The state's Democratic senators announced on Tuesday initiatives they are pushing in ethics, health and other areas.

Sens. Jamin B. Raskin of Montgomery County and Douglas J. J. Peters of Prince George's County want all local governments to follow state ethics filing procedures. "We all read the newspapers," Raskin said, referring to the recent theft conviction of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. Raskin said Marylanders "have the right to expect uniform high standards" for all officials.

Sen. James E. DeGrange Sr. of Anne Arundel County said he will seek to expand the state's sex offender registry, bringing Maryland into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act. The senator referred to the December killing of an 11-year-old girl on the Eastern Shore. A registered sex offender is a suspect.

Among the provisions in DeGrange's bill are registration quarterly instead of twice a year for the most dangerous offenders and retroactive registration for offenders convicted before 1995. The state stands to lose $2 million in federal funding if it does not comply with the Adam Walsh Act, the senator said.

Sen. Nancy J. King of Montgomery County wants to create a 45-day cushion for people whose insurance allows only one checkup every year but who inadvertently schedule the appointment early. Sens. Robert J. Garagiola of Montgomery County and Delores G. Kelley of Baltimore County want insurance companies to pay out-of-network health care providers directly, if the coverage is approved.