Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women is a Towson, Maryland-based feminist group that works to pass left-of-center social-policy legislation on the state level in Maryland. In 2024, the group worked with Pro-Choice Maryland to create a zone around abortion clinics where pro-life demonstrators would be forbidden to protest. 1
Background
The Maryland Commission for Women founded what became the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women in 1994. The group’s original name was the Legislative Agenda for Maryland Women. The first major legislation supported by the group was the Domestic Violence Act of 1994. 2
Starting in 1994, the group holds an annual conference, selects legislation to include on their agenda, sends the agenda to legislators and advocacy groups, and holds an advocacy day at the Maryland state capitol to push their agenda. The group created a vision statement, guiding principles, criteria for legislation, a sign-on policy, and a ballot process. 2
In 2004, Legislative Agenda for Maryland Women became an independent group as Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women. 2
Issue Advocacy
Abortion
The Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women released a statement denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. The group said, “Forcing pregnant people and minors to carry a pregnancy to term, regardless of circumstance, or worse, having to prove that a rape or incest has occurred, is not only invasive but unnecessarily cruel and dehumanizing.” 1
In 2022, the group supported legislation that required the Maryland Department of Health to ensure Maryland had enough medical professionals able to perform abortions in the state. The legislation required some insurance companies to provide free coverage for abortions in the state. Then-Governor Larry Hogan (R) vetoed the legislation, but the legislature overrode his veto. 3
In 2022, the group supported legislation that provided legal protections for what it called “pregnant people” who suffered miscarriages, had abortions, or provided aid to what it called “pregnant people” who got an abortion. The legislation did not receive a vote in the legislature. 3
In 2024, the group supported legislation promoted by Pro-Choice Maryland that created a zone around abortion clinics in which pro-life demonstrators were banned from protesting. 1
Paid Leave
In 2022, the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women supported the passage of a paid leave program. The legislation increased taxes on most employers to fund the program. Then-Governor Larry Hogan (R) vetoed the legislation, but the legislature overrode his veto. 3
Equal Rights Amendment
In 2024, the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women supported a resolution promoted by the Maryland Chapter of the National Organization for Women that expressed the sense of the Maryland legislature that the “Equal Rights Amendment” has met all the necessary criteria to be ratified as an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 1
Home Care Employees
In 2024, the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women supported legislation promoted by the Public Justice Center that would require the classification of home care workers who work for companies that receive Medicaid reimbursements as employees instead of independent contractors. The group claimed the workers were improperly classified as independent contractors and denied the benefits employees receive. 1
Wages on Job Listings
In 2024, the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women supported legislation promoted by the Maryland Center on Economic Policy which required employers to publish pay ranges and a general description of benefits on job listings. The group claimed the legislation would help eliminate the race and gender pay gap. 1
Protections for Sex Changes
In 2024, the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women supported legislation promoted by the Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition which extended the legal protections abortion clinics have in Maryland to clinics that performed sex changes. 4
Race
The Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women declared its support for the Black Lives Matter movement. The group announced that it will support one “racial equity” bill per session and each piece of legislation it would support would include a racial impact statement. 1
Supporters
Groups supporting the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women include 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, AAUW Anne Arundel County, AAUW Garrett Branch, AAUW Kensington-Rockville Branch, AAUW Maryland, Adolescent Single Parent Program (PGCPS), Anne Arundel County NOW, Baltimore County Commission for Women, Black Women for Positive Change, Baltimore Chapter, Bound for Better, Advocates for Domestic Violence, Child Justice, Inc., Church Women United, Inc., Climate XChange Maryland, Court Watch Montgomery, CTLDomGroup Inc, DABS Consulting, Engage Mountain Maryland, Frederick County Commission For Women, If/When/How at University of Baltimore School of Law, Les Etoiles in Haiti, Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Maryland Legislative Coalition, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Miller Partnership Consultants, MomsRising, Montgomery County NOW, National Organization for Women, Maryland Chapter, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Rebuild, Overcome, and Rise (ROAR) Center at University of MD, Baltimore, REHarrington Plumbing and Heating, Reproductive Justice Maryland, Stella’s Girls, The Hackerman Foundation, Top Ladies of Distinction Prince George’s County, TurnAround Inc., Women’s Equity Center and Action Network (WE CAN), Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporate – Alpha Zeta Chapter, and Zonta Club of Annapolis. 1
Leadership
The Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women’s executive director is Catherine Hill who became the group’s first executive director in April 2024. Hill is the former executive director of the Women’s Legislative Caucus (Women Legislators of Maryland). She is also a professor at George Washington University. 5
The group’s coordinator is Jessica Morgan. 5 She is the chief operating officer of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland. 6
Michaele Cohen is the group’s president. She is the executive director of Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence. 1
Financials
According to the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women’s 2021 tax return, the group had $21,108 in revenue, $11,404 in expenses, and $39,189 in assets. 7
References
- “Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women …” Montgomery County, MD. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw/Resources/Files/WLB/2024/MLAW%202024%20Agenda%20for%20WLB.pdf.
- “History.” Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://mdlegagendaforwomen.org/history/.
- “2022 MLAW Legislative Agenda – Final Report.” Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://mdlegagendaforwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-legislative-agenda-final-report.pdf.
- “ Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women …” Montgomery County, MD. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw/Resources/Files/WLB/2024/MLAW%202024%20Agenda%20for%20WLB.pdf.
- “Mlaw Selects Catherine Hill as First Executive Director.” Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/MLAW-Selects-Catherine-Hill-as-First-Executive-Director.html?soid=1101501232228&aid=aHcSG9sx0Fs.
- “Jessica Morgan.” LinkedIn. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesmorgan.
- “Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women – Form Form 990-Eo for Period Ending Jun 2021 – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/342024336/IRS%2F342024336_202106_990EO_2022081720282672.