STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 6/02/2025 – 6/11/2025

Oppose Republican cuts to Medicaid and protect access to essential health care for vulnerable populations and preserve the integrity of the healthcare safety net: Focus on Maryland

It is official, Republicans are coming for Medicaid. Despite promises by prominent leaders on multiple occasions to the contrary, the House just passed the proposed federal budget by just one vote and is set to make deep cuts to this vital social safety net. The bill is now in the Senate and may end up back in the House with revisions, which means we still have time to stop this bill from becoming law. Proposed cuts to Medicaid in the House budget represent a direct threat to the health and well-being of millions of Americans. It would not only strip vulnerable populations of access to vital medical services, but also shift costs to states, hospitals, and taxpayers—ultimately weakening our healthcare system and deepening disparities. We must call on our elected officials to step up and work harder to prevent these cuts and protect hard-working Americans from losing their health care coverage.

Established in 1965, Medicaid is a public health insurance program that offers coverage to low-income individuals and families—including children, parents, pregnant women, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. It is jointly funded by the federal government and individual states.

Maryland Medicaid is the state’s largest and most effective anti-poverty program. It delivers life saving health care coverage for over 1.5 million people, including almost half of all children in the state. 1 in 4 residents rely on Medicaid for their health care.The federal government pays for 58% of Medicaid funding in Maryland and this $14.6 billion accounts for over 20% of the entire state budget. After recently facing a larger-than-anticipated deficit of $3 billion dollars, Gov. Wes Moore said, “We just made in Maryland the largest cuts to our budget in 16 years,” adding that the steep cuts being contemplated in Washington could quickly prove “deeply damaging.” According to the Baltimore Banner, Maryland stands to lose over $1 billion due to these proposed federal changes and could lead to billions more in the next few years. State officials warn of several changes that could significantly cut Medicaid funding.

Proposed Changes

The first major change would impose new work requirements for recipients that could cost Maryland $317 million and drop 56,000 people from coverage. Whereas Medicaid eligibility is primarily based on income, these work requirements and the associated reporting requirements create barriers to receiving care by making access dependent on documenting work, volunteering, or educational activities for a minimum number of hours. In Arkansas in 2018, the Medicaid work requirement policy imposed by the state was shown to harm health care coverage and access, and did nothing to increase employment, its touted aim.

Meeting basic life-sustaining needs should not be contingent on meeting a work requirement. Most people who get coverage through Medicaid are already working. These administrative changes may lead to eligible individuals losing coverage simply because they miss deadlines or are unaware of new requirements. Most of the rest of those covered have a disability, are caregivers for a family member, or are students. Work requirements do not help people get the care they need to stay in the workforce. But having Medicaid helps people be healthy enough to work and provides job support for many disabled people.
The second change to Medicaid would require the state to check the eligibility of recipients more often, potentially costing $864 million and kicking an estimated 130,000 people off their insurance. Implementing the new requirements would increase administrative costs by an estimated $22.6 million, diverting resources from direct patient care and potentially causing delays in service delivery and placing further strain on the state budget.
There is also a proposed reduction in the federal match rate for Medicaid expansion from 90% to 50%, which would directly shift approximately $1 billion in costs to Maryland and could create a substantial hole in the state budget. Over the next decade, the state could face up to $16 billion in unexpected expenses, potentially leading to cuts in other essential services or requiring the state to find alternative funding sources such as raising taxes and fees.
The changes would also put a strain on healthcare providers. Medicaid provides substantial support for mental health and addiction services and is the #1 payer of long-term services and supports, including nursing homes. Almost 80% of all nursing home revenue is paid by Medicaid. Reduced funding could jeopardize the financial stability of these providers, leading to service reductions or closures.

Maryland Response

Just so you know who was fighting to stop these draconian cuts in the House, every democratic representative voted no, along with 2 Republicans. One Republican, Maryland’s own Andy Harris, voted “present,” to achieve a quorum for the vote to count. This is a political strategy in which a member does not approve of the bill, but does not stand against it either. It is a way to sidestep accountability and get paid for not doing your job.

Other state leaders, including Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani and Deputy Secretary Ryan Moran criticized the proposals. Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, condemned the proposed federal cuts as harmful to low-income residents, causing many to lose their health care coverage in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.

In response, state lawmakers passed House Bill 718 to revive a health care commission to monitor and assess the impact of potential and actual federal changes and to guide state and local action to protect the access of residents of the State to affordable health coverage. The bill was approved by Governor Wes Moore’s on May 20, creating the Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission. The Commission is also tasked with identifying potential funding sources to support recommended changes aimed at minimizing negative impacts on residents’ access to affordable health insurance.

Medicaid is the largest source of federal funding to the state of Maryland, helping to provide economic security for all Marylanders.We have the power to protect Medicaid and preserve our public dollars to prioritize care instead of tax giveaways to the rich. Now is the time to make clear to the elected officials who represent us why Medicaid matters to our communities. When we raise our voices together we have the tools and power to protect our care. Only when we come together can we push them to make a difference by demanding a system that is truly caring and that prioritizes the needs of every caregiver, care worker, family member, and person who needs care.

Let’s tell Republicans to stop chasing tax cuts for the wealthy by gutting services to the most vulnerable of our friends and neighbors. Let’s say no to balancing the budget on the backs of low-income residents. Let’s tell Andy Harris to do his job and do more to protect his constituents and actively help stop the cuts that his Republican colleagues had promised would not happen.

Personal Addendum: A friend and I have spent a lot of time examining the cruel and repressive tactics of the Republican Party, where it seems to us they are saying, “just be quiet (shut up) and die”. As I write this, one of their own has finally said as much.

At a recent town hall in Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) was repeatedly questioned about the House’s proposed budget cuts to Medicaid. When an attendee pointed out that because of these cuts people are going to die, Ernst, flustered at first, responded: “People are not — well, well, we all are going to die, so, for heaven’s sakes.” Her remark was met with loud jeers from the crowd.

Democrats pounced on Ernst’s “going to die” line, with DNC chair Ken Martin saying she “said the quiet part out loud.” Martin said the remark shows Republicans don’t care about “whether their own constituents live or die —as long as the richest few get richer, and that’s precisely why they’re ramming through a budget bill that would rip away health care and food from millions of Americans, including kids and seniors.”

So, yes, we are all going to die, but would you rather die of old age, or at age 44 because you cannot afford your heart medicine or to even see a doctor? That will be the reality for millions of Americans. And while Medicare is not mentioned in the budget bill, the extreme increase in national deficit will automatically trigger cuts to Medicare as well. But we can stand together and denounce these cuts. We are a wealthy nation where health care should be a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it. Now is the time to strengthen Medicaid, not undermine it, and to prioritize policies that protect public health, promote equity, and ensure no one is left behind. Now is the time for action.

Wake up, America! The stakes are real, and the consequences are deadly.

Here are some things you can do to assist in this fight.

