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HOW I CAN HELP WITH REFORM OF THE MARYLAND TREATMENT LAW:
Meet with your legislators

Meeting with your legislator is the most effective way to explain the importance of reform of the Maryland treatment law. 

These visits allow you to "read" your representative’s reaction to your request of support for reform.

During the legislative session, most legislators are in their home offices on Fridays. That means this is the best day to make an appointment because you will have a chance to meet personally with your representative.

A staff member may ask you the length of time you need to discuss the issue with your representative. If this happens, request 30 minutes. Remember: we are competing for each legislator’s time so being considerate is key. In some cases, a member of your representative’s legislative staff will tell you how much time you may have. Always take what you can get, but be prepared to be succinct.

If you find yourself visiting with a legislative staff person, be as pleased as if you are meeting  with the Senator or assemblymember. The staff member will make sure your concerns are conveyed to the legislator. In many cases the staff member assigned to a particular bill will be the person determining his or her boss’ policy. Again, follow up with a letter of thanks and be sure to send a copy of the letter to the staff person. 

The following guidelines will help make your visit a productive one.

Before the meeting

Identify who your legislators are. One easy way to do this is through Congress.org. This link will take you to the page for Maryland state legislators, where you can enter your ZIP code and get the names of your legislators.

NOTE: Once you know who your legislators are, this site give you the option to write all of your legislators in a form on their web page, with one click. Letters are a big help - find out more on that here.

Learn about your legislator. This important step can help refine your message. What issues does he or she feel strongest about? To what party does he or she belong? What organizations is he or she a member of? You can find out about your representative at Project Vote Smart.

Gather materials and a plan. Pull together a packet of fact sheets or materials on treatment law reform to leave behind. You might also want to bring a few opinion pieces favoring reform. You can print appropriate pieces from the TAC web site.

If you have a personal story to share, consider bringing photographs of your loved one who was affected by not receiving timely treatment.  If you plan to visit in a team with another person(s), decide who will say what before meeting with your representative so you don't repeat each other. For example, one person could present the objective need for reform and the other their personal story.

Know the facts. Make sure you know the key facts of treatment law reform and why you want your legislator to support it.

Schedule an appointment. Call your legislator's office to schedule an appointment. Give your name and reason for visiting.

During the meeting

Introduce yourself. Give your name, address, and, if appropriate, the organization you represent or with which you are affiliated. Do not overdo your comments about the worthiness (or clout) of your organization. That is not why you are there. Even if you think it obvious, make sure to mention that he or she is your representative.

Remain focused. Although you probably gave your reason for visiting while scheduling the appointment, make sure it is clear that you are specifically interested in treatment law reform. Discuss only that issue (unless the legislator asks your opinion on something else).

Explain why you support treatment law reform. Use either objective information or personal anecdotes - or both if possible. Make sure to use fact sheets and materials about the need for rational treatment laws or share a personal story as to how the current law prevented you or someone you love from receiving timely treatment. If visiting with another person(s), remember not to repeat each other.

It is particularly helpful if you can relate how the proposed reforms would have prevented the problems you and those close to you have faced.

Allow time for questions and be prepared to respond. Never bluff. If you do not know the answer, it is fine to say so. You can then follow-up with the answer in a letter or phone call to the staff person the next day. If you don't know the answer to the question after you get home, check the FAQ document or email us and we will help you.

Ask the legislator for his or her position on reform. Although you may be hesitant to do this, it is essential to determine your representative’s position.

• Tell those in favor of reform how much you appreciate their compassionate stand.
• Opponents need to know that, although you disagree with them, you welcome their open-mindedness. Perhaps later you or others will be able to provide additional information which will help change the legislator’s mind.
• For those who won’t give their position, ask whether you can provide additional materials to help them make a decision.
• Whatever their answer, don’t burn bridges. Today’s supporter may be next week’s opponent and vice versa. When you get home, please give us your take on your legislator’s position.

Say thanks for the opportunity to visit. No matter what the outcome of the visit, leave on friendly terms. Leave behind your packet of materials and a contact phone number in case they have followup questions.

After the meeting

Write a follow-up thank you letter. Be sure to follow your visit with a thank you letter and, perhaps, additional materials on the need to provide care for those suffering from mental illness. In the letter reiterate your hope that your legislator will support this vital, life-saving legislation. Include responses to questions asked during the visit for which you did not have an answer.

Let us know what happened. It really helps the effort if you also contact us after you visit your legislator, to let us know how it went and alert us to any followup we should do. You can contact us by phone at 703 294 6004 or by email. Thank you!

Remember: You can become your representative’s informal advisor on treatment law reform. You can make a difference!

This document was compiled by the Treatment Advocacy Center, www.psychlaws.org.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
write a letter to the editor | write to your legislators
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