Public Middle Schools – Instruction on the Consequences of a Conviction for Felony Murder

HB 781 requires Maryland public middle schools to teach students in grades 6-8 about the legal penalties of a felony murder conviction. The State Board of Education must develop age-appropriate curriculum resources, and county school boards must incorporate this instruction into their curriculum starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines "consequences" as penalties that take away freedom, rights, and access to programs after conviction under Maryland law. This applies specifically to felony murder convictions (first-degree murder under § 2-201(A)(4) of the Criminal Law Article).