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Bill > HB552

MD HB552

MD HB552
Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children - Establishment

summary

Introduced
01/27/2026
In Committee
04/09/2026
Crossed Over
03/20/2026
Passed
05/26/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/26/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Establishing the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children; requiring the Commission to direct and oversee the investigation by contracting with qualified professional experts, universities, research institutions, and independent practitioners; providing exemptions to general laws due to the unique historical nature of the site; requiring a final report from the Commission to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2029; etc.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children to investigate the history, operations, and deaths of residents at the former institution, aiming to provide a public accounting of children who died and were buried there, promote healing through truth-telling and acknowledgment, and ensure community voices are heard. The Commission, chaired by the Attorney General, will contract with experts to conduct forensic anthropology, archaeological surveys, historical research, and DNA testing to identify individuals, reconstruct institutional practices, and document deaths, with the goal of making recommendations for a permanent memorial, dignified reburial, policy changes to prevent future deaths in custody, and educational initiatives. The bill also grants the Commission exemptions from general laws due to the site's unique historical nature, allows for the disinterment of human remains without separate permits, and requires the Commission to submit an initial report by December 31, 2027, and a final report by December 31, 2029.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs, Justice

Sponsors (41)

Jeff Long (D)*,  Gabriel Acevero (D),  Jackie Addison (D),  Tiffany Alston (D),  Marlon Amprey (D),  Sandy Bartlett (D),  Adrian Boafo (D),  Regina Boyce (D),  Derrick Coley (D),  Charlotte Crutchfield (D),  Debra Davis (D),  Kris Fair (D),  Andrea Harrison (D),  Terri Hill (D),  Marvin Holmes (D),  Julian Ivey (D),  Ken Kerr (D),  Mary Lehman (D),  Ashanti Martínez (D),  Aletheia McCaskill (D),  Darrell Odom (D),  Cheryl Pasteur (D),  Edith Patterson (D),  Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D),  Scott Phillips (D),  Kent Roberson (D),  Denise Roberts (D),  Malcolm Ruff (D),  Sheila Ruth (D),  Gary Simmons (D),  Stephanie Smith (D),  Jared Solomon (D),  Kym Taylor (D),  Jen Terrasa (D),  Karen Toles (D),  Melissa Wells (D),  Jennifer White Holland (D),  Jheanelle Wilkins (D),  C.T. Wilson (D),  Jamila Woods (D),  Caylin Young (D), 

Last Action

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 608 (on 05/26/2026)

Bill Topics

Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
  • ‐ Ethnic Minority and Racial Group Discrimination
Law, Crime, and Family Issues
  • ‐ Criminal and Juvenile Delinquent Prosecution, Procedure, and Sentencing
(1 Companion Bills)

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