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SB 781

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for definitions and providing for mental health days.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amanda Cappelletti and 10 co-sponsors

Creates a temporary Maryland task force to study and propose State Park dedicated to veterans’ care, detailing costs, services, funding options, and a report due Dec 1, 2026.

Referred to Education
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 781

SB 781 — Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans’ Care

Status: Hearing scheduled 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
Introduced: January 27, 2025 (first reader Feb 28, 2025) — Effective date in bill: July 1, 2025.
Note: documents provided include the Maryland bill establishing this task force and a fiscal note.

Main purpose

Create a temporary, state‑level task force to study and recommend whether — and how — to establish a State park specifically dedicated to providing recreational opportunities and therapeutic services to veterans. The task force must estimate costs, identify services and operational models, recommend funding approaches, and produce an action plan and final report.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans’ Care.
  • Required studies and deliverables:
    • Estimate costs for establishing the park (infrastructure, capital, startup).
    • Recommend services and amenities (recreational and therapeutic offerings).
    • Evaluate operational models, including shared maintenance/operations between the Maryland Park Service and partner organizations.
    • Identify options to fund initial start‑up costs and propose self‑sustaining funding models for ongoing operations.
    • Develop an action plan with next steps for park establishment.
  • Reporting: Task force must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and specified legislative committees by December 1, 2026.
  • Duration: Bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and the task force terminates June 30, 2027 (two‑year lifespan).

Membership and administration

  • Composition (selected highlights): one State Senator (appointed by Senate President); one Delegate (appointed by Speaker); Secretary of Natural Resources (or designee); Secretary of Veterans and Military Families (or designee); Director of the Maryland Park Service (or designee); one Washington County commissioner and the County Administrator (or designee); several appointees by the Secretary of Natural Resources including a Hagerstown–Washington County CVB rep, a veterans’ therapeutic-services org rep, the owner of land proposed for transfer in southern Washington County, and a resident from Legislative District 2 in Washington County.
  • The Secretary of Natural Resources designates the chair; DNR provides staffing.
  • Members receive no compensation but are eligible for travel/expense reimbursement under State travel regulations.
  • The Secretary may invite National Park Service and other stakeholders to participate.

Fiscal and operational impact

  • Department of Legislative Services fiscal note: DNR can staff the task force with existing resources; expected additional expenses (member reimbursements) are minimal and absorbable. No anticipated impact on State or local revenues. Small business effect: none identified.
  • Primary effects: analytic/planning outcomes to inform any future legislative or executive action to create a veterans‑care park; potential siting/land transfer considerations (southern Washington County referenced).

Who is affected

  • Veterans and veteran service organizations (potential beneficiaries of recreational/therapeutic services).
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Park Service (administration/staffing and potential future park operations).
  • Washington County stakeholders (local government, landowners, CVB).
  • State Legislature and Governor (will receive final report to inform policy/appropriations).

For further detail, see the bill text establishing membership, tasks, reporting deadlines, and the Department of Legislative Services fiscal note (report due December 1, 2026; termination June 30, 2027).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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