2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Salisbury PFLAG strives to move equality forward and that includes engaging in legislative advocacy work at the State and local levels. For the 2024 Maryland General Assembly legislative session, Salisbury PFLAG is focused on the following priorities.
SUPPORTING Birth Certificate Modernization
SUPPORTING Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman Unit
SUPPORTING Commission on History Culture & Civics
SUPPORTING Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation
SUPPORTING - Comprehensive Health Education
SUPPORTING Freedom to Read (Bill to Prevent Book Banning)
SUPPORTING Gender Affirming Care
SUPPORTING Expanding Postexposure Prophylaxis Access
OPPOSING Public Schools - Sexually Explicit Materials - Prohibited in Libraries and Media Centers
OPPOSING Interscholastic and Intramural Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams - Designation Based on Sex
OPPOSING Public Schools - Medical and Psychological Treatment in School-Based Health Centers and Public Schools - Parental Notice
SUPPORTING Birth Certificate Modernization
SUPPORTING Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman Unit
SUPPORTING Commission on History Culture & Civics
SUPPORTING Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation
SUPPORTING - Comprehensive Health Education
SUPPORTING Freedom to Read (Bill to Prevent Book Banning)
SUPPORTING Gender Affirming Care
SUPPORTING Expanding Postexposure Prophylaxis Access
OPPOSING Public Schools - Sexually Explicit Materials - Prohibited in Libraries and Media Centers
OPPOSING Interscholastic and Intramural Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams - Designation Based on Sex
OPPOSING Public Schools - Medical and Psychological Treatment in School-Based Health Centers and Public Schools - Parental Notice
BILL INFORMATION
Gender Affirming Care - Altering the definition of "legally protected health care" to include certain gender-affirming treatment, including medications and supplies, for the purposes of certain provisions of law that prohibit health occupations disciplinary actions and certain actions in criminal and civil proceedings and the use of certain resources in furtherance of certain investigations and proceedings related to legally protected health care. Bill Number SB 119/HB691
Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman Unit -Establishing the Correctional Ombudsman Unit in the Office of the Attorney General; requiring the Unit to conduct investigations, reviews, and assessments of administrative acts taken by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services or in relation to individuals confined by the Department; requiring the Unit to refer matters for criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings as appropriate. Bill Number- HB297 & SB 134
Commission on History Culture & Civics - Establishing the Commission on History, Culture, and Civics in Education to make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to further the discovery, interpretation, and learning of the history, culture, and civics of the United States and Maryland; and requiring the Commission to report its findings to the Board, the Governor, and the General Assembly by December 30 each year beginning in 2024. Bill Number HB50
Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation. Requiring the State Board of Education to develop content standards for inclusive and diverse English language arts to be included in certain State standards for English language arts by December 1, 2025; requiring each county board of education to develop and implement certain curriculum guides for inclusive and diverse English language arts; and requiring each public school to include inclusive and diverse English language arts in the English language arts curriculum beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Bill Number SB189
Expanding Postexposure Prophylaxis Access - (Establishing the Nonoccupational Postexposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) Standing Order Program to authorize pharmacists and health care providers to prescribe or dispense nPEP under certain circumstances; and authorizing the Maryland Department of Health to administer the Program, collect fees necessary for the administration of the Program, and establish guidelines for training related to the Program. Bill Number SB 246/ HB 127
Comprehensive Health Education Framework- 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 certain topics for the parent's or guardian's student, subject to certain requirements; etc. Bill NumberHB558
Freedom to Read Act - Bill to Prevent Book Banning.
Establishing the State standards for libraries for the operation of each library that receives funding from the State; altering the duties of the State Library Board, the State Library Agency, and regional resource centers to incorporate the State standards for libraries; making funding for certain libraries contingent on adoption of a written policy consistent with the State standards for libraries; authorizing the State Comptroller to withhold funding from libraries under certain circumstances; etc. Bill Number SB738/HB785
Employment Discrimination – Sexual Orientation
Altering certain provisions of law prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity to also prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Bill Number HB602
Department of Housing and Community Development - Homeless Shelter Licensing Program - Establishment
Establishing a homeless shelter licensing program in the Department of Housing and Community Development; requiring that license holders be relicensed every 2 years and requiring the Department to develop certain operational and building standards for homeless shelters and minimum standards for the protection of the rights of shelter residents; providing an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation of operating a homeless shelter without a license or in violation of certain regulations; etc. Bill Number HB 577
STRONG OPPOSITION Public Schools - Sexually Explicit Materials - Prohibited in Libraries and Media Centers. Prohibiting sexually explicit materials in elementary, middle, and secondary public school libraries and media centers; defining sexually explicit materials as books and auditory and visual material that contain graphic or obscene depictions of sexual activity that are not age appropriate or used as part of the approved instructional materials for instruction on family life and human sexuality; etc. Bill Number HB25
STRONG OPPOSITION Education - Interscholastic and Intramural Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams - Designation Based on Sex (Fairness In Girls' Sports. Requiring certain interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports sponsored by certain schools to be expressly designated based on biological sex; prohibiting certain entities from taking certain adverse actions against a school or county board of education for maintaining separate interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams and sports for students of the female sex; and providing that certain individuals have the right to bring a civil action under certain circumstances. Act). Bill Number HB47
STRONG OPPOSITION Public Schools - Medical and Psychological Treatment in School-Based Health Centers and Public Schools - Parental Notice. Requiring a school health practitioner, health care practitioner, or certified school psychologist employed by or under a contract with a school-based health center, local school system, or local health department to provide school health services at a public school to provide certain information to a certain student's parent or guardian about any consultation, diagnosis, or treatment provided to the student. Bill Number HB65
Gender Affirming Care - Altering the definition of "legally protected health care" to include certain gender-affirming treatment, including medications and supplies, for the purposes of certain provisions of law that prohibit health occupations disciplinary actions and certain actions in criminal and civil proceedings and the use of certain resources in furtherance of certain investigations and proceedings related to legally protected health care. Bill Number SB 119/HB691
Office of the Attorney General - Correctional Ombudsman Unit -Establishing the Correctional Ombudsman Unit in the Office of the Attorney General; requiring the Unit to conduct investigations, reviews, and assessments of administrative acts taken by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services or in relation to individuals confined by the Department; requiring the Unit to refer matters for criminal charges or disciplinary proceedings as appropriate. Bill Number- HB297 & SB 134
Commission on History Culture & Civics - Establishing the Commission on History, Culture, and Civics in Education to make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to further the discovery, interpretation, and learning of the history, culture, and civics of the United States and Maryland; and requiring the Commission to report its findings to the Board, the Governor, and the General Assembly by December 30 each year beginning in 2024. Bill Number HB50
Public Schools - Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts - Development of Content Standards and Implementation. Requiring the State Board of Education to develop content standards for inclusive and diverse English language arts to be included in certain State standards for English language arts by December 1, 2025; requiring each county board of education to develop and implement certain curriculum guides for inclusive and diverse English language arts; and requiring each public school to include inclusive and diverse English language arts in the English language arts curriculum beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Bill Number SB189
Expanding Postexposure Prophylaxis Access - (Establishing the Nonoccupational Postexposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) Standing Order Program to authorize pharmacists and health care providers to prescribe or dispense nPEP under certain circumstances; and authorizing the Maryland Department of Health to administer the Program, collect fees necessary for the administration of the Program, and establish guidelines for training related to the Program. Bill Number SB 246/ HB 127
Comprehensive Health Education Framework- 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 certain topics for the parent's or guardian's student, subject to certain requirements; etc. Bill NumberHB558
Freedom to Read Act - Bill to Prevent Book Banning.
Establishing the State standards for libraries for the operation of each library that receives funding from the State; altering the duties of the State Library Board, the State Library Agency, and regional resource centers to incorporate the State standards for libraries; making funding for certain libraries contingent on adoption of a written policy consistent with the State standards for libraries; authorizing the State Comptroller to withhold funding from libraries under certain circumstances; etc. Bill Number SB738/HB785
Employment Discrimination – Sexual Orientation
Altering certain provisions of law prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity to also prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Bill Number HB602
Department of Housing and Community Development - Homeless Shelter Licensing Program - Establishment
Establishing a homeless shelter licensing program in the Department of Housing and Community Development; requiring that license holders be relicensed every 2 years and requiring the Department to develop certain operational and building standards for homeless shelters and minimum standards for the protection of the rights of shelter residents; providing an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation of operating a homeless shelter without a license or in violation of certain regulations; etc. Bill Number HB 577
