Bills HB 563 and SB 316 died with session end

Bills HB 563 and SB 316 died with session end. On April 3, 2001 a state Senate committee approved a one-year moratorium on executions overcoming the objections of its own chairman, Democrat Walter M. Baker, who vowed to work to kill the legislation in the full Senate. The proposal resulted from a growing concern in Maryland and the nation about whether the death penalty is being applied fairly. Moratorium, would allow time for a study to determine whether racial bias affects how the death penalty is meted out and for the legislature to consider any changes to Maryland's capital punishment law that the study might suggest. Senators voted to set a deadline of the end of the year for the study and to end the moratorium on July 1, 2002. "I couldn't be happier this bill was passed by this committee," said Richard Dowling, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, which had lobbied heavily for the bill, even enlisting the aid of Sister Helen Prejean, the nun who was central to the story "Dead Man Walking." (text: http://mlis.state.md.us/2001rs/billfile/SB0316.htm)On March 24, 2001 the Maryland House of Delegates approved HB 563 a two-year moratorium on executions amid growing concern in the state and nation about whether the death penalty is being applied fairly. The moratorium would allow time for completion of a study by a University of Maryland to determine whether racial bias is a factor in Maryland's application of the death penalty. Despite the 82 to 54 vote in the House, the legislation was far from assured of becoming law. The chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, Walter M. Baker (D-Cecil), said that he would derail the legislation by not bringing it to a vote in his committee. Some senators were contemplating a bid to force a vote, but it was unclear whether they can successfully mount a challenge against Baker, who wields great power over legislation and is a strong proponent of the death penalty. Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D) has said he opposes a moratorium because he reviews each case closely, but he has not ruled out signing the legislation if it passes the General Assembly. (text: http://mlis.state.md.us/2001rs/billfile/HB0563.htm)