Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children

Established pursuant to Senate Bill 776/House Bill 552 (2026) | Effective July 1, 2026

About the Commission

Between the 1870s and 1941, hundreds of Black children — some as young as five years old — died while confined at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, a state-supported facility in Cheltenham, Prince George's County. Their graves remain largely unmarked on the grounds of the former institution, adjacent to the manicured Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery.

The Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children was established by the Maryland General Assembly to ensure that these children are identified, their stories are told, and this painful chapter of Maryland's history is fully investigated and memorialized. The Commission is charged with conducting forensic, archaeological, and historical research; engaging descendants and affected communities throughout the process; and developing recommendations for acknowledgment, memorialization, education, and systemic reform.

The Attorney General of Maryland serves as Chair. Staff support is provided by the Office of the Attorney General. The Commission is required to submit an initial report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2027, and a final report by December 31, 2029. The Commission terminates on June 30, 2030.

Commissioners

The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee		Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General of Maryland, Chair
One member appointed by the President of the Senate of Maryland		Senator William C. Smith, Jr.
One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates		Delegate Jeffrie E. Long, Jr.
The Director of the Maryland Historical Trust, or the Director's designee		Elizabeth Hughes, Director
The Secretary of Veterans and Military Families, or the Secretary's designee		Deputy Secretary Jimmy Anderson
The Chair of the Prince George's County Planning Board of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, or the Chair's designee
The Secretary of Juvenile Services, or the Secretary's designee		Tiana Davis, Executive Director of Office of Equity and Inclusion
The Chief Archaeologist of the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration, or the Chief Archaeologist's designee		Dr. Julie M. Schablitsky, SHA Chief Archaeologist
The State Archivist, or the State Archivist's designee		Elaine Rice Bachmann, State Archivist
The Secretary of General Services, or the Secretary's designee		Deputy Secretary Joh Sedtal
The Chair of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, or the Chair's designee		Dr. Kali-Ahset Amen, Chair
The Executive Director of the Gibson–Banks Center for Race and Law at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, or the Executive Director's designee		Professor Michael Pinard, Francis & Harriet Iglehart Professor of Law, The Honorable William H. Murphy Jr., Faculty Director, Gibson-Banks Center for Race & the Law, and Director, Clinical Law Program
The Prince George's County Executive, or the County Executive's designee		The Honorable Aisha Braveboy County Executive, Prince Georges County
The Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary's designee		Gloria Brown Burnett, Deputy Secretary for Operations
The State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent's designee		Peter Ramsey Director of Social Studies, Division of Instructional Programs Maryland State Department of Education
One descendant of a child buried at the site, a former resident of the House of Reformation, or a former justice-involved youth
One academic expert in forensic anthropology, archaeology, African American history, or other related disciplines
One representative from a historically Black college or university in the State
One representative from a civil rights organization
Two individuals with experience in civil rights advocacy and litigation
Two individuals with experience in civil rights advocacy and litigation

Meeting Agendas & Recordings

DATE	AGENDA	RECORDINGS

More Information

Resources

Senate Bill 776

House Bill 552

Are You a Descendant or Family Member?

If you are a descendant or family member of a child who lived or died at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, we want to hear from you. Family and descendant voices are central to the Commission's work. Please contact us at [email protected] or <insert HOR phone number> to learn more about how to connect with the Commission and its community engagement process.

Contact

Office of Equity, Policy, and Engagement

Office of the Attorney General of Maryland

200 Saint Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

For inquiries related to the Commission, please contact Sophie Asike [[email protected]] or the Commission email [[email protected]].

Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children

Established pursuant to Senate Bill 776/House Bill 552 (2026) | Effective July 1, 2026​