Log in and click “Witness Signup” from the left menu.
Locate your bill → select “Favorable” → select “Written” → upload your file.
⚠️ Make sure you click the final submit button or your testimony won’t go through.
🗣 Oral Testimony (In-Person or Virtual)
Committees operate a hybrid system—you may testify in person or via Zoom.
Witness signup is available from 8 AM to 6 PM, 2–3 business days before the hearing:
Friday sign-up for Monday hearings
Monday sign-up for Tuesday, etc.
Zoom links are emailed one day in advance.
📝 Tips for Effective Testimony
Open with your name, profession, and where you live/work.
Keep it to 2 minutes max for oral, 1 page max for written.
End with a clear ask: “I urge you to vote YES on HB____.”
Best Practices for Legislative Meetings:
Schedule meetings early in the legislative session
Bring data (e.g., Maryland nursing workforce shortages, patient safety statistics).
Tell your story – Personal experiences make advocacy more impactful.
Follow up with an email thanking the legislator for their time.
Prepare a 2-minute statement focusing on personal experiences, statistics, and policy solutions.
Practice delivering testimony concisely with a clear call to action.
Example Testimony Outline:
Introduce yourself (“My name is [Your Name], and I am a nurse from [District]”).
State the problem (“Maryland is experiencing a severe nursing shortage that impacts patient safety”).
Provide data (“Hospitals report 25% RN vacancy rates, creating unsafe staffing conditions”).
Offer a solution (“I urge you to support [Bill Number] to invest in nursing education and retention programs”).
Testimony Template: Chair [Name], Vice Chair [Name], and Members of the Committee, My name is [Full Name], and I have practiced as a nurse in Maryland for [X years]. I strongly support HB/SB [Bill #], which enhances nurse retention and supports clinical training programs. Staffing shortages put patients and nurses at risk. I urge you to support this critical legislation. Thank you for your time and consideration.