We have been sifting through the bills that passed the General Assembly this year and wanted to share some of the “wins” and “losses” with you from this year’s advocacy.
By the numbers
- 3,064 bills introduced
- 810 bills passed
- 199 bills advocated on by the Maryland Catholic Conference
- 160,000+ emails to legislators from our advocacy networks
We heard from lawmakers on several bills that the emails from our grassroots advocates made a difference. Thank you to everyone who took action!
Key outcomes
While we don’t have the space to list every bill that passed (they are online here), these are some of the key bills on which the Conference and our Catholic Advocacy Network members took action. “Wins” align with our position.
Wins
Funding for BOOST scholarships: Approved at $9 million plus an additional $2.5 million for security and nursing at BOOST schools. The application window is expected to open very soon.
Human composting stopped (“natural organic reduction”): This process, which is against Catholic teaching, was stopped in the House (HB 1060)
Physician assisted suicide stopped: No committee votes (SB 845/HB 933), but we expect this issue to return next year.
Economic justice: Creates an “express lane” to enroll eligible individuals in the Maryland Children’s Health Program and Maryland Medical Assistance (SB 26/HB 111), and permanently expands the Maryland earned income tax credit and child tax credit (SB 552/HB 547).
Elder abuse prevention: Establishes the Task Force on Preventing and Countering Elder Abuse to study laws, policies and practices relating to elder abuse and other crimes committed against older adults (SB 0797/HB 1191).
Environmental protection: Establishes the Local Land Trust Revolving Loan Program for the purchase of land for conservation purposes (Maryland the Beautiful Act) (SB 470/HB 631).
Fair Wage Act passed: Expedites the implementation of the $15 minimum wage (SB 555/HB 549).
Protection for children who are being trafficked: Alters the procedures that law enforcement officers/courts must follow when they have reason to believe that a detained child is a victim of sex trafficking (SB 0292/HB 0297).
Public safety enhanced: Prohibits a person from knowingly wearing, carrying or transporting a firearm onto another person’s property without permission; restrict firearms from within 100 ft. of a public accommodation (SB 0001).
Losses
Abortion access was expanded: Several bills to expand abortion passed, including a referendum to be placed on the 2024 ballot seeking to enshrine abortion in the state constitution (SB 798/HB 705). The Conference will be providing resources prior to this referendum.
Informing college students of Title IX Rights: A bill to ensure pregnant and parenting college students have easy access to their Title IX Rights did not move forward (HB 356).
Medical care for immigrants: A bill to provide undocumented immigrants access to primary health care, reducing serious illness, did not pass (SB 365/HB 588).
Restorative justice: A bill that would have established a restorative justice program in the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services did not pass (SB 27).