EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1097*
HOUSE BILL 1097
G1 5lr3100
CF SB 929
By: Delegates Feldmark, Atterbeary, Fennell, Forbes, Guzzone, Hill, Jackson,
Kaiser, Kaufman, Lehman, J. Long, McCaskill, Pena–Melnyk, Roberts,
Schindler, Schmidt, Shetty, Simmons, Spiegel, Taveras, Terrasa, Wims, Wu,
and Ziegler
Introduced and read first time: February 5, 2025
Assigned to: Ways and Means
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Workgroup on Mail–In Ballot Accessibility 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Workgroup on Mail–In Ballot Accessibility; and 3
generally relating to the Workgroup on Mail–In Ballot Accessibility. 4
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 5
That: 6
(a) There is a Workgroup on Mail–In Ballot Accessibility. 7
(b) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 8
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 9
the Senate; 10
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 11
House; 12
(3) the State Administrator of Elections, or the State Administrator’s 13
designee; 14
(4) the Secretary of Information Technology, or the Secretary’s designee; 15
(5) the Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee; and 16
(6) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 17
(i) one representative of Common Cause Maryland; 18 2 HOUSE BILL 1097
(ii) one representative of the League of Women Voters of Maryland; 1
(iii) one representative of the National Federation of the Blind, 2
Maryland; 3
(iv) one representative of the Arc of Maryland; 4
(v) one representative of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities 5
Council; 6
(vi) an expert in voting accessibility; 7
(vii) an expert in election security; and 8
(viii) an expert in cybersecurity. 9
(c) The Governor shall designate the chair of the Workgroup. 10
(d) The State Board of Elections shall provide staff for the Workgroup. 11
(e) A member of the Workgroup: 12
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 13
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 14
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 15
(f) The Workgroup shall: 16
(1) examine the current processes and procedures in the State relating to 17
mail–in ballot return; 18
(2) assess the impact on voters with disabilities of requiring mail–in ballots 19
to be returned in paper form; 20
(3) collect information about current practices and standards for accessible 21
alternatives to paper mail–in ballot return in other jurisdictions; 22
(4) evaluate alternatives to paper mail–in ballot return for individuals with 23
disabilities, including each of the following considerations: 24
(i) accessibility; 25
(ii) security, including options for mitigating security concerns; 26
(iii) the potential for discrimination against voters with disabilities; 27 HOUSE BILL 1097 3
(iv) the ability of voters with disabilities to vote privately and 1
independently; and 2
(v) the cost and feasibility of implementation; and 3
(5) consult with additional subject matter experts as needed. 4
(g) On or before December 31, 2025, the Workgroup shall report its findings and 5
recommendations, including any recommended statutory changes, to the Governor and, in 6
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 7
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 8
1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 1 month and, at the end of June 9
30, 2026, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 10
abrogated and of no further force and effect. 11