02/24/2020
Thank you to Fashion Rocks Autism models Delegate Michele Guyton and FOX Morning News Anchor Patrice Sanders for this important information.
Two more days until the press conference and hearing on Maryland's autism bill!
If you live in Maryland, here is what you can do to support this much-needed bill.
Most importantly: Come to the press conference at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, room 406, Lowe House Office Building. The hearing for the bill (and other committee bills) is at 1 p.m. the same day.
If you can't come, of course you can still support.
a) Call the following people, and tell them something like,
"I'm calling to ask for your support of HB 847: State Autism Coordinator and Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism Needs.
We need a cost-effective, accountable, and effective state response to Maryland's growing autism crisis. Autism affects 1 in 50 Maryland children and we need a point person on autism to elevate the problem where it should be.
We need an annual strategy with measurable goals, objectives and outcomes so we know what the money spent has accomplished.
We need an Advisory Stakeholder Group so that those affected by autism can give practicality to the policies and programs run by the state. It's vital to ensure that the money being spent is improving the lives of the end users--families facing autism.
Also, this bill will help people with other disabilities, too, since most people with autism have at least one co-occurring disability with autism, and many have at least four."
Finally, tell as much of your story, personalize, personalize, personalize, as possible.
Here are the people to call:
Speaker Adrienne Jones: (410) 841-3800
Delegate and Committee Chair Shane Pendergrass: (410) 841-3770
Delegate and Committee Vice Chair Joseline Pena-Melnyk: (410) 841-3502
b) Call your Delegate and use the same or similar talking points above. Let them know the hearing is Wednesday and you hope they will call the members of the House Health and Government Operations Committee to ask for their support. If they are on the committee, ask for their support!
Here is where you can find your delegate and members of the committee:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details…
c) Write a letter/testimony and send it to Delegate Guyton's office by Wednesday morning. Delegate Guyton's office number is: (410) 841-3793
https://foxbaltimore.com/morning/vote-2020-delegate-michele-guyton?fbclid=IwAR1O7IqlMYhZMffflBLBTYW_q_A9_OLr5T4SilqEMJyM47OqE_DfHy_EXQI
