Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 852: Higher Education - Scholarships for Correctional Officers

HB 852 expands Maryland's existing scholarship program to include correctional officers. It amends the Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agents Scholarship Program (now titled "Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS Scholarship Program") to allow current or future correctional officers to qualify. Eligible recipients must be Maryland residents or graduates of Maryland high schools, enrolled at an eligible institution (public university or community college), and agree to work as correctional officers for at least 5 years within 8 years of graduation. The bill does not create a new program but updates the eligibility criteria of an existing scholarship.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands scholarships for correctional officers, funding education to strengthen corrections workforce within criminal justice system90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education scholarships to correctional officers, increasing access and funding for a specific group within the education system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

HB 884: University of Maryland Eastern Shore - Land-Grant Institution - Funding (Land-Grant Equity and Accountability Act)

HB 884 requires Maryland to appropriate at least $5 million annually to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) starting in fiscal year 2028, continuing until a total of $321,181,312 is funded. This addresses a historical funding disparity between UMES (Maryland's 1890 land-grant university for historically Black students) and the University of Maryland, College Park (the 1862 land-grant institution), which received less state funding per student from 1987-2020. Funds must supplement - never replace - existing state budget allocations and can be used for infrastructure, faculty investment, scholarships, or other institutional needs identified by UMES. The bill mandates annual appropriations that cannot decrease year-over-year, aiming to fully remediate the identified funding gap.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual state appropriation to address historical underfunding of UMES, a public institution, directly advancing budget allocation for essential education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates annual state funding for UMES (HBCU land-grant university) to address historical underfunding disparity, advancing equity and resources in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1176: Howard County - Board of Education Budget - Percentage of County General Fund Revenue Ho. Co. 10-26

HB 1176 sets a minimum funding requirement for Howard County's public schools by prohibiting the County Executive from submitting or the County Council from approving a budget that allocates less than 58% of the county's general fund revenue to the Board of Education. The bill directly affects Howard County's annual budget process for public education funding. Key provisions require the budget to meet this 58% threshold unless the school board specifically requests a lower amount, in which case the budget must approve that requested level. This amends Maryland's education code to establish this specific minimum funding rule for Howard County.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 58% minimum funding for Howard County schools, preventing budget cuts to public education and protecting educational spending within county budget process.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum 58% funding for Howard County schools, preventing budget cuts to public education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 720: Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Collaborative (Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act)

SB 720, the "Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act," requires Maryland’s State Department of Education to create and maintain online guidance for schools, educators, parents, and students on the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AI in K-12 education. It mandates county school boards to adopt AI policies within 120 days of guidance release, designate AI coordinators, and procure AI tools aligned with state standards. The bill also requires Morgan State University to annually certify AI tools and establishes statewide teacher training in AI literacy by July 2027, with compensation for educators participating. Local school systems must integrate AI into workforce preparation standards by June 2027, coordinated with the Maryland Center for Computing Education. The law directly affects all Maryland public schools, educators, students, and technology vendors supplying educational AI tools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI guidelines, professional development, and policy adoption for K-12 schools to advance ethical AI use, strengthening educational technology integration and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates safe, ethical AI guidelines in schools, promoting responsible adoption and digital equity through state standards and policy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers Artificial Intelligence

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1057: Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Collaborative (Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act)

This bill requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create online resources for schools, teachers, and students on the safe, ethical, and equitable use of artificial intelligence in education. It mandates that school districts develop AI policies by December 2027, appoint AI coordinators, and use only AI tools certified by Morgan State University as meeting state guidelines. The law also requires statewide teacher training on AI literacy by July 2027 and includes AI education in workforce preparation standards. These requirements directly affect public K-12 schools, educators, students, and administrators across Maryland.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI resources, teacher training, and school policies to advance ethical AI use in education, directly supporting educators and curriculum development.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI guidelines, teacher training, and certified tools to promote ethical, equitable AI use in education, advancing responsible technology integration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1238: Taxation - Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individual Surtax and Wealth Tax

