Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 263: Education - Dependent Children of Active Service Members - Advance Enrollment Procedures

SB 263 allows dependent children of active-duty military members to enroll in Maryland public schools remotely before relocating, using official military orders as proof of eligibility. It requires counties to create a free, no-physical-attendance remote registration process and to note if a child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan from their previous school. The bill ensures children with disabilities receive appropriate education without delay and permits continued enrollment through the school year even if residency changes. Military families can use temporary housing addresses (like base housing) as proof of residence. The Secretary of Veterans and Military Families must publish clear enrollment information on these procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables remote enrollment for military dependents, ensures IEP/504 continuity, preventing educational delays for vulnerable students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 339: Maryland School for the Deaf - Membership of Board of Trustees - Alterations

SB 339 changes the composition of the Maryland School for the Deaf's Board of Trustees. It reduces the total number of trustees from 19 to 13 and increases the required number of deaf trustees from 6 to 7. The bill also adds a requirement that each geographic region of Maryland must be represented by at least one board member. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, aim to better reflect the deaf community and geographic diversity in the school's governance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationChanges governance to better reflect deaf community and geographic diversity, enhancing educational access representation for the school.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 292: County Boards of Education - Student Transportation - Sunset Repeal and Study

SB 292 repeals the sunset provisions (automatic expiration dates) for two 2021 laws that allow county boards of education to provide student transportation using non-standard vehicles under specific circumstances. It specifically removes the June 30, 2026, termination dates from Sections 3 of Chapter 197 and Chapter 198 of the 2021 Acts. This change makes the existing student transportation rules permanent, ensuring county boards can continue using non-standard vehicles for certain student transport without needing new legislation. The bill directly affects county school districts and their transportation policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals sunset provisions to maintain county boards' ability to use non-standard vehicles for student transportation, ensuring continued educational access and operational stability for K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRepeals sunset on student transportation rules for non-standard vehicles, ensuring continuity of current policy under vehicle regulations90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 204: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes civic recognition program to enhance student civics proficiency and curriculum engagement, aligning with 'enhances student programs' indicator without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 486: Higher Education - Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program - Eligible Institutions

SB 486 expands Maryland's Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in specific graduate programs. It adds UMES as an eligible institution for students enrolled in four programs: Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. This change directly affects UMES students in these fields who previously could not access the scholarship. The bill amends existing law to update the list of qualifying institutions without changing scholarship amounts ($1,000-$5,000 per year) or other program rules. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands scholarship access for UMES graduate students in specific programs, increasing educational funding and access in higher education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands scholarships for healthcare graduate programs (PA, pharmacy, PT, vet med), directly funding future healthcare workforce development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 324: Higher Education - Public Senior Higher Education Institutions - Direct Admission Program and Study

SB 324 establishes a direct admission program for high school students meeting Maryland's college and career readiness standards (CCR standards) at participating public senior higher education institutions, starting in the 2027-2028 academic year. It directly affects eligible high school seniors who complete required coursework, meet CCR standards, and apply during their 12th grade. Key mechanisms include requiring the Maryland Higher Education Commission to administer the program through the financial aid system and Common Application, mandating joint notification by the State Department of Education and Commission about students meeting CCR standards, and allowing institutions to participate (with waived application fees and conditional admission offers). Institutions may set additional criteria but must report them annually and can revoke offers for failing to meet standards or diploma requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes direct admission program for high school students meeting CCR standards, expanding access to public higher education institutions starting 2027-2028.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 833: Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion

SB 833 (introduced by Senator Hershey) amends Maryland law to allow Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to use development impact fees for capital costs related to replacing public school facilities. This expands the existing authorized uses of these fees under Section 20-706 of the Maryland Annotated Code, specifically adding school facility replacement as a permitted purpose. The bill applies only to Queen Anne’s County and takes effect July 1, 2026. It is a procedural change to the county’s fee usage rules, not a new tax or broad policy shift.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands authorized use of development fees for public school facility replacement, supporting essential program funding through fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows use of development fees for school facility replacement, directly funding K-12 infrastructure improvements per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 864: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires apprenticeships for construction at higher education institutions (University System of Maryland, community college), expanding educational access via on-the-job training and repealing fee payments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates direct hiring of apprentices instead of fees, expanding workforce opportunities and strengthening apprenticeship programs by repealing fee-in-lieu provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1176: Howard County - Board of Education Budget - Percentage of County General Fund Revenue Ho. Co. 10-26

HB 1176 sets a minimum funding requirement for Howard County's public schools by prohibiting the County Executive from submitting or the County Council from approving a budget that allocates less than 58% of the county's general fund revenue to the Board of Education. The bill directly affects Howard County's annual budget process for public education funding. Key provisions require the budget to meet this 58% threshold unless the school board specifically requests a lower amount, in which case the budget must approve that requested level. This amends Maryland's education code to establish this specific minimum funding rule for Howard County.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 58% minimum funding for Howard County schools, preventing budget cuts to public education and protecting educational spending within county budget process.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum 58% funding for Howard County schools, preventing budget cuts to public education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 856: Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates national screening and licensing for educators to ensure qualified staff, enhancing safety and professionalism in schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education