Legislative Updates

January 2021

Our 46th president of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., and our 49th vice president, Kamala Harris, were both sworn in and began their terms of office on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

To get the latest from the White House and learn more about the 17 Executive Orders, memorandums and proclamations signed hours after the inauguration:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/

Our 117th Congress was sworn in on Sunday, January 3, 2021.

• To connect to the House of Representatives, Leadership, Committees, Activities and more:  https://www.house.gov/.
• To connect to the Senate for Leadership, Committees, Legislation and more:  https://www.senate.gov/

The 442nd session of the Maryland General Assembly convened in Annapolis on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. To connect to the Senate President and House Speaker, further explore House & Senate Standing Committees, Joint Standing Committees and MD Manual On-Line, click on:  https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/ga.html.

Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA)’s national and state legislative direction (or its particular cause or policy) has been and will continue to be linked to its affiliations. MCDA is one of 38 chartered state divisions within the National Career Development Association (NCDA). NCDA, in turn, is one of nineteen chartered divisional branches of the American Counseling Association (ACA). MCDA is also one of 7 organizational divisions of the Maryland Counseling Association (MCA), which in turn is one of 56 chartered branches of (ACA). As a MCDA member, you also may enjoy membership in all three affiliate groups NCDA, ACA and MCA, in only one more or in just two of the three. However, your membership $dollars$ in MCDA links you to the advocacy efforts of all three groups.

Current NCDA Federal Legislation and Policy Issues

     https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/govtrelations

Three key federal issues that will impact career counselors:

1. Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
   Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization
2. Workforce Investment Act
   Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization
3. Appropriations for the Departments of Labor and Education
   Appropriations

Each issue includes policy provisions, program developments or spending cuts that will directly affect career counselors across the country.

Also see pdf handouts:

• January 2021 Advocacy Update
  
• Capital Siege Response
• Stimulus Analysis
• Post-Election Outlook
• The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman

Current ACA Federal Issues

     https://www.counseling.org/government-affairs/federal-issues

1. ACA'S RESPONSE TO THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT'S MOA WITH ICE
2. MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT
3. FUNDING FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING
4. OPIOID ADDICTION
5. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND COUNSELORS
6. FEDERAL GRANTS FOR COUNSELING

Also see pdf handout:

• ACA showcasing NCDA Advocacy during November Career Development Month.

Current MCA State & Federal Issues

MLK 1/18/21 Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) President Video announcement of encouragement for MCA members, mental health workers, and all Marylanders as response to Capital Riot on 1/6/21 and in preparation for Presidential Inauguration 1/20/21: https://youtu.be/qZnYO1Y6QbA

   (from Compass Points, Fall 2020 issue)

• Letter from the President
  Carol ZA McGinnis PhD, SIP, BC-TMH, NCC, LCPC

“We are passionate about advocacy that will empower the voiceless and the oppressed in our world and want to be a part of positive change to the poor, the disenfranchised, and the mentally ill.”

“Please know that MCA cares about you and your family at this difficult time and welcomes ideas for advocacy that comes with this investment in our political system.”

• Committee and Division News
  Advocacy Committee https://www.mdcounseling.org/Advocacy

Currently, the Advocacy Committee is following and preparing information for MCA members on numerous bills being proposed and worked on in the US Congress. The MCA website will be updated to provide summaries and possible action steps. A brief overview of the bills we are posting are concerning:

1. Funding for safety and health risk programs for COVID-19
2. Mental health services for children separated from parents at the border
3. Mental health screening for children entering foster care
4. Trauma support and mental health services for children and youth in educational settings
5. Department of Veterans Affairs fulfilling shortages with licensed mental health professionals
6. Research on mental health disparities of minorities

Also see pdf handout:

• October 2020 Position Statement to Governor Hogan regarding Evictions 

To become legislatively active with either the national or state levels
or with both levels
or if you have any questions,
please contact
MCDA’s Legislative Chair at:
MCDA.Legislative@MDCareers.org.