Maryland: Take Action for Kids!
ACTION ALERT
Currently, juvenile courts in Maryland impose harmful fines and fees on youth involved in the juvenile justice system. When young people or their families cannot afford to pay juvenile justice costs, they face serious consequences for failure to pay. Research shows these costs increase recidivism and exacerbate racial and economic disparities.
Read an op-ed about the bill from our staff here.
Please call your MD representatives today and ask them to bring House Bill 36 to end fines, fees, and costs imposed on youth and their families to a vote. This important bill will eliminate fines and fees from Maryland’s juvenile justice system.
Click here to find your delegate or choose yours below:
- Delegate Luke Clippinger, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee (410) 841-3488; (301) 858-3488
- Delegate Vanessa E. Atterberry, Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Committee; (410) 841-3471; (301) 858-3471
- Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield, Chair of Juvenile Law Subcommittee (410) 841-3485; (301) 858-3485
When you call, ask to speak with their staffers or leave this message:
I am calling to ask Delegate ____________________ to urge the House Judiciary Committee to bring House Bill 36 to a vote. HB 36 bars juvenile courts from imposing fines, fees and costs on youth involved in Maryland’s juvenile justice system. Families are going into debt or youth are facing serious consequences for failure to pay outstanding court debt.
I am a constituent OR I am a representative of [your organization] OR I am a resident of Maryland, and I support HB 36 because [choose one or provide your own reason]:
- Many young people or their families cannot afford to pay juvenile justice costs.
- The bill will put courts more in line with the rehabilitative goals of the justice system
- Fines and fees undermine public safety
Thank you for your time!