THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT RENTEDDERS RIGHTS.

A NEW STATE LAW IS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE 40% OF MARYLANDERS WHO RENT THEIR HOMES KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND ANY LAND LORD TENANT DISPUTES.

JOINING US IS ZAFAR SHAH ADVOCACY DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RIGHT TO HOUSING WITH MARYLAND LEGAL AID.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMEDIES PUTS THAT YOU SEE AT LEGAL AID?

>> THE MOST COMEDIES PUT FOR TENANTS BOILS DOWN TO THEIR FINANCES.

CAN THEY AFFORD THE AMOUNTS OF RENT AND EXTRAS THE JUNK FEES THAT THEY ARE FACING LEFT AND RIGHT, RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH WHAT IS ALLOWED IN THE LEASE.

WHAT IS THE ACCOUNTING.

CAN THEY ACCESS THE INFORMATION THAT'S INCREASINGLY ON-LINE.

FOR RENTAL LEGAL AID CLIENTS MANY FOLKS DON'T HAVE DIGITAL ACCESS OR THEY ARE OLDER AND BEWILDERED BY THE INCREASING AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT IS IN A WEB PORTAL OR APP.

SO THE ACCESSIBILITY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR TENDENCY IS A CHALLENGE.

A LOT OF THE STUFF ENDS UP IN COURT.

SIMPLE DISPUTES BECAUSE WE HAVE A QUICK, EASY, COURT PROCESS TO EVICT PEOPLE.

AND EVICTION IS BY AND LARGE THE WAY THAT LANDLORDS PERCEIVE THEIR LEVERAGE TO DEAL WITH THE TENANT.

FOLKS ARE WINDING UP IN COURT LEFT AND RIGHT.

WE'VE HAD A REAL PROBLEM IN MARYLAND WITH SERIAL EVICTION FILING.

IT'S FINALLY COMING DOWN A BIT.

IN 2019 WE WERE CLOSER TO 700,000 EVICTION CASES FILED IN A YEAR.

WE'RE DOWN TO LESS THAN 400,000 IN 2024.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS SERIAL EVICTION FILING?

WHO IS THE BAD GUY THERE?

>> WE HAVE A COTTAGE INDUSTRY IN MARYLAND OF GROUPS CALLED FILING AGENTS THAT REALLY FILL IN A NEED FOR LANDLORDS IN THE SYSTEM.

WHICH IS THEY CAN FILE IN BULK AND SO THEY CUT DOWN THE COST TO LANDLORDS BY FILING QUICKLY, EVERY MONTH, USING AUTOMATION, DOING BATCH FILINGS WITH THE COURTS, WITH THE COURT FIGHTING ACCESS TO THE AGENTS TO DO THIS KIND OF THING.

>> Jeff: THESE ARE EVICTION CASES WHERE THEY ARE ALLEGING RENT HASN'T BEEN PAID AND OTHER VIOLATIONS?

>> TYPICALLY OVER 90% OF EVICTION CASES IN MARYLAND DEAL WITH THE ALLEGATION OF NONPAYMENT OF RENT.

>> >> Jeff: THIS IS THE DOCUMENT MARYLAND TENANTS BILL OF RIGHTS, EIGHT PAGES LONG AND ATTACHED TO EVERY LEASE WHERE THE LANDLORD HAS FIVE OR MORE UNITS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

IT WILL EFFECTIVELY HAVE TO BE ATTACHED TO WRITTEN LEASES.

NOT EVERY TENANT IS ENTITLED TO A WRITTEN LEASE BECAUSE THEIR LANDLORD CAN VOLUNTARILY PROVIDE THAT WRITTEN LEASE.

THEY HAVE TO DO IT UNDER WRITTEN LAW WHEN THEY HAVE FIVE OR MORE UNITS.

MOM AND POP LANDLORDS MAY NOT HAVE THE FIVE.

SINGLE ASSET COMPANIES THE L39ION C'S, THEY MIGHT BE HIDING THE OPERATION UNDER ONE NAME AND THAT NAME IS THE LANDLORD THAT MIGHT GET AWAY WITH NOT PROVIDING THE TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS.

>> Jeff: IF YOU OWNED 100 PROPERTIES WOULD IT BE YOUR WORTH TIME TO SETUP SHELL COMPANIES TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU HAD A FEW?

>> IT'S WORTH IT.

WE SEE THAT LANDLORDS DO THIS.

THERE'S A CERTAIN ABILITY TO ESCAPE LABILITY FOR PROBLEMS.