Calls to Action

Maryland residents concerned about potential Medicaid cuts can take several meaningful actions to fight back and advocate for the protection of health care access:

Contact Elected Officials

Reach out to Maryland’s federal delegation (U.S. Senators and Representatives) to express opposition to proposed federal Medicaid cuts. Specifically, write to our local congressman Andy Harris. Let’s keep up the pressure against cuts to Medicaid and encourage him to take affirmative action to protect it. Feel free to add any personal stories of how Medicaid has been life-saving for you or someone you know, or how these cuts might affect you and your health.

Please include your Name, Address, Date

Dear Congressman Harris,

I am writing as your constituent to strongly urge you to oppose any proposed cuts to Medicaid. This vital program serves as a lifeline for millions of Americans—children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families—who rely on it for access to essential health care services.

Cuts to Medicaid would have devastating consequences not only for individuals but also for the broader health care system. In Maryland, many rely on Medicaid to access preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and avoid costly emergency room visits. Reducing funding or limiting access would lead to increased suffering, poorer health outcomes, and higher long-term costs for everyone.

Furthermore, Medicaid is a crucial support for rural hospitals and community health centers, which depend on consistent funding to keep their doors open and serve vulnerable populations. These institutions are already under pressure and cannot withstand further financial strain.

I ask you to protect the health and dignity of your constituents by rejecting any budget proposals or legislation that would reduce Medicaid funding or eligibility. Instead, please work to strengthen and expand access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I would appreciate a response outlining your position on this issue.

Sincerely,

Name and Phone Number, if desired

Contact state lawmakers with a similar letter to urge support for measures that protect Medicaid funding and access in Maryland. Try to be specific: mention how cuts could affect vulnerable groups, local hospitals, or your own personal health care.

Find your District and Maryland legislative representatives: Click the word Lookup under the words Find My Representatives on the Maryland General Assembly website HERE.

Support or Join Advocacy Organizations

Get involved with local or national organizations focused on health care access, such as:

Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative – see https://healthcareforall.com/get-involved/ for links to actions you can take including the promoting of the Health Care for All! Resolution
AARP Maryland, https://states.aarp.org/maryland/aarp-maryland-contact-information
Maryland chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
These groups often organize campaigns, petitions, and events to influence policy. https://www.socialworkers.org

Raise Public Awareness

Talk with your family and friends. Share personal stories or information on social media and community forums.
Write op-eds or letters to local newspapers highlighting the impact of the proposed Medicaid changes on Marylanders.

By combining grassroots advocacy with civic engagement and standing up together in unity, Maryland residents can influence both state and federal decisions and help protect critical health care services.

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 5/27/2025 – 6/02/2025

Unfortunately, our legislature did not do enough in the area of ICE activity, voter rights, or protecting children. Stronger action is required to protect citizens, residents or visitors in Maryland.

What is Maryland doing to resist the Trump regime chaos?

State Attorney General Anthony Brown joined 21 other states in a pact to resist the Trump regime, agreeing to share information that could be used to file complaints, dispositive motions, amicus briefs, merits briefs, and other legal actions. Blue states have recognized their common interest in developing potential litigation to challenge unconstitutional and illegal executive actions.

Our legislature made some strides but, unfortunately, did not do enough, especially in the area of reining in ICE activity, protecting voter rights, or protecting children. Stronger action is required to protect citizens, residents or visitors in Maryland and we need Governor Moore to step up.

Use the link below to ask Governor Moore to do more to fight the chaos of the Trump regime.

https://www.bluestatedefiance.org/blueprint

Feel free to edit the email. For Governor Moore, you can thank him for calling out Trump overhis cruel budget cuts, for his efforts to build economic ties independent of Washington inresponse to unpredictable federal policies, and for his calm approach and optimistic outlook.

But be clear, there is more we need him to do.

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 5/19/2025 – 5/26/2025

Call Attorney General Anthony Brown and urge him to fight against ICE overreach.

In the past two months, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has escalated a disturbing pattern of forcibly disappearing immigrants without due process. Examples include international students, professors, lawful permanent residents, and others on valid visas targeted for exercising their free speech rights. These examples are both political theater designed to encourage Trump followers and to frighten any who dare to express a political opinion that Donald Trump disagrees with.

Anthony Brown has stepped up to fight against many of the current administration’s harmful executive orders and activities, joining in 15 lawsuits so far. But he can do more to protect immigrant rights and due process. Use the link below to call and email our Attorney General.

https://www.bluestatedefiance.org/ice

As a Marylander, you can make three suggested additions to the provided script:

Thank the AG for joining in lawsuits to defend federal workers, Trans rights, data privacy, funding to Maryland and the Maryland State Education Department, and other legal actions protecting Maryland residents.
Urge the AG to get more directly involved in the case of Abrego Garcia by launching an investigation into the ICE activities against Mr. Garcia.
Urge the AG to quickly update the guidance for sensitive locations as needed to address increased ICE activity and in keeping with the recently passed Maryland Values Act.

You can learn more about the activities, resources and guidance of the Office of the Attorney General here: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/Federal_Actions_Response/default.aspx

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/21/2025 – 4/27/2025

Contact the U.S. and State legislators from your district to request a Town Hall meeting with residents. The town hall should include a legislative update – successes and disappointments – from the recent session, an opportunity for legislators to answer questions, and an opportunity for residents to share issues of importance to them. Make sure to stress an in-person, not virtual, town hall.

Find your legislators here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Script

As your constituent, I am writing/calling to urge you/legislator’s name to hold an in-person, public town hall meeting. [For state level, the legislative session is over and they should be scheduling as soon as possible. For Congressional legislators, the current recess ends April 26 – on a call you could ask if one is scheduled for this week; the next congressional recess is the last week in May (25^th – 31^st, including Memorial Day holiday) and you can request a town hall that week.] This is a critical time for our country, and we, the people you represent, deserve the opportunity to hear from you directly, ask questions, and share our concerns.

At a time when people are:

struggling with day-to-day bills
planning for our families’ futures and
hoping for a government that truly represents us
add or update with any of your personal concerns

it is more important than ever for representatives to engage openly with their constituents.

I strongly believe that democracy works best when elected officials listen to and engage with the people they serve. I urge you to schedule a town hall and make yourself available to the community. Please let me know when and where you will be holding this event.

I look forward to your response and hope to see you at a town hall soon.

Sincerely,

Your Name

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/14/2025 – 4/20/2025

The Maryland State Legislative Session is over. What happened to the bills we advocated for? And what can we do now?

Fate of State Legislation Calls to Action:

SB588 – Predator Empowerment Act

TWW opposed this bill. Success!

The bill died in the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee. Focused on requiring athletes to compete based on biological sex, it would have exposed children to invasive questioning or examination as well as harassment.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee know that you are appreciate the blocking of this bill.

SB828 – Sensitive Locations Act, HB1222 – Maryland Values Act, SB977 – Maryland Data Privacy Act

TWW supported these Immigrant Protection bills. Success was limited.

The House worked hard to ensure that the meat of each of these bills was moved forward by rolling everything into the Amended SB828. But on return to the Senate, SB828 died. Instead the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee pushed through an amended HB1222 thatstrippedout Maryland Values Act language on both the responsibilities of/restrictions on local law enforcement in immigration enforcement and the elimination of 287g agreements.

