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Join Us! MLAW’s Legislative Reception and Briefing is February 16th!
Please join us for MLAW’s Annual Legislative Reception and Briefing. This is your opportunity to meet us in Annapolis to learn about the legislation that will make up the 2016 Legislative Agenda and to meet with legislators to discuss issues important to women.
There is no charge to attend the event, but please register early as registration is limited. Also, please only register if you are sure you can attend. Last year’s event “sold out” and we had to cut off registration. We’ll do our best not to turn anyone away!
The briefing and reception will be held on February 16, 2016 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm in the President’s Conference Center West in the Miller Senate Office Building located at 11 Bladen Street in Annapolis. Please be sure to bring a photo identification in order to enter the Senate building. There are several parking garages located near the Senate building, as well as metered parking throughout Annapolis. You also may park at Navy Stadium and take the shuttle to the Miller Senate Building.
For more information, email us at mdlegagenda4women@yahoo.com or call 443-519-1005.
Sign on to Support the 2016 Agenda!
The most powerful advocacy tool for the Agenda is your signature as a supporter. Organizations and individuals are invited to sign on as a supporter of the 2016 Agenda2016 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 Reception and Briefing on February 16, 2016 complete this simple online form 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 2016 session of the Maryland General Assembly.
To add your name to the list of supporters, complete this simple online form or simply email your name exactly as it should appear to mdlegagenda4women@yahoo.com. 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.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to receiving your signature of support for the 2016 Agenda by 2/12/16.
MLAW Announces Initiatives for the 2016 Agenda
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 2016 Maryland General Assembly. Those initiatives then constituted a ballot which members of MLAW considered. Members were asked to identify what they believed were the top initiatives for the MLAW Legislative Agenda 2016.
The MLAW Board of Directors reviewed the results of the balloting and identified issues that will comprise the MLAW Legislative Agenda 2016. The issues selected are listed below and described in more detail below.
*Equal Pay for Equal Work
*Fair Scheduling Act of 2016
*Maryland Healthy Working Families Act
*Stalking, Harassment, Misuse of Electronic Communication or Interactive Computer Service
*Rape Survivor Family Protection Act
*Expansion of Maryland Vacating Convictions Law for Survivors of Human Trafficking
*Family and Medical Leave Act Insurance Program
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Equal Pay for Equal Work: This bill would close various loopholes to address the fact that women in Maryland earn, on average just 85 cents for every dollar earned by men in comparable jobs, including the closing of the ‘Employer Defense’ loophole, and also prohibiting retaliation against sharing salary information.
Fair Scheduling Act of 2016: This bill will reform Maryland law to guarantee predictable schedules so workers can plan ahead to meet their responsibilities on and off the job; it also allows employees to be compensated for their time and flexibility. This critical legislation will incentivize employers to build stable, predictable, family-friendly schedules and prevents employers from destabilizing the lives of the lowest paid and most vulnerable workers and their families – more often than not, women.
Maryland Healthy Working Families Act: The proposed legislation, which was introduced for the first time in 2013, requires Maryland employers to allow workers to earn a certain number of annual paid sick and safe days. Employees would begin accruing hours from the start of employment but would not be allowed to use their paid sick time until the completion of a probationary period. The “safe time” component of the legislation requires employers to allow employees who have been victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault to use their accrued paid sick leave to care for their health after these incidents or to seek legal protections or new housing.
Stalking, Harassment, Misuse of Electronic Communication or Interactive Computer Service, Revenge Porn: Stalking can be a very scary form of intimate partner abuse. Prosecutors indicate the way stalking is defined makes it virtually impossible to obtain convictions. Updating and revising the laws of stalking, harassment and misuse of electronic communication will assist in holding perpetrators of these acts accountable criminally and increase safety for victims of domestic violence.
Rape Survivor Family Protection Act: 5% of rape victims of reproductive age (age 12-45) became pregnant as a result of rape, with the majority of pregnancies in adolescents. This bill would create a legal process for rape victims to terminate the parental rights of rapists when a child is conceived as result of rape. Victims would be required to meet a clear and convincing standard of evidence. This is the same standard used for other termination of parental rights cases – no more, no less.
Expansion of Maryland Vacating Convictions Law for Survivors of Human Trafficking: This bill expands the relief available to survivors of human trafficking who have been arrested and convicted for crimes they were forced to commit by their traffickers. In addition to expanding the types of crimes eligible for vacatur, the bill also explicitly extends the relief to survivors of labor trafficking, who were previously ineligible for this form of relief. This change will allow all survivors of trafficking to more easily heal from the trauma of their victimization by reducing the stigma and collateral consequences associated with having a criminal record that stems from a history of trafficking.
Family and Medical Leave Act Insurance Program: The proposed legislation establishes a paid family and medical leave insurance program, which would operate, similar to unemployment insurance and social security. This program would create a state-run insurance fund that provides up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for those that are caring for a new child, have a serious health condition, or are caring for a family member with a serious health condition. Rhode Island, New Jersey, and California already.
