HB 600 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Educational Equality for Service Members Act

HB 600, the "Educational Equality for Service Members Act," updates Maryland's education laws to ensure eligibility for educator certification applies equally to all uniformed services (including National Guard, reserves, and other service branches), not just the traditional armed forces. It revises definitions throughout education statutes to replace "military" with "uniformed services" and clarifies that "veteran" includes those discharged within one year for certification purposes. The bill maintains the existing requirement for active service members, eligible veterans, and their spouses to hold a valid out-of-state license and meet basic qualifications to qualify for expedited certification. This change directly affects service members and veterans seeking teaching careers in Maryland by aligning certification pathways with current service definitions.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Educational Equality for Service Members Act → Third - Educational Equality for Service Members Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, including committee approval and adoption. The substantive content of the bill remains largely unchanged, with only minor formatting adjustments and the addition of explanatory notes about how amendments are marked.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; changes are primarily procedural and formatting updates.

TECHNICAL

Added committee report status showing favorable approval with amendments and house adoption status.

Changed the bill title from 'A BILL ENTITLED' to 'CHAPTER ______' to reflect standard legislative formatting.

Added explanatory notes clarifying that underlining indicates amendments and strike-through indicates deletions.

Minor formatting adjustments to section references and bill numbering throughout the document.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 256

executive

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 7, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-0-4)

house of delegates

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means and Appropriations

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors