Education

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

HB 910: Child Care Scholarship Program - Priority for Child Care Providers

HB 910 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create a priority system for the Child Care Scholarship Program, specifically favoring children of individuals who work in licensed child care centers, registered family child care homes, or registered large family child care homes. This change applies to scholarship applications submitted after July 1, 2026, directly affecting child care providers and their children seeking financial aid for early childhood education. The bill amends existing law to establish this priority framework within the scholarship program's administration. It does not alter eligibility criteria for other families but adds a new ranking consideration for child care providers' children.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes child care providers' children for scholarships, expanding access to early childhood education within the program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1329: Education - Public School Construction - Funding

HB 1329 sets a new annual funding target of $550 million for Maryland public school construction beginning in fiscal year 2027, replacing the previous $450 million target for 2023-2026. It directs the state to maintain a relatively stable number of funded projects in the Capital Improvement Program within debt affordability guidelines. The bill explicitly states this $550 million target does not include funding from the Built to Learn Program. This change affects all public school construction projects eligible for state capital funding under the Capital Improvement Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual public school construction funding from $450M to $550M, directly advancing state budget allocation for essential public education infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases annual public school construction funding from $450M to $550M, directly advancing school infrastructure funding under education topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 800: Education - Behavioral Health and Student Well-Being and Human Flourishing (Maryland Student Well-Being and Flourishing Act)

HB 800 updates Maryland’s education law to explicitly include "student well-being and human flourishing" alongside behavioral health services. It amends sections of the education code (including 5-212, 6-122, and 7-447) to define student well-being as progress across eight dimensions: social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial well-being. The bill requires school staff training to recognize issues affecting these areas and directs the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports to advance student well-being initiatives. It directly affects Maryland public schools, staff, and students by integrating holistic well-being into existing education funding, training, and support systems.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates staff training and defines eight well-being dimensions to enhance student programs in schools, advancing student well-being as an educational priority.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school staff training to recognize emotional/mental health issues, advancing behavioral health services within education as part of student well-being framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1163: Howard County - Voting Age - Board of Education Elections Ho. Co. 5-26

HB 1163 would lower the voting age for Howard County Board of Education elections from 18 to 16 years old. It proposes a constitutional amendment and amends election law to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote specifically in school board elections within Howard County. The bill requires voter approval in the November 2026 general election to take effect. This change would directly affect Howard County residents aged 16-17 who are otherwise eligible to vote (citizens, registered, and residents). It does not apply to other elections or counties.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows 16-17 year olds to vote in school board elections, expanding student participation in education governance and aligning with educational access policies.95% confidence

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 709: Education - Purple Star Schools Program and Purple Star Colleges Program

SB 709 creates Maryland's Purple Star Colleges Program to recognize institutions of higher education that provide strong support for military-connected students. The bill updates the definition of "military-connected student" to include service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents, and establishes specific requirements for colleges seeking designation. To qualify, colleges must designate a uniformed services liaison, maintain a dedicated webpage with transition resources, offer student-led transition programs, and provide staff training on military-connected student needs. Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, this program complements the existing Purple Star Schools Program and directly affects colleges and military-connected students statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Purple Star Colleges Program requiring institutions to support military-connected students with resources, enhancing educational access for veterans and military families in higher education.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans in 'military-connected student' definition and creates Purple Star Colleges Program requiring transition resources for veterans, strengthening educational support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1368: Special Education - Individualized Education Program - Notification of Missed Services (Shifra's Act)

HB 1368 (Shifra’s Act) requires Maryland public schools to provide written notice to parents when a special education service or support specified in a child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) is missed, incomplete, or interrupted. Parents must receive this notice within 3 school days, including the reason for the missed service, steps the school will take to address it, and information about requesting an IEP meeting. The law applies specifically to services required daily (after 5 missed instances in 10 days), scheduled services (after missed instances exceeding twice the specified period), or patterns substantially limiting service delivery. This notice requirement aims to ensure transparency and prompt resolution of service gaps for students with disabilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to notify parents of missed special education services, ensuring accountability and protection for IEP compliance in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 960: Maryland Public Charter School Program - School Facilities - Funding

SB 960 requires Maryland's Interagency Commission on School Construction to distribute state funds directly to public charter schools for maintaining and operating their facilities, rather than through local governments. The bill mandates that starting in fiscal year 2028, the state budget must include funding equal to $1,600 multiplied by the prior year's total enrollment across all public charter schools. This applies to facilities owned or leased by charter schools, or those they occupy for educating students. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the Commission to establish regulations for implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state budget allocation of $1,600 per student for charter school facility funding, directly increasing public education appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates direct state funding for charter school facilities, increasing access to resources and improving infrastructure per education funding indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Choice

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 26, 2026

HB 1438: State Board of Education - Public High School Graduation Requirements

HB 1438 requires Maryland's State Board of Education to review and update public high school graduation requirements at least every five years. After approval, the Board must implement changes for students entering high school in the school year following the review. This bill directly affects all public high school students in Maryland by establishing a regular cycle for updating graduation standards. The law amends Section 7-205.1(b) of the Maryland Annotated Code and takes effect July 1, 2026. It does not change current requirements but mandates periodic review and implementation for future student cohorts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates regular review/update of graduation requirements to maintain relevant standards, strengthening educational framework consistency and adaptability per curriculum focus.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 809: Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Internship Scholarship Program - Funding

HB 809 establishes funding requirements for Maryland's Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Internship Scholarship Program. The bill mandates that starting in fiscal year 2028, the Governor must include in the annual budget an appropriation for the program equal to at least 150% of the fiscal year 2026 level, with specific requirements for University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) funding. The program provides scholarships ($2,000-$5,000) to Maryland college and graduate students pursuing public service internships, prioritizing residents with demonstrated interest in careers serving low-income or underserved communities through legal, social work, nursing, or other public/nonprofit sectors. It directly affects eligible students and administers through the Shriver Center, ensuring sustained funding for three specific internship tracks: Governor’s Summer Internship, Sondheim Nonprofit Leadership, and Sondheim Public Service Law Fellowships.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 150% budget increase for public service scholarships, advancing program funding per fiscal requirements.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 150% funding increase for student scholarships, advancing higher education access and financial support for college students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Student Financial Aid

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 764: Education - Minimum Wage for Education Support Professionals - Report on Estimated Cost

SB 764 establishes a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for education support professionals in Maryland public schools, effective July 1, 2028. It directly affects county boards of education (which must pay this wage) and noncertificated school staff in non-supervisory bargaining units, such as aides, secretaries, and maintenance workers. The bill requires the State Department of Education to report by December 1, 2026, on the cost of implementing this wage, broken down by school system. It does not change current wages but mandates a new hourly rate for these positions starting in 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $25/hr wage for education staff, increasing state/local government spending on public education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly increases wages for school support staff (aides, secretaries, maintenance), strengthening educational workforce compensation and funding access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly establishes $25/hr minimum wage for education support staff, increasing wages and protecting worker compensation under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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