SB 204 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public Schools - Maryland Civic Excellence Program - Established

SB 204 establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program within the State Department of Education to recognize public school students who demonstrate proficiency in civics and civic literacy. Local school systems can choose to participate, using state-developed guidelines (to be finalized by 2027-2028) to determine student eligibility. Participating schools may award a "Seal of Civic Excellence" and attach it to students' high school diplomas. The program requires annual reports from participating schools starting July 2028, and schools may collaborate with civic organizations to support implementation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Aug 20, 2025 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Public Schools - Maryland Civic Excellence Program - Established → Enrolled - Public Schools - Maryland Civic Excellence Program - Established · 3 edits · May 26, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled after passing the Senate, with minor formatting updates to the header and sponsor list. The most significant policy change is the addition of a mandatory capstone project requirement, which now mandates that students must complete a civic service project through an existing or new extracurricular activity supervised by paid staff to receive the award. The bill also clarifies that the State Board must establish these criteria in regulation rather than just developing guidelines.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Maryland Civic Excellence Program for public high school students, but the specific requirements for participation have been tightened to include a concrete capstone project component.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement that students must complete a capstone project focused on civic service in state, county, or local government to receive the Seal of Civic Excellence.

Modified the implementation rules to specify that the capstone project must be part of an existing extracurricular activity or a new one supervised by a paid staff member.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect its enrolled status and corrected the formatting of the sponsor list.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

48–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 49

Mar 26, 2026

D Democratic36

36 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 677

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 30, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (138-0-4)

house of delegates

Mar 26, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (48-0-1)

senate

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Ways and Means

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Aug 20, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

23 primary · 0 co-sponsors