MLAW’s 30th Anniversary Conference

Nov25

Thank you! Many thanks for attending MLAW’s 30^th Anniversary Conference on Saturday. It was so great to see you all in person. It was truly a busy, yet productive day and we are excited that so many of you joined us. For those who arrived a little later in the day, be sure to watch our 30^th Anniversary Video. We would also like to know what you thought of the conference so please take a minute to complete a short survey.

Thank you to the advocates and legislators who presented their legislative proposals for the upcoming 2025 session of the Maryland General Assembly. Fourteen bills in all were presented. Of these bills, 6-8 will make up MLAW’s 2025 Agenda.

Many thanks to our local elected officials who took time from their busy schedules to join our conference: Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, US Senator Chris VanHollen, Delegate Bonnie Cullison, Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield, Delegate Michelle Guyton, Delegate Pamela Guzzone, Delegate Nicole Williams, Delegate Jessica Feldmark, Delegate Ken Kerr, Delegate Linda Foley, and Delegate Sara Love.

We are in the process of preparing a ballot to all MLAW members in good standing to vote on the issues that were presented at the conference. Not all initiatives will be included in the 2025 Agenda; in fact, we will select only 6-8 from the 14 submitted. Your voice in this process is important! If you are not a current member of MLAW, please join or renew your membership today so that you can vote on the issues important to you and which you think should comprise the Agenda. Membership information is on our website. Ballots will be sent on a rolling basis until the voting deadline.

To read about the issues that were presented at the conference, you can view o r download the proposal packet on our website.

If you would like to add your name in support of the 2025 Agenda, and have your name listed in our Agenda Document, please complete this very simple form.

Finally, if you are not on our email listserv, please join! We communicate exclusively through email so it is important to be on MLAW’s list. During the session, you will receive important legislative alerts that require your action. You will also receive news and information about our events, like our upcoming Legislative Briefing, date TBA. To join our email list, simply send an email to us at mdlegagenda4women@yahoo.com and ask to be added.

Thank you to our conference sponsors who are listed below. Without them, the conference would not be possible. Download our beautiful program booklet here, created by the talented Lucie Camp.

Finally, thank you to the dedicated folks who staffed our conference: Kayla Morgan, Sydney Spencer, Andrea Rafter, and Allie Post. Photos from the conference are located in our Facebook album– tag yourself!

Thank you again for your participation on Saturday. We look forward to working with you during the legislation session to pass the laws that will improve the lives of Maryland’s women and families!

MLAW Board of Directors

Join or Renew Your MLAW Membership for 2024-25

Aug9

2024 is an exciting year for MLAW. We are celebrating 30 years of incredible success. Since 1994, MLAW has supported 119 successful pieces of legislation. In 2024,7 of the 9 bills on the MLAW Legislative Agenda PASSED the General Assembly. MLAW support makes a difference!

This year MLAW also hired our first, part-time Executive Director, Catherine Hill, who will enhance MLAW’s capacity to advocate for women’s and family issues by expanding the engagement of organizations and individuals, increasing our visibility across the state, and bringing new resources to our 30 years of successful advocacy.

MLAW is the only statewide coalition of women’s groups and individuals that provides a non-partisan, independent voice for Maryland women and families. We mobilize networks, groups, and individuals from all over the state to ensure the passage of key legislation.

Every year, the Maryland legislature considers hundreds of bills, and every year a high percentage of MLAW-supported bills become law. These laws make a difference for women and families throughout Maryland. MLAW is an effective, volunteer-run organization that depends entirely on dues and private contributions to do its work. We need your help to continue our work on behalf of Maryland women and families.

If you are already an MLAW member, please renew your membership today. If you are not a current member, please sign up right away. And this year, please consider an additional donation of $30 for our 30^th Anniversary “$30 for 30” campaign to support our vital work.

