EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0646*
SENATE BILL 646
P1 4lr2928
By: Senators Carter and McCray
Introduced and read first time: January 29, 2024
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
General Provisions – Commemorative Days – Hip Hop Day of Service 2
FOR the purpose of requiring the Governor annually to proclaim a certain day as Hip Hop 3
Day of Service; requiring the proclamation to urge citizens and organizations to 4
observe Hip Hop Day of Service properly; and generally relating to Hip Hop Day of 5
Service. 6
BY renumbering 7
Article – General Provisions 8
Section 7–420 9
to be Section 7–421 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 12
BY adding to 13
Article – General Provisions 14
Section 7–420 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 17
Preamble 18
WHEREAS, Hip Hop, originating in the South Bronx during the late 1970s, is a 19
cultural movement characterized by its four main elements: rapping, DJing, breaking, and 20
graffiti art; and 21
WHEREAS, Beyond its artistic expression, Hip Hop has always been a platform for 22
marginalized voices to speak out against injustice, discrimination, and inequality; and 23
2 SENATE BILL 646
WHEREAS, Hip Hop has a long history of advocating for social justice, including by 1
addressing issues of racial inequality and police brutality and promoting education and 2
community empowerment; and 3
WHEREAS, Hip Hop has been a powerful tool for promoting social change and giving 4
a voice to marginalized communities; and 5
WHEREAS, Hip Hop artists, through their lyricism and creative expression, have 6
consistently used their platform to bring awareness to societal injustices and advocate for 7
positive change, acting as a cultural force, inspiring collective action, and fostering a sense 8
of unity among diverse individuals from various walks of life; and 9
WHEREAS, Hip Hop Day of Service aims to celebrate the positive impact of Hip Hop 10
culture and use it as a catalyst for social change by bringing communities together to 11
promote unity, equality, and justice, aligning with the values and principles of Hip Hop 12
culture; and 13
WHEREAS, Hip Hop Day of Service encourages Hip Hop enthusiasts, artists, and 14
community members to collaborate on service projects that directly benefit their 15
communities, including organizing workshops, hosting educational events, or participating 16
in local clean–up initiatives, with the aim of making a tangible difference in the lives of 17
those in need; now, therefore, 18
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MA RYLAND, 19
That Section(s) 7–420 of Article – General Provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland 20
be renumbered to be Section(s) 7–421. 21
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 22
as follows: 23
Article – General Provisions 24
7–420. 25
(A) THE GOVERNOR ANNUALLY SHA LL PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 18 AS HIP 26
HOP DAY OF SERVICE. 27
(B) THE PROCLAMATION SHAL L URGE CITIZENS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO 28
OBSERVE HIP HOP DAY OF SERVICE WITH APPROPRI ATE PROGRAMS , CEREMONIES , 29
AND ACTIVITIES. 30
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 31
October 1, 2024. 32