COMMISSION ON THE HOUSE OF REFORMATION & INSTRUCTION FOR COLORED CHILDREN

[photo, St. Paul Plaza, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, Maryland] Chair: Anthony G. Brown, Attorney General
Vice-Chair: vacancy, (chosen by Commission)

Appointed by Attorney General: Erica B. Fields; Phyllis Hammond; Justin Hansford; Mary Ann Scali; Siobhan Summers, Ph.D.; David Taft Terry, Ph.D.

Appointed by Senate President: William C. Smith Jr.

Appointed by House Speaker: Jeffrie E. Long Jr.


St. Paul Plaza, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, Maryland, June 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Ex officio: Joseph (Joh) W. Sedtal, designee of Secretary of General Services; Gloria L. Brown Burnett, designee of Acting Secretary of Human Services; Tiana R. Davis, designee of Secretary of Juvenile Services; James L. Anderson, designee of Secretary of Veterans & Military Families; Peter Ramsey, designee of State Superintendent of Education; Julie M. Schablitsky, Ph.D., Chief Archaeologist, State Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; Elaine Rice Bachmann, State Archivist; Elizabeth A. Hughes, Director, Maryland Historical Trust; Kali-Ahset Amen, Ph.D., Chair, Commission on African American History & Culture; Aisha N. Braveboy, County Executive, Prince George's County; Darryl Barnes, Chair, Prince George’s County Planning Board; Monique L. Dixon, Executive Director, Gibson–Banks Center for Race & Law, Francis King Carey School of Law, University of Maryland.

Staff:

c/o Office of Equity, Policy, & Engagement
Office of Attorney General
St. Paul Plaza, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 230-1700
e-mail: horcommission@oag.maryland.gov
web: https://oag.maryland.gov/our-office/Pages/Commission%20on%20the%20House%20of%20Reformation%20and%20Instruction%20for%20Colored%20Children.aspx

Final Report to Governor & General Assembly due Dec. 31, 2029 (Chapters 607 & 608, Acts of 2026).

Initial Report to Governor & General Assembly due Dec. 31, 2027 (Chapters 607 & 608, Acts of 2026).

In July 2026, the Commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children was formed by the General Assembly (Chapters 607 & 608, Acts of 2026).

The House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children (now Cheltenham Youth Detention Center) was authorized originally by the General Assembly in 1870.

The Commission charge is to research the history, operations, and resident deaths at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children; and provide a complete and public accounting of the children who died and were buried on the grounds of that institution. Further, the Commission is to promote healing and reconciliation through truth–telling, acknowledgment, and recommendations for systemic reform; and ensure descendant and community voice throughout the investigation and reconciliation process.

Twenty-one members constitute the Commission. Six members are appointed by the Attorney General, and one each by the Senate President and House Speaker. Twelve members serve ex officio. The Attorney General chairs the Commission (Chapters 607 & 608, Acts of 2026).

Authorization for the Commission ends May 31, 2030.

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