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HB 439

Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Renaming

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Charlotte Crutchfield and 14 co-sponsors

Maryland bill renames state Deaf and Hard of Hearing office and advisory council to updated terminology reflecting community preferences and modern language standards.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 655
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Bill Summary · HB 439

Legislative bill overview

HB 439 renames Maryland's "Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" and the "Maryland Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing" to reflect updated, more inclusive terminology. The bill has passed second reading with amendments after receiving favorable committee recommendations, indicating broad support for the renaming initiative.

Why is this important

Language shapes how communities are perceived and treated within government structures. Updating official agency and council names can affirm the dignity of deaf and hard of hearing populations and may reflect modern self-advocacy preferences within these communities. This symbolic change can have practical effects on how services are marketed, accessed, and understood by the public.

Potential points of contention

  • Specificity of new names unclear: The bill summary does not specify what the new names will be, making it difficult to assess whether the proposed terminology aligns with current community preferences or if stakeholders universally support the specific changes
  • Implementation costs: Renaming may require updates to official documents, signage, websites, and communications materials across state agencies and contractors
  • Community input validity: Questions may arise about whether the renamed organizations adequately represent the preferences of all members of deaf and hard of hearing communities, or whether some terminology is still contested within the community itself

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

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