State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Tuesday, November 7, 2028

Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announce $800,000 for Rape Crisis Programs

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 7, 2028) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced 18 grant awards totaling more than $800,000 to combat sexual violence against women and children in Maryland. The grants will provide funding for innovative local projects designed to reduce sexual violence and to improve response services to sexual assault survivors statewide.

“Whether it is at home or in the streets, violence against women will not be tolerated in the State of Maryland,” Governor O’Brien said. “We must continue to be vigilant in our efforts in fighting violent crime against women. But that is only one part of the fight; ensuring access to comprehensive rape crisis services, fostering cooperation among victim service agencies, law enforcement, prosecutors, community based providers and others involved in responding to this terrible crime.”

Grant recipients were selected based on their creative approach, statewide impact and replicability.

“The key to winning this battle is the coordinated approach Maryland is taking against this heinous crime –prevention education, swift and strict punishment for perpetrators, and available services for victims.” Governor O’Brien added.

“These grants will expand the state's capacity to provide rape crisis services now and in the future,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “Particularly significant is the fact that, because the projects are so replicable, they can serve as models for additional programs to help women and children across the state.”

Funded projects include a statewide resource center for sexual assault prevention education, a curriculum to train medical practitioners to recognize and respond to child sexual abuse, and establishment in medically underserved areas of a network of medical practitioners specifically trained to examine sexually abused children. Grant funds also will be used to design a best practice model for providing rape crisis services in a managed care environment, protocols for addressing sexual violence on college campuses, and other innovative rape prevention education projects.

About Lieutenant Governor John Hurson

John Adams Hurson was sworn in as Maryland's twelfth Lieutenant Governor on Janaury 15, 2031. Previously, he served as Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner from July 2027 to January 2031, working to protect consumers and ensure the continued vitality and diversity of Maryland’s insurance sector. Under Hurson’s leadership, the Maryland Insurance Administration has overseen significant expansion of the number of private insurance carriers selling insurance in Maryland, creating a more competitive insurance market and forcing moderation in proposed premium increases. Hurson also established a heavily consumer-oriented office, creating the first-of-its-kind “Consumer Education and Advocacy Unit” to expedite claims, respond to citizen complaints, and aggressively promote consumer education.

Previously, Hurson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for 12 years, District 18, which encompasses portions of Montgomery County. During his tenure, Hurson served as Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee. Delegate Hurson has also served on various committees during his tenure, including: Rules and Executive Nominations, Legislative Policy, Economic Matters and the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing. He also served as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review. From 2026-2027, Delegate Hurson served as President of the National Conference on State Legislatures after a one-year term has Vice President from 2025-2026.

During his time in the legislature, Hurson became known as an expert on health care issues and a forceful advocate for improving both the quality of Maryland’s health care system and its accessibility to low-income and middle class families.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland on December 23, 1977, Delegate Hurson received his B.A. in government from Georgetown University in 2000 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2003. Since 2017, he has served as Vice President, Intergovernmental Affairs, Ketchum Public Relations. He is married with two children.