Maryland HB851: Human Services - Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council - Legal Status

What the bill says

An act concerning Human Services - Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council - Legal Status FOR the purpose of clarifying that the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council is a tax-exempt body politic and corporate; and generally relating to the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Human Services Section 7-1002 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).

From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:

AN ACT concerning Human Services - Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council - Legal Status FOR the purpose of clarifying that the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council is a tax-exempt body politic and corporate; and generally relating to the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Human Services Section 7-1002 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Human Services 7-1002. (a) (1) There is a Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council that IS A TAX-EXEMPT BODY POLITIC AND CORPORATE AND is an instrumentality of the State. (2) The Council is the entity that was created in 1993 by an executive order issued by the Governor, which established the Council in accordance with the federal Rehabilitation Act. (b) The Council shall: (1) work in conjunction with Centers for Independent Living in submitting, monitoring, implementing, and evaluating the State Plan; and (2) carry out other duties as required under this subtitle and the federal Rehabilitation Act to support the implementation of the State Plan. SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 1, 2026. Approved by the Governor, April 28, 2026.

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Catherine Forbes (D, HD-042A) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 28, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 229
2. April 7, 2026: Returned Passed
3. April 6, 2026: Third Reading Passed (45-0)
4. March 31, 2026: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
5. March 30, 2026: Favorable Report by Finance
6. March 9, 2026: Referred Finance
7. March 6, 2026: Third Reading Passed (122-0)
8. March 5, 2026: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
9. March 4, 2026: Favorable Report by Ways and Means
10. February 5, 2026: Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.

Votes

• Third Reading Passed (45-0) (April 6, 2026): 45 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third Reading Passed (122-0) (March 6, 2026): 122 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB851?

HB851 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Human Services - Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council - Legal Status.

What does HB851 do?

In its own words: An act concerning Human Services - Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council - Legal Status FOR the purpose of clarifying that the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council is a tax-exempt body politic and corporate; and generally relating to the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Human Services Section 7-1002 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).

What is the status of HB851?

Signed into law as of April 28, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 229 (April 28, 2026).

Who sponsored HB851?

Catherine Forbes (D, HD-042A).

Where is the official record for HB851?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0851?ys=2026RS