Baltimore, MD - Mar. 9, 2023 - Tired of adjusting the clock twice a year, lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in states across the country have been considering bills to get rid of the clock change, either by eliminating Daylight Savings Time (DST) or by adopting DST year-round. Attempts to adopt DST year-round have faced strong opposition from a variety of groups. Prominent among opponents of a switch to permanent DST are Orthodox Jewish advocacy organizations such as Agudath Israel, who cite the extreme challenges such a rule would pose on religious Jews, as such a law would mean the daily shacharis prayers would not be able to begin until one hour later into the day.
In Maryland, lawmakers are considering a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent in the state, instead of ending it every fall.
The bill, Senate Bill 268 / House Bill 165, known as the "Daylight Saving Time – Permanent Daylight Saving Time" bill, was introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates by Delegate Brian Crosby, and in the State Senate by Senator Justin Ready.
Supporters of the bill argue that the time change is disruptive and can lead to health issues such as sleep deprivation, increased accidents due to drowsy driving, and negative impacts on mental health. Additionally, they argue that permanent DST would have economic benefits, such as increased tourism and more opportunities for outdoor activities due to the longer daylight hours.
Those who oppose making DST permanent cite numerous issues of concern. Child safety advocates worry about the increased likelihood of accidents when children go to school in the morning while it is still dark. And prominent organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine say that the science proves that permanent DST causes negative health outcomes, and instead recommend getting rid of DST altogether by making Standard Time permanent.
Testifying this past Tuesday at the State Senate hearing, Rabbi Ariel Sadwin of Agudath Israel of Maryland described how permanent DST would create serious challenges for observant Jews. These concerns were also noted in written testimony submitted by noted zmanim expert Rabbi Dovid Heber of Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek.
If passed, Maryland would join several other states that have already passed legislation to make DST permanent. However, implementation of the bill would still be contingent on federal approval, as federal law currently mandates the twice-yearly time change. In March 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to make DST permanent nationwide, but it was not brought to a vote in the U.S. House before the end of the 117th congress. Last week, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 was introduced on Capitol Hill in both the House and Senate. Opponents to the measure will once again be active trying to prevent it from becoming law.