What we are left with is a bill – ironically still titled The Maryland Values Act – that provides some new restrictions on ICE enforcement in sensitive State-operated or state-funded locations, a requirement for the State Attorney General to develop guidance on immigration enforcement in a significantly reduced list of sensitive locations, and “encouragement” for certain private entities to establish policies in keeping with the AG’s guidance.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the watered down version of the bill.

HB1043 – Voter Suppression and Vote Dilution, HB1044 – Preclearance and Voter Intimidation and Obstruction, SB342 – Counties and Municipal Corporations, SB685/HB983 – Language Assistance Program

TWW supported this package of bills known collectively as the Voting Rights Act of 2025. Success was limited.

Despite strong support for these initiatives to protect the rights of Maryland voters, only the Language Assistance Program supporting non-English proficient citizens with assistance in voting passed. The other bills all died in the House Ways and Means Committee.

What to do? Contact Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones and members of the House Ways and Means Committee to express your disappointment in killing these bills that would have protected Maryland citizens against voter discrimination, intimidation and obstruction.

HB161 – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established

TWW supported this bill. Success was negligible.

While HB161 passed, it was renamed “County Boards of Education – Curriculum Guides and Courses of Study – Discrepancies and was stripped of any reference to Health Education or the topic of Gender Identify and Sexual Orientation. Instead we have a bill that addresses education and curriculum guides and courses of study in general. It adds creation of “content standards” – statements of knowledge and skill to be attained – that the State Department of Education will provide and to which county boards of education must align. While it establishes a process for correcting discrepancies and imposes penalties for lack of alignment, it specifically mentions only core subjects tied to state assessments as those which can trigger penalties. Based on that, it seems unclear that this bill will achieve the goals or intentions of the original bill in recognizing gender identity and sexual orientation as a topic that significantly impacts the mental and physical health and safety of all students.

I will point out that multiple (but not most) county school systems and the State Department of Education itself opposed the bill on the grounds that they felt it was redundant and was therefore unnecessary, as well as interfering in the relationship the State Dept. of Ed. and the county systems. However, it seems in that case the bill should have been killed rather than amended.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the amended version of the bill.

HB1094 – Montgomery County – Voting Methods

TWW supported this bill that failed.

This bill that would have brought ranked choice voting to local elections in Montgomery County never got out of the House Ways & Means Committee.

SB422/HB1433 – The Children Are Redeemable Act

TWW supported these cross-filed bills, neither of which made it out of the originating chambers committees.

The Children are Redeemable Act would have limited the practice of automatically charging children as adults in the Maryland criminal legal system, treating juvenile offenders with more flexibility and potentially more emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punitive adult criminal processing.

What to do? Contact Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones and members of the House Judiciary Committee to express your disappointment in killing these bills that would have protected Maryland citizens against voter discrimination, intimidation and obstruction. Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you appreciate the blocking of this bill.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE EVEN IF THE BILL DID NOT PASS. Many times a bill may need to go through several sessions before it accumulates enough support to pass. We can build on what we did next year to help the legislation that did not succeed this year. And for the legislation that did pass CONGRATULATIONS! You were a part of that – THANK YOU!

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/06/2025 – 4/13/2025

Contact Senate President Bill and your State Senators to urge support for SB828 with amendments

SB828 – Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act).

Update: The amended bill covers both guidance on immigration in sensitive locations as well as key components of HB1222 (The Maryland Values Act) in establishing procedures for interactions with federal immigration authorities and ending certain immigration enforcement agreements. While the amended bill does not cover all sensitive locations listed in the original bill, it covers critical government-service areas and allows for additional review of areas that may require special consideration.

Bill Summary: SB0828, as amended, establishes new guidelines for immigration enforcement at sensitive locations in Maryland, redefining what constitutes “covered individuals and “sensitive locations”. Sensitive locations include public schools, public libraries, government health care facilities, courthouses, and other state-funded service locations. The bill allows the Attorney General to identify other areas that may require special consideration. The bill also clarifies the involvement of state and local law enforcement and correctional facilities in immigration enforcement by requiring the detention and transfer of undocumented individuals to federal immigration authorities under certain circumstances and by restricting state and local jurisdictions from entering into controversial immigration enforcement agreements. It authorizes the Attorney General to develop and publish comprehensive guidance about allowed federal immigration enforcement activities, outlining the responsibilities and restrictions of state and local agencies.

Under the new law, public schools, libraries, and state government units must deny access to non-public areas to individuals seeking to enforce federal immigration law, unless they present a valid court warrant or face exigent circumstances. By October 1, 2025, these entities must implement policies consistent with the Attorney General’s guidance, which will also detail the rights and responsibilities of individuals interacting with federal law enforcement personnel.

The bill aims to provide clear protections for vulnerable populations by limiting immigration enforcement activities in certain spaces that provide essential community services. It also establishes process for and limitations on immigration enforcement. The legislation will take effect on June 1, 2025.

Script

I call/write today to urge Senator __________________ to support, SB828 – Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act). This bill will establish clear guidance on ICE access and immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, as well as establishing procedures for law enforcement responsibilities in immigration enforcement.

This bill will:

maximize public safety, minimize public exposure to violence and minimize disruption to services at sensitive locations
ensure that limited state and local resources are dedicated to proven public safety strategies
prevent intimidation and harassment
restore trust in community resources and law enforcement
reinforce the constitutional and civil rights of all residents

Recent actions by the Trump administration threatens to undermine our health, our safety and the constitutional right to due process. By protecting sensitive locations and ending controversial immigration enforcement agreements, this bill will promote fairness, dignity, and justice for all of us.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Name and Address

Senate President Bill Fergueson: bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us Phone: 410-841-3600

Find your Senator: Click the word Lookup under the words Find My Representatives on the Maryland General Assembly website HERE

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/23/2025 – 4/05/2025

Call Attorney General Anthony Brown and urge him to fight against ICE overreach.

https://www.bluestatedefiance.org/ice

As a Marylander, you can make three suggested additions to the provided script:

Thank the AG for joining in lawsuits to defend federal workers, Trans rights, data privacy, funding to Maryland and the Maryland State Education Department, and other legal actions protecting Maryland residents.
Urge the AG to get more directly involved in the case of Abrego Garcia by launching an investigation into the ICE activities against Mr. Garcia.
Urge the AG to quickly update the guidance for sensitive locations as needed to address increased ICE activity and in keeping with the recently passed Maryland Values Act.

You can learn more about the activities, resources and guidance of the Office of the Attorney General here: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/Federal_Actions_Response/default.aspx

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/21/2025 – 4/27/2025

Find your legislators here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Script

At a time when people are:

struggling with day-to-day bills
planning for our families’ futures and
hoping for a government that truly represents us
add or update with any of your personal concerns

it is more important than ever for representatives to engage openly with their constituents.

I look forward to your response and hope to see you at a town hall soon.

Sincerely,

Your Name

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/14/2025 – 4/20/2025

The Maryland State Legislative Session is over. What happened to the bills we advocated for? And what can we do now?

