Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 311: Education - The Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Revisions

SB 311 revises Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland's Future education plan by making several targeted adjustments to existing provisions. It repeals the annual requirement for county school boards to submit technology spending reports, extends the timeframe for calculating compensatory education enrollment (through 2027), and removes a termination date for Concentration of Poverty Grant funds. The bill also updates teacher certification qualifications, extends deadlines for National Board Certification for principals, and revises definitions for wraparound services in community schools and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These changes primarily affect school districts, teachers, and state education agencies administering the Blueprint's funding and program requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends Concentration of Poverty Grant funding indefinitely, updates teacher certification, and removes redundant reporting requirements, strengthening ongoing educational support and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 393: Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program - Alterations

SB 393 removes a $1 million cost limit for community college facility projects (like repairs or upgrades) that qualify for state grants. It requires the Governor to appropriate 5% of funds allocated to the Community College Construction Grant Program annually for the Facilities Renewal Program, and to make up any shortfall if that program receives less than $80 million. The bill increases the annual grant limit from eight to sixteen and mandates equal funding distribution among eligible colleges if the total appropriation falls below $4 million. These changes directly affect Maryland community colleges seeking state funding for facility maintenance and improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 5% annual appropriation and $80M minimum funding for community college facilities, increasing state budget allocation for public infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves $1M cost limit for community college facilities, mandates $80M minimum annual funding, and increases grant limits, directly advancing higher education infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 473: Education - Collective Bargaining - Certificated Employees - Class Size

HB 473 repeals the current ban preventing public school employers in Maryland from negotiating class size limits with teacher unions. It removes the prohibition in Section 6-406(c)(3) that previously barred discussions about "the maximum number of students assigned to a class" during collective bargaining. This change directly affects certificated school employees (like teachers) and their unions, as well as public school employers (county school systems). The bill enables these parties to negotiate class size as part of their collective bargaining agreements, alongside other terms like salaries and working conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals ban on negotiating class size limits, enabling teacher unions to advocate for smaller classes and better working conditions, directly strengthening educator bargaining power in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves ban on negotiating class size limits, enabling collective bargaining for teacher working conditions (a core labor right under Labor & Employment policies).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

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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

Sub-Topics Special Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 288: State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare

HB 288 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a prolonged state of emergency when school closures prevent in-person attendance for 14+ consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans before emergencies occur, covering instruction, staffing, technology, student support, and return-to-school protocols. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board. The bill aims to ensure a structured transition to remote learning during extended school disruptions, taking effect July 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires virtual education plans during school closures to ensure instructional continuity and student access, strengthening educational resilience during emergencies.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates inclusion of technology in virtual education plans for school closures, ensuring infrastructure readiness85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 569: Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands allowable use of development fees to fund school facility replacements, directly increasing infrastructure funding for K-12 schools per Maryland code modification.95% confidence

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

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 79: County Boards of Education - Student Technology Use Policy - Requirements

SB 79 requires Maryland county school boards to create and adopt policies restricting student use of personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, or laptops) during school hours. It mandates a complete ban for elementary and middle school students, while allowing limited use for high school students under specific exceptions - such as for documented health needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or educational purposes. Policies must be published online and in student handbooks, reviewed every two years, and include disciplinary measures for violations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting all public school districts and students in Maryland.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates restrictions on student device use during school hours, limiting technology access in educational settings per explicit requirements.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts student use of personal electronic devices (technology) in schools, directly limiting technology access for elementary/middle students and imposing strict controls for high school.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 478: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers - Alteration

HB 478 modifies Maryland's income tax by expanding the existing $250 deduction for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses to include prekindergarten teachers. Previously, only K-12 classroom teachers qualified; this bill explicitly adds prekindergarten teachers employed full-time in state programs. The deduction remains limited to $250 per year for supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, excluding expenses already deducted federally. This change affects prekindergarten teachers statewide who purchase classroom supplies without reimbursement, effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands income tax deduction for teachers, providing tax relief to prekindergarten educators without increasing government spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deduction for preK teachers' classroom supplies, supporting educator financial relief and expanding access to teacher expense benefits.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax deduction for prekindergarten teachers' classroom supplies, providing financial support for work-related expenses under employment benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 64: Task Force on Education Funding and Student Population Growth

HB 64 establishes a task force to study how delays in counting student enrollment affect school funding and how growing student populations impact funding levels. The task force includes education officials, school board representatives, teachers, parents, and county government members. It will analyze these challenges and recommend improvements to the school funding system. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by December 15, 2026, after which the bill expires. This bill creates a review process but does not directly change funding policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to study school funding challenges from enrollment delays/population growth and recommend system improvements, directly advancing funding system analysis and potential enhancements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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