AND EVADE STRONG FAIR HOUSING LAWS HAVE EXCEPTIONS.

AND NUMEROUS OTHER AREAS OF TENANTS' RIGHTS WHERE A SMALL LANDLORD HAS A DIFFERENT OBLIGATION.

WE SEE THIS IN ANNAPOLIS CONTINUING TO CARVE OUT IN LEGISLATION A PLACE FOR THE SMALL LANDLORDS BUT WITHOUT PROVIDING A DEFINITION OF A SMALL LANDLORD OR IF THEY ARE DEFINING IT, THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERING WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR THE PUBLIC FOR CONSUMERS TO READILY IDENTIFY WHO IS A SMALL LANDLORD VERSUS A LARGE LANDLORD.

>> Jeff: THE IDEA FOR THE MOST PART PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE GETTING A COPY OF THIS.

IS THAT A GOOD THING?

>> WE THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL STEPS THAT WILL RAISE ALL SHIPS.

THE VALUE PROPOSITION ISN'T THERE'S A NEW PIECE OF PAPER FOR PEOPLE TO READ.

WHAT COULD YOU ACCOMPLISH IF EVERY SINGLE RENTER HOUSEHOLD OVER 700,000 IN MARYLAND, WHAT IF ON THEIR KITCHEN TABLE YOU COULD PUT THE SUMMARY LIKE A BROCHURE OF THEIR MOST, THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS AND THE LANDLORD OBLIGATIONS AND COMMISSARIES THAT LANDLORDS FACE AND SCALE IT EVERY YEAR HAVE THAT TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS ON THEIR KITCHEN TABLE.

THAT IS THE IDEA.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE SEE AT LEGAL AID A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING A LEGAL PROBLEM DON'T CALL US.

THEY NEVER REACH OUT FOR ASSISTANCE.

AND THE PROBLEM, WE THINK, IS WHEN SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING THE HARM THE PROBLEM THEY ARE HAVING THEY ARE NOT THINKING THAT IT IS A LEGAL PROBLEM.

SO I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

A LANDLORD MIGHT SAY TO A TENANT I'M NOT GOING TO RENEW YOUR LEASE UNLESS YOU PAY ANOTHER ADDITIONAL SECURITY DEPOSIT.

SECURITY DEPOSITS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS AND IT SAYS LANDLORD MAY ONLY CHARGE THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE MONTH'S RENT FOR A SECURITY DEPOSIT.

>> Jeff: I THINK I SAW AN EXCEPTION TO THAT.

>> THERE IS A TECHNICAL AND ODD EXCEPTION TO THAT THAT HAS TO DO WITH ENERGY, ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

BUT MY POINT BEING, JEFF, THAT THE EFFECT OF THE TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS HOPEFULLY THE TENANT HAS SEEN THAT IN THE LEASE, AND NOW, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL DIMENSION BECAUSE THEY ARE FEELING TARGETED, FEELING FLEECED, FEELING HARASSED AND WORRIED THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO RENEW THE LEASE.

WHY DON'T I PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ONE OF THE LEGAL SERVICES HOTLINES.

SO THAT'S JUST LOWERING THE INFORMATION BARRIER AND INCREASINGLY THE LIKELIHOOD.

>> Jeff: THERE IS THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S, WHERE ELSE DO YOU TURN FOR HELP?

>> WE ARE FORTUNATE IN MARYLAND WE HAVE A VIBRANT RENTER ADVOCACY COMMUNITY IT IS LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.

MARYLAND LEGAL AID.

DISABILITY RIGHTS MARYLAND.

THERE'S PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER OF MARYLAND.

DOWN CLOSER TO THE DC SUBURBS, COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES PRINCE GEORGE'S AND CASA MARYLAND PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE THE LEGAL STATUS AND THAT BARS THEM FROM SERVICES FROM LEGAL AID.

>> Jeff: REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT LANDLORD TENANT DISPUTES SEND AN E-MAIL TO LIVE QUESTIONS AT MPT.ORG.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?

WE LIKE TO ASSUME THAT EVERYBODY IS ACTING IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF GOOD INTEREST, BUT WITH SO MANY LANDLORDS OUT THERE NO DOUBT BAD ACTORS.

HOW MANY DO YOU COME ACROSS AT LEGAL AID?

>> WELL, WE TEND TO SEE THE WORST OF THE BUNCH.

ADMITTEDLY WHEN FOLKS CALL US THEY ARE AT THE END OF THEIR ROPE AND DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION AND THE BAD ACTORS FOR QUITE A WHILE.

