Secular Coalition for Maryland

03/16/2020

I have stopped hand delivering some of our testimony to the committees once a week. We will continue to submit our supporting testimony to the bill sponsors over the internet and we will now also do the same for our opposing testimony. There is no guarantee that the bill sponsor will place our testimony on the agenda for the committee hearing, particularly when the testimony is opposed to their bill. Sometimes we have received a courtesy response that they have done so, including for HBs 256 and 590 and for SBs 135, 243, 312, and 735. Although reported cases of COVID-19 remains low, there has been insufficient testing, far less testing than in other countries, including of people whose work brings them in contact with many people, so there is uncertainty. To try to “flatten the curve” for this novel virus I think it is a good idea for those of us who can do so to opt to stay at home while the virus is spreading. Although I regret the loss of business for those who need customers (such as the barber) I am a member of the over 60 group that the C.D.C. recommends “... reduce your face to face contact with people.”

--
Mathew Goldstein
Secular Coalition for Maryland

03/03/2020

A hearing for the Maryland End of Life Option Act took place Friday, February 28. As we await a vote to be scheduled, we are once again calling on you to help us move this bill.

We need you to take action in support of the bill for the record — your story can make a difference. Can you write the committee in support of the Maryland End of Life option Act in advance of the upcoming vote?

A hearing for the Maryland End of Life Option Act took place Friday, February 28. As we await a vote to be scheduled, we are once again calling on you to help us move this bill.

03/01/2020

This week....

3/02 Mo.

SUPPORT HB1047 Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Sunday Off-Sale Permits PG 314-20 [Economic Matters]

3/03 Tu.

OPPOSE HB0937 Naturopathic Doctors - Formulary Council Membership, Formulary Content, and Scope of Practice [Health and Government Operations]

3/04 We.

SUPPORT HB0164 Harford County - Motorcycles - Sunday Sales [Economic Matters]

SUPPORT HB0600 (SB1021) Baltimore County – Motorcycles – Sunday Sales [Economic Matters]

SUPPORT SB0243 Natural Resources - Sunday Hunting - Migratory Game Birds [Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs]

SUPPORT SB0312 Talbot County - Sunday Hunting - Deer Bow Hunting Season [Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs]

SUPPORT SB0500 (HB1129) Talbot County - Turkey and Deer Hunting - Sundays [Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs]

SUPPORT SB0949 (HB1231) Family Law – Authorization for a Minor to Marry [Judicial Proceeding]

3/05 Th.

OPPOSE HB1253 Higher Education - Scholarship Program - Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award Recipients

3/06 Fr.

AMEND HB1375 Public School Students - Vision Services and the Vision for Maryland Program [Ways and Means]

As always, visit https://secular.org/state/maryland/ for ways to help!

Our mission is to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in Maryland and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.

02/17/2020

Please write!

Last year, the Maryland House passed the End of Life Option Act on March 7, 2019, and the Senate nearly passed a heavily amended version of the bill in a tie 23-23 vote on March 27, 2019. Sadly, Chevy Chase cancer patient Marcy Rubin, who testified in support of this compassionate legislation, died....

02/17/2020

The End of Life Options Act, in addition to being endorsed by the Secular Coalition for America and Maryland, is also endorsed by the Maryland Legislative Coalition, ACLU, League of Women Voters of Maryland, Suburban Maryland Psychiatric Society, United Seniors of Maryland, and Women Indivisible Strong Effective. A February 2019 Public Policy Polling survey found 66 percent of Marylanders support death with dignity as an end-of-life option. A January 2020 Gonzales Research & Media Services poll similarly found 66 percent of Maryland voters support death with dignity legislation. Nine states currently have similar end of life option laws.

The End-Of-Life Option Act provides terminally ill patients the option of ending their life early. There are multiple safeguards built into the bill to prevent patients from being coerced. The patient must request to end their life, then wait, and then request it again in writing. The patient must be certified by a separate physician that they meet the criteria and will not live past 6 months. The patient is also evaluated to ensure independent decision making capability and self-awareness of the consequences.This enables another choice for a dying person to make, it is a choice that should be theirs. There is active opposition to this bill from within some religious institutions and it failed to pass last year by a few votes.

Tell your legislator to support the End of Life Option Act, a pending Death with Dignity bill!

01/23/2020

"Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities." Thomas Jefferson, 1786

Espinoza v. Montana is the latest salvo in the right’s effort to fund white flight to parochial schools.

01/16/2020

https://www.atheists.org/2020/01/trump-admin-strips-discrimination-protections-from-federally-funded-religious-programs/

Washington, D.C.—Today, American Atheists denounced the Trump Administration’s proposal to strip discrimination protections from Americans receiving taxpayer-funded services from religious providers. Under the last administration, President Obama signed executive orders to add protections for be...

01/15/2020

ATTENTION!

The End of Life Act lobbying day is here.

We need to have over 200 Maryland volunteers to show up and represent Compassion & Choices. Please wear your yellow shirts! (If you don’t have one we will provide you with one.) Our legislators need to hear that the time is now to pass this bill. Lunch will be provided and we can provide transportation from Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

Register here and please share!

Thank you!

https://secure.everyaction.com/e3fYKbpkc0iko9KxqfkzSA2/?sourceid=1065250&emci=389602e7-2c36-ea11-a1cc-2818784d084f&emdi=310683c7-4736-ea11-a1cc-2818784d084f&ceid=1229080

01/04/2020

“We are defending religion itself, it’s under siege,” Trump said. “A society without religion cannot prosper.”

That's not how this works, sir.

It's about inclusion, not exclusion.

Which prayers were you thinking of?

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said his Democratic opponents would tear d...