{"id":2229,"date":"2016-02-19T10:46:32","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T15:46:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mdstudentcouncils.org\/?page_id=2229"},"modified":"2026-06-07T16:00:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T20:00:04","slug":"advocacy-and-engagement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/advocacy-and-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocacy &#038; Engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>MASC Advocacy &amp; Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Bills that MASC supported:\u00a0 Education Bill Signing May 26, 2026<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/Legislation\/Details\/sb0204\/?ys=2026rs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SB204<\/a> &#8211; <span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Establishes a Civic Excellence Program to recognize youth civic leaders<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/Legislation\/Details\/sb0720\/?ys=2026rs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SB720<\/a> &#8211; <span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Requires the creation of guidance on AI use for K-12 education in Maryland<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/Legislation\/Details\/hb0326\/?ys=2026rs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HB326<\/a> &#8211; <span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Ensures forms students use to report school safety concerns are anonymous<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/Legislation\/Details\/HB0396\/?ys=2026rs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HB396<\/a> &#8211; <span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Ensures residential childcare operators are trained on educational support<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/Legislation\/Details\/hb0525\/?ys=2026rs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HB525<\/a> &#8211; <span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Prohibits use of personal electronic devices during school, starting in the 2026-27 school year<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/Legislation\/Details\/hb0575\/?ys=2026rs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HB575<\/a> &#8211; <span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"><span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"><span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">Provides excused absences for students engaging in civic activities<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<hr \/>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-15331 alignleft\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"106\" height=\"106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-146x146.png 146w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-55x55.png 55w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-368x368.png 368w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy-90x90.png 90w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/advocacy.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 106px) 100vw, 106px\" \/><\/a>Advocacy is the effort to foster change through persuasion, education, and organized action. This can happen at any time in various levels of government and organizations, starting in your own school. Youth need to be involved in and actively advocate on issues that affect them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>MASC Advocacy Week: March 1-5, 2027<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-15298 alignright\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house-300x279.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house-300x279.jpg 300w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house-157x146.jpg 157w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house-50x46.jpg 50w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house-54x50.jpg 54w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house-97x90.jpg 97w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/state-house.jpg 321w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During Advocacy Week, MASC encourages all regions and student leaders to travel to Annapolis to meet with legislators and advocate on youth-related bills in the Maryland General Assembly. Students are able to offer their perspective to legislators, testify in committee hearings, attend general assembly sessions, and sightsee in our state\u2019s capital.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although MASC has designated the first week of March as Advocacy Week, regions can plan additional advocacy days throughout the 90-day session to further their advocacy or better meet scheduling needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>See the bottom of the page for additional suggestions for a visit to Annapolis.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Resources &amp; Advocacy Handbook<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MASC has created an<\/span><\/strong> <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MASC-Advocacy-Handbook.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Advocacy Handbook<\/strong> <\/a><strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to help guide your advocacy from the school to the national level, complete with advice from seasoned student advocates. We highly recommend using this as a starter guide for advocating by yourself or with an organization.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Other resources include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maryland General Assembly Website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Contains legislation, biographies of members, floor actions, and so much more. \u2022<br \/>\n<\/span>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/Information\/VideoTutorials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MGA Video Tutorials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Short video tutorials to help you navigate the MGA website<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/members\/district\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find My Representatives<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Determine who your congressional and legislative representatives are.<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/MyMGATracking\/ManageLists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MyMGA Bill Tracking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Receive email updates on the status of specific bills.<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/MyMGATracking\/WitnessSignup\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MyMGA Witness Signup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Sign up to testify on bills in-person, virtually, or via written testimony.<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/elections.maryland.gov\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maryland State Board of Elections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; View candidates for office, voter registration information, and stay updated on elections in Maryland.