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Update RE: SBSLI: As of August 12, 2025, all licensing applications will remain in effect to begin processing upon the adoption of the regulations by the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters. GODHH will have 30 days from the adoption date to process applications.

The SBSLI board is making corrections to the regulations. Meeting was held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. This meeting was a Special Meeting.

The next scheduled Special Meeting is on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

The regulations will be resubmitted tentatively to be published on Friday, August 22, 2025 for another 30-day comment period. The public comment period will have a new form posted and we will share it close to the date of August 22nd.

On Monday, September 22, 2025 the 30-day comment period will end.

The next meeting to discuss changes made date TBD. This will be an Open Meeting to adopt the regulations.

We are still on track for licensure on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Videos of SBSLI meetings will be posted on YouTube 24-48 hours after the meeting. The DRAFTED minutes are posted within 2 weeks after the meetings.

Please note that as SBSLI continues its work on the regulations, additional meetings may be scheduled as necessary. All meetings will comply with the Open Meetings Act, including providing the agenda at least 24 hours in advance.

Please continue to look in Staying Connected! on our website or check your email for the registration information to attend the meetings.

Update RE: DDBHH Workgroup: As of June 1, 2025, the workgroup has sent their recommendations to the General Assembly and is waiting to hear back from them. Please allow 45 days for a response from the General Assembly and a response from the workgroup after they hear back. This means you would likely hear back from the workgroup late in September 2025.

Legislation

Photo of book with Law typed along the spine of book with mallot sitting on book.During the legislative session, the Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is responsible for monitoring various bills that are introduced in the state legislature and may be of interest to Deaf and hard of hearing Marylanders. The office also ensures that the community remains informed of updates on hearings and votes on pending legislation. While the Governor’s Office does not endorse specific bills, Deaf and hard of hearing Marylanders are encouraged to get involved, be informed, and make their concerns known to their elected officials.

If you wish to learn who your elected officials are, please click “Who Are Your Elected Officials“. Or, copy and paste http://mdelect.net/) and follow the instructions. The election officials identified in the website include both State and Federal elected officials. If you wish to save information for documentation, or further reference, please download this form and fill it out for you to keep.

How Our Laws Are Made

To understand more about the legislative process and how a bill becomes a law, please review How a Bill Becomes Law. The office also has a video series of the legislative process in ASL on Facebook and YouTube.

This flowchart on the Maryland General Assembly may help you understand its structure. It will be helpful to also explore the Maryland General Assembly’s website and learn about the dates of interest for the 2025 session.

2025 Legislative Session

Below are some bills that the office is currently monitoring. To find out the current status of each bill and its scheduled hearings, click on some of the bill’s link (based on info availability) for more information:

  • SB006 Election Law – Polling Place Procedures – Voting by Elderly Voters and Voters With Disabilities (Accessible and Expedited Voting Act of Maryland)

  • SB0085  Braille Flag Memorial Act of 2025

  • SB0069  Access to Telephones – Study

  • SB0223  HB0158 Department of Aging – Social Connections Program – Establishment

  • SB0208 Human Services – Maryland Assistive Technology Program – Establishment

  • SB0185  Maryland Public Ethics Law – State Officials of and Candidates to be State Officials of the Judicial Branch – Conflicts of Interest and Financial Disclosure Statements

  • SB0358 Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library – Funding and Budget Submission
  • Hb200 Workgroup to Study School Bus Safety (Maryland School Bus Safety Act of
    2025)

  • Hb0246, SB0205 Human Services – Adult Protective Services

  • Hb0251 Maryland Public Ethics Law – Training and Financial Disclosure Requirements– Revisions

  • HB406 State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech–Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists – Appointment of Members and Quorum

        Further details found here  mgaleg.maryland.gov

        Legislative Bills Monitored 2024

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