Thank you Fall Agenda Conference Sponsors! We value your support!
Many, many thanks to the following organizations and individuals who are sponsoring our Fall Agenda Conference. We could not host a successful conference without their support.
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Council Chairman Mel Franklin, Prince George’s County Council
Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (Michaele Cohen)
GOLD SPONSORS:
Maryland Women’s Heritage Center
Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Inc.
Elizabeth Fran Johnson
SILVER SPONSORS:
Prince George’s County Commission for Women
BRONZE SPONSORS:
Business and Professional Women of Maryland
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Planned Parenthood of Maryland
Women’s Democratic Club of Montgomery County
Danelle Buchman
Joan Stine
Elizabeth Joyce
Call for Legislative Proposals!
MLAW is encouraging organizations (lead groups) and legislators to submit their legislative proposals for consideration at our Fall Agenda Conference to be held on November 15th. Selected legislation will comprise our 2016 Legislative Agenda.
Criteria for submissions is as follows:
*addresses a women’s issue
*can be addressed through the legislative process
*has an identifiable, sustainable group that can shepherd the issue
*has a reasonable chance to move successfully through the legislative process
If your legislation meets this criteria and you would like it to be considered, visit MLAW Fall Conference 2015 Legislative Proposal Form for more information and to download a submission form.
Fall Agenda Conference: New Perspectives on Legislative Advocacy – Register Today!
The MLAW fall conference will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at the International Cultural Center in Gaithersburg, MD.
The conference will featuring a moderated panel: “New Perspectives on Legislative Advocacy” including: Del. Will Smith, Del. Maricé Morales, Del. Erek Barron, and Del. Karen Young.
The highlight of the conference will be the presentation of legislative proposals for the upcoming 2016 legislative session. Join us to learn about the bills that will make up the 2016 Agenda. An optional Grassroots Advocacy 101 workshop will be offered from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. There is no charge for the this workshop. A light continental breakfast is included with registration. Optional box lunches for those staying for the Advocacy 101 workshop are available for $10 and require a pre-order.
To register, visit: https://2015mlawconference.eventbrite.com or to register by mail, click here: MLAW Fall Conference 2015 Registration Form.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and encouraged. Click 2015 Fall Conference Sponsorship Form to download a Sponsorship Form.
Click MLAW 2015 Fall Conference Flyer-2 to download a conference flyer.
For more information, call 443-519-1005 or email us at mdlegagenda4women@yahoo.com.
The International Cultural Center, located at 19650 Club House Road #205 in Gaithersburg, provides a convenient setting for our conference with ample free parking and handicapped accessibility.
Save the Date! MLAW’s Fall Agenda Conference is Set for November 14th!
The MLAW Fall Agenda Conference will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the International Cultural Center (ICC) located at 19650 Club House Rd, Ste 205 in Gaithersburg. More details including speakers, agenda, registration materials and sponsorship opportunities will be provided soon. For now, please mark your calendars and plan to attend! Many thanks to the ICC for providing our meeting space this year. We are excited to work with them and host the conference at this new location.
MLAW 2015-16 Membership – Join or Renewal Today!
Dear Friend of MLAW:
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. In 2015, four of the seven bills on the MLAW Legislative Agenda PASSED the General Assembly. MLAW support makes a difference!
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 now. If you are not a current member, please sign up right away. And please consider an additional donation to support our vital work.
We hold an annual fall conference to develop our MLAW Legislative Agenda and a legislative reception in Annapolis during the legislative session to introduce the Agenda. These events focus legislators’ attention on our issues and raise our visibility throughout the state. 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, and list-serv.
Your 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. Please print and complete the form and mail in your membership and/or donation. Click here for a form: MLAW MEMBERSHIP FORM 2015-16. You may also visit this link to pay with a credit card using our secure Paypal account: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=634FHF6AZJJ3G
Thank you!
Michaele Cohen
President, MLAW Board of Directors
Call for Nominations for the 2015-16 Board of Directors
It is time once again to nominate and elect a Board of Directors for MLAW for the upcoming year.
Candidates for the Board of Directors should be members in good standing, meaning that they are a member themselves, or they are representing an organization which is a member. (Note that our dues/membership year starts over again July 1. Membership renewal materials will be sent soon). Candidates must also commit to regularly attending board meetings. Currently, MLAW board meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month from 7-9pm in the Columbia area. Finally, it is expected that board members assist in fundraising for the organization as well as making a personal financial contribution at a level that is meaningful for them.
A Board of Directors application and detailed responsibilities can be downloaded here : MLAW 2015-16 Board Application and Responsibilities. If you would like to nominate yourself to serve on the Board, please complete the form and return it via mail or fax as listed on the application. If you would like to nominate someone other than yourself, please email the name and contact information for that person to the Nominating Committee. We will contact that person and follow up to assess her/his interest in the position.
All applications and nominations must be submitted to the Committee no later than 5/31/15. A ballot will be prepared and sent to voting members shortly after nominations have been closed.
Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women 