Healthy Teen Network is honored to recognize the work of Senator Delores G. Kelley and Delegate Ariana Kelly with the 2017 Spirit of Service Award. Working with Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Senator Delores G. Kelley and Delegate Ariana Kelly co-sponsored The Maryland Contraceptive Equity Act. Signed into law by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan in May 2016, this groundbreaking legislation ensures that individuals can access birth control that works best for them. The law, which goes into effect on January 1, eliminates most co-payments for birth control and contraception; allows women to receive six months of birth control at one time; provides insurance coverage for emergency contraception and other over-the-counter contraceptive medications; eliminates co-payments for vasectomies; and lifts pre-authorization on LARCs.

Delores Kelley

Senator Delores G. Kelley has been a member of the Maryland Senate (District 10) from 1995-present. During her tenure, she has been the primary sponsor for more than 160 bills signed into law. Senator Kelley holds the current assignments as Senator: Vice Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee; Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Executive Nominations; Vice Chair, NCSL-Law , Criminal Justice, and Public Safety Committee; Member, MD Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee; Member, Maryland Health Insurance Protection Commission; Member, State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy; Member, Foster Care Court Improvement Project; Executive Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures; and Legislative Chair, Interstate Insurance Product Regulation. She is a retired Professor and Dean of Coppin State University, a Founding Director of the Harbor Bank of Maryland (Vice Chair of Board), and Senior Member of the Baltimore County Delegation to the General Assembly.

Ariana Kelly

Delegate Ariana Kelly has spent her career advocating for the diverse needs of women and families. In 2010, she was elected to Maryland’s House of Delegates representing Maryland’s 16th District, which includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Potomac. As Deputy Majority Whip, Delegate Kelly serves on the legislature’s Health and Government Operations Committee, and Chairs the Health Occupations and Long-Term Care Subcommittee and the Montgomery County Delegation Economic Development Committee. She Co-Chairs the Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families and the Task Force to Establish Paid Family Leave. She is also President of the Women Legislators of Maryland, the bipartisan caucus of 60 women State Senators and Delegates serving in Maryland’s General Assembly. She is working on legislation to require consent education be included as part of Maryland’s sexuality education curriculum.