CHRA Legislative Position Statements

Government Affairs Mission:

To influence legislative issues in the Baltimore region and State of Maryland related to the HR Management practice and in accordance with the Association's purpose of advancing the HR discipline; and to act as a liaison to Baltimore and Maryland's governmental entities within the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

CHRA's GA Committee is focused principally on regional and statewide issues. However, when appropriate, the GA will become active and partner with SHRM on Maryland and Federal issues impacting employees and Human Resources.

Our goals include:

1. Using the volunteer resources of our members that have a specific interest in legislative issues in certain HR disciplines (salary/compensation, benefits, general workforce practices, etc.) to develop a general policy/position statement in advance of the legislative session, indicating what general proposals would likely be opposed and supported. This document will also provide a glimpse of issues that CHRA believes need to be anticipated by members of the Maryland General Assembly.
2. Streamline the approval process for position documents being sent to elected officials. The position statements will form a basis for development, they will be reviewed by the CHRA Board of Directors for conformance and accuracy. A log of legislation and position statements will be maintained on the CHRA GA website. The Director of GA will provide an overview to the Board of Directors in advance of each meeting. Similarly, the membership will be advised of legislative issues and positions through the CHRA GA newsletter and special publications. Items of a divisive nature having a large number of members both for and against the proposed legislation, will be directed to the Executive Committee and/or Board of Directors for development of a position statement, or the determination of CHRA taking no position.
3. Inform legislators about the work and programs of CHRA GA both prior to and during the General Assembly. This will be accomplished through publication of our position statements, visits with elected officials, testimony (when needed), and e-mailed or other correspondence.
4. National SHRM Precinct Captain initiative will be supported members of CHRA and the Government Affairs Committee, will volunteer for additional service to serve as legislative relationship builders and subject matter experts for same.
   

General Position Statements:

CHRA supports legislation which:

• Allows businesses to be competitive, provide jobs, and contribute to the economic well-being of the Baltimore region.
• Supports educational initiatives, which promote workforce readiness and partnerships with the business community and educational institutions.
• Supports employer tax credit opportunities that benefit employers and their workforce, including:
  • Educational Reimbursement Assistance
  • Wellness Plans
  • Job Creation
• Incorporates "life skills" preparedness into existing public school coursework, including habits encouraging success in the following areas: understanding work cultures, interviewing skills, skills and behaviors for job success, financial literacy, etc.

CHRA opposes state or federal legislation which:

• Dictates how employers should pay sick, vacation, or other employee paid leave programs.
  • CHRA supports legislation which provides for workplace flexibility but opposes legislation which is a one-size-fits all mandate.
• Reverses existing policies in place to allow Labor Union activities and formalized election processes, Labor rights are guaranteed under the NLRA.
• Creates impediments to preventing workplace discrimination, including disparities between men and women.
• CHRA opposes any form of discrimination in employment based on an individual's sexual orientation.

The Chesapeake Human Resources Association is professionally managed by The Joseph E. Shaner Company