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SB 733

Constitutional Officers – Gender–Neutral Language

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nancy King

Maryland bill replaces gendered language in constitutional officer provisions with gender-neutral terms to modernize foundational government documents.

Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 733

Legislative bill overview

SB 733 updates Maryland's constitutional language to use gender-neutral terms when referring to state constitutional officers and their duties. The bill replaces gendered pronouns and titles (such as "he," "his," "man") with inclusive language like "they," "their," and "individual" throughout relevant sections of the Maryland Constitution and statutes governing constitutional officers.

Why is this important

Constitutional language carries symbolic and practical weight—it shapes how laws are interpreted and signals the state's commitment to inclusivity in its foundational documents. While modern statutory interpretation already recognizes that gendered language applies to all individuals regardless of gender, updating the actual text removes ambiguity and reflects contemporary drafting standards used in most recent legislation.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and implementation: Questions about which constitutional provisions require updating and whether piecemeal changes create inconsistency across the document
  • Statutory vs. constitutional change: Debate over whether gender-neutral language should be addressed through constitutional amendment procedures versus statute, affecting the speed and permanence of changes
  • Practical impact concerns: Some may argue this is primarily symbolic with minimal real-world effect, while supporters contend that constitutional language matters for interpretation and representation

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

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