SOME OF THE TELLTALE SIGNS OF A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS GOING TO GO AWRY AT THE BEGINNING, THE LANDLORD NOT PROVIDING TRANSPARENCY.

THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING YOU THE DOCUMENTS.

THEY ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE INFORMATION.

THEIR RENTAL LICENSING OR THEY TAKE A LONGTIME TO GIVE YOU A COPY OF YOUR LEASE.

YOU MIGHT BE DEALING WITH A LARGE COMPANY, A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY THAT DOESN'T WANT TO BEND ANY OF THEIR FIXED RULES.

FOR INSTANCE, THEY ARE GOING TO FORCE YOU TO BE USING THAT ELECTRONIC APPLICATION TO SIGN THE LEASE TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR ACCOUNTING.

LIKE I SAID AT THE TOP YOU MIGHT NOT BE THERE AND BE READY FOR THAT.

THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THAT WE SEE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES CYCLE THROUGH PROPERTIES.

IT COULD BE SOMETHING LIKE EVERY THREE MONTHS WITH A REALLY PROBLEMATIC MULTIFAMILY PROPERTY WHERE THE TENANTS ARE GETTING INFORMATION MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR THAT THERE'S NEW MANAGEMENT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE NEW THINGS HAPPENING THAT CREE IT AS A PROBLEM WHERE TENANTS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE OLDER ACCOUNT INFORMATION OR THE RELATIONSHIP THEY HAD WITH THE PROPERTY MANAGER ISN'T THERE ANYMORE.

THEY ARE LOSING OVER TIME, SOME OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.

>> Jeff: WHAT WOULD YOU DO THINKING ABOUT RENTING AND YOU MAY HAVE STARTED TO GET SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THIS LANDLORD A LITTLE BIT HOW DO YOU RESEARCH IT?

IF THEY ARE CHANGING SHELL COMPANIES ALL THE TIME, KNOCK AND DOORS IN THE COMPLEX AND HOPE SOMEBODY SAYS SOMETHING POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE?

>> THIS IS A REAL CHALLENGE THAT YOU ARE TOUCHING ON.

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE IN MANY JURISDICTIONS ANY TYPE OF REGISTRATION OR RENTAL LICENSING WHERE LANDLORDS WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENTLY THAT INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OPERATORS.

A LOT OF PLACES DO IN CENTRAL MARYLAND.

A LOT OF PLACES DON'T IN EASTERN AND WESTERN.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT TENANTS SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN THEY ARE DEALING WITH PROBLEMS WITH THEIR LANDLORD IS HAVE I TALKED TO MY NEIGHBORS?

HAVE I TRIED TO GET TOGETHER WITH MY NEIGHBORS TO POOL TOGETHER WHAT WE ALL MIGHT KNOW AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO TOGETHER.

THE COLLECTIVE PART OF TENANTS RIGHTS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

>> Jeff: LET'S SAY THE HEAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON BUT THE HEAT IS NOT ON.

CAN PEOPLE JUST BASED ON THAT START PUTTING THEIR RENT IN ESCROW, YOU HEAR THAT TERM A LOT?

>> YOU CAN.

THAT IS ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTALS.

HAVING HEAT IN YOUR PROPERTY.

HAVING PROPER SEWAGE DISPOSAL.

HOT WATER THOSE THINGS.

AND WE ONE OF THE WINS FOR TENANTS IN 2024 WAS THE PASSAGE OF THE TENANT SAFETY ACT WHICH MODIFIED THE RENT ESCROW PROCESS WHERE TENANTS ARE PAYING RENT INTO COURT, THE COURT IS ORDERING REPAIRS OF THE PROPERTY AND HOLDING LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Jeff: HOW EASY OR HARD IS IT TO GO TO COURT?

>> I'D SAY IT'S DIFFICULT.

JEFF, IF 2021 THE AMERICAN HOUSING SURVEY SHOWED THERE ARE 70,000 SUBSTANDARD PROPERTIES CLASSIFIED AS MODERATELY INADEQUATE AND SEVERELY INADEQUATE.

WHAT THAT TRANSLATES TO IN TERMS OF JUSTICE OUTCOMES IS THAT THERE WERE 56 TIMES MORE SUBSTANDARD HOUSING UNITS THAN THERE WERE FILINGS BY RENTERS TO FORCE THE LANDLORD TO REPAIR.

56 TIMES MORE PROBLEM PROPERTIES THAN THERE WERE RENT ESCROW CASES.

THAT SPEAKS TO THE ACCESS OF JUSTICE PROBLEM.