Fate of State Legislation Calls to Action:

SB588 – Predator Empowerment Act

TWW opposed this bill. Success!

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee know that you are appreciate the blocking of this bill.

SB828 – Sensitive Locations Act, HB1222 – Maryland Values Act, SB977 – Maryland Data Privacy Act

TWW supported these Immigrant Protection bills. Success was limited.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the watered down version of the bill.

TWW supported this package of bills known collectively as the Voting Rights Act of 2025. Success was limited.

HB161 – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established

TWW supported this bill. Success was negligible.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the amended version of the bill.

HB1094 – Montgomery County – Voting Methods

TWW supported this bill that failed.

This bill that would have brought ranked choice voting to local elections in Montgomery County never got out of the House Ways & Means Committee.

SB422/HB1433 – The Children Are Redeemable Act

TWW supported these cross-filed bills, neither of which made it out of the originating chambers committees.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/06/2025 – 4/13/2025

Contact Senate President Bill and your State Senators to urge support for SB828 with amendments

SB828 – Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act).

Script

This bill will:

maximize public safety, minimize public exposure to violence and minimize disruption to services at sensitive locations
ensure that limited state and local resources are dedicated to proven public safety strategies
prevent intimidation and harassment
restore trust in community resources and law enforcement
reinforce the constitutional and civil rights of all residents

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Name and Address

Senate President Bill Fergueson: bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us Phone: 410-841-3600

Find your Senator: Click the word Lookup under the words Find My Representatives on the Maryland General Assembly website HERE

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/23/2025 – 4/05/2025

Find your legislators here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Script

At a time when people are:

struggling with day-to-day bills
planning for our families’ futures and
hoping for a government that truly represents us
add or update with any of your personal concerns

it is more important than ever for representatives to engage openly with their constituents.

I look forward to your response and hope to see you at a town hall soon.

Sincerely,

Your Name

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/14/2025 – 4/20/2025

The Maryland State Legislative Session is over. What happened to the bills we advocated for? And what can we do now?

Fate of State Legislation Calls to Action:

SB588 – Predator Empowerment Act

TWW opposed this bill. Success!

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee know that you are appreciate the blocking of this bill.

SB828 – Sensitive Locations Act, HB1222 – Maryland Values Act, SB977 – Maryland Data Privacy Act

TWW supported these Immigrant Protection bills. Success was limited.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the watered down version of the bill.

TWW supported this package of bills known collectively as the Voting Rights Act of 2025. Success was limited.

HB161 – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established

TWW supported this bill. Success was negligible.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the amended version of the bill.

HB1094 – Montgomery County – Voting Methods

TWW supported this bill that failed.

This bill that would have brought ranked choice voting to local elections in Montgomery County never got out of the House Ways & Means Committee.

SB422/HB1433 – The Children Are Redeemable Act

TWW supported these cross-filed bills, neither of which made it out of the originating chambers committees.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/06/2025 – 4/13/2025

Contact Senate President Bill and your State Senators to urge support for SB828 with amendments

SB828 – Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act).

Script

This bill will:

maximize public safety, minimize public exposure to violence and minimize disruption to services at sensitive locations
ensure that limited state and local resources are dedicated to proven public safety strategies
prevent intimidation and harassment
restore trust in community resources and law enforcement
reinforce the constitutional and civil rights of all residents

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Name and Address

Senate President Bill Fergueson: bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us Phone: 410-841-3600

Find your Senator: Click the word Lookup under the words Find My Representatives on the Maryland General Assembly website HERE

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/23/2025 – 4/05/2025

Find your legislators here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Script

At a time when people are:

struggling with day-to-day bills
planning for our families’ futures and
hoping for a government that truly represents us
add or update with any of your personal concerns

it is more important than ever for representatives to engage openly with their constituents.

I look forward to your response and hope to see you at a town hall soon.

Sincerely,

Your Name

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/14/2025 – 4/20/2025

The Maryland State Legislative Session is over. What happened to the bills we advocated for? And what can we do now?

Fate of State Legislation Calls to Action:

SB588 – Predator Empowerment Act

TWW opposed this bill. Success!

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee know that you are appreciate the blocking of this bill.

SB828 – Sensitive Locations Act, HB1222 – Maryland Values Act, SB977 – Maryland Data Privacy Act

TWW supported these Immigrant Protection bills. Success was limited.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the watered down version of the bill.

TWW supported this package of bills known collectively as the Voting Rights Act of 2025. Success was limited.

HB161 – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established

TWW supported this bill. Success was negligible.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the amended version of the bill.

HB1094 – Montgomery County – Voting Methods

TWW supported this bill that failed.

This bill that would have brought ranked choice voting to local elections in Montgomery County never got out of the House Ways & Means Committee.

SB422/HB1433 – The Children Are Redeemable Act

TWW supported these cross-filed bills, neither of which made it out of the originating chambers committees.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/06/2025 – 4/13/2025

Contact Senate President Bill and your State Senators to urge support for SB828 with amendments

SB828 – Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act).

Script

This bill will:

maximize public safety, minimize public exposure to violence and minimize disruption to services at sensitive locations
ensure that limited state and local resources are dedicated to proven public safety strategies
prevent intimidation and harassment
restore trust in community resources and law enforcement
reinforce the constitutional and civil rights of all residents

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Name and Address

Senate President Bill Fergueson: bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us Phone: 410-841-3600

Find your Senator: Click the word Lookup under the words Find My Representatives on the Maryland General Assembly website HERE

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/23/2025 – 4/05/2025

Find your legislators here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Script

At a time when people are:

struggling with day-to-day bills
planning for our families’ futures and
hoping for a government that truly represents us
add or update with any of your personal concerns

it is more important than ever for representatives to engage openly with their constituents.

I look forward to your response and hope to see you at a town hall soon.

Sincerely,

Your Name

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/14/2025 – 4/20/2025

The Maryland State Legislative Session is over. What happened to the bills we advocated for? And what can we do now?

Fate of State Legislation Calls to Action:

SB588 – Predator Empowerment Act

TWW opposed this bill. Success!

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee know that you are appreciate the blocking of this bill.

SB828 – Sensitive Locations Act, HB1222 – Maryland Values Act, SB977 – Maryland Data Privacy Act

TWW supported these Immigrant Protection bills. Success was limited.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the watered down version of the bill.

TWW supported this package of bills known collectively as the Voting Rights Act of 2025. Success was limited.

HB161 – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established

TWW supported this bill. Success was negligible.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the amended version of the bill.

HB1094 – Montgomery County – Voting Methods

TWW supported this bill that failed.

This bill that would have brought ranked choice voting to local elections in Montgomery County never got out of the House Ways & Means Committee.

SB422/HB1433 – The Children Are Redeemable Act

TWW supported these cross-filed bills, neither of which made it out of the originating chambers committees.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/06/2025 – 4/13/2025

Contact Senate President Bill and your State Senators to urge support for SB828 with amendments

SB828 – Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act).

