PRIA Logo™
MarylandHB 05522026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children - Establishment

Sponsored By: Jeffrie E. Long (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Juvenile LawAbuse -see also- Child Abuse; Dom. Viol.; Elder Abuse; etcAdministrative AgenciesArchivesArt, Music, and Cultural Affairs -see also- EthAff; Mus; etcAttorney GeneralAwareness and OutreachCemeteriesChild Abuse and NeglectCivil Rights and Social EquityCommittees and CommissionsContracts -see also- ProcurementCrimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.Death -see also- Homicide; Murder; Wrongful DeathDisclosureEmergency BillsEvaluations and ReviewsEvidenceExpungement and Shielded RecordsForensicsGeneticsGoods and Services -see also- Retail Sales; TermnSvc; TrfGdsHealth, Department ofHistorical Matters -see also- Archives; Monumts; Museum; etcHomicide -see also- Manslaughter; MurderIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Investigations and Inquiries -see also- Crim Bckgrnd InvestJuvenile Services, Department ofKinship -see also- Parents and GuardiansMinoritiesMinors -see also- Age of Majority; YouthMonuments and MemorialsNoticesPlans and ProposalsPrince George's CountyPrivacyPublic InformationRacial Matters -see also- Ethnic Affairs; MinoritiesRadarRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReparationsReportsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyStandards and Best PracticesSunsetSurveys and PollsWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Commission to investigate graves and history

This law creates a commission to study the House of Reformation’s history and graves. The Attorney General chairs it; members include state officials and up to six public appointees. Public seats must include a descendant or former resident and a representative from a Maryland HBCU. Members are unpaid but get travel reimbursement. The Attorney General may offer stipends to descendants and community members if funds allow. The AG’s office provides staff.

Expert investigation and Maryland school contracts

The commission hires expert teams for forensic, archaeological, DNA, genealogy, and historical work. They locate graves, identify individuals, and document conditions, deaths, and systemic failures. The commission sets rules for notifying families, reburial, memorials, and education. Big contracts need a commission vote. The Attorney General buys services, favoring Maryland schools and historically Black colleges when lawful.

Reports in 2027, 2029; law ends 2030

The law takes effect July 1, 2026. A progress report is due by December 31, 2027. A final report with findings and recommendations is due by December 31, 2029. The law ends on June 30, 2030.

State funding and grants for commission

The commission is funded through the State budget. The Attorney General can seek federal grants and private donations, with commission approval. The AG manages all commission funds.

Stronger tools to find and identify children

All state and local agencies must cooperate and share records, access, and support. The Attorney General can issue subpoenas for documents and testimony. The commission and contractors may dig and disinter at the site without extra permits, with safety consultation. They can access sealed juvenile, medical, and administrative records. Living people stay confidential; deceased names may be shared. For DNA genealogy used only to identify the deceased, no court affidavit is required. No medical testing. All DNA data is destroyed when done.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeffrie E. Long

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Gabriel Acevero

    Democratic • House

  • Jackie Addison

    Democratic • House

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Marlon Amprey

    Democratic • House

  • J. Sandy Bartlett

    Democratic • House

  • Adrian Boafo

    Democratic • House

  • Regina T. Boyce

    Democratic • House

  • Derrick Coley

    Democratic • House

  • Charlotte Crutchfield

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Kris Fair

    Democratic • House

  • Andrea Fletcher Harrison

    Democratic • House

  • Terri L. Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Marvin E. Holmes

    Democratic • House

  • Julian Ivey

    Democratic • House

  • Kenneth Kerr

    Democratic • House

  • Mary A. Lehman

    Democratic • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Aletheia McCaskill

    Democratic • House

  • Darrell Odom

    Democratic • House

  • Cheryl E. Pasteur

    Democratic • House

  • Edith J. Patterson

    Democratic • House

  • Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk

    Democratic • House

  • N. Scott Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Kent Roberson

    Democratic • House

  • Denise Roberts

    Democratic • House

  • Malcolm P. Ruff

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Ruth

    Democratic • House

  • Gary Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Jared Solomon

    Democratic • House

  • Kym Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Jen Terrasa

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Toles

    Democratic • House

  • Melissa Wells

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Jheanelle K. Wilkins

    Democratic • House

  • C. T. Wilson

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila J. Woods

    Democratic • House

  • Caylin Young

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 297 • No: 2

House vote • 4/11/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 126 • No: 1 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/20/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 129 • No: 1 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 608

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/11/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (126-1)

    4/11/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/11/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (42-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Harris) Adopted

    4/9/2026Senate

  7. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/9/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments {463423/1 Adopted

    4/9/2026Senate

  9. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/9/2026Senate

  10. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/23/2026Senate

  11. Third Reading Passed (129-1)

    3/20/2026House

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/19/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments {903923/1 Adopted

    3/19/2026House

  14. Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    3/19/2026House

  15. Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/9/2026House

  16. First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/11/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/19/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/27/2026

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation