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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0191*
SENATE BILL 191
P1 6lr0859
(PRE–FILED)
By: Senators Brooks and Rosapepe
Requested: September 16, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
State Designations – State Song – “The Heart of Maryland” 2
FOR the purpose of designating “The Heart of Maryland” as the State song; and generally 3
relating to the State song. 4
BY renumbering 5
Article – General Provisions 6
Section 7–319 and 7–320 7
to be Section 7–320 and 7–321, respectively 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10
BY adding to 11
Article – General Provisions 12
Section 7–319 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15
Preamble 16
WHEREAS, Maryland has been without an official State song since the repeal of 17
“Maryland, My Maryland” in 2021; and 18
WHEREAS, “Maryland, My Maryland”, adopted in 1939, reflected historical 19
sentiments that are inconsistent with the values and diversity of the State today; and 20
WHEREAS, The people of Maryland take great pride in the State’s rich history, 21
cultural diversity, and spirit of unity and resilience; and 22
2 SENATE BILL 191
WHEREAS, Music and poetry have long served as expressions of a state’s history, 1
spirit, and unity, offering a sense of pride and belonging to the people it represents; and 2
WHEREAS, “The Heart of Maryland” , composed by Jayla Elise, beautifully 3
expresses the pride, warmth, and unity of the State and its people; and 4
WHEREAS, “The Heart of Maryland” celebrates the State’s beauty, resilience , and 5
diversity, capturing the warmth and strength of Maryland’s people from the mountains of 6
the west to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond; and 7
WHEREAS, The song honors Maryland’s rich cultural and historical heritage while 8
embracing the inclusivity, compassion, and progress that define the State today; and 9
WHEREAS, Marylanders have long sought a unifying State song that all residents 10
can sing with pride, regardless of background, and that reflects the true heart and 11
character of Maryland; and 12
WHEREAS, “The Heart of Maryland” reflects a deep appreciation of Maryland’s 13
landscapes, communities, and shared traditions, offering an inclusive and uplifting anthem 14
for all Marylanders; and 15
WHEREAS, The adoption of “The Heart of Maryland” as the official State song 16
honors Maryland’s enduring spirit and affirms t he values of unity, diversity , and pride in 17
the State’s shared future; now, therefore, 18
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That Section(s) 7–319 and 7–320 of Article – General Provisions of the Annotated Code of 20
Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 7–320 and 7–321, respectively. 21
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 22
as follows: 23
Article – General Provisions 24
7–319. 25
(A) THE SONG “THE HEART OF MARYLAND”, WRITTEN BY JAYLA ELISE 26
FROM DORCHESTER COUNTY FOR THE MARYLAND 250 PROJECT, IS THE STATE 27
SONG. 28
(B) THE WORDS OF THE STATE SONG ARE: 29
I 30
TOGETHER WE STAND, 31
IN THE HEART OF THIS LAND. 32
THROUGH STEEL AND STONE, 33
SENATE BILL 191 3
WE’VE CALLED THIS PLACE HOME. 1
II 2
THROUGH THE CANNON ROAR AND THE BATTLE CRIES, 3
MARYLAND WAVED AGAINST THE SKIES. 4
FROM THE HARBOR’S TIDE TO THE MOUNTAIN STREAMS, 5
WE’VE BUILT A HOME, 6
TO CHASE OUR DREAMS. 7
III 8
WE ARE MARYLAND, BOLD AND FREE, 9
BORN OF FIRE, SHAPED BY EVERY SINGLE TRIAL, 10
EVERY STORM, 11
WE STAND TALL, AND WE ARE STRONG. 12
IV 13
OH, WATCH THE BRIDGES RISE AND 14
CARVE THE HANDS OF TIME. 15
OH, PLACES ON THE SHORE, 16
LEAVES YOU WANTING MORE. 17
V 18
TOGETHER WE STAND, 19
IN THE HEART OF THIS LAND. 20
THROUGH STEEL AND STONE, 21
WE’VE CALLED THIS PLACE HOME. 22
VI 23
WHERE THE HISTORY LIVES, AND THE FAMILIES THRIVE, 24
MARYLAND’S SPIRIT STAYS ALIVE. 25
WE’VE WEATHERED TIME, WE’VE STOOD AS ONE, 26
CREATING HOPE WITH EVERY SUN. 27
VII 28
WITH UNITY WE FIND OUR SONG, 29
RIGHT HERE, WHERE WE ALL BELONG. 30
YOU’LL FREE YOUR SOUL, YOU’LL FREE YOUR MIND, 31
HERE IN MARYLAND, 32
LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. 33
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 34
October 1, 2026. 35