EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G 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.
*sb1084*
SENATE BILL 1084
P1, O3 4lr3102
CF HB 1069
By: Senator M. Washington
Introduced and read first time: February 2, 2024
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 3, 2024
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
State Government – Commission Workgroup for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard 2
of Hearing – Established 3
FOR the purpose of establishing the Commission Workgroup for the Deaf, Deafblind, and 4
Hard of Hearing as an independent unit of State government to provide and advocate 5
for accessible and comprehensive services, and foster inclusivity, equal 6
opportunities, and improved quality of life, for to study and make recommendations 7
regarding certain services, programs, advocacy, outreach efforts, and other items to 8
improve the quality of life of individuals who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing; 9
and generally relating to the Commission Workgroup for the Deaf, Deafblind, and 10
Hard of Hearing. 11
BY adding to 12
Article – State Government 13
Section 9–3801 through 9–3806 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 38. 14
Commission for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing” 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – State Government 20
SUBTITLE 38. COMMISSION FOR THE DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING. 21 2 SENATE BILL 1084
9–3801. 1
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 2
INDICATED. 3
(B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE COMMISSION FOR THE DEAF, DEAFBLIND, 4
AND HARD OF HEARING. 5
(C) (1) “DEAF AND HARD OF HEAR ING INDIVIDUALS” MEANS 6
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE WHO HAVE PARTIA L OR 7
COMPLETE LOSS OF HEA RING. 8
(2) “DEAF AND HARD OF HEAR ING INDIVIDUALS ” INCLUDES 9
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE : 10
(I) DEAF; 11
(II) DEAFBLIND; 12
(III) HARD OF HEARING ; AND 13
(IV) LATE–DEAFENED. 14
(D) “DEAF COMMUNITY ” MEANS A CULTURAL MIN ORITY WITH DISTINCT 15
MODES OF VISUAL OR T ACTILE COMMUNICATION , LANGUAGES , OR SOCIAL MORES . 16
(E) “DEAF INDIVIDUAL” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH SEVERE, PROFOUND, 17
OR COMPLETE ABSENCE OF LEVELS OF RESIDUAL HEARING , WHERE THE PRIMARY 18
EFFECTIVE RECEPTIVE COMMUNICATION OR LAN GUAGE MODE IS VISUAL , TACTILE, 19
OR BOTH. 20
(F) “DEAFBLIND INDIVIDUAL ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS A 21
CONCOMITANT ABSENCE OF OR LIMITED LEVEL OF VISION AND HEARIN G. 22
(G) “HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUAL ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A 23
LIMITED RESIDUAL HEA RING LEVEL AND A HEA RING LOSS IN AN INDI VIDUAL THAT 24
RESULTS IN A FUNCTIO NAL HEARING LOSS , BUT NOT TO THE EXTEN T THAT THE 25
INDIVIDUAL MUST DEPE ND PRIMARILY ON VISU AL COMMUNICATION . 26
(H) “LATE–DEAFENED INDIVIDUAL ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE ONSET 27
OF HEARING LOSS OCCU RS AFTER THE DEVELOP MENT OF SPEECH AND L ANGUAGE 28
AND MAY BE DEPENDENT ON VISUAL OR AUDITOR Y ENHANCEMENT MODES FOR 29
COMMUNICATION . 30 SENATE BILL 1084 3
9–3802. 1
(A) THERE IS A COMMISSION FOR THE DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF 2
HEARING. 3
(B) THE COMMISSION IS AN INDE PENDENT UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT . 4
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROV IDE AND ADVOCATE FOR 5
ACCESSIBLE AND COMPR EHENSIVE SERVICES , AND TO FOSTER INCLUS IVITY, EQUAL 6
OPPORTUNITIES , AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE, FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE 7
DEAF, DEAFBLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING . 8
9–3803. 9
(A) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS O F: 10
(1) 1 MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED BY THE 11
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 12
(2) 1 MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 13
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; AND 14
(3) 10 COMMUNITY REPRESENTA TIVES OF STATE OR LOCAL 15
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ONS FOR DEAF INDIVID UALS IN THE STATE OR THE 16
WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA , APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. 17
(B) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, WHEN APPOINTING MEMB ERS TO THE 18
COMMISSION, THE GOVERNOR SHALL ENSURE GEOGRAPHIC BALANCE A ND 19
PROMOTE RACIAL AND G ENDER DIVERSITY IN T HE COMMISSION’S MEMBERSHIP . 20
(C) EACH MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE A RESIDENT OF THE 21
STATE. 22
(D) BEFORE SERVING ON THE COMMISSION, EACH MEMBER OF THE 23
COMMISSION SHALL TAKE THE OATH REQUIRED BY ARTICLE I, § 9 OF THE 24
MARYLAND CONSTITUTION. 25
(E) (1) THE TERM OF A MEMBER IS 2 YEARS. 26
(2) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 27
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES . 28
4 SENATE BILL 1084
(3) A MEMBER MAY NOT SERVE FOR MORE THAN THREE 1
CONSECUTIVE FULL TER MS. 2
(F) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION: 3
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 4
COMMISSION; BUT 5
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMEN T FOR EXPENSES UNDER THE 6
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 7
(G) THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST SIX TIMES A YEAR, AT THE 8
TIMES AND PLACES THA T IT DETERMINES . 9
9–3804. 10
(A) THE HEAD OF THE COMMISSION IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. 11
(B) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL BE APP OINTED BY THE GOVERNOR 12
WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE. 13
(C) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL BE : 14
(1) A DEAF OR HARD OF HE ARING INDIVIDUAL ; AND 15
(2) KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EX PERIENCED WITH ISSUE S AFFECTING 16
DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS. 17
(D) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL : 18
(1) MANAGE THE OPERATION OF THE COMMISSION; AND 19
(2) ESTABLISH GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES TO PR OMOTE THE 20
ORDERLY AND EFFICIEN T OPERATION OF THE COMMISSION. 21
(E) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS ENTITLED TO: 22
(1) COMPENSATION IN ACCO RDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET ; AND 23
(2) REIMBURSEMENT FOR EX PENSES UNDER THE STANDARD STATE 24
TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 25
(F) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY HIR E ANY STAFF NECESSAR Y TO 26
CARRY OUT THE PROVIS IONS OF THIS SUBTITL E. 27
SENATE BILL 1084 5
9–3805. 1
(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL : 2
(1) PROVIDE DIRECT AND S PECIALIZED CASE MANA GEMENT 3
SERVICES FOR DEAF , DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS; 4
(2) DEVELOP AND ADMINIST ER PR OGRAMS THAT SUPPORT 5
EDUCATIONAL , EMPLOYMENT , HEALTH, AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNI TIES FOR DEAF , 6
DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS; 7
(3) ADVOCATE FOR POLICIE S, PROGRAMS, AND LEGISLATIVE 8
INITIATIVES THAT ADD RESS THE NEEDS OF , AND ISSUES AFFECTING , DEAF, 9
DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS; 10
(4) RAISE PUBLIC AWARENE SS AND FOSTER UNDERS TANDING OF THE 11
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTER ED BY THE DEAF COMMU NITY; 12
(5) COORDINATE WITH OTHE R STATE AGENCIES AND OT HERWISE USE 13
THE RESOURCES OF THE STATE TO PROVIDE SPEC IALIZED CASE MANAGEM ENT 14
SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DEAF , DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING 15
INDIVIDUALS; 16
(6) IDENTIFY BARRIERS AN D GAPS IN COMMUNICAT ION ACCESS AND 17
DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE DEAF 18
COMMUNITY ; 19
(7) ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CTIVITIES TO ENHANCE 20
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BET WEEN DEAF , DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING 21
INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY ; AND 22
(8) ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THE PROVIS IONS OF THIS 23
SUBTITLE. 24
(B) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, AND EACH JULY 1 THEREAFTER , THE 25
COMMISSION SHALL SUBM IT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 26
2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE , THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, A REPORT ON THE 27
COMMISSION THAT INCLU DES: 28
(1) DATA RELATED TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE 29
COMMISSION; AND 30
6 SENATE BILL 1084
(2) ANY OTHER POLICY RECOMME NDATIONS THAT THE COMMISSION 1
CONSIDERS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS ACCESSIBI LITY OF SERVICES FOR DEAF, 2
DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS. 3
9–3806. 4
(A) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY SEEK M ONEY FROM THE FEDERA L 5
GOVERNMENT , FOUNDATIONS , AND PRIVATE SOURCES , IN ADDITION TO STATE 6
FINANCING. 7
(2) THE COMMISSION MAY ACCEPT GIFTS, GRANTS, DONATIONS, 8
BEQUESTS, OR ENDOWMENTS FOR AN Y OF ITS PURPOSES . 9
(B) MONEY RECEIVED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION AND 10
INCOME AND FEES DERI VED FROM ACTIVITI ES OF THE COMMISSION ARE NOT 11
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 12
(C) MONEY MAINTAINED BY T HE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION IS 13
SUBJECT TO AUDIT BY THE STATE, INCLUDING THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR. 14
(a) There is a Workgroup for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing. 15
(b) (1) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 16
(i) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the 17
President of the Senate; 18
(ii) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker 19
of the House; 20
(iii) the Director of the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or the 21
Director’s designee; and 22
(iv) 10 community representatives of State or local nonprofit 23
organizations for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals in the State or the 24
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, appointed by the Governor. 25
(2) To the extent practicable, when appointing members to the Workgroup, 26
the Governor shall ensure geographic balance and promote racial and gender diversity in 27
the Workgroup’s membership. 28
(c) The members of the Workgroup shall elect a chair from among the members 29
of the Workgroup. 30
(d) The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing shall provide staff for the 31
Workgroup. 32 SENATE BILL 1084 7
(e) The Workgroup shall: 1
(1) establish subcommittees as necessary to fulfill its duties; and 2
(2) assign members as necessary to assist in the research and preparation 3
of the report submitted under subsection (h) of this section. 4
(f) A member of the Workgroup: 5
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 6
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 7
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 8
(g) The Workgroup shall study, assess, and make recommendations regarding: 9
(1) providing direct and specialized case management services for deaf, 10
deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals; 11
(2) the development and administration of programs that support 12
educational, employment, health, and social opportunities for deaf, deafblind, and hard of 13
hearing individuals; 14
(3) advocacy for policies, programs, and legislative initiatives that address 15
the needs of and issues affecting deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals; 16
(4) outreach efforts to raise public awareness and foster understanding of 17
the challenges encountered by deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals; 18
(5) coordination with State agencies and utilization of State resources to 19
provide specialized case management services to meet the needs of deaf, deafblind, and 20
hard of hearing individuals; 21
(6) identification of barriers and gaps in communication access and 22
development of solutions to improve the quality of life of deaf, deafblind, and hard of 23
hearing individuals; and 24
(7) development of activities to enhance civic engagement between deaf, 25
deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals and the community. 26
(h) On or before June 1, 2025, the Workgroup shall submit a report of its findings 27
and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 28
Government Article, the General Assembly. 29
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act s hall take effect 30
October July 1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 2 years and, at the end of June 31 8 SENATE BILL 1084
30, 2026, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 1
abrogated and of no further force and effect. 2
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.