Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1545: Frederick County - Special Education Video and Audio Recording Program - Established

HB 1545 establishes a program requiring Frederick County public schools to install video and audio recording devices in specialized instructional settings (where students with disabilities receive at least 50% of instruction) to document incidents like bullying, abuse, or harm. The bill mandates recordings in classrooms but prohibits recording in bathrooms or clothing-change areas, with audio devices limited to those specific zones. All recordings must be managed by an unbiased third party (not school staff), reviewed regularly, and made accessible to parents, law enforcement, or child protective services only after incidents occur. Parents may request exemptions for their child from audio recordings in designated areas, which must be documented in the student’s education plan. The program explicitly prohibits using recordings for teacher evaluations and requires written notice to parents before activation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes mandatory recording program in special education settings to document and prevent bullying/abuse, directly enhancing student safety and protection in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Teachers

Track

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

HB 1019: School Bus Transition - Propane-Powered School Buses - Grant Program, Fund, and Purchase

HB 1019 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to help Maryland school districts transition from diesel school buses to either propane-powered or zero-emission buses. The program provides grants to cover the extra costs of purchasing or operating these cleaner buses, as well as for infrastructure installation (for zero-emission buses), planning, and pilot programs. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest earnings, donations, and legal settlements specifically earmarked for this purpose. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include propane-powered buses in the transition program, which previously only covered zero-emission vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriations fund for school bus transition grants, increasing public service funding through direct budget allocation90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for cleaner school buses, improving school infrastructure and access through funding for transition costs, aligning with education infrastructure support indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, reducing diesel dependence and promoting cleaner energy infrastructure through grants and dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, directly reducing diesel emissions and promoting cleaner transportation infrastructure per its grant program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and cleaner vehicle regulations through dedicated grants and infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement School Transportation Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 728: Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance - Alterations to Scholarship Programs

SB 728 amends Maryland's Community College Promise Scholarship eligibility to include graduates of Delmar High School in Delmar, Delaware, who reside in Delmar, Maryland. The bill adds a new eligibility criterion requiring applicants to have graduated from Delmar High School (Delaware) and to be Maryland residents of Delmar. This change applies to students pursuing vocational certificates, certificates, associate's degrees, or registered apprenticeships at eligible Maryland community colleges. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2026, expanding existing scholarship access for this specific group without altering other program requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for Delmar High School graduates in Delmar, Maryland, increasing educational access for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 863: Prince George's County Special Education Service Delivery, Transparency, and Accountability Act

SB 863 requires Prince George's County Public Schools to fund one-to-one student aides with full-time salaries and benefits starting in the 2027-2028 school year, directly affecting students with individualized education programs (IEPs) who need these aides. The bill mandates quarterly reports on special education metrics - including student counts, unfulfilled aide positions, and compensatory services - submitted to the county board and state education department for at least 24 months. It also requires the county superintendent to provide annual professional development training for special education staff and directs the state to hire an auditor to review special education services from 2021-2025. These provisions aim to improve transparency and accountability in delivering special education services within Prince George's County.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates full-time funding for special education aides and requires accountability reporting, directly increasing resources for students with IEPs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates full-time salaries/benefits for special education aides, advancing employment standards and worker benefits per bill's funding requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 961: Public Schools and Youth Sports Programs - Concussion Protocol - Alterations

HB 961 requires Maryland public schools and youth sports programs (for participants under 19) to implement updated concussion protocols. It mandates the State Department of Education to develop awareness programs for athletic officials, coaches, school staff, and parents about concussion risks and removal/return-to-play criteria. The bill requires students and parents to sign acknowledgment forms after receiving concussion information, and prohibits restricting the authority of athletic officials, coaches, school staff, or parents to immediately remove a student from play if a concussion is suspected. Students must obtain written clearance from a concussion-trained health provider before returning to play.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates updated concussion protocols and awareness programs for schools/youth sports, strengthening student safety within educational settings.95% confidence

Track

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

HB 943: State Board of Education - Financial Literacy - Graduation Requirement

HB 943 requires Maryland public high schools to implement a financial literacy course as a graduation requirement for students graduating in 2030 or later. The course must be a standalone, at least one-semester class taught in grades 11 or 12, and aligns with state standards for personal financial literacy. Upon successful completion, students earn at least half a credit toward graduation, and counties may allow this requirement to fulfill remaining credit needs through existing courses in business, career education, or social studies. County school boards determine specific curriculum and materials, but must follow state standards for the course content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum as graduation requirement, enhancing student financial education and curriculum standards per state standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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

HB 1205: Education - Minimum Wage for Education Support Professionals

HB 1205 establishes a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for non-certified, non-supervisory school support staff (such as aides, clerks, and cafeteria workers) beginning July 1, 2028. It requires all Maryland county school boards to pay these employees at least this rate, directly affecting over 20,000 education support professionals statewide. The bill also mandates the State Department of Education to submit a cost report by December 1, 2026, with detailed estimates broken down by school system to implement this wage change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $25/hr wage for 20k+ education staff, requiring increased state/local government spending on public services (education support).95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates $25/hr minimum wage for 20k+ school support staff (aides, clerks, cafeteria workers), directly supporting educational workforce compensation and improving school operational stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly mandates $25/hr minimum wage for 20,000+ education support staff, advancing worker compensation and strengthening wage standards in labor/employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 508: Somerset County Board of Education - Alterations

SB 508 modifies Somerset County Board of Education rules by adding a nonvoting student member position elected by high school students, who serves a one-year term starting July 1. It increases annual compensation for adult board members from $3,000 to $6,000 (chair) and $2,700 to $5,000 (member), and provides a $5,000 scholarship for student members completing a full term. The bill also restricts student members from attending executive sessions unless invited by a majority vote of the board. These changes directly affect Somerset County's school board members, high school students (as voters for the student seat), and the county’s budget for board compensation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds $5,000 scholarship for student board members, enhancing student engagement and access to education governance without restricting funding or curriculum.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid Student Health

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

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 845: Higher Education - Student Financial Assistance - Alterations to Scholarship Programs

HB 845 amends Maryland's Community College Promise Scholarship program to include residents of Delmar, Maryland who graduated from Delmar High School in Delmar, Delaware. Currently, the scholarship requires applicants to have graduated from a Maryland high school or completed a Maryland GED, but this bill adds a new eligibility pathway for students meeting both conditions: graduation from Delmar High School (Delaware) and residency in Delmar, Maryland. The change would allow these students to qualify for the scholarship without needing to meet the standard Maryland graduation requirement. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access to Delmar, MD residents who graduated from Delmar High School (DE), increasing higher education opportunities for targeted students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid