HOW MARYLAND CATHOLIC CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS LEGISLATIVE BILLS FOR CATHOLIC ADVOCACY DAY TOMORROW! (3778 hits)
For Immediate Release From Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, DC!
More than 2,300 bills have been introduced this legislative session. The Maryland Catholic Conference, the public policy entity for the Catholic Church in Maryland, is testifying and working behind the scenes on many bills to advocate on numerous bills impacting life, families, and the vulnerable.
On Catholic Advocacy Day, we are highlighting five bills that address diverse issues. These represent our three primary areas: respect for life; education, children and families; and social and economic justice and are highlighted below. We will continue advocating and will send Catholic Advocacy Network members action alerts about key legislation as the General Assembly session unfolds.
Support Funding for BOOST Scholarships for low-income kids
Quick Facts
As Catholics, we believe that parents have a right to ensure the best education for their children and BOOST enables those who might not otherwise be able to afford it with the means to do so.
Last year, the increase to $10 million for BOOST funding helped promote greater access to Catholic high schools statewide.
BOOST is an important racial and economic justice program that closes the achievement gap for low-income Maryland children.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Support HB 425/SB 387 – A Ban on Untraceable Firearms (Ghost Guns)
Quick Facts
This bill would help reduce violence and save lives:
Prohibit a person from purchasing, receiving, selling, offering to sell, or transferring an “unfinished frame or receiver” unless it is required by federal law to be, and has been, imprinted with a serial number, as specified.
Prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless the firearm is imprinted with specified information.
Require the Secretary of State Police to suspend or revoke a dealer’s license under specified conditions relating to untraceable firearms,
Establish penalties for violations of the bill’s provisions relating to untraceable firearms; and expands the definition of a “firearm” to include an unfinished frame or receiver.
Support HB 708 - Comprehensive Climate Solutions
Quick Facts
This bill would help protect our environment and build equity for communities in Maryland disproportionately affected by climate change:
Develop recommendations to address environmental justice concerns, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and co–pollutants, and build climate equity and resilience within communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
Establish a plan to achieve net–zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Establish the Maryland Climate Justice Corps Program and the Just Transition Employment and Retraining Working Group.
