HB 856 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)

HB 856 requires Maryland's local school systems to use a national Educator Identification Clearinghouse to screen job candidates for licensed educator positions starting October 1, 2026. The State Department of Education must register all school systems as members of the clearinghouse and pay associated membership fees. School systems must ensure candidates apply for and obtain the required teaching license before starting work and before interacting with students. This bill directly affects all Maryland public school systems and individuals seeking licensed teaching roles.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act) → Third - Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to include committee approval and adoption status, reorganizing the definition of a 'National Membership Organization' to appear earlier in the text. A critical substantive change was made to the effective date for screening requirements, shifting from October 1, 2026, to August 1, 2026, thereby accelerating the timeline for schools to begin vetting new educators.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on educator screening, but the applicability date for new requirements was moved up by two months.

TIMELINE

The date for when school systems must begin screening job applicants using the Educator Identification Clearinghouse was changed from October 1, 2026, to August 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Added administrative notes indicating the bill was favorably reported by the committee and adopted by the House.

DEFINITION

Reordered the text to place the definition of 'National Membership Organization' before the department's duties, improving the logical flow of the statute.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 1, 2026

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 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 362

executive

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 1, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-1-9)

house of delegates

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors