The 2024 Maryland General Assembly session may have started last Wednesday, but everyone who knows anything about the legislature knows that the real action starts this week.
Friend,
The 2024 Maryland General Assembly session may have started last Wednesday, but everyone who knows anything about the legislature knows that the real action starts this week.
As usual, it’s going to be a busy 90 (now 85) days, and we’ll be watching it all! Here’s your guide to the 2024 legislative session:
1. Let’s get smart about safety!
After a year of fearmongering news coverage led by local Fox News affiliate, Fox45, a big topic this session will be youth crime bills.
The Maryland Youth Justice Coalition is calling on the legislature to follow facts, not fears, and protect the historic youth justice wins from the last few years. The Juvenile Justice Reform and Child Interrogation Act (both passed in 2022) are already under attack from Republican legislators; we need our leaders to stand by our kids and communities.
What’s best for public safety is also what’s best for kids. We must ensure our juvenile justice system works, and that we invest in services and supports that keep kids from becoming system involved in the first place.
2. Maryland: it’s electric ⚡
We’ve also got our sights set on an energy efficient Maryland! The EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2024 will update the EmPOWER energy efficiency program and help us reduce our energy use, lower our energy bills, and reduce pollution that harms our health and our planet.
3. Give a hoot, don’t pollute!
The Maryland Department of the Environment Permitting Authority bill will allow MDE to use environmental justice assessments when they consider permit applications. This will help reduce the pollution load on underserved and overburdened communities, leading to healthier air and water quality and improved public health.
4. Making sure Texas can’t sue us too
Last year, the General Assembly passed the Reproductive Health Protection Act, which shields those seeking, providing, or assisting with abortion care in Maryland from out of state litigation. Which is great! But there’s one small problem: the bill left out gender-affirming healthcare, which is under serious attack from states like Florida and Texas. Leaving out gender-affirming care also leaves abortion providers open to attacks, since many of them also provide gender-affirming care.
It’s a simple bill that will go a long way towards ensuring that Maryland remains one of the safest places to be trans in the country. 🏳️⚧️
5. “All the single filers, now put your hands up!” - Beyoncé, probably
We’re proud to have worked with Tax Credits for Maryland Families last year to pass the Family Prosperity Act, which expanded the Child and Earned Income Tax Credits! This year, we’re working to pass an Earned Income Tax Credit expansion for single filers, like low income young adults and non-custodial parents, too.
6. And so, so much more…
There’s plenty more to talk about (a personal favorite is the bill to create a correctional ombudsman who would provide crucial outside oversight to our correctional system)! Remember to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to keep up with all the Annapolis action over the next three months.
You can find tons more information on the MDGA Home Page, including bills, calendars, and livesteams of floor sessions and committee meetings.
As always, we’re so grateful to have you in the fight for a more sustainable, just Maryland with us. Thank you for all you do.
