Education (Teachers)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 748: Publicly Funded Prekindergarten - Early Childhood Educator Career Ladder for Private Providers - New Pathways

HB 748 repeals specific deadline requirements for private prekindergarten providers participating in Maryland's publicly funded prekindergarten program. The bill removes time limits (like "within 3 years of hire" or "by July 1, 2027") that educators needed to meet certain educational or credentialing qualifications to advance through the state's early childhood educator career ladder. Private providers who receive public funding for prekindergarten services are directly affected, as they will no longer face strict deadlines to ensure staff meet these qualifications. The career ladder structure itself - including its three levels (teaching assistant, lead teacher, consulting teacher) and core goals of improving pay, professional development, and retention - remains unchanged. This is a procedural adjustment to the existing framework, not a substantive policy shift.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals deadlines for educator career advancement, removing barriers to professional development in publicly funded prekindergarten programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 807: Education - Teacher Preparation Programs - English Language Learner Teacher Competency Requirements

HB 807 requires all Maryland teacher preparation programs to integrate specific training in teaching English language learners (ELLs) into their curricula. This includes adding dedicated instruction on ELL competencies - such as language development, equitable literacy opportunities, and working with linguistically diverse students - starting in the 2028-2029 academic year, along with a mandatory three-credit course focused on ELL teaching methods. The bill directly affects all undergraduate and graduate teacher preparation programs in Maryland, mandating they incorporate these competencies throughout their coursework, not just in a single course. It aims to ensure future teachers gain practical skills to support ELL students in classrooms across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationHB 807 mandates ELL teacher competency training in preparation programs, strengthening educator readiness for linguistically diverse students and advancing equitable literacy opportunities per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 26, 2026

HB 1059: State Department of Education - Asian American History - Accurate Instruction

HB 1059 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to evaluate specific Asian American history training programs from seven approved organizations (including the Smithsonian and Asian American Education Project) for inclusion in its teacher professional development program. It creates a grant program providing up to $2,000 per teacher to cover costs for these trainings and up to $1,000 annually per school library to purchase age-appropriate books and resources on Asian American and Pacific Islander history. The bill mandates annual state funding of $500,000 starting in fiscal year 2028 to support these grants. The bill directly affects Maryland public school educators and school libraries by expanding access to culturally specific professional development and learning materials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates grant program allocating state funds for teacher training and library resources, directly funding educational programs within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates grants for teacher training and library resources on Asian American history, directly enhancing curriculum content and educator support in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Teachers

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 957: Education - Career Ladder - National Board Certification Associated Salary Increases

SB 957 clarifies that Maryland public school teachers holding a National Board Certification (NBC) with a 10-year award period are eligible for specific salary increases tied to their career ladder status. It establishes a $8,000 salary increase for renewing a 10-year NBC, plus $7,000 for a first maintenance renewal after 5 years, and $6,000 for a second maintenance renewal. The bill applies retroactively to teachers with eligible 10-year certifications and ensures these salary increases are separate from other career ladder benefits like the $10,000 increase for initially becoming an NBC teacher. It directly affects certified classroom teachers in Maryland public schools who hold or renew this specific type of National Board Certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $8k-$7k salary increases for National Board Certified teachers, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides $6,000-$8,000 salary increases for certified teachers, directly advancing wage standards and career progression for educators within Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 882: Income Tax - Credit for Student Loan Debt of Educators Working in Public Schools

SB 882 creates a state income tax credit for educators working full-time in Maryland public primary or secondary schools who have outstanding student loan debt. Eligible individuals must participate in the state's Career Ladder teaching program and certify they will use the credit for student loan repayment. The credit is claimed annually through the Maryland Higher Education Commission, with a $5 million annual cap, and paid out over five years (one-fifth each year). Recipients must verify continued employment in public schools and use the credit for loan repayment within three years, or repay the amount to the state if they fail to comply.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for public school educators, providing targeted tax relief for middle-income educators in essential public services, aligning with fiscal support for workforce retention.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit to reduce educators' student loan debt, directly supporting teachers financially and retaining staff in public schools per bill's intent.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit for educator student debt, reducing financial barriers for public school workers and supporting workforce retention in education.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Student Financial Aid Teachers

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1524: Labor and Employment - Paid Leave - Attendance at School Functions

HB 1524 requires employers with 15 or more employees in Maryland to provide parent employees with 20 hours of paid leave annually to attend school functions for their child enrolled in public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school. This includes events like parent-teacher conferences or school performances, with employees needing to submit proof within 48 hours after the event. Employers must pay at the employee’s regular rate and cannot force parents to use existing sick or vacation leave instead. The law applies to all qualifying employers, including government entities, and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides paid leave for parents to attend K-12 school functions, removing financial barriers to parental engagement in education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 20 hours annual paid leave for school functions, expanding worker benefits and protecting parental work-life balance under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Paid Leave

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 529: Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program Workgroup - Establishment

SB 529 establishes the Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program to help high school students in Southern Maryland begin teacher preparation while still in high school. The program allows eligible students (particularly historically underrepresented and rural students) to earn college credits through dual enrollment at no cost for tuition or mandatory fees. It requires the University System of Maryland, in consultation with the State Department of Education and Higher Education Commission, to develop the program and a teacher preparation pathway. The bill also creates a workgroup with members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker to design the program. This aims to address teacher shortages in Southern Maryland by building a diverse, local educator pipeline.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates free dual enrollment pathway for high school students to earn teacher prep credits, expanding access and building teacher pipeline for underrepresented/rural students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 803: Public Schools - Career Ladder - Teacher Classroom Teaching Time

HB 803 increases the required classroom teaching time for certain Maryland public school teachers from 60% to 80% of their workweek. It applies specifically to teachers on career ladder levels 1-3 (entry-level and non-leadership tracks), requiring them to spend 80% of their time teaching rather than on other activities like professional development or student tutoring. The bill amends Maryland’s education code to set this new standard, effective July 1, 2026, while keeping existing allowances for non-teaching duties during the remaining 20% of work time. Teachers on level 4 (leadership/administrator tracks) are excluded from this requirement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 80% classroom teaching time (up from 60%) for teachers, prioritizing direct instruction per education code amendment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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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

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives K-12 Education Teachers

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

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