Script

This bill will:

maximize public safety, minimize public exposure to violence and minimize disruption to services at sensitive locations
ensure that limited state and local resources are dedicated to proven public safety strategies
prevent intimidation and harassment
restore trust in community resources and law enforcement
reinforce the constitutional and civil rights of all residents

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Name and Address

Senate President Bill Fergueson: bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us Phone: 410-841-3600

Find your Senator: Click the word Lookup under the words Find My Representatives on the Maryland General Assembly website HERE

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/23/2025 – 4/05/2025

Find your legislators here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

Script

At a time when people are:

struggling with day-to-day bills
planning for our families’ futures and
hoping for a government that truly represents us
add or update with any of your personal concerns

it is more important than ever for representatives to engage openly with their constituents.

I look forward to your response and hope to see you at a town hall soon.

Sincerely,

Your Name

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/14/2025 – 4/20/2025

The Maryland State Legislative Session is over. What happened to the bills we advocated for? And what can we do now?

Fate of State Legislation Calls to Action:

SB588 – Predator Empowerment Act

TWW opposed this bill. Success!

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee know that you are appreciate the blocking of this bill.

SB828 – Sensitive Locations Act, HB1222 – Maryland Values Act, SB977 – Maryland Data Privacy Act

TWW supported these Immigrant Protection bills. Success was limited.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the watered down version of the bill.

TWW supported this package of bills known collectively as the Voting Rights Act of 2025. Success was limited.

HB161 – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established

TWW supported this bill. Success was negligible.

What to do? Let Senate President Bill Ferguson and members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee know that you are disappointed in the amended version of the bill.

HB1094 – Montgomery County – Voting Methods

TWW supported this bill that failed.

This bill that would have brought ranked choice voting to local elections in Montgomery County never got out of the House Ways & Means Committee.

SB422/HB1433 – The Children Are Redeemable Act

TWW supported these cross-filed bills, neither of which made it out of the originating chambers committees.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 4/06/2025 – 4/13/2025

Contact Senate President Bill and your State Senators to urge support for SB828 with amendments

SB828 – Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act).

Script

This bill will:

maximize public safety, minimize public exposure to violence and minimize disruption to services at sensitive locations
ensure that limited state and local resources are dedicated to proven public safety strategies
prevent intimidation and harassment
restore trust in community resources and law enforcement
reinforce the constitutional and civil rights of all residents

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Name and Address

Senate President Bill Fergueson: bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us Phone: 410-841-3600

Find your Senator: Click the word Lookup under the words Find My Representatives on the Maryland General Assembly website HERE

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/23/2025 – 4/05/2025

Three important bills protecting vulnerable immigrant populations have crossed over in the Maryland General Assembly (passed in the original house) and need your support to pass their second hurdle. Together these bills will:

Establish clear guidelines restricting ICE access to sensitive locations such as schools, courthouses, hospitals, places of worship, and other vital spaces
Protectpersonal data in state and local agency databases from warrantless ICE searches
Reduce racial profiling and targeting of marginalized communities by ending 287(g) agreements allowing local police to act as ICE agents

1. Contact the House Judiciary Committee:

SB0828 – Protecting Sensitive Locations Act and SB0977 – Maryland Data Privacy Act are in the House Judiciary Committee, where they were heard on Wednesday, March 26.

Contact individual committee members at https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details?cmte=jud

Sample Script:Testimony in support of SB0828 (Protecting Sensitive Locations Act) and SB0927 (Maryland Data Privacy Act)

Dear _____________________________,

Today I urge you to take action to make our state safe, equitable, and welcoming for all residents.

President Trump’s Executive Order revoking the long-standing federal policy of limiting Immigration andCustoms Enforcement (ICE) in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, has created an environment of fear and uncertainty for many Maryland residents. Such an environment creates conditions that endanger public safety in ways that impact all of us.

Additionally, recent assaults by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the data systems of multiple agencies raise questions about the security and privacy of personal data for all of us. Protecting everyone’s personal data from unwarranted access is critical to freedom and democracy.

Finally, immigrants are essential to our state’s economic growth – as evidenced in the “State of the Economy Report” from the Maryland Office of the Comptroller. They play a critical role in Maryland’s economy, filling vital jobs, paying taxes, helping our communities grow and prosper in many ways.

For these reasons, I urge you to support SB0828 (Protecting Sensitive Locations Act) and SB0927 (Maryland Data Privacy Act). Passing these bills is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do if you care about the welfare of Maryland.

Thank you for your consideration.

2. Contact the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee

HB1222 – Maryland Values Actis currently in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, where it will be heard on Tuesday, April 1.

Testimony for the committee can be uploaded on Friday, March 28through MyMGA at

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/MyMGATracking/WitnessSignup .

Or contact individual committee members at https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details?cmte=jpr&ys=2025RS

Also call or email Senate President Bill Ferguson to urge his support of this important legislation at 410-841-3600 / bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us

Sample Script:Testimony in support of HB1222 – Maryland Values Act

Hello, my name is _________.

I’m calling/writing Senator______________ to support the Maryland Values Act (HB1222), currently under review in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Maryland police should NOT be acting as ICE agents. This bill is critical for protecting our immigrant communities. 287(g) agreements lead to:

racial profiling
decreased police effectiveness
erosion of community trust in law enforcement
additional costs to taxpayers

Allowing community police officers to take on immigration enforcement responsibilities is unnecessary and dangerous. These activities are best accomplished through lawful federal action.

[Feel free to share more about your personal reasons for supporting the bill].

I urge Senator __________________ to support HB1222.

Thank you for your consideration.

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/17/2025 – 3/23/2025

1. Email the Ways and Means Committee TODAY to ask them to pass a ranked choice voting bill for Montgomery County out of committee

2. Email the Education, Energy and Environment Committee Bill HB0161 Primary and Secondary Education – Comprehensive Health Education Framework

RANKED CHOICE VOTING IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

DEADLINE TO EMAIL THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE IS MONDAY, MARCH 17TH

At our TWW meeting we had a presentation on Ranked Choice Voting in Maryland and we have an opportunity to help Montgomery County pass RCV for its County. In Maryland, Counties frequently need state enabling legislation for changes in county law or policies. The Montgomery County Delegation 100% supports this legislation, as does the County Executive and County Council, but it is possible that this could fail to get out of the Ways and Means Committee. PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL ON THIS BY MONDAY

HB 1094 – Montgomery County – Voting Methods MC 9-25

Give Montgomery County the ability to adopt ranked choice voting or approval voting for local county elections only.

Position: Support

Reason: Montgomery County has embraced innovation and led the way on democracy reforms across the state. Over the last 10 years, the County has passed term limits for elected office, implemented public financing, and expanded the number of seats on the County Council. Yet, the County has not been able to adjust its voting methods to adapt for these changes.

Every Democratic Primary County Executive race has been won with less than a majority of the vote since 2014.
In the 2018 Democratic Primary, one out of the five winners in district council races won with less than a majority of the vote.
In the 2022 Democratic Primary, four out of the seven winners in district council races won with less than a majority of the vote.

This is not a commentary on the winners but on the way we vote. As this legislation is supported by the Montgomery County Delegation and the Montgomery County Council, we ask you to respect the wishes of Montgomery County leaders and citizens.

