For the fourth year in a row, HB196 (newly sponsored by Del. Afzali) and SB72 (4th time sponsored by Sen. Astle) seek to make Selective Service language gender neutral so it may ready Maryland’s MVA to register women for military conscription. Per former Delegate Schuh, sponsor of the bill in years 1-3:
“The bill is gender neutral so that if the federal government requires registration of women, we won’t have to change Maryland law to comply.”
Years one and two, the bill did not pass out of committee in the House. However, in the Senate, it passed out of committee in the second year (Senator Astle cross filed this bill the first two years.) Year three, saw unfavorable reports in the House and Senate.
Selective Service is the system the United States government uses to draft citizens, currently men, to fight in war. This bill would change the language from “male” to no reference of gender.
Hearing in the House, 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
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