HB 531 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State Department of Education - Public Schools STEM and Robotics Program - Study

HB 531 establishes a task force to study existing STEM and robotics programs in Maryland public schools and other states. The task force, composed of state officials, school representatives, and nonprofit leaders, will collect data on program structures, funding, and impacts to assess the feasibility of creating statewide competitive robotics programs in public high schools. It must submit recommendations by December 15, 2026, including whether robotics should be established as a varsity sport in all public high schools. The bill directly affects Maryland public schools by initiating a formal review process for potential program expansion.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Last action Mar 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Public Schools STEM and Robotics Program Task Force - Establishment → Third - State Department of Education - Public Schools STEM and Robotics Program - Study · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift the focus from establishing a new Task Force to requiring the existing State Department of Education to conduct a study on current STEM and robotics programs. The scope was narrowed to focus specifically on extracurricular programs in high schools, and the deadline for the study report was moved from December 2026 to January 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from creating a new legislative Task Force to assigning a study mandate to the State Department of Education, specifically targeting extracurricular STEM and robotics programs in high schools.

SCOPE

Replaced the creation of a new Task Force with a directive for the State Department of Education to conduct a study.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for the study to examine program administration, participation, funding sources, and barriers to implementation.

Removed the requirement for the Task Force to make recommendations on establishing robotics as a varsity sport, replacing it with a recommendation on feasibility for the Department of Education.

TIMELINE

Changed the report deadline from December 15, 2026, to January 1, 2027.

DEFINITION

Explicitly defined the focus as 'extracurricular' STEM and robotics programs.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 8, 2026

How they voted

126–7

Passed · 9 other

Total votes 142

Mar 8, 2026

D Democratic103

96 Yea 7

93% Yea

R Republican39

30 Yea 7 Nay 2

76% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 8, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (126-7-9)

house of delegates

Jan 27, 2026

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means

lower

20 primary · 0 co-sponsors