Contact Judiciary members to urge passage of the "pending placement" bill (HB 530):

Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3488) e-mail: joseph_vallario@house.state.md.us
Anthony G. Brown (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3707) e-mail: anthony_brown@house.state.md.us
Carmen Amedori (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3371) e-mail: carmen_amedori@house.state.md.us
Curtis S. (Curt) Anderson (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3291) e-mail: curt_anderson@house.state.md.us
Jill P. Carter (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3283) e-mail: jill_carter@house.state.md.us
Kathleen M. Dumais (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3052) e-mail: kathleen_dumais@house.state.md.us
Donald H. Dwyer, Jr. (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3217) e-mail: don_dwyer@house.state.md.us
Ana Sol Gutierrez (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3028) e-mail: ana_gutierrez@house.state.md.us
W. Louis Hennessy (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3247) e-mail: louis_hennessy@house.state.md.us
Darryl A. Kelley (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3012) e-mail: darryl_kelley@house.state.md.us
Kevin Kelly (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3404)
Susan C. Lee (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3019) e-mail: susan_lee@house.state.md.us
Susan K. McComas (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3289) e-mail: susan_mccomas@house.state.md.us
Herbert H. McMillan (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3439) e-mail: herb_mcmillan@house.state.md.us
Pauline H. Menes (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3114) e-mail: pauline_menes@house.state.md.us
Anthony J. O'Donnell (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3314) e-mail: anthony_odonnell@house.state.md.us
Carol S. Petzold (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3001) e-mail: carol_stoker_petzold@house.state.md.us
Neil F. Quinter (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3246) e-mail: neil_quinter@house.state.md.us
Christopher B. Shank (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3447)
Luiz R. S. Simmons (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3037) e-mail: luiz_simmons@house.state.md.us
Theodore J. Sophocleus (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3233) e-mail: ted_sophocleus@house.state.md.us
Robert A. Zirkin (1-800-492-7122, ext. 3342) e-mail: bobby_zirkin@house.state.md.us

Sample Script:

• The bill would reduce the amount of time children wait in detention facilities. At least one-third of kids in Maryland's detention centers are "waiting placement", that is, at risk of abuse and neglect in dangerous places like Cheltenham for as long as a year! This bill would limit their stay to 15 days.
• Children would not have to wait weeks, months, even a year in some cases, in overcrowded and unsafe detention facilities where children's safety and health are at risk.
• Children need mental health treatment, substance abuse and alcohol counseling and services, not incarceration in dangerous places like Cheltenham.
• Children of color are disproportionately represented in Maryland's detention facilities -- African-American children in Baltimore make up 94% of the children in detention facilities -- and are treated more harshly than white youth. This bill would ensure that youth of color get the treatment they need instead of incarceration.
• There is no excuse for warehousing youth in detention facilities for long periods of time. If kids need mental health, substance abuse or alcohol treatment, counseling and services, they should get it - right away!

Please support the "pending placement" bill to end long waits in juvenile detention facilities for kids to get treatment. Here's my name and address, and I would like a written response to my call on how you intend to vote on this legislation. Thank you for your time and consideration

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Chairman Vallario:

I am writing to urge you to support "pending placement" legislation (HB 530) to eliminate long waits in detention facilities for kids to get treatment. I support this legislation because:

• The bill would significantly reduce the amount of time children wait in detention facilities to get treatment. At least one-third of kids in Maryland's detention centers are "waiting placement", that is, at risk of abuse and neglect in dangerous places like Cheltenham for as long as a year! This bill would limit their stay to 15 days;
• Children would not have to wait weeks, months, even a year in some cases, in overcrowded and unsafe detention facilities where children's safety and health are at risk;
• Children need mental health treatment, substance abuse and alcohol counseling and services, not incarceration in dangerous places like Cheltenham;
• Children of color are disproportionately represented in Maryland's detention facilities -- African-American children in Baltimore make up 94% of the children in detention facilities -- and are treated more harshly than white youth. This bill would ensure that youth of color get the treatment they need instead of incarceration;
• There is no excuse for warehousing youth in detention facilities for long periods of time. If kids need mental health, substance abuse or alcohol treatment, counseling and services, they should get it - right away!

I urge your serious consideration of my concerns and would appreciate a written response on your position on this legislation. Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,