The legislative session provides a unique opportunity for families to get involved with the legislative process and make their voices heard. Hope you can join us on Feb. 15 for our annual Family Day in Annapolis for Children’s Mental Health.
—Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
Family Day in Annapolis
Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the Coalition’s annual Family Day in Annapolis for Children’s Mental Health on Feb. 15, 2006. Because of construction at the House of Delegates’ office building, we’ll convene at Harry Browne’s Restaurant, 66 State Circle, at 9:30 a.m. A light breakfast will be served. Space is very limited, so please register early for this popular event. There is no cost to attend, but donations to defray expenses are appreciated.
We’ll begin with a briefing to update everyone on legislation that could impact services for our children with mental health needs. We’ll visit our legislators after the briefing. This is an opportunity for families to personally communicate with legislators and their staff about our children’s needs and the needs in our communities.
Please start making your phone calls now for appointments with your individual legislators. If time with your lawmaker isn’t available, please ask for an appointment with key staff—we want to make sure our message is delivered, and a representative’s key assistant can be our best ally.
If you are unsure who is representing you in Annapolis, please visit http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/ and plug your information into the form. You can find contact information for your lawmakers by clicking on their names at left.
We will provide you with handouts to leave at each appointment and give you an overview of what to expect when we see you that morning. But we know that you will be an effective representative for the needs of Maryland’s children simply because of your experiences. Personal stories resonate with lawmakers, so if you’re comfortable sharing, please do so during your appointments. Be sure to bring a picture of your child. Pairing a child’s face and voice with the hard numbers on the handouts no doubt will leave a memorable impression.
In the afternoon, the Health and Human Services subcommittee will conduct a hearing on the Mental Hygiene Administration’s budget. Families are welcome to attend the hearing.
Please visit www.mdcoalition.org to register for our Day in Annapolis and for more information. See you in Annapolis!
Tracking Legislation Electronically
You can review bills that are introduced, hearing schedules, legislators’ bios, committee rosters and more on a daily basis via the General Assembly website. The Maryland General Assembly’s homepage address is: http://mlis.state.md.us.
Legislation is introduced daily in both the House and the Senate; a variety of information is available on the website.
To view all legislation introduced each day:
• Click on Bill Information and Status.
• Move to the bottom of that section and click on either Senate Synopsis or House Synopsis.
• After the page with the most current synopsis available opens, you will see a link in the top right corner that says View Synopsis Index; click on that to view the index of all synopses available in both bodies of all bills introduced to date.
To track a measure by bill number:
• Click on Bill Information and Status.
• Click on the empty box labeled Bill Number.
• Type the bill number in the box and click on Submit Query.
• You will see a summary of the bill, including current status.
• To read the full text of the bill, click on the bill number at the top of the page.
To track legislation by topic:
• Click on Bill indexes.
• Click on One or two Subjects.
• The next screen gives an alphabetized drop-down menu; click on the arrow key at the right of the first box to scroll down the list.
• Select the subject you wish to search.
• You will return to the list page. Repeat the previous two steps in the second subject box if you want to include two subjects; if you are ready to move on, click on long format or short format and then click on select.
• You will be provided with a list of bills that match the subject term(s) you defined; the amount of included information will vary according to your selected format.
• Click on the bill number in the upper left corner for a summary description of the bill.
Upcoming Events
• Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health Day in Annapolis—Feb. 15.
• National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health “office warming” celebrating its new location in Montgomery County—March 13.
It’s not too early to think about options for summer camps and programs. Here are some resources to get you started:
• Baltimore’s Child February issue is devoted to summer day camps. It will be available the last week of January.
• Summer Camp Expo at Marley Station Mall, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Howard County Recreation and Parks Summer Camp Expo at Kahler Hall in Columbia, Feb. 12.
• Summer Camp Expo at Arundel Mills Mall, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Chesapeake Family Summer Camp Expo at Annapolis High School, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
