MarylandMaryland School for the Deaf board will have fewer seats and more deaf members
Beginning July 1, 2026, Maryland’s School for the Deaf will use a smaller board with more required deaf members as appointments are made.
What it does
The Maryland School for the Deaf board will shrink from 19 to 13 members, while the minimum number of deaf members rises from 6 to 7.
Argument forMore required deaf members could give the school’s board stronger insight into the needs of deaf students and their families.
Argument againstA smaller board could provide fewer total viewpoints, even though every state region must still have at least one representative.
More detail
The Board of Trustees will have 13 members, including at least 7 deaf members. The change applies to the Maryland School for the Deaf Board of Trustees. Members must be state residents, members of the general public, and actively interested in educating deaf children; every geographic region must have at least one representative. The Governor appoints members with the advice and consent of the Senate. When the first 6 members whose terms end after the law takes effect leave the board, the Governor must prioritize appointing deaf members. The new board composition takes effect July 1, 2026. The first 6 affected members serve until the end of their current terms, after which the appointment priority applies.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 721Became Law
- Apr 8Returned Passed
- Apr 8Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 3Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 2Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 19Referred Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 18Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 18Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Mar 18Favorable Report by Ways and MeansMinor
- Mar 5
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 9First Reading Ways and MeansIntroduced
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