>> Jeff: VERY GOOD.

ZAFAR SHAH IS ADVOCACY DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RIGHT TO HOUSING WITH MARYLAND LEGAL AID.

LOOK FOR A COPY OF THE MARYLAND TENANTS BILL OF RIGHTS.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

[*] >> Jeff: AND JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT YOUR HEALTH IS Dr. THOMAS CHIN PEDIATRIC CORDOLOGIST, CODIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S HEART PROGRAM.

AND PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

DOCTOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US EVERYONE CAN SEE FROM YOUR SHIRT THAT YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THE UPBEAT HEARTS CAMP WHICH IS A GREAT NAME.

TELL US ABOUT THIS CAMP?

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO JOIN YOUR SESSION TODAY.

UPBEAT HEARTS CAMP IS A SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS.

IN OTHER WORDS CHILDREN WHO ARE BORN WITH DEFECTS IN THEIR HEART AND WHO HAVE HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY AND SURVIVORS.

SO THIS CAMP WAS INSTITUTED NOT SO MUCH TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CHILDREN ARE UNABLE TO DO, BUT WHAT THEIR ACTUAL CAPABILITIES ARE.

>> Jeff: YOU WERE TELLING ME THAT A SIMILAR CAMP WAS CREATED AT YOUR PREVIOUS INSTITUTION UP IN PENNSYLVANIA.

WHAT WAS -- HOW DID IT GET STARTED?

WHAT WAS THE INITIAL GOAL?

>> THANK YOU.

SO AT PENN STATE HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER, I WAS APPROACHED BY A HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM WHO HAD UNFORTUNATELY LOST A CHILD.

AND IN ANSWER TO HOW THEY COULD DONATE FUNDS BEST USED BY OUR INSTITUTION I SUGGESTED OPENING A COUPLE MER CAMP FROM CHILDREN WITH DEFECTS SO MANY WHO NEVER ATTENDED A CAMP BEFORE COULD ENJOY THOSE THINGS THAT OTHER CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO ENJOY THROUGHOUT THEIR SUMMERS.

AND THERE WAS A WILL DUAL PURPOSE TO THE CAMP IN A SENSE OF NOT ONLY COULD THEY ENJOY THEMSELVES DURING THE SUMMERTIME BUT WE ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH THEM ABOUT THEIR HEARTS AND SO THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT THINGS LIKE CPR, HEALTHY DIETS, AND EVEN THE STRUCTURE OF THE NORMAL HEART.

>> Jeff: HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE CAMPS ARE THE SAME OR DIFFERENT THAN OTHER SUMMER CAMPS?

>> YES.

SO IN OTHER SUMMER CAMPS, PEOPLE ARE OFTEN MOTIVATED YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF BEING [INAUDIBLE] BUT THE THING THAT IS SURPRISING ABOUT CHILDREN WITH HEART DEFECTS IS HOW NORMAL THEY CAN BE.

SO WE TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN THAT ARE VERY SICK.

SOME PATIENTS WITH CARDIOMYOPATHY A MUSCLE WEAKNESS OF THE HEART AND OTHERS HAVE A SINGLE PUMPING CHAMBER IN THEIR HEART AND HAVE TO LIVE ON THAT FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIFE.

BUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE HEART DEFECTS, THEY TYPICALLY PUSH THEMSELVES AS HARD AS THEY CAN.

AND REACH A CERTAIN POINT WHERE THEY CAN'T PUSH THEMSELVES ANYMORE.

AND THEN THEY HIT THE WALL.

THEY REST AND THEN THEY GO ON AGAIN.

AND SO PARTICULARLY SINCE MANY OF THESE CHILDREN IT'S NOT A LACK OF MOTIVATION, BUT JUST WHAT THEIR PHYSICAL ENDURANCE WILL ALLOW.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED MOST OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE HAD SURGERY.

SERIOUS, DIFFICULT OPERATION.

WHAT SORT OF IMPROVEMENTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH MODERN SURGICAL TECHNIQUES?

>> SO THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AND SURGICAL REPAIR IS ONE OF THE MODERN MARVELS AND WONDERS.

AS RECENTLY AS 60, 70 YEARS AGO THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO HELP THESE CHILDREN.

MANY OF THEM WERE DYING.

CURRENTLY, 85-90% OF PEOPLE BORN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE WILL SURVIVE INTO ADULTHOOD.

