Senator Middleton and Delegate Guzzone Presented with The Arc Maryland 2014 Legislative Award

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Oct. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- The Honorable Thomas “Mac” Middleton — District 28 -- of Charles County and Maryland State Senate and the Honorable Guy Guzzone — District 13 -- of Howard County and Maryland State House of Delegates were awarded the 2014 Legislative Award by The Arc Maryland, the state’s largest non-for-profit statewide grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Senator Middleton and Delegate Guzzone were presented this year’s Legislative Award for outstanding legislative leadership in the 2014 Maryland General Assembly on behalf of the rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  During the 2014 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, Senator Middleton and Delegate Guzzone led the charge in support of increased funding for direct support wages and to ensure that direct support work would not become minimum wage jobs.  Senator Middleton and Delegate Guzzone were the lead sponsors for SB890 and HB1266, respectively—Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Minimum Wage Reimbursement—dictating that caregivers serving individuals with developmental disabilities be paid a rate that ensures that the hourly paid wage is at least 50 percent above the State minimum wage.   Both Legislators were able to successfully introduce amendments that mandated increased funding for direct support staff wages against opposition.  The passage of the minimum wage bill with a statutorily-mandated rate increase for DDA community services was a significant victory for Marylanders with developmental disabilities.

“Senator Middleton and Delegate Guzzone fought tirelessly on behalf of quality lives for people with developmental disabilities supported in community programs.  They know that the health and safety and quality of their lives is largely dependent on well-trained direct support professionals.  These workers provide continuity and daily support for vulnerable individuals.  On behalf of the thousands of individuals with disabilities, we are honored to recognize these two legislative giants,” stated Richard Dean, President, The Arc Maryland.

Senator Middleton and Delegate Guzzone will be honored at The Arc Maryland Annual Awards Luncheon to be held at the Loews Annapolis Hotel on October 17, 2014.

About The Arc Maryland:

Dedicated to creating a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.   For more information, visit http://www.thearcmd.org.