Education

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 711: Family Law - Child Neglect Definition - Alteration

SB 711 amends Maryland's definition of child neglect to explicitly include the failure or refusal to provide a child with education required by law. This change directly affects parents or caregivers who have legal responsibility for a child's education but do not enroll them in school as mandated. The bill alters Section 5-701(s) of Maryland's Family Law code to add that "neglect" now encompasses this educational neglect. The policy change takes effect October 1, 2026, updating how child neglect is legally defined under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly defines educational neglect as child neglect, strengthening enforcement of school attendance laws to ensure children receive mandated education, supporting educational access.90% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 833: Queen Anne's County - Authorized Uses of Revenues From Development Impact Fees - Expansion

SB 833 (introduced by Senator Hershey) amends Maryland law to allow Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to use development impact fees for capital costs related to replacing public school facilities. This expands the existing authorized uses of these fees under Section 20-706 of the Maryland Annotated Code, specifically adding school facility replacement as a permitted purpose. The bill applies only to Queen Anne’s County and takes effect July 1, 2026. It is a procedural change to the county’s fee usage rules, not a new tax or broad policy shift.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands authorized use of development fees for public school facility replacement, supporting essential program funding through fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows use of development fees for school facility replacement, directly funding K-12 infrastructure improvements per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1430: Maryland Public Charter School Program - School Facilities - Funding

HB 1430 requires Maryland's Interagency Commission on School Construction to distribute funds directly to public charter schools for maintaining and operating their facilities, bypassing local governments. It mandates that starting in fiscal year 2028, the state must appropriate $1,600 per enrolled student from the previous fiscal year for these facilities. The bill applies to all public charter schools occupying facilities used for K-12 education, including those that own or lease their buildings. This establishes a fixed per-student funding formula for facility costs, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates $1,600/student state funding for charter school facilities, directly increasing public school infrastructure spending through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates direct state funding for charter school facilities at $1,600/student annually starting 2028, directly increasing infrastructure support for K-12 public charter schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice School Funding

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

HB 1013: Prince George’s County Special Education Service Delivery, Transparency, and Accountability Act

HB 1013 requires Prince George’s County Public Schools to fund full-time salaries and benefits (including health insurance) for all one-to-one student aides starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It mandates quarterly reports to the county board and state education department on key metrics like aide vacancy rates, IEP service delivery, and compensatory services completion. The bill also requires the county superintendent to provide annual professional development for special education staff and directs the state to hire a third-party auditor to review the county’s special education department for fiscal years 2021-2025. These provisions directly affect Prince George’s County’s special education program, its staff, and students with individualized education plans (IEPs).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates county funding for special education aides' salaries/benefits, increasing public service spending under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates full-time aide funding, accountability reports, and staff development for special education, directly advancing K-12 special education services and support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly requires health insurance as part of benefits for student aides, expanding health coverage for school staff.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates full-time salaries, benefits (including health insurance), and professional development for special education aides, strengthening employment conditions and worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Insurance

Track

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

HB 1397: School Construction - Gross Area Baseline Calculation - Aquatic Facilities

HB 1397 requires Maryland's Interagency Commission on School Construction to include dedicated square footage for aquatic facilities (like pools) in schools' Gross Area Baseline calculations for funding. It mandates that every local school system develop a facilities plan by the start of the 2026-2027 school year, outlining options for student access to aquatic facilities. The Commission must collaborate with each school system to create these plans. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly impacting how school construction funding is calculated and allocated for aquatic facilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of aquatic facility square footage in school funding calculations, directly enhancing infrastructure access and program funding for K-12 facilities.95% confidence

Track

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

HB 1396: Commission on Blueprint Fiscal Sustainability and Student Achievement - Establishment

HB 1396 establishes a 18-member Commission to study and recommend improvements for Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan. The Commission includes diverse stakeholders like legislative leaders, education officials, county representatives, teachers, advocates, parents, and students. It will specifically examine school funding formulas (including rural/urban poverty differences), statutory staffing ratios, and educator career ladder impacts. The Commission’s findings will inform future policy decisions but will not change current law directly. This is a study commission focused on long-term fiscal sustainability and student achievement implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes commission to study and improve education funding formulas, staffing ratios, and educator career ladders under Maryland's education plan, indicating intent to strengthen system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 1003: Anne Arundel County Public Schools - Election Official Career and Technical Education Pilot Program

HB 1003 establishes a 5-year pilot program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools to prepare students for careers as election officials. The bill requires the Anne Arundel County Board of Education and the State Board of Elections (with input from the State Department of Education) to develop this career and technical education program. It directly affects high school students in Anne Arundel County by offering training pathways into election administration roles. The program will run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, after which it automatically ends without further legislative action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates career training program within public schools, expanding student pathways into election administration roles and enhancing educational opportunities for high school students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 509: Higher Education - Workforce Pell Grant Program - Implementation

This bill establishes Maryland's framework for implementing the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program. It requires the Governor, after consulting with workforce and education entities, to approve short-term education programs (150-600 hours, 8-15 weeks) that align with high-skill occupations and employer hiring needs. Approved programs must offer stackable credentials, provide academic credit transferability toward further education, and prepare students for in-demand careers. Institutions cannot disburse funds or advertise these programs to Maryland students without state approval, with biennial compliance reviews mandated for ongoing eligibility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes framework for workforce-focused higher education programs with stackable credentials, expanding access to career-aligned education and aligning training with employer needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes workforce training programs for high-skill careers with stackable credentials, enhancing employment opportunities and aligning education with employer needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1305: State Child Welfare System - Reporting

HB 1305 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to annually report specific data on students in the state's child welfare system, including school stability, graduation rates, college enrollment, and disciplinary rates. The report must break down data by county, age, gender, race, and ethnicity while protecting student confidentiality. Additionally, the Department of Education and Department of Human Services must submit a 2026 report identifying service gaps, best practices from other states, and recommendations to improve educational outcomes for foster youth. This bill directly affects foster youth in Maryland's child welfare system and the state agencies responsible for their education and care.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires data collection on student outcomes (graduation, college enrollment) in child welfare system to identify gaps and improve educational support for vulnerable students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1530: Higher Education - Undocumented Students - Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility

HB 1530 repeals a requirement that undocumented students (or their parents/guardians) must file Maryland income tax returns annually for three years to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges. The bill directly affects undocumented students who attended Maryland high schools and meet other existing criteria (graduation from a Maryland school, applying within six years). Instead of tax filings, students must now submit an affidavit committing to apply for permanent residency within 30 days of eligibility, plus proof of Selective Service compliance if required. The bill maintains other eligibility conditions like Maryland high school attendance but removes the tax documentation burden, aiming to simplify access to in-state tuition rates.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals tax filing requirement for undocumented students to access in-state tuition, expanding higher education access for Maryland high school graduates.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRepeals tax filing requirement for undocumented students seeking in-state tuition, removing a barrier to higher education access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education DACA & Dreamers