Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB35: State Designations and Commemorative Days - State Shark, State Natural Sciences Museum, and Purple Lights Night
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Designating the megalodon as the State shark; designating The Natural History Society of Maryland as the State natural sciences museum; and requiring the Governor to annually proclaim October 1 as Purple Lights Night to honor individuals in the State who are victims or survivors of domestic violence and express support for the elimination of domestic violence in the State.
What the bill says
An act concerning State Designations - State Natural Science Sciences Museum - The Natural History Society of Maryland State Designations and Commemorative Days - State Shark, State Natural Sciences Museum, and Purple Lights Night FOR the purpose of designating the megalodon as the State shark; designating the The Natural History Society of Maryland as the State natural science sciences museum; requiring the Governor to annually proclaim a certain day as Purple Lights Night; and generally relating to a State natural science sciences museum State designations and commemorative days…
From the enrolled text, May 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning State Designations - State Natural Science Sciences Museum - The Natural History Society of Maryland State Designations and Commemorative Days - State Shark, State Natural Sciences Museum, and Purple Lights Night FOR the purpose of designating the megalodon as the State shark; designating the The Natural History Society of Maryland as the State natural science sciences museum; requiring the Governor to annually proclaim a certain day as Purple Lights Night; and generally relating to a State natural science sciences museum State designations and commemorative days. BY renumbering Article - General Provisions Section 7-325 and 7-310, 7-325, 7-326, and 7-417 through 7-421 to be Section 7-326.1 and 7-311, 7-326.1, 7-325, and 7-418 through 7-422, respectively Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - General Provisions Section 7-310, 7-326, and 7-417 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That Section(s) 7-325 and 7-326 7-310, 7-325, 7-326, and 7-417 through 7-421 of Article - General Provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 7-326.1 and 7-325 7-311, 7-326.1, 7-325, and 7-418 through 7-422, respectively. SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - General Provisions 7-310. THE …