Email the Committee: AA_WAM@mlis.state.md.us

And directly to Harford/Cecil County Members;

Mike Griffith District 35A mike.griffith@house.state.md.us

Kevin Hornberger 35B Kevin.Hornberger@house.state.md.us

Find my Representatives https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/district

What is the Comprehensive Health Education Framework About?

Relevant Current Law:

The Department and the Maryland Department of Health jointly shall:

(1) Develop public standards and guidelines for school health programs; and

(2) Offer assistance to the county boards and county health departments in their implementation.

Each county board shall designate a school health services program coordinator, who shall:

(1) Implement State and local health policies in the public schools;

(2) Ensure that public schools adhere to local health services guidelines; and

(3) Communicate State and local health policies to the parents and guardians of students.

Current Code of Maryland (COMAR) regulations outline policy and procedures for: parents opting students out of Family Life and Human Sexuality topics; county development of alternative learning objectives to meet the health education requirements of topics that students have opted-out of; and the process for community-based creation and review of county curricula.

The Maryland Dept. of Education is responsible for adopting state standards for health education (last done in 2019) and has been creating and periodically updating a “Comprehensive Health Education Framework” in keeping with all of the above. The Framework provides guidance to counties that incorporates state and national law and is aligned with National Health Education Standards. The Framework is not curricula or instructional material – the sexual health and gender identity and expression terms used in the document are not used in classrooms unless they are deemed age-appropriate by a joint committee of educators and representatives of the community.

What’s New in HB0161?

The new law specifically recognizes and requires the creation of the Framework already being produced.

It now incorporates the COMAR language above directly into the bill. In other words, it codifies these items into law.

It specifies that parents or guardians may not opt students out of education related to HIV and AIDS prevention.

It gathers all topics to be included in the Framework, including Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation and Safe and Appropriate Internet Use, both of which are in the current Framework. Some are saying that listing Gender & Orientation separately means it cannot be opted out. This is not true – just because the topic is required does not mean it will be included as a separate, specific subject category. For example, currently the topic Oral Health is required by law; it does not have its own category, it is just included as part of Disease Prevention and Control.

The Bill: HB0161 FOR the purpose of requiring the State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, to develop a comprehensive health education framework; requiring each county board of education to create an age–appropriate curriculum that is consistent with the comprehensive health education framework; requiring each county board to establish policies, guidelines, and procedures for a parent or guardian to opt out of a certain topic for the parent’s or guardian’s student, subject to a certain prohibition and requirement; and generally relating to the establishment of a comprehensive health education framework in public schools.

Status: Hearing – March 20, Senate Education, Energy & Environment Committee. Online testimony due Tuesday, March 18. Passed the House but this bill is getting a lot of push, so recommend submitting testimony. Otherwise, call and/or email every committee member.

Call Script

Committee Contacts

Bill HB0161 Education, Energy & Environment Committee

Chair, Senator Brian J. Feldman, 410-841-3169, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3169

Member, Jason C. Gallion (Cecil and Harford) 410-841-3603, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3603

Find my Representatives https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/district

Hello,

My name is _____________, I’m a constituent from________________

I’m calling today to urge Senator ___________________ to support HB0161, the Compressive Health Education Framework bill, which will update our current legislation around Health Education.

This bill will help foster the physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being of all our children, now and throughout their lives. It will:

Teach children to understand and respect other people’s differences
Teaching children that they and every person deserves to be treated with kindness
Help children who have a different family structure feel seen and welcomed
Help children who do not have capable adults in their lives to understand health issues, of any kind, they may be dealing with

I understand some people are concerned about portions of the Framework dealing with sexuality.

I’ve seen the current Framework and I believe that our Department of Education has incorporated these topics appropriately
I trust that my county board of education will develop a specific curriculum that addresses these subjects in a way that fits our community
I am pleased to see that there is an opt-out available for parents who prefer their children not attend certain classes.

This is a bill that I wish had been in effect when I was growing up. I have witnessed _personal story here_

I urge Senator _____________ to support this bill and move it forward with a favorable report to the Senate.

Thank you for your time and consideration today

Letter/Email

Use “HB0161 Support” in the subject line and your comments in the body of the email.

Committee Contacts

Education, Energy & Environment Committee – AA_EHE@mlis.state.md.us

Chair, Senator Brian J. Feldman – brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us

Find my Representatives https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/district

Dear Senator _________________________

I’m calling today to urge Senator ___________________ to support HB0161, the Compressive Health Education Framework bill, which will update our current legislation around Health Education.

This bill will make sure that our children receive the education they need to foster their physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being now and throughout their lives. Having read the current Framework, I appreciate the medically accurate, scientific, research-based, best-in-class way our State Department of Education presents the knowledge our children need to thrive.

I understand some people are concerned about portions of the Framework dealing with sexuality. I believe, as evidenced in the current Framework, that our Department of Education has incorporated these topics appropriately. And I trust that, as outlined in the bill, my county board of education will develop a specific curriculum that addresses these subjects in a way that fulfills the law while accounting for community review and input. And I am pleased to see that there is an opt-out available for parents who prefer their children not attend certain classes.

This is a bill that I wish had been in effect when I was growing up. I have witnessed _personal story here_

This bill will help educate and protect all our children in many ways. It will:

Teach children about respecting other people’s differences
Teach children that they and every child deserve to be treated with kindness
Help children who have a different family structure feel seen and welcomed
Help children who do not have adults in their lives with the wherewithal or knowledge to help them understand health issues, of any kind, they may be dealing with

I urge Senator _____________ to support this bill and move it forward with a favorable report to the Senate.

Thank you for your time and consideration today.

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/10/2025 – 3/16/2025

Call or email Maryland State Senators and ask them to

OPPOSE Senate Bill 0588

the Predator Empower Act aka Fairness in Girls Sports Act

What is the Predator Empower Act (aka Fairness in Girls Sports Act)?

This bill would require athletes in interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity sports to compete based on their biological sex rather than gender identity. Students would not be able to lodge complaints, request investigations, or take any other action against a school, athletic association or organization for disqualifying them from playing based on this statute. Students could bring civil actions against schools, athletic associations or organizations that do not enforce the statute.

Birth certificates are used in registering for schools in Maryland. However Maryland allows transgender people to request a change to the sex on their birth certificates, so questions about a child’s biological sex could result in invasive questioning or examination. Under the language of the bill, anyone could question the gender of any student, leading to intimidation and harassment of any student.

Under current state legislation, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) transgender guidance requires local school systems, on a case-by-case basis, to ensure all students are eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics in a manner consistent with their gender identity. Local school systems may adopt rules governing their athletic programs that are more restrictive than those of MPSSAA.

At the federal level, a similar bill passed the U.S. House, but failed in the U.S. Senate on March 3. Now we must ensure it fails at the state level also.

The Bill: SB0588 Requiring certain interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports sponsored by certain schools to be expressly designated in a certain manner; prohibiting certain interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports from including certain students; prohibiting certain entities from taking certain adverse actions against a school under certain circumstances; etc.

