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SB 631

Commission on Abandoned and Neglected Maryland Cemeteries - Establishment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Washington

Establishes a statewide Commission on Abandoned and Neglected Maryland Cemeteries to identify, inventory, protect, guide repairs, and educate stakeholders across Maryland.

Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 631

SB 631 — Commission on Abandoned and Neglected Maryland Cemeteries

Sponsor: Senator M. Washington (companion: HB 724)
Introduced: Jan 25, 2025 — Assigned to Finance
Hearing: Feb 20, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Effective date (if enacted): October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

Establish a permanent, statewide advisory body — the Commission on Abandoned and Neglected Maryland Cemeteries — to identify, document, coordinate protection of, and recommend policies and practices for abandoned or neglected burial sites across Maryland, with particular attention to historical and African American cemeteries.

Key provisions

  • Creates Subtitle 10, “Commission on Abandoned and Neglected Maryland Cemeteries,” in the Business Regulation Article and establishes the Commission.
  • Membership and structure:
    • Voting members appointed by the Director of the Office of Cemetery Oversight (OCO).
    • Membership includes representatives from: the OCO advisory council, Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, Maryland Commission on African American History & Culture, local governments that maintain cemetery databases, building/development and religious communities, genealogy and cemetery preservation experts, cemetery descendant community members, preservation/planning experts, and at least one member of the general public.
    • Terms are 4 years; members receive no compensation but are eligible for travel reimbursement. Meetings, officers, quorum (majority), and voting rules set by the Commission. OCO provides staffing. Non‑voting expert members may be included.
  • Duties (selected highlights):
    • Establish standard definitions for “abandoned” and “neglected” cemeteries.
    • Work with counties/municipalities to identify such sites and consult on local enabling legislation.
    • Support development of a statewide cemetery inventory and searchable database focused on abandoned/neglected cemeteries.
    • Provide guidance to descendants and organizations on repair, maintenance, acquisition of equipment, and owner transition for abandoned sites.
    • Recommend repair/maintenance guidelines and develop education programs for realtors, developers, law enforcement, community groups, etc.
    • Coordinate with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to assign tax account records to unregistered cemeteries.
    • Develop training/certificate materials (including programs for incarcerated individuals) related to cemetery management and maintenance.
  • Reporting: The Commission must submit an annual report of findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on or before December 1, 2026, and each December 1 thereafter (per §2–1257).
  • Misc.: Subtitle renumbering and a statutory termination provision for OCO-related provisions (current text preserves the Office’s existing termination/evaluation schedule; see bill for details).

Fiscal and operational impact

  • Department of Legislative Services (DLS) fiscal note: OCO special fund expenditures increase to staff the Commission — estimated cost of ~$127,500 in FY2026 (1 permanent administrator + 1 contractual specialist), rising in subsequent years (FY27 ~$146,300; FY28 ~$152,700). Contractual position proposed to end FY2029. Revenues not affected.
  • DLS notes OCO requested additional positions (investigator, administrative specialist) and legal services; actual costs could vary.
  • Local government: no direct fiscal effect; local jurisdictions will be engaged for identification and database coordination.
  • Small business: minimal impact.

Who is affected

  • Office of Cemetery Oversight (staffing, coordination)
  • Counties/municipalities (data sharing, local legislation consultation)
  • Cemetery owners, descendant communities, preservation organizations, realtors, developers, law enforcement, incarcerated work‑programs, and the traveling public (access/education)

Procedural status / timeline

  • Introduced Jan 25, 2025; referred to Finance. Hearing scheduled Feb 20, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
  • If enacted, Commission begins activities with OCO staff support and submits first annual report by Dec 1, 2026.

For full statutory language, membership list, and the DLS fiscal note, see the bill text and accompanying fiscal analysis (SB 631 / First Reader materials).

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

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