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HB 588

Missing and Murdered American Indian and Alaskan Native Women and Girls - Day of Awareness and Reporting Requirement

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gabriel Acevero and 9 co-sponsors

Maryland bill establishes annual awareness day and mandates state agencies report data on missing and murdered American Indian and Alaskan Native women and girls to increase visibility and accountability.

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
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Bill Summary · HB 588

Legislative bill overview

HB 588 establishes an official day of awareness in Maryland to recognize missing and murdered American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) women and girls, while creating a state reporting requirement to track these cases. The bill directs relevant state agencies to compile data on missing and murdered AIAN individuals and report findings to the legislature annually.

Why is this important

AIAN women and girls experience disproportionately high rates of violence and disappearance compared to other demographic groups, yet their cases often receive minimal media attention and investigation resources. Establishing an official awareness day and mandatory reporting mechanism increases visibility of the issue and creates accountability for documenting the scope of the problem, which is essential for developing effective prevention and response strategies.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: Opponents may argue the reporting requirement imposes unfunded mandates on state agencies already facing budget constraints without clarity on implementation costs
  • Scope limitations: The bill's effectiveness depends on agency cooperation and data-sharing agreements; fragmented databases across law enforcement jurisdictions could undermine comprehensive reporting
  • Symbolic vs. substantive: Some advocates may question whether an awareness day and reporting requirement address root causes of violence or if additional funding for victim services, investigation resources, and prevention programs is needed alongside these measures

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

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