Ch. 487                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 487
(House Bill 1276)

AN ACT concerning

State Personnel - Telecommuting Pilot Program

FOR the purpose of requiring the Governor to establish a statewide Telecommuting Pilot
Program; requiring the Secretary of the Department of Personnel to adopt policies
to administer the Pilot Program; requiring the Secretary to report to the Senate
Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee on the
effect of the Pilot Program; requiring the Department of Personnel to notify the
Senate Budget and Taxation Committee of the State agencies selected by the
Department to participate in the Pilot Program; defining certain terms; providing
for the termination of this Act; and generally relating to establishing a
Telecommuting Pilot Program.

BY adding to

Article - State Personnel and Pensions

Section 3-601 through 3-604 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 6.
Telecommuting Pilot Program"

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1994 Volume)

Preamble

WHEREAS, Increasing traffic congestion is a source of aggravation to many
commuters and has a negative effect on air quality and energy conservation; and

WHEREAS, Alternatives should be explored that attempt to slow the growth of, or
possibly reduce, traffic congestion; and

WHEREAS, "Telecommuting" - using telecommunications technology to work at a
location other than a traditional office setting - may reduce pollution and save fuel
consumption; and

WHEREAS, Telecommuting could broaden the available workpool to include
nontraditional or low participation groups such as handicapped individuals, the elderly,
single parents, and other individuals who have difficulty in dealing with traditional
working hours and commuting patterns; and

WHEREAS, Telecommuting has the potential to bring more jobs to rural areas and
to economically depressed areas of the State; and

WHEREAS, Telecommuting could decrease costs for program participants in the
areas of transportation, parking, clothing, food, and child or elder care and improve the
situation with regard to "latchkey" children; and

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