Education - Public Middle Schools - Course on Consequences of a Felony Murder Conviction

HB 993 requires Maryland's State Board of Education to create age-appropriate curriculum standards for a course about the legal consequences of a felony murder conviction (such as loss of freedom, rights, and access to programs) for public middle school students in grades 6-8. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, county school boards must develop and implement this course, ensuring it is taught at least once during those grades. The bill directly affects all public middle schools and students in Maryland's 6th through 8th grades. It mandates concrete policy changes by establishing a new curriculum requirement with specific implementation timelines.