Maryland legislature establishes Minority Enterprise Business Ombudsman

MD News - Published Apr 26, 2022

The Maryland legislature has passed a bill, SB 487, which establishes the position of a Minority Enterprise Business Ombudsman within the Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs.

The bill was sponsored by Maryland Senate President Pro Tem Melony Griffith. The Ombudsman would, among other responsibilities: assist procurement officers within various agencies in attempts to resolve contract disputes; conduct training for procurement officers within various agencies; compel contractors (both prime and sub) to provide documentation related to contracts; and report to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee on their activities.

The bill was signed into law by Griffith, acting as a presiding officer by authority of Governor Larry Hogan, and takes effect on July 1st, 2022.

Read the bill at https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0487.