Maryland Right to Life (MDRTL) has been the leading voice on pro-life policy in Maryland for nearly 50 years. We mobilize public policy campaigns and lobby on behalf of those whose lives are threatened and cannot defend themselves.
With the help of our supporters and volunteers throughout the state, MDRTL has successfully defended against 30 legislative threats to life, provided testimony on 60 bills and sent over 17,000 constituent letters supporting life during the 2021 state legislative session.
Together, we were consistently the voice in Maryland for the pre-born, pregnant women and most vulnerable when it mattered most.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
On April 12, 2021, the 441st session of the Maryland General Assembly came to a close. The session posed particular challenges to freedom of speech and public participation because of Covid-19 virus related restrictions. In all, lawmakers introduced 2,362 bills and resolutions.
• Through the proven strength of the organization, MDRTL was able to effectively discourage legislative support for the reintroduction of the Physician-Assisted Suicide bill or the introduction of any abortion amendments to the Constitution of the State of Maryland in 2021.
• MDRTL’s dedicated lobbyist provided testimony against 53 bills that posed a threat to life. Of those bills, MDRTL was successful in helping to defeat 30 problem bills.
• MDRTL also was successful in soliciting a sponsor for the introduction of two pro-life bills, the Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act and the Nondiscrimination in Health Care Coverage Act. MDRTL supported the bill process from start to finish, recruiting and coordinating panels of expert witnesses from leading organizations including the American Center for Law and Justice, Americans United for Life, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism and the Maryland Coalition of Medical Pregnancy Clinics.
For a full legislative wrap up, go here.