SB 648 requires all Maryland local school systems to join a national Educator Identification Clearinghouse (operated by a national membership organization) for background checks on educator job candidates. It mandates that schools screen every candidate for licensed educator positions starting October 1, 2026, using this clearinghouse. Candidates must apply for their teaching license after receiving an offer but before starting work, and obtain the license before interacting with students. This bill directly affects Maryland school districts and all educators seeking licensed positions in the state.
SB 81 prohibits law enforcement officers assigned as school resource officers (SROs) from engaging in sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, or sexual acts with students enrolled at their assigned school. It amends Maryland's criminal law (Section 3-314(e)(iv)) to explicitly include SROs in the ban, defining "school resource officer" under the Education Article (Section 7-1501(j)). Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 3 years in jail or a $3,000 fine. The law directly affects SROs in Maryland public schools, targeting conduct specific to their role as law enforcement officers within educational settings. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 243 expands existing Maryland benefits for military service members to include their spouses. It provides spouses of active-duty service members and veterans with priority enrollment at public colleges, access to community college resources (including dedicated advisors and veteran resource centers), and eligibility for senatorial and delegate scholarships. The bill also extends hiring preferences for spouses in state government roles through the Public Service Commission. These benefits apply within 15 years of the service member’s last active duty and end after the spouse’s fourth academic year. The law amends specific sections of Maryland’s education, labor, and state personnel codes to include "spouse of an eligible service member" as a qualifying status.
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.
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.
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.
HB 358 exempts sales tax on in-person book fairs held at Maryland elementary or secondary schools when organized by the school, a nonprofit parent-teacher organization (PTO), or another school-based nonprofit. The exemption applies only if the book fair occurs on school premises and all net proceeds are used solely for the school’s educational benefit or student programs. This change modifies Maryland’s tax code by adding a new exemption under Section 11-204(b)(9), specifically covering book fairs managed by school staff, students, or PTO members acting as agents for vendors. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
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.
HB 590 renames Howard County's Agricultural Land Preservation Fund to the Agricultural Preservation and Innovation Fund and specifies how property transfer tax revenues are distributed. The bill directs 25% of transfer tax proceeds to school construction, 25% to park and watershed projects, and the remaining 50% to be split: 50% (of the remainder) for agricultural programs (including innovation to support farming sustainability), 25% for low-income housing and community improvement, and 25% for fire services. It also requires that any revenue from an increased transfer tax rate be distributed equally among school capital projects, recreation and parks capital projects, low-income housing, and fire services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 403 exempts sales tax on in-person book fairs held at Maryland elementary and secondary schools. It applies to sales by schools, parent-teacher organizations (PTOs), or other nonprofit groups operating these events on school premises. The exemption covers sales where students, staff, or PTO members act as agents for vendors, with all net proceeds used solely for the school's educational benefit. This bill adds a new tax exemption provision (Section 11-204(b)(9)) to Maryland’s tax code, effective July 1, 2026.
