ADVOCACY

Advocacy Makes a Difference
Advocacy Makes a Difference! NAMI Maryland is a strong voice on mental illness, carrying out ongoing advocacy for a public policy agenda to improve mental health services throughout the state, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and support effective treatment and recovery programs.
2023 End of Session Report
Over 2,000 bills were introduced over the course of the 90-day legislative session - a busy year for a legislature with over 50 new members and a brand-new gubernatorial administration. NAMI Maryland and our 11 local affiliates prioritized eight bills, though we offered our support on more than 20 and tracked 90. Click the below links to learn more about the successes of this year's legisiative session and to learn more about what still needs to be done to achieve mental health for all.
- 2023 NAMI Maryland End of Legislative Session Report (Recording)
- 2023 NAMI Maryland End of Session Report
- 2023 NAMI Maryland Bill Tracking List
Action Center
During the 2023 Legislative Session, NAMI Maryland launched our brand new "Take Action" center so our stakeholders could share their opinion on important mental health legislation with their legislators. Please keep an eye out for future alerts!
2023 Legislative Session Alerts:
HB823 - Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs in MD
HB121/SB8 - Mental Health Treatment Plans
HB785 - Step Therapy Revisions
HB82/SB201 - School Based Medicaid
2023 NAMI Maryland Public Policy Priorities:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Maryland and our 11 local affiliates represent a statewide network of more than 58,000 families, individuals, community-based organizations and service providers. NAMI is dedicated to providing education, support, and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families, and the wider community. Click here for the public policy priorities for NAMI Maryland for 2023.
2023 NAMI Maryland Public Policy Platform:
The Public Policy Platform and resolutions published by NAMI Maryland and formally approved by the NAMI Maryland Board of Directors, provide direction and guidance to the NAMI affiliates and stakeholders on a wide range of policy issues. This is a living document, reflective of specific policy and advocacy issues in Maryland and complimentary to the national Public Policy Platform available below. Read our full Public Policy Platform here.
2023 Legislative Session Trainings:
2023 Policy Highlights:
- 2/17/23: The President of NAMI Maryland's Board of Directors, Denise Evans, was highlighted at the Senate Press Conference held on 2/17/23! Denise shared information about the heart and how important mental health is for Marylanders and hte critical work our advocates do in the community. Watch the Recording
NAMI National's Policy Platform and Priorities:
The Public Policy Platform articulates where NAMI stands on issues related to its goal of helping individuals and families affected by mental illness build better lives.