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Delegate Stewart seeks to replace 'churches' with 'faith institutions' across Maryland law

House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee · March 10, 2026
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Summary

Delegate Vaughn Stewart presented HB 36 to replace statutory references to 'churches' with 'faith institutions' so that mosques, synagogues and other faith communities receive equal application of tax and exemption provisions; sponsor said the bill previously passed the Senate unanimously.

Delegate Vaughn Stewart presented House Bill 36, which would amend statutory language in Maryland law to replace references to "churches" with the broader term "faith institutions." Stewart said the change aims to ensure mosques, synagogues and other faith communities receive equal treatment for tax exemptions and statutory benefits now phrased around the word "church."

Stewart said the bill previously passed the state Senate unanimously and asked the Rules committee to pass it so he would not need to reintroduce it in future sessions. There were no questions from the committee and no amendment requests recorded during the hearing.

Ending: The committee concluded the HB 36 hearing and will consider the bill in committee processes.