Maryland Resources

This State Guide provides an in-depth look at sources of law in Maryland.

Constitutions

Introduction

Maryland's present constitution was ratified September 18, 1867, but has been amended approximately 200 times. The General Assembly can propose amendments to the Maryland Constitution. Each amendment must be proposed in a separate bill, embodying the constitutional article or section. Amendments must first be approved by three-fifths of all the members elected to each of the two houses of the General Assembly, then published in newspapers around the state and approved by a majority of Maryland voters. Md. Const. art. XIV, § 1.

Every 20 years (beginning in 1970), as part of the general election, Maryland voters must decide whether to call a constitutional convention for the drafting of a new constitution. If such a convention is called, any draft constitution it produces must be approved by a majority of Maryland voters. Md. Const. art XIV, § 2.

Maryland had three other constitutions before the Constitution of 1867: 1776, 1851, and 1864.

Readings

Current Constitution

Databases

Website

Print

The Annotated Code of the Public General Laws of Maryland. Constitutions.
Maryland Manual

Historic Constitutions

Databases

Websites

Print

Sources and Documents of United States Constitutions (1973-1979)

Constitutional Conventions

Database

  • Digitized Collection of Maryland Constitutional Documents on LLMC Digital. Includes: 1632 Charter granted by King Charles I; 1776, 1851, 1864, & 1867 Constitutions of Maryland; Constitutional Debates and Proceedings (1864, 1867), Constitutions with Amendments to 1902, 1913, 1922, 1927; 1967 Maryland Constitutional Commission Report, 1967-1968 Maryland Constitutional Convention Journal, 1968 Maryland Constitutional Convention Documents.

Websites

Print

The Decisive Blow is Struck: A Facsimile Edition of the Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of 1776 and the First Maryland Constitution