WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 893

Business Regulation - Abandoned Cemeteries - Acquisition and Disposition

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Boyce and 10 co-sponsors

HB 893 enables Maryland municipalities and nonprofits to take control and manage abandoned cemeteries through a formal acquisition process, addressing deterioration and liability in historic burial grounds.

First Reading Economic Matters and Health
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 893

Legislative bill overview

HB 893 addresses the acquisition and disposition of abandoned cemeteries in Maryland by establishing procedures for local governments or organizations to take control of neglected burial grounds. The bill creates a framework for identifying abandoned cemeteries, determining ownership status, and allowing municipalities or nonprofits to assume management responsibilities for maintenance and preservation.

Why is this important

Abandoned cemeteries present significant public health, safety, and cultural preservation challenges. Many historic burial grounds lack proper maintenance, face vandalism, deteriorate over time, and create liability issues for property owners. This legislation provides a legal mechanism to address these neglected sites and ensure respectful stewardship of burial grounds that may hold historical or genealogical significance for communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights and due process: The bill must clarify how acquired cemeteries affect existing property owners' rights and what compensation mechanisms exist for legitimate ownership claims before transfer of control
  • Funding and perpetual care: Questions about who bears long-term maintenance costs and whether adequate funding mechanisms exist to ensure cemeteries don't become abandoned again under new management
  • Definition of "abandoned": Determining what timeframe or conditions classify a cemetery as abandoned, and whether families with historical connections retain rights to object or participate in disposition decisions

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

Sign in to ask a question.