As you may be aware if you have visited our website or contacted one of our boards recently, our offices have moved to 1100 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, MD 21201.  Please make note of our new address for all future mailing needs. 

Due to ongoing repairs in our new building, we are unfortunately unable to provide in person assistance at this time. However, we remain dedicated to servicing all of our clients through phone, e-mail and other virtual platforms. While we anticipate resuming our in-person assistance at this office soon, in the mean time, you can request a virtual appointment with our staff on our website. These appointments are available Monday through Friday with start times ranging from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are hosted using Google Meet and Google or GMail account is not required if you access the link on a computer. If you plan to access the link from a mobile device, a Google or GMail Account is required to use the video call function for your appointment.

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Deborah Rappazzo, Executive Director for the Office of Cemetery Oversight was invited to be the guest speaker at the Maryland Cemetery & Cremation Association (MCCA) General Meeting. The event took place at the Sykesville Station Restaurant, located at 7618 Main Street, Sykesville, MD 21784 wherein 25 guests were in attendance including Leila Whitley, Licensing Specialist, and Dreama Anderson, Investigator, from her office.

Executive Director Rappazzo, provided an overview of why and how the Office was established by the legislature under Title 5 of the Business Regulation, Article of Maryland Annotated Code, and how it currently operates today. She shared that the office, which began operation in 1997, anticipates celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and has been approved by the legislature for 10 more years of operation. She further detailed the kinds of services the office provides to both licensees and consumers from licensing and registration to complaints and compliance. 

Executive Director Rappazzo also shared updates from the office with the attendees including the electronic initial and renewal application process for individuals. She shared news about and a new statewide cemetery inventory listing in collaboration with many stakeholders including Maryland counties and other organizations. In legislative news, she explained how recently adopted legislation will affect the perpetual care distribution of income election. In closing, Executive Director Rappazzo, provided an update on a new restoration program in which the Department of Labor and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSC) are working together on called "Preservation and Restoration Initiative for Neglected Cemeteries" (PRINCE).

I am sure that when this newsletter arrived in your in-box, you realized that it has been a while since your last newsletter.  We have restructured our team and I am excited to announce that Danielle Anderson has joined our team as Website and Outreach Coordinator for the Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing.  Danielle is responsible for putting together 11 newsletters for our division and ensuring the timely distribution to the appropriate licensees.  In addition to the newsletters, we are improving our websites as well our communication channels including email and phone in an effort to continually improve our customer service response.   In the nearly 2 years that I have been with the Department of Labor, our team has worked hard to navigate the challenges presented by the COVID19 pandemic, while maintaining the highest standards in customer service.  We believe our team did a great job, however we will never stop  improving our processes and adding quality talent to our great team. 

Thank you for taking the time to read your newsletter and please contact us should you require any assistance.

Have a great summer!

My best,

Gregory J. Morgan

Commissioner