HB 661 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

General Provisions - Commemorative Months - Muslim American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage Months

HB 661 designates January as Muslim American Heritage Month and May as Jewish American Heritage Month in Maryland. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation for each month, recognizing the contributions of Muslim and Jewish Marylanders to the state's cultural, business, and public life. The proclamation also urges educational and cultural organizations to host programs and activities during these months. This is a commemorative measure with no new funding or mandatory requirements for individuals or entities.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 30, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - General Provisions - Commemorative Months - Muslim American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage Months Third - General Provisions - Commemorative Months - Muslim American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage Months · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was reorganized to insert a new 'Preamble' section containing 'Whereas' clauses that formally recognize the contributions of Muslim and Jewish Marylanders. Additionally, the bill's status was updated to reflect that it has been adopted by the House and reported favorably by the committee.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's substantive provisions regarding the proclamation of heritage months remains unchanged; the changes are primarily structural additions of a preamble and administrative status updates.
TECHNICAL

Added a Preamble section with 'Whereas' clauses formally acknowledging the contributions of over 350,000 Muslim Marylanders and over 250,000 Jewish Marylanders.

Updated the bill header to include 'Committee Report: Favorable' and 'House action: Adopted' with a new reading date.

Reordered the bill structure, moving the 'Whereas' clauses to precede the 'now, therefore' clause and renumbering subsequent sections accordingly.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

3510
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Mar 23, 2026
D Democratic36
32 Yea 1 Nay 3
88% Yea
R Republican13
3 Yea 9 Nay 1
69% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 358
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until 4/10 (Senator Feldman) Adopted
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Mar 11, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (127-7-8)
house of delegates
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors