Maryland House Bill HB971

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/25
• Refer: 1/31/25
• Report Pass: 3/14/25
• Engrossed: 3/14/25
• Refer: 3/17/25
• Report Pass: 3/31/25
• Enrolled: 4/3/25
• Chaptered: 5/20/25
• Passed: 5/20/25

Caption

Anne Arundel County Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park Advisory Committee

Summary

HB971 establishes the Anne Arundel County Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park Advisory Committee as a new advisory body under the Local Government Article. The committee is charged with advising Anne Arundel County, the county delegation, the county executive, the county council, and county departments on the planning and development of the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park, including how the public is involved in that process. It is also directed to gather and compile public input and make recommendations that reflect the site’s master plan, cultural history, health and wellness goals, recreation needs, infrastructure needs, and educational opportunities. The committee’s membership is broad and includes state, county, university, and community representation. Members include appointees from the Governor, legislative leaders, Anne Arundel County officials, Bowie State University, and the county executive, with required expertise in areas such as cultural history, recreation and parks, infrastructure, health and wellness, adjacent communities, and civil rights. The bill also requires annual reporting to county leaders and the Anne Arundel County delegation, and it is set to take effect October 1, 2025, with a five-year sunset on September 30, 2030.

Impact

The bill adds a new Title 33 to the Local Government Article and creates a temporary advisory structure specific to Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park in Anne Arundel County. It does not directly regulate private conduct or create new enforcement powers, but it does formalize a state-county advisory process that can shape planning, land use, preservation, access, and development decisions for the park. The act also requires annual reporting and will automatically expire after five years unless renewed by the General Assembly.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support, with the House passing the bill 137-0 and the Senate passing it 47-0. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes suggest broad agreement that the advisory committee is an appropriate and noncontroversial way to guide planning for the memorial park. The bill’s emphasis on history, public input, equity, and community benefit appears to have been well received across chambers.

Contention

No major opposition is reflected in the provided record. The only likely areas for policy debate would be the composition of the committee, the balance between preservation and development, and how the park should address Crownsville Hospital’s historical legacy while also serving recreation, health, and community access goals. Because the bill is advisory only and includes a sunset date, any contention appears to have been minimized by limiting the committee’s authority and duration.