We ask for your support of our 2018 Legislative Agenda.

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CITY and COUNTY

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The WDL supports an investment in affordable housing for working families within a one-mile walking distance from the center of the City of Frederick’s Historic District.

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PARATRANSIT TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

The WDL stands with the County Executor and the County Council in support of increased state funding for paratransit services. Frederick County is expecting the growth in our Senior population to grow at twice the rate of the State of Maryland the country as a whole.

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STOP VOTER SUPPRESSION
The WDL opposes all laws and regulations that suppress the rights of voters.  Voter suppression manifests in many ways - racial and partisan gerrymandering, discriminatory voter ID laws, and inconsistent voting dates and locations.  To increase voter participation the WDL recommends changing the City of Frederick election cycle to coincide with the Presidential primary and general elections.

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STATE

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RAPE SURVIVOR FAMILY PROTECTION (HB1/SB2) - PASSED

The WDL supports The Rape Survivor Family Protection Act, which would create a legal process for rape victims to terminate the parental rights of rapists when a child is conceived as result of rape.

 

SALARY HISTORY AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE (HB512/SB377)

The WDL supports Delegate Lewis Young’s bill to prevent employers from requiring past salary information as a condition of employment.  Salary offers should be based in current position requirements as well as the skills and experience of the candidate. 

 

HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR PREGNANT INMATES (HB787/SB629)

The WDL supports requiring all state, local, and private detention and corrections facilities to have written policies regarding healthcare services for adult and juvenile pregnant inmates.  HB878 received a Favorable report from the House committee on Feb 26th.

 

WOMEN ON CORPORATE BOARDS (SJR03)

The WDL supports Senator Young bill demonstrating the evidence that companies perform better when their board and executive leadership include women. As such the Resolution encourages businesses to add women to their corporate boards, because it is good for equality, business, and Maryland's economy.

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NATIONAL

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WOMEN'S RIGHTS
The WDL supports the extension of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.  The last few years have demonstrated that equal rights are not guaranteed and can be stripped away, unless specified within the U.S. Constitution.

PROTECT IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
The WDL asks for Congress to provide a clearly defined path to citizenship.  The WDL is committed to raising awareness about the abuses suffered by immigrant women in the political, economic, labor, and social spheres.  Immigration legislation must include protections of immigrant rights.

 

PROTECTION OF WOMEN'S HEALTH
The WDL supports the continued protection of a woman's right to control her own reproductive options without government or employer interference.  This includes the right to free birth control under all health care plans, and to determine when and how to birth her children.  We ask that Congress to push back against threats to reproductive justice like:

• reduction in funding for Planned Parenthood and Medicaid,

• attempts to repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA),

• TRAP laws,

• abortion bans, and

• birth control rollbacks