SB 646 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public School System Contracts - Prohibited Provisions

This bill prohibits Maryland public school systems from including 10 specific contract terms in new agreements, such as clauses requiring schools to pay for others' liabilities without funding, mandating binding arbitration, or restricting the school's choice of legal counsel. If such terms are included, they are invalid from the start, and contracts must be enforced as if those terms never existed. The law applies only to contracts signed on or after July 1, 2026, leaving existing agreements unaffected. It ensures public school contracts comply with state law and protect school systems from unfair obligations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Public School System Contracts - Prohibited Provisions Third - Public School System Contracts - Prohibited Provisions · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a specific exemption for collective bargaining agreements, preventing the prohibited provisions from applying to contracts negotiated under state labor laws. Additionally, the bill was restructured to clarify that the voiding of prohibited clauses applies to the entire contract section rather than just individual items, and the text was updated to reflect its adoption and committee status.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by adding an exemption for collective bargaining agreements, meaning the prohibited contract provisions no longer apply to union negotiations under specific state titles.
SCOPE

Added an exemption stating that the prohibited provisions do not apply to collective bargaining agreements entered under specific state labor law titles.

REQUIREMENT

Restructured the list of prohibited provisions and their consequences to clarify that the entire contract section is voided if it contains any prohibited language, rather than treating each item separately.

TECHNICAL

Inserted metadata regarding the bill's committee report status, adoption, and second reading date.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

470
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 49
Mar 3, 2026
D Democratic36
34 Yea 2
94% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 701
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 31, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (137-0-5)
house of delegates
Mar 20, 2026
Committee
Referred Ways and Means
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)
senate
Feb 6, 2026
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Nancy King
Nancy King
DDemocratic
MD
39