Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 218: State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare

SB 218 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a "prolonged state of emergency" when in-person school attendance is disrupted for at least 14 consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans - including staffing, instruction, technology, and return-to-school strategies - before any emergency occurs. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board of Education. The bill directly affects public school districts, students, and school staff by establishing a standardized process for transitioning to virtual learning during extended disruptions, while clarifying that public health emergency responsibilities remain with the Secretary of Health.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires virtual education plans for continuity during disruptions, protecting student access to education during emergencies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 288: State Superintendent of Schools - Prolonged State of Emergency - Authority to Declare

HB 288 authorizes Maryland's State Superintendent of Schools to declare a prolonged state of emergency when school closures prevent in-person attendance for 14+ consecutive days. It requires county school boards to create detailed virtual education plans before emergencies occur, covering instruction, staffing, technology, student support, and return-to-school protocols. These plans must be updated every two years and approved by the State Board. The bill aims to ensure a structured transition to remote learning during extended school disruptions, taking effect July 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires virtual education plans during school closures to ensure instructional continuity and student access, strengthening educational resilience during emergencies.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates inclusion of technology in virtual education plans for school closures, ensuring infrastructure readiness85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 864: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

HB 864 (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) requires contractors and subcontractors on Maryland public works projects to employ a minimum percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers instead of paying fees to apprenticeship programs. The bill expands this requirement to cover construction projects for the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It repeals current provisions allowing contractors to pay fees in lieu of hiring apprentices and directs the Secretary of Labor to set an annual apprenticeship hiring percentage for each project. This policy change directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects valued above specific thresholds, aiming to increase on-the-job training opportunities in skilled trades.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires apprenticeships for construction at higher education institutions (University System of Maryland, community college), expanding educational access via on-the-job training and repealing fee payments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates direct hiring of apprentices instead of fees, expanding workforce opportunities and strengthening apprenticeship programs by repealing fee-in-lieu provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 856: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates national screening and licensing for educators to ensure qualified staff, enhancing safety and professionalism in schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 810: Immigration Enforcement - Expanding Sensitive Locations, Notification, and Guidance (Maryland Values Act of 2026)

SB 810 prohibits public school security personnel (including school resource officers, security employees, and certain off-duty officers providing school coverage) from engaging in federal immigration enforcement or sharing student/employee information for immigration purposes. The bill specifically bans using school staff for Section 287(g) federal immigration investigations and restricts sharing educational or personnel records related to immigration enforcement, except when presented with a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or legal order. School security personnel must immediately contact the county superintendent and legal counsel if shown such legal documents. This law directly affects all Maryland public schools and their security staff, taking effect July 1, 2026, and aligns with existing privacy laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts school security (law enforcement) from immigration enforcement, protecting student civil rights and preventing law enforcement overreach in schools. Aligns with criminal justice reform by limiting misuse of security personnel.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits school staff from aiding immigration enforcement, protecting student privacy and safety in educational settings per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits school staff from aiding federal immigration enforcement and restricts sharing student data for immigration purposes, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 972: Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund - Establishment ( Charles J. Otto Agricultural Education Promise Act)

HB 972 establishes the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, a permanent fund to provide annual grants supporting agricultural fairs and education. The fund will receive lottery proceeds (before allocation to the general fund) and replace previous requirements for horse racing fund allocations. It directs specific annual grants: $825,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, $75,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, $550,000 to the Maryland State Fair Society (for youth programs like 4-H and FFA), and $50,000 to the Maryland FFA Association. These grants aim to advance agricultural fairs, education, and youth programs across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects lottery proceeds to fund agricultural education and fairs ($825k, $75k, $550k annually), directly advancing dedicated program funding per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $1.45M annually to agricultural education programs via grants to foundations and fair boards, enhancing specialized student programs and curriculum access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 70: Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway

SB 70 establishes two new pathways for adults to earn a high school diploma in Maryland. The GED Option Pilot Program (starting 2027-2028) will test a new approach for at-risk students aged 17+ in three selected school districts, allowing them to earn diplomas through GED exams instead of traditional coursework. The MDiplomaWorks pathway provides an alternative diploma method based on career skills, industry credentials, work experience, and assessments, rather than standard exams. Both pathways are designed for adults who haven’t earned diplomas, are not subject to compulsory schooling, and need accessible options to enter college or careers. The pilot will run for two years, with required reports on effectiveness by 2028-2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative diploma pathways for adults, expanding access to high school credentials without traditional coursework, directly supporting educational access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 297: Adult Education - High School Diploma Pathways - MDiplomaWorks Pathway

HB 297 establishes two new pathways for adults to earn a high school diploma in Maryland. It creates a two-year GED Option Pilot Program (starting 2027-2028) for up to 150 at-risk students (aged 17+) per participating school district who have withdrawn from regular school programs, expanding eligibility beyond current English language learner programs. The bill also permanently adds the MDiplomaWorks Pathway, allowing adults to earn a diploma by demonstrating academic and career skills, including work experience, instead of traditional coursework. Both pathways target adults who did not complete high school and withdrew from formal education programs. The pilot requires annual reports to the legislature on participation and outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new diploma pathways for at-risk adults, expanding educational access beyond current programs and increasing opportunities for high school completion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 232: Maryland Military Department – National Guard – Tuition Assistance

HB 232 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It allows full coverage of in-state tuition and new "training assistance" costs (including uniforms, certifications, tools, and digital resources) at more institutions, including recognized vocational, trade, and career schools. Active Guard members attending eligible programs must agree to serve an additional 2 years (for undergraduate/vocational courses) or 4 years (for graduate/professional courses) after completing their studies. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to members certified by the Adjutant General.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition coverage and training assistance for National Guard members at vocational/academic institutions, directly enhancing educational access and opportunity for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition/training assistance for National Guard members (including uniforms/certifications), directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans transitioning from service.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 672: Prince George's County - Expanding Access to Early Childhood Education and Child Care

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates plan to expand early childhood education access for children birth-3 in Prince George's County, directly advancing educational access as defined in the topic description.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires analysis of workforce needs for childcare providers, directly addressing labor market access and supporting employment opportunities in early childhood sector.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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