HB 1238 would impose a surtax on the taxable income of Maryland residents with ultra-high net worth and a one-time wealth tax on their net worth exceeding a set threshold. It directly affects Maryland residents whose net worth surpasses the specified amount, requiring them to pay additional taxes based on their income and total assets. The revenue would fund the Maryland Strategic Investment and Stabilization Fund, which must be used to reduce the state’s budget deficit or support education, behavioral health services, affordable housing, and infrastructure - specifically as outlined in the bill’s provisions. The surtax applies to taxable income, while the wealth tax is a single payment calculated using fair market value of assets minus liabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes surtax/wealth tax on ultra-high-net-worth individuals to fund deficit reduction and education, directly advancing fiscal management and public funding priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill's revenue must fund a state fund required to support education, directly advancing educational funding through tax revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 18, 2026

HB 1592: Education - Regional Resource Centers and County Libraries - Funding

HB 1592 updates funding for Maryland's regional resource centers and county public libraries by revising the per-resident funding formula for fiscal years 2022-2032. It increases annual funding rates from $8.75 per resident in 2022 to $11.58 by 2032, replacing previous fixed rates. The bill also simplifies library service requirements, mandating that each public library offer at least one program focused on early childhood literacy, digital equity, information literacy, or mental health support - replacing older, more specific program mandates. These changes directly affect all 23 Maryland county public library systems and their regional resource centers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual library funding via revised per-resident formula (2022-2032), advancing public service fiscal support92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases per-resident library funding from $8.75 to $11.58 (2022-2032) and mandates educational programs in literacy/digital equity, directly advancing funding and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates digital equity programs in libraries and increases funding for technology-access services per bill's requirement for digital equity programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries School Funding

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

HB 781: Public Middle Schools – Instruction on the Consequences of a Conviction for Felony Murder

HB 781 requires Maryland public middle schools to teach students in grades 6-8 about the legal penalties of a felony murder conviction. The State Board of Education must develop age-appropriate curriculum resources, and county school boards must incorporate this instruction into their curriculum starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines "consequences" as penalties that take away freedom, rights, and access to programs after conviction under Maryland law. This applies specifically to felony murder convictions (first-degree murder under § 2-201(A)(4) of the Criminal Law Article).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new curriculum requirement on legal consequences, enhancing civic education within K-12 curriculum85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1274: Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Established (Eric's Law)

HB 1274 authorizes Maryland public school systems to award three types of diplomas to deceased students: standard diplomas (for students near graduation in 12th grade), posthumous honorary diplomas (for students in 11th/12th grade close to graduation), and in memoriam diplomas (for students in grades K-10 or county residents). To qualify, students must have been enrolled in a Maryland public school, met credit requirements, and been in good standing at the time of death. Schools may only issue these diplomas upon written request from a parent, guardian, or next of kin, and all awarded diplomas are ceremonial with no academic credit or impact on graduation rates. The bill amends Maryland’s education code to establish these specific eligibility criteria and procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes diplomas for deceased students meeting academic requirements, enhancing recognition and closure for families while affirming educational achievement.90% confidence

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

HB 1313: Higher Education - Tuition Exemption - Incarcerated Individuals

HB 1313 would exempt incarcerated individuals in Maryland from paying tuition at public colleges and universities, directly affecting those enrolled in higher education programs within correctional facilities. The bill requires incarcerated individuals to apply for non-loan financial aid (like grants), which must first cover their tuition costs; the exemption then applies to any remaining tuition after aid is applied. It does not cover student loans and applies regardless of other scholarships or grants received. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, for all public higher education institutions in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts incarcerated individuals from tuition at public colleges, directly promoting rehabilitation through education access in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts incarcerated individuals from tuition at public colleges, expanding access to higher education for a marginalized group through financial aid alignment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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