Education (K-12 Education)

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 408: Anne Arundel County Public Schools - Election Official Career and Technical Education Pilot Program

SB 408 creates a pilot program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools to prepare high school students for careers as election officials. The bill requires the Anne Arundel County Board of Education and the State Board of Elections (with input from the State Department of Education) to develop this career training program starting July 1, 2026. The program will run for five years, ending June 30, 2031, and applies only to Anne Arundel County schools. It directly affects students in the county’s public schools by offering structured career pathways in election administration. The bill does not change existing election laws but establishes a new educational opportunity specific to the county.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates career training program for high school students in K-12, enhancing educational opportunities and workforce preparation within Anne Arundel County schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 358: Sales and Use Tax - Elementary or Secondary School Book Fairs - Exemption

HB 358 exempts sales tax on in-person book fairs held at Maryland elementary or secondary schools when organized by the school, a nonprofit parent-teacher organization (PTO), or another school-based nonprofit. The exemption applies only if the book fair occurs on school premises and all net proceeds are used solely for the school’s educational benefit or student programs. This change modifies Maryland’s tax code by adding a new exemption under Section 11-204(b)(9), specifically covering book fairs managed by school staff, students, or PTO members acting as agents for vendors. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on school book fairs, directing net proceeds to educational programs, providing tax relief that funds public schools.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts sales tax on school book fairs, directing net proceeds to educational programs and student benefits, effectively increasing school funding for educational activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 73: Public Schools - Water Safety and Swimming Course - Established

HB 73 requires Maryland public schools to implement a water safety and swimming course for students in kindergarten through grade 8. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, county school boards must offer this course based on curriculum standards developed by the State Board of Education by July 2027. The bill mandates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to fully participate and allows counties to partner with local parks departments for facility access. It also permits counties to award elective physical education credit for course completion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with implementation deadlines set for 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates water safety curriculum for K-8, enhancing student programs and safety education within public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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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

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 70: Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway

SB 70 establishes two new pathways for adults to earn a high school diploma in Maryland. The GED Option Pilot Program (starting 2027-2028) will test a new approach for at-risk students aged 17+ in three selected school districts, allowing them to earn diplomas through GED exams instead of traditional coursework. The MDiplomaWorks pathway provides an alternative diploma method based on career skills, industry credentials, work experience, and assessments, rather than standard exams. Both pathways are designed for adults who haven’t earned diplomas, are not subject to compulsory schooling, and need accessible options to enter college or careers. The pilot will run for two years, with required reports on effectiveness by 2028-2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative diploma pathways for adults, expanding access to high school credentials without traditional coursework, directly supporting educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 254: Education - Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program - Human and Sex Trafficking

SB 254 requires Maryland public and approved private schools to include age-appropriate human and sex trafficking awareness and prevention education in their health curriculum for students in grades 6 through 8. This amends existing law that already mandated sexual abuse and assault prevention programs, adding specific content about trafficking to those programs. The bill directs the State Board of Education to adopt regulations implementing this change, which takes effect July 1, 2026. It directly affects schools serving middle school students by expanding their required health education content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates age-appropriate trafficking awareness curriculum in K-8 health classes, strengthening student safety education within school curriculum requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 478: Washington County - Institutions of Higher Education - Dually Enrolled Students

SB 478 expands eligibility for two financial aid programs at Washington County institutions of higher education. It amends Maryland law to include homeschool students and nonpublic secondary school students in Washington County as "dually enrolled students," directly affecting these students and their access to the Part-Time Grant Program and Early College Access Grant. The bill updates definitions in education codes to cover these groups, ensuring they qualify for tuition support and grants previously available only to public school students. County boards must still cover 75% of tuition costs for eligible students under existing agreements, with periodic review options for schools and colleges. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands state financial aid eligibility for higher education grants, increasing government spending on education programs for more students.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to financial aid for homeschool and nonpublic school students in higher education through grant programs95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 262: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers - Alteration

SB 262 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for teachers by adding prekindergarten teachers to the list of eligible educators who can deduct up to $250 annually for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. The bill amends tax code sections to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed full-time in state programs as "eligible teachers," alongside existing K-12 teachers. This deduction applies only to supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, and excludes expenses already deducted federally. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for teachers, providing tax relief to middle-income educators via $250 annual classroom supply deduction.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deduction for teachers to include prekindergarten educators, providing financial relief for classroom supplies. Directly supports educators through tax benefit expansion.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax deduction for teachers' unreimbursed classroom supplies, enhancing financial support for educators as part of employment benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 222: County Boards of Education - Opioid Overdose-Reversing Medications - Policy Requirements (Naloxone Access Act)

HB 222 requires Maryland public schools and colleges to update policies and education programs to address opioid overdoses. It mandates schools to store naloxone, allow authorized staff and students to possess it, and provide liability protection for good-faith use during overdoses. The bill also adds naloxone's life-saving role to K-12 drug prevention curricula (starting in third grade) and requires annual parent notifications about school naloxone policies. Additionally, schools must report overdose incidents requiring naloxone use to the State Department. This affects all public K-12 schools and state-funded colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of naloxone education in K-12 curricula (starting 3rd grade) and updates school policies, enhancing health education programs within educational framework.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone access in schools for opioid overdose response, enhancing public health access and life-saving measures95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Substance Abuse

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 297: Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway

HB 297 establishes two new pathways for adults to earn a high school diploma in Maryland. It creates a two-year GED Option Pilot Program (starting 2027-2028) for up to 150 at-risk students (aged 17+) per participating school district who have withdrawn from regular school programs, expanding eligibility beyond current English language learner programs. The bill also permanently adds the MDiplomaWorks Pathway, allowing adults to earn a diploma by demonstrating academic and career skills, including work experience, instead of traditional coursework. Both pathways target adults who did not complete high school and withdrew from formal education programs. The pilot requires annual reports to the legislature on participation and outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new diploma pathways for at-risk adults, expanding educational access beyond current programs and increasing opportunities for high school completion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education