HB 864 (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) requires contractors and subcontractors on Maryland public works projects to employ a minimum percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers instead of paying fees to apprenticeship programs. The bill expands this requirement to cover construction projects for the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It repeals current provisions allowing contractors to pay fees in lieu of hiring apprentices and directs the Secretary of Labor to set an annual apprenticeship hiring percentage for each project. This policy change directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects valued above specific thresholds, aiming to increase on-the-job training opportunities in skilled trades.
HB 856 requires Maryland's local school systems to use a national Educator Identification Clearinghouse to screen job candidates for licensed educator positions starting October 1, 2026. The State Department of Education must register all school systems as members of the clearinghouse and pay associated membership fees. School systems must ensure candidates apply for and obtain the required teaching license before starting work and before interacting with students. This bill directly affects all Maryland public school systems and individuals seeking licensed teaching roles.
SB 648 requires all Maryland local school systems to join a national Educator Identification Clearinghouse (operated by a national membership organization) for background checks on educator job candidates. It mandates that schools screen every candidate for licensed educator positions starting October 1, 2026, using this clearinghouse. Candidates must apply for their teaching license after receiving an offer but before starting work, and obtain the license before interacting with students. This bill directly affects Maryland school districts and all educators seeking licensed positions in the state.
SB 81 prohibits law enforcement officers assigned as school resource officers (SROs) from engaging in sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, or sexual acts with students enrolled at their assigned school. It amends Maryland's criminal law (Section 3-314(e)(iv)) to explicitly include SROs in the ban, defining "school resource officer" under the Education Article (Section 7-1501(j)). Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine. The law directly affects SROs in Maryland public schools, targeting conduct specific to their role as law enforcement officers within educational settings. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 569 allows Queen Anne's County Commissioners to use revenue from development impact fees for capital costs related to replacing public school facilities. Previously, these fees could only fund specific infrastructure projects, but this bill expands their allowable use to include school building replacements. The change modifies Maryland's local government code (Section 20-706) to explicitly authorize this new purpose for Queen Anne's County. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 501 amends Maryland law to prohibit individuals in positions of authority (such as teachers, coaches, or school staff working with minors) from engaging in sexual contact with minors who are at least six years younger. It increases penalties for violations: first offenses carry up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, while repeat offenders face up to three years in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill also adds this offense as a predicate crime for sexual solicitation of minors and updates definitions related to sex offender registry tiers. It directly affects educators, program leaders, and others in supervisory roles working with minors under age 18.
HB 329 prohibits school resource officers (SROs) in Maryland from engaging in sexual activity, contact, or intercourse with students enrolled in schools where they are assigned. The bill amends Maryland's Criminal Law (Section 3-314) to explicitly add students at an SRO's assigned school as a protected group under this prohibition, with penalties including up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine for violations. It defines "school resource officer" in Education Law (Section 7-1501) to clarify the scope of the restriction. The law applies directly to law enforcement officers serving in school settings and takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 721, the Uniformed Services Spouses Act, extends existing Maryland benefits for military service members and veterans to include their spouses. It adds "eligible spouse" as a defined term to priority registration at public colleges (within 15 years of service member’s last active duty, max four academic years), community college resource centers with tailored support, and senatorial/Delegate scholarships for spouses of active service members. The bill also modifies hiring preferences for state public service roles to include spouses of veterans. These changes directly affect spouses of active-duty service members and veterans living in Maryland who seek education, career support, or scholarships. The law updates multiple sections of Maryland’s education and employment codes to include spouses in eligibility criteria previously limited to service members themselves.
SB 243 expands existing Maryland benefits for military service members to include their spouses. It provides spouses of active-duty service members and veterans with priority enrollment at public colleges, access to community college resources (including dedicated advisors and veteran resource centers), and eligibility for senatorial and delegate scholarships. The bill also extends hiring preferences for spouses in state government roles through the Public Service Commission. These benefits apply within 15 years of the service member’s last active duty and end after the spouse’s fourth academic year. The law amends specific sections of Maryland’s education, labor, and state personnel codes to include "spouse of an eligible service member" as a qualifying status.
SB 810 prohibits public school security personnel (including school resource officers, security employees, and certain off-duty officers providing school coverage) from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee information for immigration purposes. The bill specifically bans using school staff for Section 287(g) federal immigration investigations and restricts sharing educational or personnel records related to immigration enforcement, except when presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order. School security personnel must immediately contact the county superintendent and legal counsel if shown such legal documents. This law directly affects all Maryland public schools and their security staff, taking effect July 1, 2026, and aligns with existing privacy laws.
