SB 375 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create an annual artificial intelligence training program for county board of education members. The program includes foundational training (covering AI risks, policy development, student privacy, and oversight) and yearly continuing training on new AI developments. County board members must complete foundational training within one year of taking office or by June 30, 2027, and annual training thereafter. The bill mandates submission of completion certificates to county boards and the state department, with public reporting of non-completers and biennial effectiveness reports to the legislature.
SB 343 modifies Maryland law to clarify how county school boards fund post-college and career readiness (post-CCR) pathways for students meeting college and career readiness (CCR) standards. It requires counties to provide free access to specific pathways (like International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment, or career-technical programs) for all eligible students, but allows boards to establish income-based eligibility for the college-preparatory pathway (Section 7-205.1(g)(2)). Crucially, students from families earning below 400% of the federal poverty level must receive these pathways at no cost, regardless of income guidelines. The bill directly affects public high school students meeting CCR standards and ensures equitable access to pathways without cost barriers for low-income families.
SB 71 establishes the Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission to identify and improve safe routes for students traveling to and from school across Maryland. The commission, including state education, transportation, health, and disability officials plus local school representatives, students, parents, and transportation experts, will coordinate infrastructure (like sidewalks and crosswalks), secure funding from federal grants and private sources, and develop strategic plans. It must annually report progress to the governor and legislative committees by December 1, focusing on gaps in safety infrastructure and funding opportunities. The commission will operate for seven years, ending September 30, 2033.
SB 84 would grant graduate assistants at Maryland's public universities (including the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland) the right to form a separate collective bargaining unit. The bill amends state law to explicitly include "all eligible graduate assistants" as a distinct bargaining group, meaning they would negotiate contracts separately from other university employees like faculty or staff. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects graduate students working as teaching, research, or administrative assistants in these institutions. The policy creates a formal structure for graduate assistants to collectively address employment terms like pay, benefits, and working conditions.
SB 212, the Maryland Fallen Heroes Tuition Benefits Act, exempts financially dependent children of state or local public safety employees who died while performing their duties from paying higher out-of-state or out-of-county tuition rates at Maryland public colleges and universities. It directly affects the children of qualifying employees, including firefighters, police officers, correctional officers, and Maryland National Guard members who died in the line of duty. The bill amends Maryland education code to create this tuition exemption, defining "state or local public safety employee" and requiring the Commission to adopt implementing regulations. The exemption applies regardless of where the dependent child resides and takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 378 updates Maryland's funding formula for regional library resource centers and county public libraries, increasing per-resident funding from $8.75 (2022) to $11.58 (2032 and beyond) for regional centers, and from $17.10 (2022) to $22.37 (2032 and beyond) for county libraries. It requires each public library to offer at least one new service, such as early childhood literacy programs, digital equity initiatives, or mental health support, by partnering with community organizations. The bill also mandates that libraries adopt written policies meeting state standards to receive state funding, with the Comptroller withholding funds for non-compliance. These changes affect all 23 Maryland county library systems and their regional resource centers, directly impacting how they allocate state funds and deliver services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 14 requires Maryland county school boards to collect and report detailed data on bullying, harassment, or intimidation incidents involving students. It mandates a standardized report form that specifically identifies if incidents were motivated by characteristics like race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and requires schools to post annual summaries of such incidents on their websites, broken down by the motivating characteristic. County boards must submit these summaries to the State Board by January 31 each year, while maintaining confidentiality under federal privacy laws. The bill directly affects public schools, students experiencing bullying, and school staff responsible for handling reports.
