SB 776

Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children - Establishment

Sponsor: William C. Smith, Jr. (District 20)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Juvenile LawStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 607 (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Establishing the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children to research the history, operations, and resident deaths at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children and provide a complete and public accounting of the children who died and were buried on the grounds; and requiring the Commission to submit a final report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2029.

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Testimony (16)

MGA witness list

FAV 16Favorable

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Kovacs, Lisa	Maryland Association of Local Management Boards	Written (PDF)
FAV	Fox Tolentino, Betsy	Maryland Department of Juvenile Services	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Fox Tolentino, Betsy	Maryland Department of Juvenile Services	Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Written (PDF)
FAV	Wickham Hurley, Zenita	Maryland Office of the Attorney General	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Wickham Hurley, Zenita	Maryland Office of the Attorney General	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jasen, John	One Pasadena	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jasen, John	One Pasadena	Written (PDF)
FAV	Warnken, Heather	University of Baltimore School of Law Center for Criminal Justice Reform	Position only
FAV	Hessler, Thereselobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jasen, Debi	Individual	Position only
FAV	Kraska, Jennylobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Kraska, Jennylobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Senator Smith, Senator Smithlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Senator Smith, Senator Smithlegislator	Individual	Oral

Organizations on record

Maryland Association of Local Management BoardsFAV 1

Maryland Department of Juvenile ServicesFAV 2

Maryland Legislative CoalitionFAV 2

Maryland Office of the Attorney GeneralFAV 2

One PasadenaFAV 2

University of Baltimore School of Law Center for Criminal Justice ReformFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVHessler, ThereseRegistered for: City of Gaithersburg; Elevate Recovery Centers; Evolve Kids Care; Evolve Life Centers; High Roller Technologies; Laila's Gift…

FAVKraska, JennyRegistered for: Maryland Catholic Conference