Women Legislators of Maryland
Celebrating Their 53rd Anniversary
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Created in February of 1972, the Women Legislators of Maryland was born out of the need to "push for the recognition of women and their abilities," to quote the late Senator Rosalie Abrams. Delegate Pauline Menes fought to have the interests of women represented in formal Standing Committee settings, and 53 years later, we are still working as a caucus to push agendas that represent the interests of women and children. We hope that by showing our support for carefully chosen pieces of legislation, we can work as a unified front to tackle the growing needs of the women who reside in the great state of Maryland.
Women’s Caucus Announces 2025 Legislative Priorities: Pre Release, Healthcare, & Child Care
Women Legislators of Maryland Announces 2025 Legislative Priorities
The Women Legislators of Maryland is proud to announce its 2025 legislative priorities, with a focus on advancing policies in Healthcare, Childcare, and Prerelease Services for Incarcerated Women.
Healthcare
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HB930/SB848 – Public Health Abortion Grant Program - Establishment
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HB939/SB674 – Maryland Commission for Women - Maryland Collaborative to Advance Implementation of Coverage of Over-the-Counter Birth Control
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HB830/SB476 – Health Insurance - Genetic Testing and Cancer Imaging - Required Coverage and Prohibited Cost-Sharing
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HB1251 – Health Care Facilities and Medical Professional Liability Insurers - Obstetric Services Policies (Doula and Birth Policy Transparency Act)
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HB1495/SB518 – Health Insurance - Screening for Ovarian Cancer - Required Coverage and Prohibited Cost Sharing
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HB297/SB5 – Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - State-Based Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program - Sunset Repeal
Childcare
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HB389/SB516 – Property Tax - Day Care Centers, Child Care Homes, and Child Care Centers
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HB477 – Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers - Adult to Child Ratios - Alterations
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HB1344 – Department of General Services - Assessment of State-Owned Facilities - Child Care Centers
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HB524/SB462 – State Board of Education - Membership - Early Childhood Development Professional
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HB911 – Real Property - Landlord and Tenant - Family Child Care Homes
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HB862/SB452 – Child Care Affordability Commission - Establishment
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HB785 – Common Ownership Communities and Zoning Authorities - Operation of Family Child Care Homes
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HB859/SB611 – Access to Health Insurance for Child Care Professionals - Outreach and Qualifying Nonprofit Satellite Organizations
Prerelease Services for Incarcerated Women
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HB1198/SB632 – Correctional Services - Comprehensive Rehabilitative Prerelease Services - Female Incarcerated Individuals (The Monica Cooper Prerelease Act): Establishes comprehensive prerelease services for incarcerated women, including job training, housing assistance, and mental health support, to promote successful reentry into society.
2025 Legislative Session Events
2024
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October 2 – Retreat & Fall Service
2025
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January 7 – WLM Foundation Fundraiser
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January 8 – Legislative Session Begins
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January 20-27 – MLK Clothing Drive
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February 1 – Black History Month Begins & World Hijab Day
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February 13 – Galentine’s Day Lunch & Period Poverty Product Drive
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February 17 – Press Conference: 2025 Legislative Agenda
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February 26 – AKA Day Period Poverty Drive Collaboration
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March 1 – Women’s History Month Begins
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March 6 – Breakfast at Government House
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March 13 – Raker Dinner at Government House (6:00-8:00 PM)
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March 20 – Pop-Up Shop: Legislative Jewish Caucus & Infant CPR Training (House Building, 2nd Floor – 1:30 PM or after House Session)
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March 31 – Transgender Visibility Day
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April 8 – End of Session Press Conference (TBD)
All Session - Woman Wednesday​
Month of March - HERstory Moment on House floor MWF
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