STRONG OPPOSITION Public Schools - Sexually Explicit Materials - Prohibited in Libraries and Media Centers. Prohibiting sexually explicit materials in elementary, middle, and secondary public school libraries and media centers; defining sexually explicit materials as books and auditory and visual material that contain graphic or obscene depictions of sexual activity that are not age appropriate or used as part of the approved instructional materials for instruction on family life and human sexuality; etc. Bill Number HB25
STRONG OPPOSITION Education - Interscholastic and Intramural Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams - Designation Based on Sex (Fairness In Girls' Sports. Requiring certain interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports sponsored by certain schools to be expressly designated based on biological sex; prohibiting certain entities from taking certain adverse actions against a school or county board of education for maintaining separate interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams and sports for students of the female sex; and providing that certain individuals have the right to bring a civil action under certain circumstances. Act). Bill Number HB47
STRONG OPPOSITION Public Schools - Medical and Psychological Treatment in School-Based Health Centers and Public Schools - Parental Notice. Requiring a school health practitioner, health care practitioner, or certified school psychologist employed by or under a contract with a school-based health center, local school system, or local health department to provide school health services at a public school to provide certain information to a certain student's parent or guardian about any consultation, diagnosis, or treatment provided to the student. Bill Number HB65
PFLAG Salisbury has decided to engage with and follow the priorities set forth by the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs. Under the Governor’s Offices of Community Initiatives the Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs was created by the 2021 Maryland General Assembly by HB130. The commission reflects the gender, racial, ethnic and geographic diversity of Maryland. Members are required to know the issues facing our LGBTQIA+ communities, assess challenges, and provide recommendations and best practices for LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Commission website goci.maryland.gov/lgbtq/ Each year the Commission establishes a set of policy priorities. The 2024 priorities can be found here goci.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Maryland-Commission-on-LGBTQIA-Affairs-2024-Policy-Priorities-1.pdf
PFLAG Nationals makes a number of resources and trainings available related to advocacy
PFLAG Advocacy Page https://pflag.org/jointhefight/
PFLAG Advocacy Tools https://pflag.org/find-resources/#give-me-the-tools-i-need
Tips for in-person meetings with legislators https://pflag.org/resource/lobbying-at-in-person-meetings/
Sharing your story to create change https://pflag.org/resource/pao-sharingyourstory/
Advocacy Guidelines for 501c3 organizations /pflag.org/resource/501c3-advocacy-guidelines/
PFLAG Nationals makes a number of resources and trainings available related to advocacy
PFLAG Advocacy Page https://pflag.org/jointhefight/
PFLAG Advocacy Tools https://pflag.org/find-resources/#give-me-the-tools-i-need
Tips for in-person meetings with legislators https://pflag.org/resource/lobbying-at-in-person-meetings/
Sharing your story to create change https://pflag.org/resource/pao-sharingyourstory/
Advocacy Guidelines for 501c3 organizations /pflag.org/resource/501c3-advocacy-guidelines/
Sample Testimonies
TESTIMONY IN FACOR OF COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION | |
File Size: | 135 kb |
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TESTIMONY IN FAVOR OF THE FREEDOM TO READ ACT | |
File Size: | 120 kb |
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TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION TO ANTI TRANS SPORTS BILL.pdf | |
File Size: | 126 kb |
File Type: |
MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
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MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIND MY REP
You are encouraged to contact your legislators and tell them how they can best represent you with respect to a bill or issue. mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District |
DIRECTIONS FOR TRACKING BILLS AND SUBMITTING TESTIMONY
Signing up for and submitting testimony requires a MyMGA account. This is a simple process that takes just a few moments. You will be asked to provide some identifying information and a confirmation will be sent to your provided email address.
When you return to the Maryland General Assembly website you will want to make a habit of clicking on MY MGA located on the upper right portion of your screen as shown here.
When logged in to your My MGA account you will be able to do a variety of things from a drop down menu or the right hand navigation pane, including making a bill tracking list and signing up as a witness. You can click the ADD LIST button to create lists by session or interest area and then use the search box to locate bills by number where you will see the bill information including the sponsors, committee, where it is in the process, upcoming dates etcetera. By clicking on the THUMBTACK you can add the bill to your tracking list.
To signup to testify log into your MY MGA account and select WITNESS SIGNUP either from the drop down or on the left hand navigation pane. The signup window for Senate bills is only available one business day ahead of a bill's hearing between the hours of 8am and 3pm. To speak during a hearing on Monday, one must signup on the preceding Friday. The signup window for House bills is only available two business days ahead of a bill's hearing between the hours of 8am and 3pm. If a bill is scheduled to be heard on Monday or Tuesday, signup is available on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
When submitting testimony you can identify yourself with an organization- which you should only do if the organization has given you permission to speak for them otherwise leave this blank- then select whether your position is favorable or unfavorable. Finally, you will decide whether you want to provide oral testimony or written testimony or both. You will then be able to upload a file.
You can revist the MGA to see your submitted testimony or schedule.
You can watch hearings and votes as they are happening via the various YouTube channels that can be accessed by clicking the YouTube button next to the MY MGA button.
If submitting testimony is too much, you can quickly use the look up tool to find your legislators and contact them to tell them your opinion.
When submitting testimony you can identify yourself with an organization- which you should only do if the organization has given you permission to speak for them otherwise leave this blank- then select whether your position is favorable or unfavorable. Finally, you will decide whether you want to provide oral testimony or written testimony or both. You will then be able to upload a file.
