Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB172: Corporations and Associations - Methodist Churches - Trust Requirement Repeal and Disaffiliation
Status: In committee, March 26, 2026
Repealing a requirement that the assets of any Methodist Church be held in trust for the United Methodist Church and be subject to the control of the Church; repealing a provision of law providing that the absence of a trust clause in any deed or conveyance executed before June 1, 1953, does not exclude certain local churches from certain provisions of law; providing that a local church that disaffiliates from the United Methodist Conference shall retain ownership of its real property, subject to certain reimbursement requirements; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Corporations and Associations - Methodist Churches - Trust Requirement Repeal and Disaffiliation FOR the purpose of repealing a requirement that the assets of any Methodist Church be held in trust for the United Methodist Church and be subject to the control of the United Methodist Church; repealing a certain provision of law providing that the absence of a trust clause in any deed or conveyance executed before a certain date does not exclude certain local churches from certain provisions of law or responsibilities related to the United Methodist Church…
From the engrossed text, March 10, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Corporations and Associations - Methodist Churches - Trust Requirement Repeal and Disaffiliation FOR the purpose of repealing a requirement that the assets of any Methodist Church be held in trust for the United Methodist Church and be subject to the control of the United Methodist Church; repealing a certain provision of law providing that the absence of a trust clause in any deed or conveyance executed before a certain date does not exclude certain local churches from certain provisions of law or responsibilities related to the United Methodist Church; providing that a local church that disaffiliates from the United Methodist Conference shall retain ownership of its real property, subject to a certain reimbursement requirement; and generally relating to Methodist churches. BY repealing Article - Corporations and Associations Section 5-326 and 5-327 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) BY adding to Article - Corporations and Associations Section 5-326 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) 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. *sb0172* SENATE BILL BY renumbering Article - Corporations and Associations Section 5-328 to be Section 5-327 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) SECTION 1. …