WESTMINSTER, Md. — A Carroll County commissioner is planning to introduce legislation that would make English the official language of the county.

Haven Shoemaker says he will ask the board of commissioners to introduce the proposal at its session Thursday. If it passes, Carroll would become the third Maryland locality to enact such legislation this year after Frederick and Queen Anne’s counties.

Under the proposed ordinance, official actions and official views coming from Carroll County would be in English. However, any county employee or elected official would still be able to communicate in any language for unofficial business.

David Rocah, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, says the English language is not in danger in Carroll. He calls the ordinance “pointless” and “mean-spirited.”

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