Dear Supporters, After passing in high favor in the House and Senate in early 2017, then being vetoed by Governor Hogan (R) in Summer 2017, allies, supporters, and front-line folks spent the past 6 months rallying to build awareness about this issue. By signing, sharing, and supporting this petition, YOU have been a significant part of that process! We want to give a big thanks to Job Opportunities Task Force and Out 4 Justice who were leading the efforts in Annapolis. On January 12, 2018, Maryland Banned the Box on College Applications, making it the 2nd state (after Louisiana) in the nation to do so. The Senate voted 32-15 and the House voted 90-15 to enact the measure. The law goes into effect in February 2018. Several other states are considering similar laws. We are in contact with those states and will keep you updated. From Prison Cells to PhD will be working with other organizations to be sure that universities and colleges in Maryland are practicing the measures of this law and that those who could benefit are made aware. Visit our website for updates http://fromprisoncellstophd.org/ban-the-box. Votes: Senate http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2018RS/votes/Senate/0018.pdf House http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2018RS/votes/House/0008.pdf Reports on MD Ban the Box on College Applications (reverse-chronological order): 1. Baltimore Sun. MD overrides the veto. 1/12/2018: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-college-admissions-20180112-story.html 2. University of Maryland Student Newspaper. MD overrides the veto. 1/12/2018. http://www.dbknews.com/2018/01/12/ban-the-box-maryland-college-applications-criminal-record-hogan-veto-override/ 3. Hopkins Student Newspaper. Rally on Hopkins campus. 10/12/17 http://www.jhunewsletter.com/2017/10/12/rally-demands-equal-access-to-college-for-ex-convicts/ 4. Baltimore Sun. Gov. Hogan vetoes bill. 5/26/2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/hogan-vetoes-bill-to-ban-the-box-on-college-applications/2017/05/26/743a525c-4231-11e7-adba-394ee67a7582_story.html?utm_term=.1cdb84dd8085 5. Baltimore Sun. Bill passes in House & Senate. 4/10/2017. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-ban-box-20170410-story.html 6. Washington Post. Bill introduced. 2/27/2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/taking-a-lawbreaking-past-out-of-college-applications/2017/02/27/c98efe3e-f311-11e6-a9b0-ecee7ce475fc_story.html?tid=a_mcntx&utm_term=.5602be0c6899 Most Sincerely, From Prison Cells to PhD