Advocacy Resources

Shaping Our Future: L.E.G. Member Handbook

How a Bill Becomes a Law in Maryland

Find Information on a Specific Bill

For Maryland issues see: http://mlis.state.md.us and go to "Bill Information and Status"

For Federal issues see: http://thomas.loc.gov or email to thomas@loc.gov or call for bill status: 202.225.1772

Opportunities for Advocacy in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

The Catholic Charities Legislative Education Group (L.E.G.) Advocacy Network focuses on issues that affect people who are vulnerable, fragile children and families, those who are aging and those living with disabilities — issues faced each day by the people Catholic Charities serves. L.E.G. also offers general training for advocacy as well as links to other organizations that address these and other social justice issues from a Catholic perspective.

Beyond the Boundaries is an Archdiocesan program created to address the systemic curses of racism and poverty still so prevalent in our society which interact to produce racially and economically segregated communities. Beyond the Bondaries works to facilitate the creation of inclusive communities where people of all races and economic levels live and work together. The program works at the parish level to educate, inform and to motivate parishioners to serve their communities as advocates. Beyond the Boundaries also collaborates with ecumenical groups, civic organizations, etc. who are working on shared interests at local levels to advocate for change to confront inequities.

The Maryland Catholic Conference is the public-policy arm of the Catholic bishops who serve Maryland in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Diocese of Wilmington. Headquartered in Annapolis, it represents Church interests before the Maryland General Assembly, State, and Federal government agencies, and in dealings with Maryland members of the U.S. Congress.