MLAW's 2026 Legislative Agenda
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Prince George's County Chapter participates in discussion with MLAW on legislation proposed and progressing through the Maryland General Assembly. Learn about the upcoming proposal 2026 Legislative Agenda. Visit this page frequently for an update on the final list of MLAW's 2026 supported proposals.
21 Legislative Proposals Presented at MLAW's Fall 2025 Conference
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SUMMARY OF BILLS
Stop Silencing Survivors: This bill creates additional protections from retaliatory litigation for sexual assault survivors.
Protection of Students from Sexual Exploitation in Schools: This bill closes a loophole in Maryland’s sexual offense statute by prohibiting sexual conduct between a school resource officer (SRO) and any student at the school to which the officer is assigned, recognizing the inherent power imbalance and duty of care owed to students.
Granny's Law: Correcting Historical wrongs in the Estates and Trust area: A Matter of Equity for Women and Minorities
Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act: The Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act closes gaps in Maryland’s protective order system by requiring earlier relinquishment and, when necessary, removal, of firearms from respondents to domestic violence protective orders.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (title TBD): The bill aims to address female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Maryland by amending the 1998 FGM/C law to strengthen prevention and response measures.
Coerced Debt Bill: This bill would allow victims of coerced debt at the hands of their abuser to be freed from the debt while allowing the creator to go after the abusive person who actually caused the debt to be incurred.
Timing of Hearings between TPO and FPO, and Relief for Financial Loss: This bill would put Maryland in line with the majority of states which have longer than our current 7 days between temporary protection order hearings and final protection order hearings, as well as add repayment or financial loss to the relief that can be ordered in a protection order.
Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault: Protects identifying information of a victim of sexual assault from appearing in public court documents.
Landlord and Tenant - Family Child Care Homes: Prevents landlords of single family rental properties from rejecting a family child care home from operating in the unit.
Comprehensive Rehabilitative Prerelease Services-Female Incarcerated Individuals (The Monica Cooper Prerelease Act): This bill will require specific procurement processes for the construction of a prerelease facility for women including comprehensive rehabilitative services.
Prescription Privacy Protection Act for Abortion Medication: This bill protects abortion providers from out-of-state criminal, civil, and administrative penalties (e.g. Texas) by shielding their identities, as pharmacies would be allowed to withhold a provider's name and identifying information from the prescription label of abortion medication.
Menstrual Product Access in Higher Education Spaces: This legislation will require higher education institutions receiving public funding to provide menstrual products free of charge in campus bathrooms.
ICE Enforcement Activities (title TBD): The bill will seek to sunset and prohibit 287(g) agreements in the state; these agreements allow for local lawenforcement to be deputized by ICE to carry out immigration enforcement activities.
Prohibition of Certain Handgun Sales (title TBD): Legislation would prohibit the future sale of handguns that can easily be converted into fully automatic machine guns through the installation of a Glock switch.
Know Before They Knock Family Right To Notice Act: Know Before They Knock requires the Department of Social Services to provide parents a notice of their rights at their initial contact with the parent.
Feasibility Study on Direct Stipends to Caregivers: Require the Maryland Department of Human Services to complete a feasibility study on implementing the Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure (SOCI) program that will provide direct stipend payments to family caregivers who receive no payment for their services.
Maryland Caregiver Employment Protection Act: The Maryland Caregiver Employment Protection Act would amend Maryland’s employment anti-discrimination law (Md. Code Ann., State Gov’t § 20-606) to add “caregiver status” as a protected class, prohibiting discrimination against workers and job applicants because of their current or perceived responsibilities to care for a dependent family member or loved one in a “familial relationship” as determined by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR).
Birth Certificate Modernization Act: The Birth Certificate Modernization Act will make it easier for parents to update their information on their children's Maryland birth certificates, as well as modernize the process for transgender Marylanders updating the gender marker on their own birth certificates.
PATH Act (Providing Alternatives through Healing for Justice-Involved Individuals): The PATH Act provides a pathway for early release and trauma-informed reentry support for incarcerated women of color who are survivors of domestic violence, addressing racial and gender disparities in the justice system and helping them rebuild their lives with mentorship, mental health care, and job training.
Substitute Child Care Provider Pool Pilot Program: The Substitute Child Care Provider Pool Pilot Program establishes a statewide network of trained, pre-vetted substitute childcare providers to ensure that childcare centers—many of which are small businesses run by women—remain open and fully staffed during short-term absences, helping to stabilize the workforce, reduce financial strain, and support working families who rely on consistent care.
The Maryland Reproductive Justice and Pregnancy Outcome Protection Act: The Maryland Reproductive Justice and Pregnancy Outcome Protection Act would prevent the criminalization of people for pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or self-managed abortion, and protect equitable, autonomous reproductive care and gives effect to Maryland’s newly ratified constitutional amendment recognizing reproductive freedom as a fundamental right essential to liberty and equality.
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MLAW was established to harness the collective power of women and to create a statewide, nonpartisan, independent coalition of groups and individuals to advocate for progressive legislative initiatives that promote and protect the well-being of women and their families in Maryland. This call to action for legislative change has resulted in a coalition almost unique in the United States. The annual legislative conference and other activities have energized thousands of women - and male allies - to become engaged in advocacy for important issues affecting Maryland women and families.
The annual Legislative Agenda has included a broad diversity of issues and the organization’s advocacy and collaborative efforts have resulted in the passage of legislation enacted by the Maryland General Assembly in the last 31 years.
The fall conference develops our MLAW Legislative Agenda and a legislative briefing during the legislative session introduces the Agenda to advocates and legislators. These events focus legislators’ attention on our issues and raise their visibility throughout the state. We distribute the annual Legislative Agenda to every Maryland legislator. In collaboration with our advocacy partners, we submit testimony, advocate for bills, and promote our Agenda through our large e-mail list, website, and Facebook page.
