The crisp, sunny Thursday morning marked the second day of the 2024 Legislative Session. The air was buzzing with excitement as legislators briskly walked across Lawyer’s Mall to the State House for the morning Sessions in the House and Senate Chambers. Amidst the bustle, advocates from Arc chapters throughout the State rallied together on the Mall to prepare for a day of advocacy and education.
Every January, The Arc Chapters across Maryland assemble in Annapolis on the second day of the Legislative Session to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Arc Maryland has branded the day Calendar Day. Each chapter visits the legislators that represent their region, distributing calendars that contain stories of the impact of The Arc throughout the State by highlighting people with IDD and their families. Additionally, the calendar includes holidays, special chapter events, legislative events, and – a staff favorite – legislators’ birthdays.
Calendar Day is a tradition that captures the essence of The Arc. Since its founding, The Arc has been a grassroots organization with its core mission to advocate for better lives for people with IDD. Calendar Day is a chance for The Arc community to advocate for political and social change.
On Thursday, 15 members of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region gathered to distribute calendars to The Arc’s legislative representatives from Anne Arundel, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico counties.
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region’s calendar story highlighted our groundbreaking work in Behavioral Health, as well as the naming of Clara Baker to Governor Wes Moore’s Maryland Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access. You can read more about Clara here.
The Maryland General Assembly is the elected legislative body that represents the people of Maryland. The State has 47 legislative districts represented by 47 Senators and 141 Delegates. The General Assembly meets at the same time every year for 90 calendar days beginning the second Wednesday in January to act on more than 2500 pieces of legislation and the State’s annual capital and operating budgets. The role of The General Assembly includes passing laws that benefit Marylanders and proposing amendments to Maryland’s constitution.
You can find The Arc’s 2024 public policy priorities here as we continue the legacy of advocating for people with IDD.
If you have any questions about the legislative session or The Arc’s public policy priorities, please do not hesitate to reach out to Greg Snyder, Vice President of Engagement, at gsnyder@thearcccr.org.