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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland renames state office and advisory council for deaf and deafblind individuals
Last action · April 13, 2026: Third Reading Passed (136-0)Sponsor: Kevin Harris
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 665 renames the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to the Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing and updates related state laws starting October 1, 2026.
Changes agency nomenclature across multiple state codes and mandates that existing printed materials like letterhead be exhausted before new titles are printed.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
The office undergoes an official name change and functions as the successor agency retaining all prior duties and obligations.
Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
The council is officially renamed under the updated provisions.
Key Facts
- The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is renamed to the Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing.
- The Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing is renamed to the Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing.
- The new agency is legally designated as the direct successor to the previous office, retaining all personnel, records, properties, and obligations.
- Existing printed materials such as letterhead and business cards may continue to be used until current stock is exhausted before new versions reflecting the name change are printed.
Show all 6 facts
- Appointed or elected members currently serving on affected boards and commissions maintain their terms without disruption.
- The legislation takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new name of the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing?
Does this legislation change the terms of current members on affected boards?
When does the name change officially take effect?
What else do you want to know?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
12 actions- Apr 13, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (136-0)
- Apr 11, 2026HouseFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 11, 2026HouseFavorable with Amendments { 953026/1 Adopted
- Apr 11, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
- Mar 26, 2026HouseHearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 13, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Government, Labor, and Elections
Show 6 earlier actions
- Mar 12, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (44-0)
- Mar 10, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed
- Mar 10, 2026SenateFloorFavorable Adopted
- Mar 9, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
- Feb 11, 2026SenateHearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance15How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy0Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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