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SB 358 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library - Funding and Budget Submission

SB 358 requires Maryland's Governor to include $450,000 annually in the state budget for the Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library starting in fiscal year 2026. It mandates the library to submit its annual operating budget to the State Library Agency by June 1 each year. The bill directs the library to conduct needs assessments for deaf patrons, develop staff training on deaf culture, create a coordination website, and form partnerships with deaf organizations and county libraries. This directly affects the library's operations, county library systems, and deaf and hard of hearing residents across Maryland.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates $450,000 annual state budget allocation for digital library, directly funding a public service initiative.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds digital library infrastructure and mandates coordination website, promoting digital access for deaf community through technology-enhanced services.85% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library - Funding and Budget Submission → Third - Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library - Funding and Budget Submission · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill text was reorganized and reformatted during its legislative journey, with the main substantive content remaining unchanged. The bill establishes a Deaf Culture Digital Library with specific operational requirements, funding, and staffing guidelines to support deaf patrons in Maryland libraries.
TECHNICAL

Header information was updated to reflect bill progression, including reassigned committee (Budget and Taxation), committee report status (Favorable), and Senate action (Adopted), along with updated filing numbers.

Formatting and line numbering were adjusted throughout the document, with sections renumbered and explanatory notes about markup conventions added.

REQUIREMENT

Core provisions for the Deaf Culture Digital Library remain intact, including requirements for needs assessments, staff training, website development, partnerships, advisory board formation, and budget submission.

FISCAL

Annual appropriation of $450,000 for fiscal year 2026 and thereafter remains in effect.

TIMELINE

Effective date of July 1, 2025 remains unchanged.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 9, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2025

How they voted

44–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 46
Feb 9, 2025
D Democratic33
31 Yea 2
93% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 6, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 326
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Appropriations
lower
Mar 25, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (137-1-1)
house of delegates
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
Referred Appropriations
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Feb 9, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-0-2)
senate
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Nancy King
Nancy King
DDemocratic
MD
39