Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 214: Higher Education - Academic Forgiveness Policy - Established

Maryland's HB 214 requires state-funded colleges to create an "academic forgiveness" policy by August 1, 2026. The policy allows reapplying students who earned failing grades at a prior institution 10+ years ago to have those grades disregarded during admissions. Students must voluntarily choose to participate in the policy to exclude past poor grades from their academic record. This applies only to applicants with a history of unsatisfactory grades at a previous college, not to current students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables reapplicants with past academic failures to exclude old grades, expanding higher education access for non-traditional students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 100: Higher Education - Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program - Eligibility

HB 100 would expand eligibility for Maryland's Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program to include individuals who were eligible for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefit. This change would directly affect current or former Chapter 35 beneficiaries applying for the scholarship, who previously lacked automatic eligibility under the program. The bill adds a new qualifying category to the existing criteria (such as military dependents, 9/11 victims' families, and school employee dependents) and establishes two verification methods: submitting a Chapter 35 certificate or having a school official verify eligibility. The proposed changes would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for veterans' dependents, increasing higher education funding availability and educational access for a new beneficiary group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands scholarship eligibility for VA Chapter 35 beneficiaries (veterans' dependents), directly advancing educational benefits for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Education

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

HB 539: Child Care Centers - Teacher Qualifications - Alterations

HB 539 creates a pathway for individuals lacking formal proof of educational credentials to become child care teachers in Maryland centers serving preschool or school-age children (3+ years old). It requires the State Board of Education to establish a process where these individuals can be hired during a 6-month probationary period while completing approved pre-service training (90 hours total). To qualify, they must hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in specific fields (e.g., early childhood education, child development) and complete training within six months of hire, or complete 45 hours before hire and finish the rest within six months. Child care centers must terminate or reassign teachers who fail to meet these requirements by the end of the probationary period. The bill directly affects child care centers and prospective teachers who possess relevant education but lack documentation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for child care teachers without formal credentials, expanding access to early education staffing and supporting educational access for preschoolers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 325: Education - Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board - Composition

HB 325 changes the makeup of Maryland's Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board. It removes one position for a certified nonpublic school classroom teacher and adds two positions for representatives from the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities. The bill alters the board's composition by replacing the single nonpublic school teacher seat with two seats for special education facilities, while maintaining other membership categories like public school teachers and education faculty. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, and directly affect how the board is structured to represent different education sectors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds special education facility reps to teacher board, enhancing representation for special needs education support within educator standards framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 311: Public Schools - Individuals With Disabilities - Accessibility and Emergency Planning

HB 311 requires Maryland public schools to include accessibility for students with disabilities in routine safety evaluations and emergency planning. It mandates that school systems report annually on instances where a facility became inaccessible for a disabled student in a way that could impede evacuation or emergency response. These reports must remain confidential, exempt from public records laws, and only discloseable to legislators upon request. The bill directly affects local school systems and students with disabilities by ensuring accessibility is prioritized in safety protocols. It amends Maryland’s education code to integrate disability accessibility into standard emergency planning procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates accessibility inclusion in school emergency planning for disabled students, enhancing educational access and safety within K-12 infrastructure requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Tags People with Disabilities

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 455: Education - Certification of Scholarship Granting Organizations (Opting in on Opportunity Act)

HB 455 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to certify nonprofit organizations meeting specific criteria as scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). It mandates the Department to annually submit a list of certified SGOs to the U.S. Treasury starting in 2027 and requires the Comptroller to provide online guidance for taxpayers claiming federal tax credits for donations to SGOs. The bill directly affects nonprofit SGOs seeking certification, eligible students receiving scholarships, and Maryland taxpayers claiming federal tax credits. Key provisions include standardized application processes for SGOs, annual financial reporting requirements, and public reporting of scholarship data like recipient schools and award amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credit guidance for donations to SGOs, enabling federal tax relief for donors and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables tax-credit-funded scholarships for students, expanding educational access through private funding mechanisms without restricting public education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

HB 19: Higher Education - Maryland Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Establishment

HB 19 establishes Maryland's Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to help State employees repay student loans. It directly affects State workers in the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial branches who earned a degree from a Maryland-accredited school and have completed 10 years of continuous State service. The program will forgive 100% of an eligible employee's remaining student loan debt, with priority given to those who graduated from the University System of Maryland or institutions with high Pell Grant enrollment. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will administer the program and report annually to the legislature on its implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationForgives student loans for state higher education employees, supporting workforce retention and financial relief for educators in Maryland's public higher education system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 100% student loan forgiveness for eligible state employees after 10 years service, directly expanding financial benefits for public sector workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 238: School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact

SB 238 establishes Maryland's participation in the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, allowing licensed school psychologists to practice across member states without duplicative licensing. The bill creates a standardized pathway for psychologists to hold "equivalent licenses" in any participating state, directly affecting school psychologists seeking cross-state work and school districts needing qualified staff. Key provisions include requiring psychologists to follow each state's scope of practice laws, preserving state authority over licensing, and specifically facilitating mobility for military families. The compact also establishes a Commission to oversee implementation and address issues like disciplinary actions. This is a substantive policy change enabling easier interstate practice while maintaining state-level professional standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables cross-state practice for school psychologists, strengthening staff availability and mental health support in K-12 schools without duplicative licensing barriers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables cross-state practice for school psychologists, improving mental health service access in schools by removing licensing barriers, aligning with support for mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Mental Health

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

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 316: Institutions of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Schools - Title VI Coordinators

SB 316 requires all Maryland public higher education institutions and local school systems to appoint a Title VI Coordinator by July 1, 2026. These coordinators must ensure compliance with federal civil rights law (Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs. The bill specifies coordinators must investigate complaints, provide training, maintain records, and promote equal access for students and staff. It directly affects students, staff, and families who may file discrimination complaints through these designated coordinators in schools or colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Title VI coordinators to ensure non-discrimination compliance, promote equal access, and protect students/staff in K-12 and higher education institutions per federal civil rights law.95% confidence

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