Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 70: Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway

SB 70 establishes two new pathways for adults to earn a high school diploma in Maryland. The GED Option Pilot Program (starting 2027-2028) will test a new approach for at-risk students aged 17+ in three selected school districts, allowing them to earn diplomas through GED exams instead of traditional coursework. The MDiplomaWorks pathway provides an alternative diploma method based on career skills, industry credentials, work experience, and assessments, rather than standard exams. Both pathways are designed for adults who haven’t earned diplomas, are not subject to compulsory schooling, and need accessible options to enter college or careers. The pilot will run for two years, with required reports on effectiveness by 2028-2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative diploma pathways for adults, expanding access to high school credentials without traditional coursework, directly supporting educational access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 297: Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway

HB 297 establishes two new pathways for adults to earn a high school diploma in Maryland. It creates a two-year GED Option Pilot Program (starting 2027-2028) for up to 150 at-risk students (aged 17+) per participating school district who have withdrawn from regular school programs, expanding eligibility beyond current English language learner programs. The bill also permanently adds the MDiplomaWorks Pathway, allowing adults to earn a diploma by demonstrating academic and career skills, including work experience, instead of traditional coursework. Both pathways target adults who did not complete high school and withdrew from formal education programs. The pilot requires annual reports to the legislature on participation and outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new diploma pathways for at-risk adults, expanding educational access beyond current programs and increasing opportunities for high school completion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 403: Sales and Use Tax - Elementary or Secondary School Book Fairs - Exemption

SB 403 exempts sales tax on in-person book fairs held at Maryland elementary and secondary schools. It applies to sales by schools, parent-teacher organizations (PTOs), or other nonprofit groups operating these events on school premises. The exemption covers sales where students, staff, or PTO members act as agents for vendors, with all net proceeds used solely for the school's educational benefit. This bill adds a new tax exemption provision (Section 11-204(b)(9)) to Maryland’s tax code, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on school book fairs, providing tax relief for educational programs and increasing net proceeds for schools per tax code amendment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts sales tax on school book fairs, increasing net proceeds for educational programs without direct state funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 508: Somerset County Board of Education - Alterations

SB 508 modifies Somerset County Board of Education rules by adding a nonvoting student member position elected by high school students, who serves a one-year term starting July 1. It increases annual compensation for adult board members from $3,000 to $6,000 (chair) and $2,700 to $5,000 (member), and provides a $5,000 scholarship for student members completing a full term. The bill also restricts student members from attending executive sessions unless invited by a majority vote of the board. These changes directly affect Somerset County's school board members, high school students (as voters for the student seat), and the county’s budget for board compensation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds $5,000 scholarship for student board members, enhancing student engagement and access to education governance without restricting funding or curriculum.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 142: Maryland Military Department - National Guard - Tuition Assistance

SB 142 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It broadens eligible institutions to include private vocational/trade schools with 50% tuition waivers and adds covered expenses like tools, uniforms, certification fees, and digital resources. Active Guard members (enlisted or commissioned) attending approved institutions can receive 100% coverage for tuition and qualifying training costs, provided they commit to 2-4 years of continued service after course completion. The bill applies to undergraduate, graduate, vocational, and trade courses, with specific provisions if a member's unit disbands.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for National Guard members at vocational/trade schools, increasing educational access and funding for higher education through 100% coverage of tuition and training costs.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition assistance for National Guard members (veterans) to include private vocational schools, tools, uniforms, and certification fees, strengthening educational benefits and service support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 207: Higher Education - Guaranteed Access Grant Program - Applicability

SB 207 delays the shift from a centralized to a decentralized administration of Maryland's Guaranteed Access Grant Program until the 2029-2030 financial aid year. The bill maintains the current system where the State Treasurer's Office ranks applicants by financial need, provides these lists to public colleges, and reimburses institutions for grants awarded. It directly affects Maryland public colleges and students seeking need-based financial aid. The bill preserves existing processes for awarding and renewing grants without changing eligibility or funding levels. This is a procedural delay, not a substantive policy change to the grant program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPreserves existing need-based financial aid program for Maryland public colleges, maintaining current access to higher education funding without changes to support structures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 262: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers - Alteration

SB 262 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for teachers by adding prekindergarten teachers to the list of eligible educators who can deduct up to $250 annually for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. The bill amends tax code sections to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed full-time in state programs as "eligible teachers," alongside existing K-12 teachers. This deduction applies only to supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, and excludes expenses already deducted federally. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for teachers, providing tax relief to middle-income educators via $250 annual classroom supply deduction.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deduction for teachers to include prekindergarten educators, providing financial relief for classroom supplies. Directly supports educators through tax benefit expansion.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax deduction for teachers' unreimbursed classroom supplies, enhancing financial support for educators as part of employment benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 7: Higher Education - Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship - Repeal of Termination Date

SB 7 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the June 30, 2030 cutoff that previously prevented new awards after that date. This change allows the scholarship to be awarded indefinitely to eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents who meet Maryland residency and educational requirements. The bill also removes restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before 2030. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition, fees, and room/board at Maryland public universities, requiring a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of full-time study. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals expiration date for veterans' higher education scholarship, enabling indefinite funding and expanding access to educational financial support for eligible veterans and dependents.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRepeals termination date for veterans' scholarship, enabling indefinite awards to eligible veterans and dependents, expanding educational benefit access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 982: Higher Education - Tuition Exemption for Foster Care Recipients - Eligibility

HB 982 modifies Maryland's tuition exemption program for foster care recipients by changing the eligibility age requirement. It lowers the required age from 13 to 8 for youth who were in out-of-home placement and later adopted or placed under guardianship. This change expands eligibility to include more foster youth who transitioned to permanent families after age 8. The bill affects current and future foster care recipients seeking tuition-free public college education, maintaining existing requirements like enrollment by age 25 and filing for financial aid. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education tuition exemption eligibility for foster youth by lowering age requirement, increasing access to free public college education for more vulnerable students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1254: Education - Public Schools - Service Contracts

HB 1254 requires county school boards to justify service contracts (outsourcing school services) by submitting detailed cost comparisons showing at least 20% savings over using school employees, along with plans to assist affected staff. It mandates that boards demonstrate they considered alternatives like reorganizing services before contracting. The bill also directs the State Department of Education to develop a paid, in-person professional development system for paraeducators and support staff by July 2027, including training on collaboration, student safety, crisis prevention, and job skills. This new system must be provided during school hours and will directly affect all paraeducators and support professionals in Maryland public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 20% cost savings justification for outsourcing, promoting fiscal responsibility in school budget management per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates paid professional development for paraeducators and requires cost justification for outsourcing to protect staff, strengthening educator support and school operations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires cost justification and staff assistance for outsourcing, mandates professional development for support staff, protecting workers from abrupt job loss and enhancing employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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