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HB0036
HB0036: Updating Terms for Religious Groups and Leaders
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 4:24 AM
In one sentence
This bill changes words in Maryland state law to use 'member of the clergy' instead of 'clergyman' and 'faith institution' or 'place of worship' instead of 'church'.
What it does
- Changes the word 'clergyman' to 'member of the clergy' in many sections of the state code.
- Replaces the word 'church' with 'faith institution' or 'place of worship' throughout existing laws.
- Defines a 'faith institution' as any Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu congregation, or other religious society, congregation, or denomination.
Who it affects
- Religious groups and members of the clergy mentioned in Maryland state law sections regarding business regulation, commercial law, corporations, courts, criminal law, education, environment, family law, health, labor, natural resources, public safety, real property, state government, taxes, and transportation.
Limits and unknowns
- This bill only changes specific words and does not alter the actual rules or rights for these groups.
- The official text provided lists many law sections but is truncated, so it may not show every single change made to each one.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Faith Institution
- Any Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, or Hindu congregation, or any other religious society, congregation, or denomination.
- Member of the Clergy
- The new term used in state laws to replace 'clergyman' when referring to a person who leads a religious group.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Altering certain terminology throughout the Annotated Code that refers to a clergyman to refer to a member of the clergy and churches to refer to faith institutions and places of worship; and defining "faith institution" as any Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, or Hindu congregation, or any other religious society, congregation, or denomination.
Official activity
Bill history
- In the House - Hearing 3/09 at 2:30 p.m.