<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dls.maryland.gov\/pubs\/prod\/NoPblTabLibResDocs\/Legislative-Process.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Legislative Process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; An in-depth explanation of how bills become law in Maryland.<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/pubs-current\/current-legislative-lingo.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislative Lingo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Key terms used when discussing legislation and the legislative process.<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/pubs-current\/current-motions.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Floor Motions and Legislative Actions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Explanations of the various motions and actions that take place during floor sessions.<br \/>\n\u2022 <\/span><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdvocacyTips.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MASC Advocacy Tips<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Tips on refining your advocacy and picking a mission.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any suggestions for resources to include on this page, please email <\/span><a href=\"mailto:Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with more information!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Additional Resources<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2022 <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MD-Kids-Code.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MD Kids Code<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/mgawebsite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maryland General Assembly<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/elections.maryland.gov\/voter_registration\/application.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maryland Voter Registration<\/a>\u2022<br \/>\n\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/whenweallvote.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">When We All Vote<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_449890977\"><span class=\"aQJ\"><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7148 alignleft\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"272\" height=\"102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis.jpg 437w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis-300x113.jpg 300w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis-260x98.jpg 260w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis-50x19.jpg 50w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis-82x31.jpg 82w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis-117x44.jpg 117w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Annapolis-190x71.jpg 190w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span>Visiting Annapolis and Legislators:<\/strong>\u00a0 Regions should contact their legislators to plan meeting times or informal &#8220;drop-in&#8221; visits. \u00a0In addition, if delegates wish to attend part of a general assembly, they need to reserve space in the House or Senate balcony. \u00a0Legislators reserve the seats and will &#8220;announce&#8221; you at the beginning of the session (see <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Information from the Legislative Services<\/span> website below).<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_449890977\"><span class=\"aQJ\">\u00a0Legislative Services can also set up tours of the State House, Senate &amp; Lowe House Buildings as well as the Legislative Services buildings (<a href=\"http:\/\/dls.maryland.gov\/library\/educational-tours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/dls.maryland.gov\/library\/educational-tours<\/a>).\u00a0 There are also tours you can take of the greater Annapolis area via Trolley Car\u00a0 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.townetransport.com\/tour-schedule\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.townetransport.com\/tour-schedule<\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_449890977\"><span class=\"aQJ\"><strong>Directions and Parking:<\/strong> \u00a0The easiest and least expensive parking is at the Naval Academy Stadium. \u00a0The Annapolis <a href=\"https:\/\/www.annapolis.gov\/365\/State-Shuttle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shuttle\/trolley<\/a> is an inexpensive one-way ticket. \u00a0(<a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Directions.ParkingAnnapolis.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Directions.ParkingAnnapolis<\/a>)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Information from the Legislative Services website<\/span><\/strong>: The chambers of the Senate and the House of Delegates are located on the first floor of the State House in the section that was completed in 1905. Each chamber\u2019s gallery, located on the second floor, is open to the public, but seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-15300 alignright\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1-204x146.jpg 204w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1-50x36.jpg 50w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1-70x50.jpg 70w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1-126x90.jpg 126w, https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/State-house-1.jpg 449w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Floor sessions usually begin at 8:00 p.m. on Monday evenings and at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Friday floor sessions usually start at 11:00 a.m. However, visitors should be aware that actual floor session start times may vary and that floor sessions increase in number and duration as the General Assembly moves toward the end of its 90-day deliberations. Visitors may check the Senate and House Proceedings on the Maryland General Assembly website for the time of the next floor session by scrolling to the end of the selected day\u2019s action or by calling Library and Information Services. \u00a0On the <i><a href=\"http:\/\/mgaleg.maryland.gov\/webmga\/frmLegislation.aspx?pid=legisnpage&amp;tab=subject3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Legislation by Session<\/a><\/i> page, go to the <i>Legislation List<\/i> to choose <i>Proceedings &#8211; Senate or House.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MASC Advocacy &amp; Engagement Bills that MASC supported:\u00a0 Education Bill Signing May 26, 2026 SB204 &#8211; Establishes a Civic Excellence Program to recognize youth civic leaders SB720 &#8211; Requires the creation of guidance on AI use for K-12 education in Maryland HB326 &#8211; Ensures forms students use to report school safety concerns are anonymous HB396 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2229","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2229"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15475,"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2229\/revisions\/15475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/masc-temp.on-forge.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}