AND SO, IN FACT, ABOUT 15, 20 YEARS AGO, THE MUM OF CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS HAVE BEEN SURPASSED BY THE NUMBER OF SURVIVING ADULTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS.

MANY OF THESE CHILDREN AS I WAS ELUDING TO IF YOU WERE TO SEE THEM IN THE CAMP AND DOING THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TELL ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE CHILDREN AND OTHER CHILDREN THAT ARE NORMAL.

>> Jeff: WHICH IS AN INSPIRATION.

AND YOU ALSO INCLUDE FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE KAMAS WELL, WHICH -- CAMP, AS WELL, WHICH INCLUDES SIBLINGS WITHOUT THESE ISSUES?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK WE'VE ALL COME TO REALIZE THAT COMMON AN NORMALITIES INCLUDING CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE ARE ILLNESSES THAT AFFECT THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

HAVING A CHILD THAT IS BORN WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS, INFLUENCES HOW THE FAMILY TREATS THEMSELVES, TREATS THE REST OF THEIR FAMILY NOT TO MENTION JUST THE FINANCIAL BURDENS AND FREQUENT DOCTORS VISITS.

AND SO NOT ALWAYS THE PATIENT BUT THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS AFFECTED BY THE DISEASE.

SO I STARTED SOMETHING NEW WHEN I STARTED THE CAMP IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

AND THAT WE INCLUDED A MINIMUM OF ONE PARENT, GUARDIAN AND IN FACT, ALSO INVITED SOME OF THEIR SIBLINGS TO ATTEND.

BECAUSE THEY ARE AFFECTED BY HAVING A SIBLING THAT IS CHRONICALLY ILL. >> Jeff: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR FUTURE GOALS ARE FOR UPBEAT HEARTS?

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH HOW MUCH I LIKE THAT NAME?

>> THANK YOU.

WHEN I STARTED THIS THE INTENTION WAS TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CHILDREN'S INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITY IS.

SO NOT FOCUS ON LIMITATIONS BUT WHAT THEY COULD ACCOMPLISH AND HOW CLOSE TO BEING NORMAL AS THEY COULD BE.

THE CHILDREN AND ACTIVITIES ARE SUPERVISED BY PHYSICIANS AND NURSES IN CARDIOLOGY IT'S BEEN A 100% SAFE EVENT FOR THESE CHILDREN TO DATE.

AND SO MAINTAINING THAT DEGREE OF SAFETY, ALLOWING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACT OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING, ZINC LINES, ALSO ARBERY AND HIKING THOSE ARE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES THAT EVERY CHILD HAS DURING THE SUMMER AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THESE CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED OF THAT IF POSSIBLE.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ALSO TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE TRAINING SO THAT THEY LEARN THE CPR AND LEARN ABOUT HEART PROBLEMS AND HEALTHY DIET.

ONE OF THE CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMP A FEW YEARS AGO, COMPLETED THE HANDS ONLY CPR AND CAME UP TO ME AND SAID Dr. CHIN, I'M NOW ABLE TO SAVE MY PARENTS IF THEY HAVE A HEART ATTACK.

AND SO THEY REALLY TAKE OWNERSHIP AND ARE PROUD OF WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISH.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE MIRACULOUS SURGICAL ADVANCES AND I'M GUESSING SOME OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE SPOTTED EXTREMELY EARLY IN THE LIFE OF A NEWBORN.

ARE THERE OTHER CONDITIONS, THOUGH, THAT YOU WANT PARENTS TO BE AWARE OF DIFFICULTIES THAT A YOUNG CHILD MIGHT HAVE AND OBVIOUSLY THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR CHECKUPS WHERE A PEDIATRICIAN COULD PICK SOMETHING UP.

>> YES.

SO THE FACE OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE HAS CHANGED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DECADES AND IT USED TO BE THAT CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS WERE DETECTED IN THE NEWBORN PERIOD.

SOMEONE BORN IN THE NURSERY THEIR COLOR WOULD BE OFF, OXYGEN LEVELS WOULD BE LOW, THEY MIGHT BE BREATHING HARD OR FAST WE MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE GROWING OR GAINING WEIGHT.

NOW, ALMOST ALL OF THE HEART DEFECTS ARE DETECTED DURING PREGNANCY.

SO THE PRENATAL EVALUATIONS FREQUENTLY WILL DETECT THE SERIOUS HEART DEFECTS.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAT WOMEN HAVE PRENATAL CARE TO IDENTIFY THESE THINGS TO MAKE THE BEST OF A BAD SITUATION IF NECESSARY.

