June 30, 2019 - "MCC Legislative Priorities Signed into Law"

When I was reading through the news on the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) website, I was pleased to see that several MCC legislative priorities were signed into law by Governor Hogan.  Let me summarize what these priorities were.
 
Human Trafficking.  During the recently completed legislative session, MCC partnered with the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force to advocate for several measures to improve on how Maryland addresses human trafficking occurring within our state.  Anne Zmuda Wallerstedt, associate director of MCC commented that:  “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and we need to ensure that those who are trafficked can access and receive the rehabilitative and legal services required to transition them from being a victim to being a survivor.” 
 
Measures that were signed into law by Governor Hogan include a bill that defines law trafficking as a criminal offense, legislation that reorganizes the human trafficking statue and makes felony human trafficking a crime of violence, and a measure that creates a network of service providers to address the unique needs of child victims of sex trafficking.
 
Laura and Reid’s Law.  On May 14, 2019, Governor Hogan signed into law Laura and Reid’s Law.  Beginning this year pregnant women will be further protected against violent attacks from their partners, who will face additional penalties.  The leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in Maryland is homicide.  In addition, an average of 7.2% of mothers in Maryland are physically abused during their pregnancy by a current or former partner.  The legislation was named for Laura Wallen and her unborn son, Reid, who were alleged to have been murdered by Laura’s fiancé in Montgomery County in 2017.  The Maryland Catholic Conference worked with the Wallen family and sponsoring legislators to pass the legislation, in order to address the issue of domestic violence against pregnant women and their unborn children.  The new law will afford judicial discretion to add enhanced felony penalties to the sentence of someone found guilty of committing a crime of violence against a pregnant woman.
 
U-Visa Legislation.  During this session, MCC also helped streamline the state’s role in the federal U-Visa Process.  This will help to solve violent crimes and build trust between law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities.  Governor Hogan signed this piece of legislation into law on May 13, 2019.  Anne Zmuda Wallerstedt, associate director of MCC, said “Protecting immigrant communities is a priority of the Social and Economic Justice department in light of fluctuating policies nationally, specifically those aimed at separating families and other unjust means of limiting a person’s right to migrate to better themselves and their families.”  Ms Zmuda Wallerstedt continued, “We are working to ensure that Maryland continues to be a place welcoming to those who may be strangers, as encouraged by the Old and New Testaments.”
 
Finally, let me remind you that our parish staff recently created a new Legislative Affairs Flocknote Group, through which we would like to communicate about federal, state, and county legislation and policies that relate to our Catholic beliefs, especially as they pertain to social justice issues.  If you are interested in joining this new Flocknote group, please let me know that.  I will be glad to add you as a member.
Until next week,
Fr. John