MarylandMaryland law creates commission to investigate former youth institution
A Maryland commission investigates the former House of Reformation, works to identify children buried there, and reports its findings to state leaders.
What it does
The law establishes a commission to investigate the former House of Reformation, identify children buried there, and examine the institution’s history and failures. It can involve families and community members and recommend a memorial and reforms.
Argument forResearch using records, historical work, and DNA matching could help families learn who is buried there and what happened at the institution.
Argument againstAccess to confidential youth and medical records, and possible grave excavation, could worry families, even though the commission must protect living people’s identities.
More detail
Maryland law establishes a commission to investigate the former House of Reformation and account for children who died and were buried there. The commission investigates the former House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children in Prince George’s County, including the children who died and were buried on its grounds. The commission may authorize experts to examine remains when appropriate and approved by the commission. State budget funding supports the commission; stipends for descendant, former resident, and community members depend on available funds. The law took effect July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2030. The commission must report its progress by December 31, 2027, and its final findings by December 31, 2029.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 607Became Law
- Apr 9Returned Passed
- Apr 8Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 8Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedMinor
- Apr 8Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and ElectionsMinor
- Mar 26Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 22
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9Referred Government, Labor, and ElectionsMinor
- Mar 6Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 4Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 4Floor Amendment {
- Mar 4Floor Amendment {
- Mar 3Motion Laid Over (Senator Smith) Adopted
- Mar 3Floor Amendment {
- Mar 3Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 2Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial ProceedingsMinor
- Feb 23
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6First Reading Judicial ProceedingsIntroduced
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