of their chamber and over to the other chamber for consideration. In order for a bill to become law in Maryland, it must be passed by both chambers of the General Assembly. . 

To follow along with the issue and receive any action alerts, please CLICK HERE to join the Catholic Advocacy Network. 

The Maryland Catholic Conference has again supported legislation that would protect foreign laborers who come to our state from trafficking and exploitation, offering testimony in support of SB 742, the "Fair Recruitment and Transparency Act."

Every year thousands of workers with what are known as "H-2 visas" arrive in Maryland to do everything from farm work, to crab-picking and landscaping. Those workers often face abuse, fraud and coercion from recruiters and others who put them at risk for trafficking and exploitation. 

"Many people come to Maryland through visa programs that allow them to work here for certain amounts of time and far too many end up exploited in that process," said Anne Wallerstedt, associate director of Social and Economic Justice for the Conference. "Sadly, it is far too common for a worker's terms of employment to be misrepresented, for contractors to charge exorbitant fees that put these workers in debt bondage and in other situations that can reach to the severity of labor trafficking, and workers to end up living in deplorable conditions as a result."

The Catholic Church strongly opposes human trafficking because it disregards the dignity of human life. Although anti-human trafficking efforts often focus on sex trafficking, the Church reminds us to turn our attention to labor trafficking that is very prevalent in the United States as well. 

The Church supports the "Fair Recruitment and Transparency Act" because it would protect workers from labor trafficking by:

• Prohibiting discrimination in recruitment, hiring, and job assignments; 
• Banning recruitment fees to prevent workers from arriving indebted and more vulnerable to coercive labor conditions; and
• Requiring the licensing of recruiters and the creation of a registry to ensure workers know who they are working with.

The bill also calls for a state workgroup to study the J-1 Summer Work Travel program in Maryland. Workers under this program often work and live under deplorable conditions.