MarylandSB 07762026 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: William C. Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Juvenile LawAdministrative AgenciesAttorney GeneralCemeteriesCivil Rights and Social EquityCommittees and CommissionsContracts -see also- ProcurementCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.CurriculumDeath -see also- Homicide; Murder; Wrongful DeathEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.GeneticsGrantsHealth, Department ofHistorical Matters -see also- Archives; Monumts; Museum; etcIdentification -see also- Biometrics; Fingerprinting; DrLicsIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Investigations and Inquiries -see also- Crim Bckgrnd InvestJuvenile FacilitiesJuvenile Justice and DelinquencyKinship -see also- Parents and GuardiansMonuments and MemorialsMunicipal Corporations -see also- Annap; BaltNoticesOpen GovernmentPermits -see also- Building PermitsPrince George's CountyPrivacyProcurementPublic Buildings and Facilities -see also- Stadiums; St HseRacial Matters -see also- Ethnic Affairs; MinoritiesRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReparationsReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Safety -see also- Occupational SafetyState Universities and CollegesSubpoenasSunsetTestimony -see also- Witnesses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Reports due and four-year timeline

The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2030. The Commission must send a progress report by December 31, 2027. It must send a final report by December 31, 2029 with findings, names and death circumstances, recommendations for memorials and reforms, and an accounting of spending.

State funding and HBCU preference

State budget funds support the Commission’s work, and the Attorney General manages the money. The Attorney General can seek federal grants and private donations, with Commission approval of grant applications. When buying goods and services, the Attorney General should, when lawful and practical, prefer Maryland institutions and the State’s HBCUs.

Commission setup, leadership, participation

The law creates a state Commission to investigate the House of Reformation site. The Attorney General serves as Chair, the Commission elects a Vice Chair, and the Attorney General’s office provides staff. The Attorney General appoints up to six public members, including a descendant or former resident, an academic expert, an HBCU representative, a civil rights organization representative, and two civil rights advocates. Members do not get pay, but they can be reimbursed for travel. The Attorney General’s office can give stipends to descendants and community members to support their participation if funds are available.

Powers to identify remains, notify descendants

The Commission hires experts and can approve exhumations to find and identify those buried at the site. It can dig and remove remains there without separate permits, after consulting state archaeology and health officials. It can subpoena documents and testimony and see sealed juvenile, medical, and administrative records; it must keep living people’s information private but can name deceased individuals. It may run genetic genealogy searches without a judge, only to identify the dead and tell descendants, not to test medical traits. DNA data must be destroyed when the work ends, and a DNA database helps match and notify families.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

William C. Smith
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Nick Charles
Democratic • Senate
Bill Ferguson
Democratic • Senate
William G. Folden
Republican • Senate
Kevin M. Harris
Democratic • Senate
Shaneka Henson
Democratic • Senate
Mary-Dulany James
Democratic • Senate
Sara Love
Democratic • Senate
Mike McKay
Republican • Senate
C. Anthony Muse
Democratic • Senate
Charles E. Sydnor
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Waldstreicher
Democratic • Senate
Chris West
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 179 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 134 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/6/2026