We hold an annual fall conference to develop our MLAW Legislative Agenda, a briefing during the legislative session to introduce the Agenda, and a wrap-up to celebrate our successes. These events focus legislators’ attention on our issues and raise our visibility throughout the state. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, November 23, 2024 for our 2024 Legislative Conference. This year, paid MLAW members will receive a discount on your conference registration. We distribute the annual Legislative Agenda to every Maryland legislator. In collaboration with our advocacy partners, we submit testimony, advocate for bills, and promote our Agenda through our website, Facebook page, X, and other social media.

Your paid membership entitles you to VOTE for the legislative issues that will be included on the MLAW Legislative Agenda.

Your membership and additional contributions fund MLAW’s efforts to maintain a strong voice for women and families in the Maryland legislature. We appreciate your commitment to women’s rights, and we ask for your generous support. And please consider a special donation to this year’s $30 for 30 campaign to support our advocacy efforts. Print and complete the membership form and mail in your membership and/or donation. You may also join or donate online by visiting https://mdlegagendaforwomen.org/join-mlaw/. Thank you!

May29

MLAW Legislative Wrap Up Happy Hour Packet

May8

mlaw-2024-wrap-up-packet Download

2024 Agenda Final Report

Apr28

2024-mlaw-legislative-agenda-final-report-2 Download

MLAW’s 2024 Agenda – Revised

Feb18

mlaw-2024-agenda-v21824 Download

MLAW’s 2024 Agenda

Feb7

mlaw-2024-agenda-v2624 Download

MLAW Announces our 2024 Agenda

Jan22

In November, leaders of state-wide organizations and advocates addressing issues of concern to women of Maryland participated in a conference to identify potential legislative initiatives for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly. Eighteen bills were presented at the conference for consideration. A ballot was sent to MLAW members who voted on the top priorities which will make up our official 2024 Legislative Agenda.

As we prepare for the start of the 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly, we are thrilled to announce the bills that will comprise MLAW’s 2024 Legislative Agenda. The issues selected are listed below and described in more detail here.

The nine bills selected are:

Sexual Crimes – Definition of Consent and Repeal of Force
Sexual Solicitation of a Minor
Firearm Background Check Denial – Law Enforcement and Victim Notification
Joint resolution affirming the federal Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution
Home Care Worker Misclassification: Residential Service Agencies – Reimbursement – Personal Assistance Services
Dignity in Access to Healthcare Act
Criminal Injuries Compensation Board – Victims of Nonfatal Strangulation
Wage Transparency
Gender Affirming Care Protection Act

One of the most powerful advocacy tools for the Agenda is your signature as a supporter. Organizations and individuals are invited to sign on as a supporter of the 2024 Agenda. We also encourage you to invite your friends and colleagues to sign on. A list of supporters will be attached to the document before it is distributed to legislators and the public, as well as included on our website. The document will be released at our Legislative Briefing and will be distributed to all legislators.

Cooperative action is the basis upon which MLAW operates. One voice is important but the collective voices of many impacts public policy and enables advocates and legislators to demonstrate concern and support for women’s issues. Make your voice count for women and their families in the 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

To add your name to the list of supporters, complete this simple online form. If you would like to add multiple names of friends or colleagues who give you permission to add their names, please email them as well. Spread the word and ask others to support this agenda. You do not need to be a member of MLAW to add your name.

2024 Legislative Briefing

Jan20

MLAW’s Annual Legislative Briefing will be held online on Wednesday, February 7th at 5pm. Click HERE to register.

Please join us as we announce our 2024 Legislative Agenda. Hear from legislators and advocates who will present each of the bills on the 2024 Agenda and explain how they will impact Maryland women and families. You will hear what you can do to help pass these bills and become involved in the legislative process. Your voice in Annapolis is needed!

This year’s briefing will be virtual and hosted on Zoom. There is no charge to attend the briefing, but you must register in order to receive the link to the briefing.

We invite you or your organization to co-sponsor the briefing. Your sponsorship supports our legislative efforts in Annapolis. Sponsorship includes your logo displayed in the published Agenda, on our website and our Facebook page, and recognition during the online briefing. The sponsor option is located in “Tickets”.