Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 575: Public Schools - Student Attendance - Excused or Discretionary Absences for Civic Engagement

HB 575 requires Maryland public schools to treat student absences as excused when students participate in specified civic activities during the General Assembly's regular session. It directly affects public school students by allowing absences for testifying at legislative hearings or engaging in activities like meeting with legislators, advocating for policies, or other department-approved civic work. The bill mandates that school systems adopt policies authorizing at least 15 hours or 2 school days per year for these activities, ensuring such absences do not count toward chronic absenteeism. This policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables student civic engagement during school hours, expanding educational access beyond traditional curriculum through approved civic activities.85% confidence

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 350: Public Schools - Open Enrollment - Policies and Funding

SB 350 authorizes Maryland county school boards to adopt open enrollment policies, allowing students to attend public schools in a different county than where they reside with their parent or guardian. The bill requires counties to establish application processes with enrollment preferences for zoned students and siblings, use equitable selection methods (like lotteries) when capacity is exceeded, and publish enrollment capacity data online. Crucially, it directs state funding for students enrolled under open enrollment to the county where the student attends school (the "receiving county"), not the student's home county ("sending county"), changing how education funds are distributed. This policy affects families seeking school options beyond their local district and alters how public school funding is allocated across county lines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects state funding for student enrollment in public schools under open enrollment policy, advancing essential education program funding through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling cross-county school enrollment, mandates equitable selection methods, and directs state funding - advancing K-12 access and choice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 574: Prince George’s County Teen Pregnancy Support Program and Fee in Child Support Cases – Established PG 504–26

HB 574 establishes the Prince George’s County Teen Pregnancy Support Program to assist public high school students in the county who are parents or expecting parents. The bill requires Prince George’s County Circuit Court to collect a $100 fee in certain child support cases (applications for new/modifying support decrees or enforcing arrears), with all revenue remitted quarterly to the county school board. This funding will support the program, which provides students with childcare vouchers, parenting education, and other resources. The program applies only to students attending public high schools in Prince George’s County, and the fee is in addition to other existing fees. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates mandatory $100 fee in child support cases to fund a public school teen pregnancy program, directly allocating revenue to support a government service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds K-12 student childcare via court fees to improve educational access for teen parents, directly supporting retention and program access in public high schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 370: Prince George's County - Income Tax - Credit for Employers Providing Parental Engagement Leave PG 419-26

HB 370 creates a state income tax credit for employers in Prince George’s County who provide "parental engagement leave" to qualified employees. The leave must be 10-20 hours per employee, paid at regular wage rates, and used solely for attending school-related events (e.g., parent-teacher conferences) at a public or nonpublic school in the county. Employers must obtain a certification form signed by school officials (e.g., principal and county board member) to claim the credit, which is calculated as the employee’s hourly wage multiplied by hours used, capped at $800 per employee annually. This credit directly affects PG County employers, qualified parents/guardians of school students, and school officials who verify attendance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state income tax credit for employers, providing tax relief and aligning with fiscal policies that strengthen tax incentives for qualifying programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for employers providing paid leave for school events (e.g., parent-teacher conferences), directly enhancing parental engagement in K-12 education access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax credit for employers providing paid parental leave (10-20 hours) for school events, expanding employee benefits and supporting work-life balance within employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Teachers Minimum Wage Professional Licensing

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 479: Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program Workgroup - Establishment

HB 479 establishes the Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program to create a structured, tuition-free pathway for high school students in Southern Maryland - especially those from underrepresented groups and rural areas - to begin teacher preparation while earning college credits. The State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, will administer the program, ensuring participants are treated as dually enrolled students with no tuition or fees required. The University System of Maryland must develop the program and teacher preparation pathway, with a workgroup (including appointed members from the Governor, Senate, and House) overseeing its design. This program aims to address local teacher shortages and build a diverse educator pipeline, aligning with statewide education goals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition-free teacher pathway for underrepresented students, expanding access to education careers and supporting teacher workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 525: County Boards of Education - Student Electronic Communication Device Use Policy - Establishment (Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act)

HB 525 requires Maryland county school boards to create and implement policies limiting student use of phones and other electronic communication devices (like tablets or smartwatches) during the academic school day, effective by the 2027-2028 school year. The policy must prohibit personal device use except for specific, documented needs (such as IEP accommodations, health monitoring, emergencies, or educational purposes when school devices aren't available), and require students to store devices securely. School boards must engage parents and staff in developing the policy, publish it in multiple languages, and report annually on its implementation, including enforcement data and impacts on student focus and well-being. The bill directly affects all public school students and county school boards across Maryland.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school policies limiting student device use during class to reduce distractions, supporting focused learning environments in K-12 education.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student personal device use in schools, limiting technology access during academic hours per explicit policy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 430: Institutions of Higher Education - Mandatory Disclosures for New and Prospective Students (Informed Enrollment Act)

SB 430, the Informed Enrollment Act, requires Maryland institutions of higher education admitting first-time undergraduates to prominently display a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard on their public websites by July 1, 2027. Each institution must also provide a clear explanation of the Scorecard’s data on costs, graduation rates, salary outcomes, and debt. Schools must share this information during student orientation, recruitment materials, and regularly with prospective students, new students, advisors, and career counselors via websites, social media, and career center pages. The bill is contingent on the federal College Scorecard remaining active; if discontinued, the law automatically ends without further legislative action. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with compliance beginning July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires higher ed institutions to disclose cost/outcome data via College Scorecard, enhancing student transparency and informed enrollment decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

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

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 109: Institutions of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Schools - Title VI Coordinators

HB 109 requires all Maryland public colleges, universities, and local school systems to appoint a designated Title VI Coordinator by July 1, 2026. These coordinators must ensure compliance with federal civil rights law (Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs. The bill establishes a direct complaint process, allowing students, parents, or others to file discrimination complaints with a school or college's Title VI Coordinator instead of (or in addition to) the State Superintendent. Coordinators must investigate complaints, maintain records, provide training, and promote equal access to programs. This law directly affects all Maryland public K-12 schools and higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires Title VI coordinators to ensure anti-discrimination compliance in schools, directly protecting educational access under civil rights law.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires Title VI compliance to prevent national origin discrimination in schools, protecting immigrant students from bias in federally funded education programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 198: Prince George's Community College - Aerospace and Aviation Systems Technology Programs - Feasibility Study

SB 198 requires Prince George’s Community College to establish an Aerospace Technology Studies Program by December 2026, in collaboration with Maryland’s Higher Education Commission, Department of Commerce, and local economic development groups. The program must include training in aerospace systems, avionics, advanced manufacturing, and AI applications, with industry internships and a clear high school-to-college career pathway. It mandates formal partnerships with local aerospace employers and requires annual reports on progress and student outcomes to state and county officials. The bill directly affects students seeking aerospace careers and local employers needing skilled workers, focusing on workforce development without specifying funding or cost.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new aerospace program at community college with industry partnerships, career pathways, and training in high-demand fields, expanding educational opportunities and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates AI and aerospace technology training program at community college, advancing tech workforce development through targeted education and industry partnerships.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes aerospace technology training programs with industry partnerships, advancing transportation infrastructure and workforce development in aviation systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence Airports