The MSPA Legislative Committee works year round on:
~Grass roots advocacy to promote school psychology
~Making connections with legislators across the state
~Monitoring bills that impact all aspects of education
Grassroots Advocacy Tips!
Before sitting down to talk with or write to your legislator be sure to:
Gather the facts on the issues you want the legislator to support.
It is often a game on numbers for legislators so prepare statistics and data that show how they can impact a large group within their district.
Gather information to help the legislator connect to the issue.
By putting names and stories to the data regarding your issue the legislator will be better able to make a connection the concern.
Customize your message to the legislator.
When you review your legislators biography online it gives you the opportunity to learn things about them that you can connect with on a person level or relate to yourself.
Provide the legislator with information so they value your vote.
If you tell your legislator that you affiliate with the same party (if it is true), that you are a constituent either by where you live or work, how many people in your home vote in their district, and your job title as well as work location it will give them incentive to hear your perspective.
Connecting with your Legislators!
Find out who your legislators are.
Visit MDelect.net to learn who your legislators are based on where you live and work.
View NASPs tips to communicate with legislators.
Visit NASP Advocacy to read their tips on engaging in effective communication with your legislators.
Know the legislative timeline.
September - December: get your legislators attention during the fall months when they are not in session and as they are starting to prep for the upcoming sessions. Begin to build your relationship during this time so that they know who you are.
January - March: During the session legislators are very busy and not as easy to contact so keep correspondence during this time to highlight important issues that are being discussed,
Educate your legislators on school psychology.
By sharing what the role of a school psychologist is with your legislators connections can be made on how we as a profession can support legal issues within education.
Bill Monitoring!
Below are bill that the legislative committee is engaged with for the current session. For more information about specific legislation or to share legislation you feel the committee should review please contact the committee's Chair, Audrey Potter, at legislative@mspaonline.orgTo learn more about bills go to http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/ and search for the appropriate bill number.
Submitting letters of support for:
HB 593 – Student Loan Tax
Credit
HB 910 – Students with
Reading Difficulties (support with amendments)
HB 902 – Conversion
Therapy for Minors
Submitting letters of opposition for:
HB 760 – Carrying Weapons
on School Property
Learning more information before
deciding our position:
HB 493/SB 638 – Teachers
and Teacher Preparation Programs
HB 617/SB562 – Education
Assessment, Administration by Public School Employees
HB 1601 – trauma-informed
schools initiative, program, & fund
HB 1636 – teacher salary
enhancement grant
HB 1311 – Individual
Reading improvement Plans
HB 1720 – Suspension and
Expulsion Policies
Monitoring:
HB 557 – Education Trust
Fund, Use of Fund
HB 682 – Nonprofit Youth
Development Program (and notified Baltimore City and PG County as this bill is
especially relevant to them)
HB 1489 – Shifting burden
of proof to public schools relating to FAPE
HB 1697/SB 1122 –
Commercial Gaming Revenues
HB 1698 – Life Changing
Experiences School ProgramSB 1092 – commission on
innovation and excellence in education
