EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0085*
SENATE BILL 85
P1 5lr0740
(PRE–FILED)
By: Senators Simonaire and Jackson
Requested: September 2, 2024
Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Braille Flag Memorial Act of 2025 2
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Veterans and Military Families to 3
designate a location for an American braille tactile flag to be placed on the grounds 4
of one or more State veterans’ cemeteries; and generally relating to State veterans’ 5
cemeteries and American braille tactile flags. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 7
Article – State Government 8
Section 9–906(a) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 12
Article – State Government 13
Section 9–906(b) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
BY adding to 17
Article – State Government 18
Section 9–906(j) 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
Preamble 22
WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are 23
approximately 130,000 blind veterans in the United States who are legally blind, and more 24 2 SENATE BILL 85
than one million who have low vision that causes a loss of ability to perform necessary daily 1
activities; and 2
WHEREAS, The American braille tactile flag was created by the Kansas Braille 3
Transcription Institute in Wichita, Kansas, to allow blind Americans and blind veterans to 4
experience the American flag; and 5
WHEREAS, Maryland has five State veterans’ cemeteries visited by thousands of 6
people annually; and 7
WHEREAS, The State of Maryland is known as a state that recognizes the great 8
contributions of our blind community and honors the dedication of our uniformed services 9
members and veterans; now, therefore, 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
Article – State Government 13
9–906. 14
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 15
(2) “AMERICAN BRAILLE TACTILE FLAG ” MEANS A TACTILE FLAG 16
DESIGNED TO ALLOW BL IND PEOPLE TO EXPERI ENCE THE AMERICAN FLAG , 17
INCLUDING A FLAG CREATED BY TH E KANSAS BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTION INSTITUTE. 18
(3) “Eligible dependent” means: 19
(i) a child who meets the requirements stated in 38 C.F.R. § 20
38.620(e); or 21
(ii) a parent who meets the requirements stated in 38 C.F.R. § 22
38.620(i). 23
[(3)] (4) “Eligible spouse” means a spouse who meets the requirements 24
stated in 38 C.F.R. § 38.620(e). 25
[(4)] (5) “State veterans’ cemetery” means a cemetery that the 26
Department establishes under this section. 27
[(5)] (6) In this section and in § 9–907 of this subtitle, “veteran” means 28
an individual who: 29
(i) served other than dishonorably on active duty in the armed 30
forces of the United States; or 31 SENATE BILL 85 3
(ii) served other than dishonorably as a member of the State militia 1
ordered into active service of the United States by order of the President and was killed in 2
the line of duty. 3
[(6)] (7) “Washington Cemetery” means the Civil War cemetery grounds 4
authorized by Chapter 213 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1870. 5
(b) The Department may establish one or more cemeteries in the State for the 6
burial of veterans and their eligible spouse or dependents as authorized by the Secretary. 7
(J) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DESIGNATE A LOCATION FOR AN AMERICAN 8
BRAILLE TACTILE FLAG TO BE PLACED IN ONE OR MORE STATE VETERANS ’ 9
CEMETER IES AS AUTHORIZED BY THE SECRETARY TO HONOR MEMBERS OF THE 10
UNIFORMED SERVICES , VETERANS, AND OTHER INDIVIDUAL S IN THE STATE WHO 11
ARE BLIND OR VISUALL Y IMPAIRED. 12
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 13
October 1, 2025. 14