HOGAN TO SIGN 200+ BILLS: Gov. Larry Hogan is scheduled to sign more than 200 bills this morning in Annapolis — including the “Repeat Sexual Predator Prevention Act.” Maryland law does not currently allow prosecutors in rape and sexual assault cases to present evidence of previous acts by defendants that could prove a pattern of behavior. The new law will authorize judges to allow such evidence under certain circumstances, Doug Donovan of the Sun reports.
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The community college legislation allocates $15 million to establish a Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship program that will cover the portion of community college tuition for Maryland residents that remains after including other scholarships and financial aid, Meghan Thompson of Maryland Matters reports. The scholarship program includes students working toward an associate degree as well as those who require vocational training for job certification.
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The editorial board of the Annapolis Capital is touting the scholarship program, writing that it will offer “last dollar” scholarships — available after all other financial options have been pursued — of up to $5,000 annually for students who have maintained a high-school grade-point average of 2.3 or higher, enroll within two years of getting a high-school diploma or GED and are taking at least 12 credit hours. Income limits will keep the program targeted at lower- and middle-income households.