MLAW has announced the bills that will comprise the 2014 Legislative Agenda:

-EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME ACT
-PARENTAL LEAVE AT THE BIRTH OR ADOPTION OF A CHILD
-CORRECTIONAL SERVICES – PREGNANT DETAINEES AND INMATES – RESTRAINT RESTRICTIONS
-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – PERMANENT FINAL PROTECTIVE ORDERS
-AKIN’S LAW
-RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF DATING & SEXUAL VIOLENCE
-PEACE ORDERS AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS – BURDEN OF PROOF

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 2014 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. Click here to download a sign on form: MLAW 2014 Agenda Sign On

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 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

A document containing the priority issues, background information, names of individual and organizational supporters will be published and circulated to legislators and various organizations. The document will be released at our Legislative Reception and Briefing and will be distributed to all legislators.

Please make sure to return your completed sign on form no later than January 17th. (MLAW 2014 Agenda Sign On). Individuals and organizations will NOT be listed without positive affirmation from someone authorized to sign on. Signing on to the agenda is a separate process from other forms of support, such as membership, sponsorship or attendance at past events.

MLAW is currently seeking legislative proposals for bills to comprise the 2014 Legislative Agenda. The bills will be presented and reviewed at our Fall Agenda Conference on October 19, 2013. Organizations (lead groups) and legislators are encouraged to submit their legislation for consideration.

Please download a Legislative Proposal Form for more information. Submissions are due by October 15th and if accepted, presentations of the initiative will take place at the October 19th conference.

Legislative Proposal Form: MLAW Fall Conference 2013 Legislative Proposal Form

Saturday, October 19, 2013
9:30 am-1:00 pm
Baltimore, MD

The MLAW fall conference will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at the American Federation of Teachers building in Baltimore, MD. This year’s conference will focus on advocates finding and using their voices to make a difference for women. Confirmed conference speakers include: Kristin Jones (Chief of Staff, Office of the Speaker) and Ann Ciekot (Partner, Public Policy Partners). Other conference highlights include the presentation of legislative proposals for the upcoming 2014 legislative session, and the presentation of our Legislative Leadership award. An optional Grassroots Advocacy 101 workshop will be offered from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Continental breakfast is included with registration.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and encouraged. For more information, call 443-519-1005 or email us at mdlegagenda4women@yahoo.com.

The American Federation of Teachers Building, located at 5800 Metro Drive, Baltimore MD 21215, provides a convenient setting for our conference with ample free parking and handicapped accessibility.

~Registration~
$30 conference only
$20 student conference rate
$45 conference and advocacy workshop (includes lunch)
*Advanced registration closes 10/11
Add $5 if registering 10/12 or later

MLAW 2013 Fall Conference Flyer
MLAW Fall Conference 2013 Registration Form

Registration is now open for our Fall Conference which will be held on October 19, 2013 in Baltimore, MD.  Register early to get the advanced registration rate.  After October 11, the registration fee increases by $5.  Click here to download a registration form: MLAW Fall Conference 2013 Registration Form

We are excited to announce that we have scheduled the annual MLAW Fall Agenda Conference for Saturday, October 19, 2013.  The conference will be held at the American Federation of Teachers building in Baltimore, MD.   More detailed information and registration materials will be sent soon, but please mark the date on your calendars and plan to attend!

Friend of MLAW:

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 please consider an additional donation to support our vital work.

Why support 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.

Every year, we hold a fall conference to prepare our annual MLAW Legislative Agenda and a legislative briefing and reception in Annapolis in January. 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 e-newsletter.

Your contributions fund these efforts, which raise 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 MLAW MEMBERSHIP FORM 2013-14 and mail in your membership and/or donation. You may also join or donate online using our secure Paypal account.

Thank you!

Michaele Cohen
President, MLAW 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 were emailed recently). 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 can be downloaded here: MLAW Board Application 2013-14. If you would like to nominate yourself to serve on the Board, please complete the form and return it to me 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 5/31/13. A ballot will be prepared and sent to voting members shortly after nominations have been closed.