During the 444th Maryland General Assembly, the powerful pro-life voice of Maryland Right to Life together with thousands of members moved mountains! Robust campaigns that included comprehensive lobbying efforts, expert legal, medical and anecdotal witness testimony, and an incredibly engaged grassroots base, bore fruit as multiple pro-abortion bills were defeated.
THANK YOU to all of the advocates who remained vigilant as bills moved through the legislative process. You sent over 77,000 pro-life messages to legislators during this session alone. Your voice was heard by bill sponsors. Your voice was heard during committee hearings. Your voice was heard by House and Senate leadership and every single Delegate and Senator prior to floor votes.
Your voice saved lives.
HB626/SB669 Pregnant Person's Freedom Act of 2022, which would have legalized infanticide, was defeated.
Physician Assisted Suicide was drafted and sponsored by Senator Waldstreicher, but MDRTL successfully discouraged its introduction due in part to the large number of pre-emptive opposition emails sent (5,515). MDRTL has defeated PAS 6 times in 8 sessions.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), which would suppress pro-life speech, was defeated 3 times in 4 sessions.
Most importantly, HB1171 Right to Reproductive Liberty, which could have created a state constitutional right to abortion on demand, was defeated. Stated MDRTL Legislative Director Laura Bogley, "It is a testament to the tenacity of the pro-life community that we have been able to defend our state Constitution from radical attacks against the right to life in three of the past four legislative sessions. The power to protect innocent human life must always reside with the people and not be held hostage by the courts."
Unfortunately, HB937/SB890 Abortion Care Access Act was signed into law. This bill commits public funding of $3.5 million per year to train non-physician abortionists. The number of people who can provide abortion will increase the number of preborn children being killed and will put more women at risk of substandard medical care, injury and death. Elections matter and we must hold pro-abortion proponents accountable in November.
There was, in fact, so much more work being done to oppose abortion and abortion funding as well as efforts to support pro-life legislation:
MDRTL NUMBER OF BILLS ANALYZED 2022: 2,500
MDRTL OPPOSITION SUCCESS RATE 2022: 81%
Number of bills opposed: 31
Number of bills failed: 25
MDRTL AMENDMENT SUCCESS RATE 2022: 66%
Number of bills to amend or oppose: 59
Number of bills failed: 39
Please stay tuned for a comprehensive legislative wrap-up for Session 2022.
May God bless you all for being a voice for the voiceless. We are encouraged by your advocacy to continue the fight. Maryland is PRO-LIFE!
