School Construction - Nonpublic Special Education School Renovation Program - Established
HB 854 establishes a state grant program to fund renovations and improvements at eligible nonpublic special education schools in Maryland. The program provides grants for classroom renovations, safety upgrades to residential facilities, health/safety accessibility work, infrastructure modernization, and new construction to meet state standards. Eligible schools must operate with a licensed residential treatment center, offer an approved curriculum (high school credits or K-8 programs), and serve students placed through state education programs. The Interagency Commission on School Construction will administer the program, with funding proposed annually in the state budget.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 4, 2026
Signed May 26, 2026
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3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a favorable committee report and adoption status, indicating it has passed the House. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a mandatory funding requirement, ensuring the program receives at least $5,000,000 annually from the capital budget. Minor formatting adjustments were made to the list of eligible uses for grants, such as renumbering items to improve clarity.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's applicability remains unchanged, as the core definition of the program and eligible recipients was not altered.
FISCAL
Added a mandatory requirement that the Governor include an appropriation of at least $5,000,000 in the annual capital budget bill for each fiscal year to fund the program.
TECHNICAL
Added administrative status notes indicating the bill was reported favorably by the committee, adopted by the House, and read for the second time.
Reformatted the list of eligible grant uses by adding sub-numbering to the second and third items to improve the visual structure of the text.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 21, 2026
How they voted
47–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 49
Mar 27, 2026
D
Democratic36
94% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
7
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 768
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Committee
Rereferred to Budget and Taxation
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Committee
Referred Rules
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)
senate
Mar 21, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-1-9)
house of delegates
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
First Reading Appropriations
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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