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MarylandHB 09832025 Regular SessionHouse

Election Law - Local Boards of Elections - Language Assistance Program

Sponsored By: Bernice Mireku-North (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsAttorney GeneralBallots -see also- Abs&MailInBallots; Abs&MailInVotingCommunications -see also- ElecComm; Intergov; Telecom; etc.Courts -see also- AppCt; Circuit; District; Orphans'; etc.Data -see also- Census; DemographicsElections SupervisorsElections, State Board ofFormsInternet -see also- Internet AccessLanguage -see also- Communications; LiteracyNoticesRecruitment and HiringRegistration -see also- Motor Vehicle RegistrationReportsRules and RegulationsStandards and Best PracticesSubpoenasVoting -see also- Absentee and Mail-In Voting

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More language help for Maryland voters

Effective October 1, 2025, Maryland creates a Language Assistance Program for voters who need help in designated languages. A language qualifies when county residents who are citizens of voting age and have limited English proficiency meet either threshold: more than 2% of the county’s citizen voting-age population, or more than 4,000 people. The State Board of Elections must decide coverage using the best available public data by February 1 of each election year. It must publish the first list of covered boards and languages by January 1, 2026, and update it at least every two years. Covered boards must offer video interpreters at every early voting center and election-day polling place. They must post notices in designated languages, provide online voting materials in those languages, and try to recruit bilingual election judges. Translated materials must be accurate, match the quality and timing of English materials, and not rely only on automatic translation. For languages without a written form, boards may provide oral instructions or other suitable help. The State Board oversees the program and must adopt rules; local boards need its approval to offer help beyond program requirements.

Counties pay language assistance program costs

Effective October 1, 2025, the law divides language assistance costs between Maryland and participating counties. The state must provide licensed translation software services. Counties must pay all other program costs, including hardware and each use of the translation software services. The law states no dollar amount or direct household charge.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bernice Mireku-North

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jheanelle K. Wilkins

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 234 • No: 76

House vote • 4/5/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 97 • No: 30 • Other: 10

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 32 • No: 12

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 105 • No: 34

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 278

    5/6/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/5/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (97-30)

    4/5/2025House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/5/2025House

  5. Third Reading Passed (32-12)

    4/4/2025Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/3/2025Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {943524/1 Adopted

    4/3/2025Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    4/3/2025Senate

  9. Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/17/2025Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (105-34)

    3/17/2025House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/15/2025House

  12. Favorable with Amendments {563827/1 Adopted

    3/15/2025House

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

    3/15/2025House

  14. Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/4/2025House

  15. First Reading Ways and Means

    1/31/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/5/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/15/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/31/2025

    PDF

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