Education (Early Childhood)

HB 910 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create a priority system for the Child Care Scholarship Program, specifically favoring children of individuals who work in licensed child care centers, registered family child care homes, or registered large family child care homes. This change applies to scholarship applications submitted after July 1, 2026, directly affecting child care providers and their children seeking financial aid for early childhood education. The bill amends existing law to establish this priority framework within the scholarship program's administration. It does not alter eligibility criteria for other families but adds a new ranking consideration for child care providers' children.

SB 672 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create a plan by December 1, 2026, to expand access to high-quality early childhood education and childcare for children from birth through age 3 in Prince George's County. The plan must analyze costs for parents, the county, and state; workforce needs for providers; current capacity to serve more children; and potential new revenue sources. It mandates consultation with Prince George's County and relevant state agencies during development. The bill directly affects infants and toddlers in Prince George's County, their families, and local childcare providers. The plan must be submitted to the Governor, state legislature, and Prince George's County delegation by the deadline, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026.

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.

HB 1321 modifies Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program to protect certain low-income families from enrollment freezes. It prohibits enrollment freezes from applying to families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, TANF, children on Social Security Income, or homeless children - ensuring these groups maintain access. If a freeze occurs, the State Department of Education must create a waitlist prioritizing these protected individuals. The bill also limits copay increases for specific participants and requires the Department to identify applicants eligible for free prekindergarten.

HB 574 establishes the Prince George’s County Teen Pregnancy Support Program to assist public high school students in the county who are parents or expecting parents. The bill requires Prince George’s County Circuit Court to collect a $100 fee in certain child support cases (applications for new/modifying support decrees or enforcing arrears), with all revenue remitted quarterly to the county school board. This funding will support the program, which provides students with childcare vouchers, parenting education, and other resources. The program applies only to students attending public high schools in Prince George’s County, and the fee is in addition to other existing fees. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 539 creates a pathway for individuals lacking formal proof of educational credentials to become child care teachers in Maryland centers serving preschool or school-age children (3+ years old). It requires the State Board of Education to establish a process where these individuals can be hired during a 6-month probationary period while completing approved pre-service training (90 hours total). To qualify, they must hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in specific fields (e.g., early childhood education, child development) and complete training within six months of hire, or complete 45 hours before hire and finish the rest within six months. Child care centers must terminate or reassign teachers who fail to meet these requirements by the end of the probationary period. The bill directly affects child care centers and prospective teachers who possess relevant education but lack documentation.

HB 659 adds a new member position to Maryland's State Board of Education, requiring the Governor to appoint an early childhood development professional with extensive experience in child care operations and curriculum development. This member must be selected from a list of three candidates provided by the Office of Child Care Advisory Council. The bill directly affects the State Board's composition and ensures representation from early childhood education professionals, who will attend executive sessions but cannot vote on personnel appeals. The appointment process requires the Department to notify licensed child care providers of vacancies, and the position takes effect July 1, 2026.