Bill > HB1253

This bill establishes the Department of Social and Economic Mobility as a new principal department of the State government, replacing and consolidating several existing offices focused on social equity and business support. The department will be led by a Secretary appointed by the Governor and will include three key offices: the Office of Minority Business Enterprises, the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, and the Office of Social Equity. The department's primary purpose is to provide support for state government units, individuals, and businesses in maintaining social equity policies, monitoring social equity trends, proposing innovative approaches, and tracking the performance of social equity and small business assistance programs. The bill creates a special fund to support the department's operations, with funding sources including state budget appropriations and a portion of cannabis sales tax revenue. The department will be responsible for connecting people with eligible government programs, facilitating information sharing between state units, conducting policy analyses, and providing technical assistance. Additionally, the bill transfers personnel from existing offices to the new department while preserving their current employment rights and status, and requires the department to submit a comprehensive report by July 1, 2026, identifying all state social equity programs and recommending ways to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1253?ys=2025RS