Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 219: Public Schools - Airway Clearing Device Availability and Use - Policy (Bowen Levy Airway Clearing Device Act)

This bill requires every Maryland public school to have at least one airway clearing device (a portable suction device for choking emergencies) and authorizes school nurses and trained staff to use it during choking incidents. It mandates storage near eating areas and training for staff on device use and choking response. The State Department of Education must create a standard form for schools to report all device usage incidents, and the bill grants liability protection to staff acting in good faith during emergencies. The policy applies directly to all public schools, students, and school personnel in Maryland, with implementation required by July 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires airway devices and staff training in schools for choking emergencies, directly enhancing student safety protocols in K-12 environments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 117: Public Schools - Airway Clearing Device Availability and Use - Policy (Bowen Levy Airway Clearing Device Act)

HB 117 requires every Maryland public school to have at least one airway clearing device (a portable suction device for choking emergencies) and mandates that county school boards establish policies allowing school nurses and trained staff to use these devices during choking incidents. The policy must specify storage locations (near eating areas) and require staff training on device use and choking emergency response. Schools must report all device uses to the State Department of Education via a standardized form, and personnel acting in good faith during emergencies are protected from personal liability. This bill directly affects public schools, county boards, and school staff by standardizing emergency response protocols for choking incidents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates safety equipment and protocols in schools, enhancing student safety and school infrastructure, a protective measure for educational environment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school emergency medical equipment for choking incidents, enhancing public health safety protocols in schools as a healthcare service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 566: Criminal Law – Distribution of Students’ Personal Information – Prohibition

HB 566 prohibits distributing a student's personal details - such as name, address, Social Security number, or school address - without their explicit consent (or a parent/guardian's consent if the student is under 18). It specifically targets situations where the distribution is done with intent to cause harm (like physical injury, serious emotional distress, or economic damage) or with reckless disregard for that risk. The law applies to students in secondary schools (grades 6-12) or postsecondary institutions and carries misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine for violations. Exceptions include journalistic reporting, academic activities, and disclosures required for campus safety or legal compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates criminal prohibition for misuse of student personal information causing harm, protecting civil rights within criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy in educational settings by prohibiting unauthorized sharing of personal information, enhancing safety and trust in schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sharing of student personal data without consent, directly protecting data privacy - a core technology policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Higher Education School Safety Data Privacy

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 232: Maryland Military Department – National Guard – Tuition Assistance

HB 232 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It allows full coverage of in-state tuition and new "training assistance" costs (including uniforms, certifications, tools, and digital resources) at more institutions, including recognized vocational, trade, and career schools. Active Guard members attending eligible programs must agree to serve an additional 2 years (for undergraduate/vocational courses) or 4 years (for graduate/professional courses) after completing their studies. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to members certified by the Adjutant General.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition coverage and training assistance for National Guard members at vocational/academic institutions, directly enhancing educational access and opportunity for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition/training assistance for National Guard members (including uniforms/certifications), directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans transitioning from service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 407: Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority

SB 407 strengthens protections for minors by prohibiting individuals in positions of authority (such as teachers, coaches, or school staff) from engaging in sexual contact with minors they supervise who are at least 6 years younger. It specifically amends Maryland's criminal code to increase penalties for violations, including up to 3 years in prison for repeat offenders, and adds this offense as a basis for sex offender registry classification. The bill also refines definitions of "person in a position of authority" to include school staff and program leaders, and clarifies that these offenses cannot be treated as lesser included crimes. This directly affects school employees, youth program leaders, and minors under 18 in their care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens minor protections via harsher penalties and registry inclusion for authority figure offenses95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student safety by prohibiting school staff from sexual contact with minors, directly advancing educational safety standards through criminal protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 128: County Boards of Education - Therapy Dogs - Policy for Handling and Use in Schools

HB 128 requires Maryland county school boards to permit therapy dogs in public schools, subject to specific policies they must create. The bill mandates that all therapy dogs must be certified, accompanied by a handler, and used only in designated areas with clear guidelines for managing allergies or discomfort among students and staff. Each county board must adopt a policy covering certification standards, handler responsibilities, allowed locations, and allergy protocols. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects county school systems, therapy dog handlers, and students with allergies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates policies enabling therapy dogs in schools for student wellness, enhancing support programs without restricting access or funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 29: Public High Schools - Post College and Career Readiness Pathways - Alterations

HB 29 requires Maryland county school boards to provide free access to three types of post-college and career readiness pathways for students who meet statewide college and career readiness standards: competitive college prep programs (like IB or AP), early college/dual enrollment options, and career/technology education programs. It allows counties to set income eligibility guidelines for the college prep pathway costs (but mandates free access for students at or below federal poverty level), while requiring all other pathways to be free for all qualifying students. The bill also mandates schools to offer counseling to help students choose pathways, ensure graduation requirements are met through these pathways, and maintain full student services regardless of pathway enrollment. This applies to all Maryland public high school students meeting the readiness standards, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free access to college/career pathways for eligible students, expanding educational access and funding without restricting programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Higher Education

Track

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

HB 704: Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program - Establishment

HB 704 establishes Maryland's Community Eligibility Provision Expansion Program within the State Department of Education. It provides state funding to cover the difference between federal reimbursement rates for free and paid school meals, directly supporting Maryland schools with high poverty rates (25%+ students qualifying for free meals) that participate in the federal child nutrition program. The state will appropriate $10 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028 to complement federal funds, with funds distributed based on school poverty concentration and geographic diversity. Schools must report on program outcomes, meal debt resolution, and reasons for opting out of federal eligibility, with annual reports published online.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10M annually from state budget to fund school meals for high-poverty schools, directly increasing public service funding per state appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $10M state funding to cover meal program gaps for high-poverty schools (25%+ free meals), directly supporting school nutrition access and reducing financial barriers for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 168: Housing and Community Development - Affordable Housing - Educator Workforce Housing and Municipal Corporations

HB 168 allows Maryland school districts to use state housing funds for developing housing specifically for teachers and school staff (called "educator workforce housing"). It explicitly states that such housing qualifies as an eligible use of state financial assistance under housing programs and ensures teachers are recognized as a "specified group" for federal low-income housing tax credits. The bill modifies existing laws to clarify that school districts can repurpose unused school properties for this housing and that state housing agencies must inform applicants about this eligibility. This directly affects school districts seeking to address housing needs for educators and teachers applying for federal housing tax credits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables school districts to use state housing funds for teacher housing, directly supporting educator workforce stability and access to housing as a specified group for tax credits.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly permits using state housing funds for educator housing, qualifies it as eligible for state/federal programs, and designates teachers as a specified group for housing tax credits, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill designates teachers as a 'specified group' for housing benefits, directly supporting educator workforce housing as an employment standard under state/federal programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 57: Public Schools - Maryland Civic Excellence Program - Established

HB 57 establishes the Maryland Civic Excellence Program within the State Department of Education to recognize public school students demonstrating proficiency in civics and civic literacy. Local school systems may voluntarily participate to award a "Seal of Civic Excellence" on students' high school diplomas based on criteria developed by the Department by the 2027-2028 school year. Schools must submit annual reports to the Department starting July 1, 2028, detailing program implementation. The bill directly affects Maryland public schools and students, creating a formal recognition system without mandating curriculum changes or altering existing civics education requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes civic recognition program enhancing student curriculum and achievement through voluntary diploma seal for civics proficiency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education