Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk has built a career dedicated to justice, healthcare access, and equity. Representing Maryland’s Legislative District 21, she serves as Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, where she has been a leading force in shaping policies that improve the lives of Marylanders. She is the highest-ranking Latina in the Maryland General Assembly and has passed over 100 bills into law, many of them the first of their kind in the nation.

Joseline’s journey began in the Dominican Republic. As a child, she immigrated to the United States with her single mother and sister, settling in New York City. Her mother worked long hours in the garment industry, and at times, the family relied on welfare due to financial struggles. Despite these hardships, Joseline thrived in school, learning English and later becoming the first in her family to attend college through the Equal Opportunity Program.

During law school, she dedicated her summers to representing death row inmates in Alabama and advocating for migrant farm workers in Ohio. After earning her law degree, she took on court-appointed cases, defending abused children and low-income defendants, before transitioning into work as a public defender. Her dedication led her to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where she collaborated with police officers, witnesses, and victims to prosecute violent crimes.

Determined to serve her community in elected office, Joseline won the College Park City Council seat before launching a grassroots campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006. She won the election and became one of Maryland’s most effective legislators. She has spearheaded major legislative efforts that have gained national recognition. She was instrumental in creating the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, led the passage of the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program, and played a key role in ensuring the continuation of Maryland’s state-operated reinsurance program.

She was the driving force behind the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and she also championed the Shirley Nathan-Pulliam Health Equity Act. Through every stage of her career, from her work as a public defender to her leadership in the General Assembly, Delegate Peña-Melnyk has remained committed to fighting for Maryland’s most vulnerable communities. Her passion for justice, equity, and public service continues to shape policies that build a stronger, healthier, and fairer Maryland for all.