Status: Hearing held March 5, Senate Education, Energy & Environment Committee. This bill is getting a lot of push, so recommend to call and/or email every committee member.

CALL ON THE PHONE

Chair, Senator Brian J. Feldman, 410-841-3169, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3169

Member, Jason C. Gallion (Cecil and Harford) 410-841-3603, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3603

Find my Representatives https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/district

Hello,

My name is _____________, I’m a constituent from________________. I’m calling today to urge Senator ___________________ to oppose Senate Bill 0588, the Anti-Trans bill currently under committee review.

These types of bills have been called “Predator Empowerment Acts”
They will subject potentially all children to invasive questions and inappropriate physical examination.

Of course, everyone wants to protect studentsin sports

It’s important to address concerns of fairness, scholarships, and safety.
But this bill is misguided and deeply discriminates against students
It will actually harm children, including those most in need of our understanding and support.

Gender is a complicated biological issue

every person is different
that’s why our current lawsallow decisions to be made on a case by case basis
those who know our children best can make the right decision
that wayall students have opportunities to play free from shame, fear and intimidation.

At this time, when LGBTQ+ people are coming under attack in so many ways, it is more important than ever to say “No”. I urge Senator _____________ to find this bill unfavorable in the highest degree.

Thank you for your time today.

SEND AN EMAIL

Committee Contacts

Education, Energy & Environment Committee – AA_EHE@mlis.state.md.us

Chair, Senator Brian J. Feldman – brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us

Members jason.gallion@senate.state.md.us

dalya.attar@senate.state.md.us

malcolm.augustine@senate.state.md.us

benjamin.brooks@senate.state.md.us

marybeth.carozza@senate.state.md.us

katiefry.hester@senate.state.md.us

cheryl.kagan@senate.state.md.us

bryan.simonaire@senate.state.md.us

mary.washington@senate.state.md.us

ron.watson@senate.state.md.us

Use “SB0588 Oppose” in the subject line and your comments in the body of the email.

Dear Senator _________________________

My name is _____________, I’m a constituent from________________

I’m writing today to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 0588, the Anti-Trans bill currently under committee review. Such bills have rightly been labeled “Predator Empowerment Acts” that will subject all children to invasive questions and inappropriate physical examination.

Of course, everyone wants to protect students in sports and it is important to address concerns of fairness, scholarships, and safety. But this misguided bill deeply discriminates against and will actually harm students, including those most in need of our understanding and support.

Gender is a complicated biological issue. That means that every person is different. Our current laws, which allow decisions to be made on a case by case basis, recognize this and enable those who know our children best to make sure that all students have opportunities to play free from shame, fear and invasions of privacy.

At this time, when LGBTQ+ people are coming under attack in so many ways, it is more important than ever to say “No” to this bill that will put all young athletes at risk for harassment and abuse. I urge you to find this bill unfavorable in the highest degree.

Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.

Sincerely,

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 3/02/2025 – 3/08/2025

What is the Maryland Voting Rights Act package?

Although Maryland strives to improve access to voting, many voting rights abuses and discriminatory structures persist. And legal tools and resources to investigate and prosecute them have been unavailable or too costly. This is in part due to judicial decisions over the last 30 years. Increasingly hostile federal courts—including the United States Supreme Court—have undercut the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Now, the Trump Administration’s Project 2025 agenda includes plans to undermine enforcement of protections against voting discrimination. Leadership in Congress is pushing anti-voter legislation that will add more barriers to the ballot.

Enacting the Maryland Voting Rights Act (MDVRA) this session is a crucial step toward protecting the rights of Maryland voters – especially those who have faced systemic barriers at the ballot box – and communicating our intention to passionately defend and strengthen our democracy. This package of bills includes legislation that will:

stop voter intimidation, suppression and obstruction
stop vote dilution
block discriminatory voting policies before they go into effect
provide broader access to voting information in different languages
make it more cost-effective for individuals and advocacy organizations to defend voters’ rights

There is strong support for each of the components of a MDVRA, with every component viewed favorably by over two-thirds of Maryland voters, with most enjoying three-quarters or greater support:

Requiring cities or counties to notify voters of important voting changes, like different rules or shifts to polling locations: 95% support
Creating strong protections against voter intimidation, deception, or obstruction at the ballot box: 91% support
Creating a central, public database of election information to encourage the best voting methods across the state, and make it easier to enforce rules against discrimination: 84% support
Preventing voter suppression that denies voters equal and fair voting opportunities, such as closing polling places in communities of color or aggressively removing people from the voting rolls: 81% support
Requiring local governments with a record of discrimination to prove that voting changes won’t harm Black and Brown voters before they can go into effect: 81% support
Expanding language assistance for voters who have limited understanding of English: 79% support
Stopping racial vote dilution – when politicians manipulate voting districts to weaken or drown out the voices of Black and Brown voters: 77% Support
Eliminating discriminatory at-large elections – where there are no districts so all the candidates go before every voter, so even a small majority of like-minded voters can select all the winning officeholders: 70% support

The Package:

HB1044 Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2025 – Preclearance and Voter Intimidation and Obstruction

HB1043 Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2025 – Voter Suppression and Vote Dilution

SB0342 Voting Rights Act of 2025 – Counties and Municipalities

SB0685/HB0983 Election Law – Local Boards of Elections – Language-Related Assistance

NOT IN PACKAGE BUT CONSIDER SUPPORTING:

SB0647/HB0710 Election Law – Incarcerated Individuals – Voter Hotline and Voting Eligibility (Voting Rights for All Act)

MARYLAND VOTING RIGHTS ACT PACKAGE

Committee Contacts

Bills HB1043, HB1044 House Ways & Means Committee

Chair, Delegate Vanessa E. Atterbeary, 410-841-3469, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3469 Member, Mike Griffith(Harford/Cecil), Phone 410-841-3444, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3444,

Member, Kevin B. Hornberger (Cecil), 410-841-3284, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3284

Bills SB0342, SB0685 Senate Education, Energy & Environment Committee

Chair, Senator Brian J. Feldman, 410-841-3169, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3169

Member, Jason C. Gallion (Cecil/Harford) 410-841-3603, 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3603

Find my Representatives https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/district

Call Script

Hello,

My name is _____________, I’m a constituent from________________

I’m calling today to urge Senator/Delegate ___________________ to support the full Maryland Voting Rights Act Package currently in committee review.

I’m deeply concerned to see voter access and election integrity under increasing attack and we must have action at the State level to strengthen and protect our rights, our elections and our democracy.

The Maryland Voting Rights Act package will ensure the rights ofall voters by:

Expanding language assistance in elections for voters who need it
Strengthen protections against discriminatory voter intimidation, obstruction, dilution, and suppression
Preventing discriminatory and unlawful changes to electoral processes
Promoting transparency by creating a central public hub for election data and information

As Americans, we deserve free and fair elections where every voter has a say in the leaders and policies that will guide our communities, our state and the nation.

I urge Senator/Delegate ___________________ to support the fullMaryland Voter Rights package this legislative session. His/her support and favorable reportfrom the committee will help protect the right of all Maryland citizens to vote in free and fair elections.

