Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB166: State Government - Henrietta Lacks Commission - Establishment (Henrietta Lacks Commission of Maryland Act of 2026)
Status: In committee, March 20, 2026
Establishing the Henrietta Lacks Commission to take certain actions related to the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and the use of HeLa cells, including promotion of education on the life of Henrietta Lacks and HeLa science; and requiring the Commission, beginning in 2027, to report by December 1 annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on its activities in the State.
What the bill says
An act concerning Public Health State Government - Henrietta Lacks Commission - Establishment (Henrietta Lacks Commission of Maryland Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of establishing the Henrietta Lacks Commission to take certain actions related to the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and the use of HeLa cells; and generally relating to the Henrietta Lacks Commission. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 24-2801 and 24-2802 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 28…
From the engrossed text, March 17, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Public Health State Government - Henrietta Lacks Commission - Establishment (Henrietta Lacks Commission of Maryland Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of establishing the Henrietta Lacks Commission to take certain actions related to the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and the use of HeLa cells; and generally relating to the Henrietta Lacks Commission. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 24-2801 and 24-2802 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 28. Henrietta Lacks Commission" Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - State Government Section 9-4201 and 9-4202 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 42. Henrietta Lacks Commission" Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. Underlining indicates amendments to bill. Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by amendment. *hb0166* HOUSE BILL Article - Health - General State Government SUBTITLE 28. 42. HENRIETTA LACKS COMMISSION. 24-2801. 9-4201. IN THIS SUBTITLE, "COMMISSION" MEANS THE HENRIETTA LACKS COMMISSION. 24-2802. 9-4202. (A) THERE IS A HENRIETTA LACKS COMMISSION. (B) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: …
Sponsors
- Ric Metzgar (R, 6) · primary sponsor
- Charlotte Crutchfield (D, 19)
- Kris Fair (D, 3)
- Ken Kerr (D, HD-003B)
- Mary Lehman (D, HD-021)
- Sheila Ruth (D, 44B)
- Sheree Sample-Hughes (D, 37A)
- Stuart Schmidt (R, HD-033)
- Jared Solomon (D, 18)
- Jennifer Terrasa (D, 13)
- Melissa Wells (D, 40)
- C.T. Wilson (D, HD-028)
Latest actions
- : Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
- : Third Reading Passed (128-0)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {553725/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
- : Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
- : Pre-filed
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (128-0) (March 18, 2026): 128 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB166?
- HB166 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): State Government - Henrietta Lacks Commission - Establishment (Henrietta Lacks Commission of Maryland Act of 2026).
- What does HB166 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Public Health State Government - Henrietta Lacks Commission - Establishment (Henrietta Lacks Commission of Maryland Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of establishing the Henrietta Lacks Commission to take certain actions related to the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and the use of HeLa cells; and generally relating to the Henrietta Lacks Commission. BY adding to Article - Health - General Section 24-2801 and 24-2802 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 28…
- What is the status of HB166?
- In committee as of March 20, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m. (March 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB166?
- Ric Metzgar (R, 6), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB166?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0166?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.