The Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence acts as a catalyst for
innovative, long-range plans to end domestic and sexual violence and leads in the development and monitoring of
state and national legislation.
Public policy advocacy is a critical part of MCADSV’s work to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence,
and in meeting our ultimate goal of ending violence against women. Throughout the year, MCADSV monitors both state
and federal legislation and public policy initiatives to assure that the needs of survivors are at the forefront
of any new laws, initiatives, and funding decisions.
Below are two documents from the recent NNEDV Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. These documents describe the focus of this recent
effort with our Congressional Representatives and U.S. Senators at the Capitol.
NNEDV Advocacy Day materials
NNEDV Advocacy Day talking points
Public Policy Update-July, 2010- A Publication of the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Find Your Representative
You can also visit the
Michigan House of Representatives Web site
Enter your county, zip code, or district number to determine who represents your community in Lansing.
To find your Senator,
visit http://senate.michigan.gov/. The
Senate Web site is searchable by name, address and district.
Track your Senator's or Representative's votes by e-mail! Each week Congress is in session, you will receive:
- Key votes by your two Senators and U.S. Representative.
- Links to send e-mail to your members of Congress using pre-addressed forms.
- Upcoming votes for your review and links to offer e-mail input before they vote.
Go to
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/ to sign up.
A Citizen’s Guide To State Government
The Michigan Legislature has prepared A Citizen’s Guide to State Government for Michigan citizens to stay
informed. To obtain a copy of this guide, call or write your Representative or Senator in Lansing and request
that a copy is mailed to you. This invaluable handbook on legislative advocacy contains information about elected
officials, committee assignments, House and Senate officers, and much more.
Obtain a Copy of a Public Act
Legislative Services Bureau
The Legislative Service Bureau was formally created in 1941 as a nonpartisan legislative information and service
agency. The Legislative Document Room provides legislative staff and the public with paper copies of legislative
materials from the current session of the Legislature. The Document Room staff can also provide information on the
status of any bill introduced in the Michigan Legislature for the current and previous sessions. Copies of
Michigan legislation can be obtained by writing or calling the Legislative Services Bureau Document Room.
Senate Fiscal Agency
The Senate Fiscal Agency (SFA) is a nonpartisan legislative agency created to provide the Michigan Senate with
sound and unbiased assistance in two principal ways: providing staff support to the Senate Appropriations Committee
and assisting all members of the Senate on State budget-related issues; and providing analysis of all proposed
legislation being considered by the Senate. A non-partisan analysis of a bill or public act can be obtained by
writing or calling the Senate Fiscal Agency.
Michigan Policy Resources
Michigan legislative and policy updates on violence against women issues can be obtained from the following
organizations:
Michigan Legislature
Library of Michigan
The Library of Michigan maintains a collection focusing on public policy and law.
National Policy Updates
National legislative and policy updates on violence against women issues can be obtained from the following
organizations:
National Network to End Domestic Violence
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Legal Momentum
National Center for Victims of Crime