Thank you for hearing my concerns and request for support.

Letter/Email

Committee Contacts

Ways & Means Committee – mailto:AA_WAM@mlis.state.md.us

Chair, Delegate Vanessa E. Atterbeary – mailto:Vanessa.Atterbeary@house.state.md.us

Member, Delegate Mike Griffith – mailto:mike.griffith@house.state.md.us

Member, Delegate Kevin Hornberger – mailto:Kevin.Hornberger@house.state.md.us

Education, Energy & Environment Committee – mailto:AA_EHE@mlis.state.md.us

Chair, Senator Brian J. Feldman – mailto:brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us

Member, Jason C. Gallion – mailto: jason.gallion@senate.state.md.us

Find my Representatives https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/district

To: Ways & Means Committee

Chair, Delegate Vanessa E. Atterbeary; Member, Mike Griffith; Member, Kevin Hornberger

Education, Energy & Environment Committee

Chair, Senator Brian J. Feldman; Member, Delegate Jason C. Gallion

As a concerned Maryland constituent, I am writing to urge you to support the full Maryland Voting Rights Act Package. This moment in time – when voter access and election integrity is under increasing attack – calls for bold, meaningful action to protect, expand and strengthen our rights, our elections and our democracy.

The state-level Voting Rights Act package will ensure that all voters are able to cast meaningful ballots and participate freely and fairly in the state’s democratic process. It will make Maryland’s democracy more inclusive and protect our right to vote by:

Expanding language assistance in elections for voters with limited English proficiency
Enshrining robust protections against discriminatory voter intimidation, obstruction, dilution, and suppression into state law
Preventing the implementation of discriminatory and unlawful electoral changes before they occur
Creating a central public hub for election data and information to promote transparency

Public opinion research shows strong majorities of Maryland voters, across race and party lines, support a MDVRA and want their state representatives to prioritize passing such a law. We believe every eligible American wants – and should have – a say in deciding which people and policies will determine the future for our families, community, and country.

We look to the Assembly to prioritize, pass, and fully fund the MDVRA package this legislative session. Your support and favorable report from the committee will help protect the right of all Maryland citizens to vote in free and fair elections.

Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.

Sincerely,

___________________________________________________________

STATE CALL TO ACTION

Week of 2/24/2025 – 3/1/2025

TELL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 422/ HOUSE BILL 1433 CHILDREN ARE REDEEMABLE

Email and call the (1) House Judiciary and (2) Ways & Means Committee, and the (3) Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, especially your representatives, and ask them to support HOUSE BILL 1433 (SB422) CHILDREN ARE REDEEMABLE. This bill would raise the age at which a juvenile can be tried as an adult from 14 (current law), to 16

THIS LEGISLATION IS HAVING A HEARING Feb 26^th in the HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE and will be voted on in the Senate Judiciary Commthis week. This legislation is also being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee

Thank you to Pastor Tilghman and Bridge Maryland for bringing this to our attention.

“This bill would raise the age at which a juvenile would be tried as an adult from 14 in the current law, to 16. It would also eliminate a number of crimes for which 16-year-olds are currently made eligible to be charge as adults. . . .

those 16 and older who are charged with a crime that could bring a life sentence, such as first-degree murder, first-degree rape, carjacking and voluntary manslaughter, would not be subject to juvenile court jurisdiction but would be tried in adult court. . . .

The price of automatically charging youths as adults is fundamentally out of sorts for great outcomes,” Smith said in testimony to the committee he chairs. “We’re paying more money. It’s taken a longer time to dispose of cases. We’re getting worse public safety outcomes.”

Bill text: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0422F.pdf

Learn More: https://marylandmatters.org/2025/02/05/bill-to-limit-the-crimes-for-which-juveniles-could-be-charged-as-adults-sparks-debate/

Please call/email your State Delegates and Senators and ask them to support this legislation.

Click here to find your representatives and their contact information

House Judiciary Committee

Committee Email: AA_JUD@mlis.state.md.us

Harford County Delegation member on House Judiciary Committee: Lauren Arikan

Delegate Lauren Arikan

Phone: 410-841-3334

Email: lauren.arikan@house.state.md.us

Ways and Means Committee

Committee Email: AA_WAM@mlis.state.md.us

Harford/Cecil County Delegation member on House Ways & Means Committee: Mike Griffith

Delegate Mike Griffith

Phone: 410-841-3444

Email: mike.griffith@house.state.md.us

Cecil County Delegation member on House Ways and Means Committee: Kevin Hornberger

Delegate Kevin Hornberger

Phone: 410-841-3284

Email: kevin.hornberger@house.state.md.us

Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee

Committee Email: AA_JPR@mlis.state.md.us

Harford County Senator on Judicial Proceeding Committee: Mary-Dulany James

Senator Mary-Dulany James

Phone: 410-841-3158

Email: marydulany.james@senate.state.md.us

THE EMAIL SCRIPT

Hello,

My name is [Your Name],I am a constituent. This is the first time in over a decade we have the opportunity to protect our children from the adult legal system. When cases begin in the juvenile system instead of the adult system, it provides these children access to services, community programs, and developmental plans. Senate Bill 422/HB1433 raises the age that a child can be prosecuted as an adult from 14 to 16, excluding crimes that could be charged with a life sentence. Currently, the law penalizes children for thirty-three offenses by automatically transferring them to adult criminal court, but Senate Bill 422/HB1433 reduces that to 29 offenses. This will positively affect 72% of the children that need services and not cages. Keeping these cases in Juvenile Courtwill give Judges the discretion to analyze each child individually and thus give them a chance at a better future. Without this bill, our children could be exposed to rape, isolation, and bad influences in the adult legal system, saddling them with a criminal history that will follow them and impede their re-entry into society and hampering employment and educational opportunities.. [NAME OF ELECTED OFFICIAL], please give our children and youth a chance at a better future.

Sincerely,

Your Name and Address

THE PHONE SCRIPT

Listen to the person’s name that answers the phone and jot it down

Hello,

May I speak with Senator/Delegate ___________?

If they say yes…

Hello, Senator/Delegate ______, thank you for taking my call. My name is ______________and I am a constituent. I think you would agree that all children should have the chance to be redeemed. Senate Bill 422/HB1433 is the first time in over a decade we have the opportunity to do what detention facilities were designed to do—offer rehabilitation. In the adult legal system that is impossible. This law raises the age that a child can be prosecuted as an adult from 14 to 16, excluding crimes that could be charged with a life sentence. Currently, Maryland automatically transfers youth charged with any of 33 offenses into the adult criminal court. This bill will reduce that to 29 offenses. In Juvenile Court, Judges are given the discretion to analyze each child individually and thus give them a chance at a better future.Please give our children the opportunity for redemption, counseling, services, and a developmental plan to reach their potential. Please support Senate Bill 422 /HB1433. Will you do that for Maryland’s children? Thank you for your time!

***If the elected official is unavailable, make sure to note the name of the person you are speaking with and use it when expressing your concerns, thank them and ask them to confirm that they will deliver the message to the elected official.