NOW, IN TERMS OF AFTERBIRTH, IF A CHILD HAD NOT BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE HEART DEFECTS THE THINGS I DESCRIBED SUCH AS BLUEISH DISCOLORATION, EXERCISE INTOLERANCE, FAILURE TO GAIN WEIGHT AND GROW, BREATHING HARD AND FAST, THOSE MAYBE THINGS THAT WILL GIVE YOU A TIP THAT YOUR CHILD MIGHT HAVE A HEART DEFECT.

>> Jeff: DOCTOR IF ANYBODY WATCHING WANTS TO SUPPORT THE UPBEAT HEARTS CAMP OR LEARN MORE ABOUT IT, WHERE CAN THEY GET MORE INFORMATION?

>> YES.

SO THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN WONDERFUL THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT WE'VE RECEIVED AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT FROM OUR INSTITUTION, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

AND THE WAY THAT THEY CAN SUPPORT US ACTUALLY JUST CONTACTING US AT OUR PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY INTAKE LINE.

I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT NUMBER IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

IT'S 410-328-4348.

AND WE HAVE A WEBSITE THAT WE HAVE WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE HOW-TO LOG IN AND GET FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CAMP.

AS WELL AS HOW POTENTIAL CAMPERS MIGHT BE ABLE TO SIGN UP FOR FUTURE YEARS.

AND FOR VOLUNTEERS THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

AND SO YEAH, CALL THE NUMBER CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT INFORMATION.

>> Jeff: Dr. THOMAS CHIN JOINING US FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU, THANK YOU, SIR.

>> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Jeff: THIS SUMMER CONSTELLATION ENERGY IS HOSTING A PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CAREERS IN ENERGY PRODUCTION.

CHARLES ROBINSON HAS MORE ON THE NEED FOR FUTURE ENGINEERS IN THIS INDUSTRY.

>> MEET JOYCE, SHE IS A RISING JUNIOR AT WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL IN WALDORF, MARYLAND.

SHE AND HER COHORTS HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH REIMAGINING LIVING IN ABERDEEN MARYLAND.

THEY WILL LOOK AT EVERYTHING FROM TRANSPORTATION TO RECYCLING.

>> THIS IS KIND OF A STEPPING STONE WHICH IS GOING TO LEAD TO MY CAREER AND MY FUTURE AND I THINK THIS JUST AS WELL AS MANY OTHER MENTORS SAY THAT THEIR FIRST PROJECT THAT THEY STARTED SO YOUNG IS WHAT GAVE THEM THE CONFIDENCE TO BECOME SUCH A LEADER IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO AND TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO.

>> MAKING ALL THIS POSSIBLE IS KERRY.

>> VERY EXCITING FOR THESE STUDENTS TO TAKE THE IDEA AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONCEPTS OF ENERGY BUT ALSO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE.

PART OF WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS INSPIRE AND CONNECT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BOTH ENERGY PROFESSIONALS AS WELL AS WHAT THEIR FUTURE CAREER COULD LOOK LIKE.

>> SOME 70 STUDENTS FROM MARYLAND AND AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE ABLE TO TALK TO ENGINEERS LIKE THOSE AT THE DAM ABOUT THE CREATION OF ENERGY.

THEY WILL ALSO LOOK ON THE INSIDES OF THE COWARD CLIFFS NUCLEAR REACTOR.

WELCOME TO THE CONSTELLATION ENERGY YES PROGRAM.

YES STANDS FOR YOUTH ENERGY SUMMIT AND WHAT THE KIDS ARE DOING IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE WHAT THEY LEARNED IN THEORY AND TURN IT INTO PRACTICAL USAGE.

>> I BELIEVE WE ARE JUST NOW TRYING TO MAKE OUR WAY BACK FROM NOT THE MOST SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, ELIMINATING COAL AND FOSSIL-FUELS IN THE FUTURE LEAD MORE TO RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES OR LESS HARMFUL.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD ENERGY SUMMIT.

IT IS A CHANCE TO LEARN FROM THE BEST AND CREATE THE FUTURE.

I'M CHARLES ROBINSON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY.

>> Jeff: CHARLES THANK YOU.

THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS WE WILL HEAR ABOUT EFFORTS TO RETRAIN LAID OFF FEDERAL WORKERS TO FILL EDUCATIONAL VACANCIES IN CLASSROOMS AROUND THE STATE.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND ALSO ON THE FREE PBS APP.

YOU CAN FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA UNDER MPT NEWS.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[*]