Legislation

An educated constituency is the key to changing the law!

Thank you for choosing MDRTL as your source for legislative information about life issues in Maryland. Our goal is to provide you with timely, accurate information. This page will be updated as the session progresses and as the status of bills change.

MDRTL is the only single-issue pro-life lobbying organization in Maryland. We employ a full-time Legislative Director to monitor, take action upon, and lobby on behalf of those whose lives are threatened and cannot defend themselves.

If you have questions and comments, contact us at legislation@mdrtl.org.

MDRTL lobbied on the following bills, which may impact the right to life in Maryland. This page will be updated as analyses on newly introduced bills are completed, so please check back regularly to get the latest information.

For a summary of seminal pro-life votes in prior General Assembly sessions, please refer to the right under "Roll Call Votes".

2018 Maryland General Assembly Session.

Key MDRTL measures and dangerous threats to the pro-life movement. Below are CURRENT pieces of legislation MDRTL is working on in this year's General Assembly Session.

Bill Number	Title; lead sponsor(s)	MDRTL position	Current Status
HB787/SB629	Correctional Facilities-Pregnant Inmates-Medical Care Del. Dumas Sen. Kelley	OPPOSE: Unless proposed bills are amended to remove access to abortion care, including: 1. Information about abortion providers; and 2. Transportation	The committee hearing for HB787 will be held on 2/15/18 at 1pm and the committee hearing for SB629 will be held on 3/7/18 at 1pm.
SB449	Public Health-Abortions-Viability Sen. Waugh	SUPPORT: Defines the term "viable" to begin at 24 weeks gestation, when, there is a reasonable likelihood of the fetus's sustained survival outside the womb; and generally relating to the viability of a fetus and abortion.	The committee hearing for SB449 will be held on 3/14/18 at 1pm.
HB1424	Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Del. Ciliberti	SUPPORT: Protects unborn children at 20 weeks post-fertilization and after due to substantial evidence indicating they feel pain.	The committee hearing for HB1424 was held on 3/9/18 and is waiting for a vote by the House Health and Government Operations Committee. (Email them directly here) or SEND AN URGENT ACTION ALERT REQUESTING A FAVORABLE REPORT.
HB1355/SB1067	Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act of 2018 Del. Wivell Sen. Ready	SUPPORT: Prohibits abortions by "dismemberment" which causes the death of an unborn child in a cruel, brutal, and unnecessary manner.	The committee hearing for HB1355 was held on 3/9/18 and is waiting for a vote by the House Health and Government Operations Committee. (Email them directly here) or SEND AN URGENT ACTION ALERT REQUESTING A FAVORABLE REPORT. SB1067 is in the Senate, First Reading Senate Rules. No committee hearing date set.
HB1335	Public Health - Abortions Sought by Minors - Parental Consent Del. Parrot	SUPPORT: this bill brings to light how extreme abortion policy is in MD and would be a step in protecting our minor daughters and sons.	The committee hearing for HB1335 was held on 3/9/18 and is waiting for a vote by the House Health and Government Operations Committee. (Email them directly here) or SEND AN URGENT ACTION ALERT REQUESTING A FAVORABLE REPORT.
HB1/SB2	Family Law-Child Conceived Without Consent-Termination of Parental Rights (Rape Survivor Family Protection Act) Del. Dumais Sen. Feldman	SUPPORT: Removes paternity rights from fathers whose child was conceived due to their act of rape.	HB1 and SB2 were signed into law on February 13, 2018 by Governor Larry Hogan.