You can revist the MGA to see your submitted testimony or schedule.
You can watch hearings and votes as they are happening via the various YouTube channels that can be accessed by clicking the YouTube button next to the MY MGA button.
If submitting testimony is too much, you can quickly use the look up tool to find your legislators and contact them to tell them your opinion.
2023 Salisbury PFLAG Legislative Priorities
Salisbury PFLAG strives to move equality forward and that includes engaging in legislative advocacy work at the State and local levels. For the 2023 Maryland General Assembly legislative session, Salisbury PFLAG is focused on the following priorities.
*Civil Remedies for Hate Crimes
*Comprehensive Health Education
* Places of Public Accommodation and Public Buildings - Gender-Inclusive Signage
*Expanding Distribution of HIV Prevention Drugs
*Comprehensive Delivery of Reproductive and Sexual Health Services in Higher Education
*Opposing So Called "Parents Rights" Bills
*Opposing Anti-Trans Discrimination in Sports
*Trans Respect and Dignity
*Trans Health Equity
*Birth Certificate Modernization
Testimonies delivered in 2023
CIVIL REMEDIES FOR HATE CRIMES.pdf | |
File Size: | 154 kb |
File Type: |
GENDER INCLUSIVE SIGNAGE FOR SINGLE OCCUPANY RESTROOMS | |
File Size: | 154 kb |
File Type: |
BIRTH CERTIFICATE MODERNIZATION | |
File Size: | 160 kb |
File Type: |
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION | |
File Size: | 161 kb |
File Type: |
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES.pdf | |
File Size: | 162 kb |
File Type: |
TRANS RESPECT AND DIGNITY ACT | |
File Size: | 165 kb |
File Type: |
TRANS HEALTH EQUITY ACT | |
File Size: | 173 kb |
File Type: |
OPPOSITION TO ANTI TRANS SPORTS BILL HB359 | |
File Size: | 164 kb |
File Type: |
OPPOSITION TO PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL.pdf | |
File Size: | 155 kb |
File Type: |
2022 Legislative Priorities
2022 Testimony
*Inclusive and Diverse English Language Arts (did not pass)
*Inclusive Schools (passes enacted)
*Policies and Prohibition Against Discriminatory Traffic Stops (did not pass)
*Certificates of Birth – Issuance of New Certificates – Sex Designation (did not pass)
*Establishing the American Studies and Social Equity Standards Advisory Board (did not pass)
*Marriage Records After Name Change. (passed enacted)
* Places of Public Accommodation and Public Buildings - Gender-Inclusive Signage. (withdrawn)
*Correctional Facilities Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act (did not pass)
*Opposing Anti-Trans Sports Legislation (died in committee)
testimony_sb116.pdf | |
File Size: | 159 kb |
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testimony_hb0850_sb0666.pdf | |
File Size: | 158 kb |
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testimony_hb1046.pdf | |
File Size: | 159 kb |
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testimony-hb0369-sb0377.pdf | |
File Size: | 121 kb |
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testimony_hb0572_sb0486.pdf | |
File Size: | 162 kb |
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testimony-hb0352-sb0888.pdf | |
File Size: | 127 kb |
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testimony-hb0453_sb0550.pdf | |
File Size: | 127 kb |
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testimony-hb0757.pdf | |
File Size: | 146 kb |
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2021 TESTIMONY
2021 PRIORITIES
*Name and Gender Marker Changes (passed enacted)
*Inclusive Schools (died in committee)
*Ending Panic Defense (passed enacted)
*Establishing A Statewide Commission on Civics and Cultural Education (died in committee)
*Nondiscrimination and Equitable Access (died in committee)
*Issuance of New Marriage and Birth Certificates (did not pass)
*Mental Health Access (passed enacted)
*Name and Gender Marker Changes (passed enacted)
*Inclusive Schools (died in committee)
*Ending Panic Defense (passed enacted)
*Establishing A Statewide Commission on Civics and Cultural Education (died in committee)
*Nondiscrimination and Equitable Access (died in committee)
*Issuance of New Marriage and Birth Certificates (did not pass)
*Mental Health Access (passed enacted)
HB132/SB0041 Testimony | |
File Size: | 129 kb |
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HB155/SB0098 Testimony | |
File Size: | 128 kb |
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hb1088-sb768-testimony__2_.pdf | |
File Size: | 123 kb |
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hb-1203-testimony.pdf | |
File Size: | 127 kb |
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HB140 Testimony | |
File Size: | 151 kb |
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HB231/SB46 Testimony | |
File Size: | 133 kb |
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HB39 TESTIMONY | |
File Size: | 128 kb |
File Type: |