Action Alert: Please Ask the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Members to OPPOSE SB298, Which Seeks to Criminalize Speech and Violate Citizens’ First Amendment Rights
TEXT OF SB298 -Criminal Law – Threat Against Public Health Official or Hospital Staff Member
Prohibiting a person from making or sending a threat to a public health official or hospital staff member with the intent to intimidate, interfere with, or impede a public health official or hospital staff member from performing official duties; and providing that a person who violated the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to imprisonment of up to 90 days and a fine of up to $500, or both.
why icm OPPOSES SB298
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Citizens are already prohibited by law from harassing or threatening all other citizens; there is no need or justification to create a special protected class of healthcare workers and public health officials
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This legislation seeks to afford special protection to healthcare workers without defining what language would constitute "threats" not already prohibited by law
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This legislation could potentially criminalize citizens' fundamental right to advocate for themselves and their loved ones in healthcare settings, as well as their fundamental right to select which treatments and interventions they accept and refuse
- This legislation could potentially criminalize citizens' fundamental right to legitimately and respectfully criticize public health policy, thus suppressing citizens' rights to free speech and civic participation in shaping public policy
Who to contact about SB298
There will be a hearing for SB298 before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Tuesday, 2/8/22 at 1:00 PM.
URGENT: We’re asking all members to contact bill sponsors Senator Young, Senator Benson, Senator Feldman, and Senator Lam, and call and email the members of Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, to let them know, in your own words, why you oppose SB298!
Please contact the following bill sponsors, Senator Young, Senator Benson, Senator Feldman, and Senator Lam to express your opposition.
Senator Ronald N. Young
Phone 410-841-3575 | 301-858-3575 Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3575
e-mail: ronald.young@senate.state.md.us
If you’re a constituent of his – in District 3 – let him know!
Senator Joanne C. Benson
Phone 410-841-3148 | 301-858-3148 Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3148
e-mail: joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us
If you’re a constituent of hers – in District 24 – let her know!
Senator Brian J. Feldman
Phone 410-841-3169 | 301-858-3169 Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3169
e-mail: brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us
If you’re a constituent of his – in District 15 – let him know!
Senator Clarence K. Lam
Phone 410-841-3653 | 301-858-3653 Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3653
e-mail: clarence.lam@senate.state.md.us
If you’re a constituent of his – in District 12 – let him know!
Please copy and paste the following email addresses of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee members into the BCC section of your email in opposition to SB298:
will.smith@senate.state.md.us, jeff.waldstreicher@senate.state.md.us, jack.bailey@senate.state.md.us, jill.carter@senate.state.md.us, Bob.Cassilly@senate.state.md.us, shelly.hettleman@senate.state.md.us, michael.hough@senate.state.md.us, susan.lee@senate.state.md.us, charles.sydnor@senate.state.md.us, ron.watson@senate.state.md.us, chris.west@senate.state.md.us
Please call the offices of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee members in opposition to SB298:
Phone 410-841-3634 | 301-858-3634
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3634
Phone 410-841-3137 | 301-858-3137
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3137
Phone 410-841-3673 | 301-858-3673
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3673
Phone 410-841-3697 | 301-858-3697
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3697
Phone 410-841-3158 | 301-858-3158
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3158
Phone 410-841-3131 | 301-858-3131
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3131
Phone 410-841-3704 | 301-858-3704
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3704
Phone 410-841-3124 | 301-858-3124
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3124
Phone 410-841-3612 | 301-858-3612
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3612
Phone 410-841-3631 | 301-858-3631
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3631
Phone 410-841-3648 | 301-858-3648
Toll-free in MD 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3648
Please note: Rules for submitting written and oral testimony have changed this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, and can be viewed here. We’re asking members for phone calls, emails, and written testimony only at this time.
Please spread the word! Let’s flood the offices of SB298 bill sponsors and the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee members with polite, respectful, forceful emails and phone calls. They need to hear our voices!
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