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MarylandSB 03112026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Education - The Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Revisions

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Primary and Secondary EducationAdministrative AgenciesApprenticeships and InternshipsCertificationsCommittee ChangesCommittees and CommissionsCommunity CollegesCommunications -see also- ElecComm; Intergov; etc.Counties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.CurriculumEducation, Boards ofEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.Education, State Board ofEducation, State Department ofElectronic GovernmentEvaluations and ReviewsEvidenceFormsHigher Education -see also- Comm Colleges; Med Schools; etc.Industry and ManufacturingIntergovernmental Cooperation -see also- AdmAgn; Cmts; etc.Job Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsLow-IncomeMeetings -see also- Hearings; Open GovernmentNoticesOpen GovernmentPublic InformationReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)School AdministrationStandards and Best PracticesStudentsSunsetSurveys and PollsTeachersTechnology -see also- AeroT; BioT; EnergyT; InfoT; MedT; etcTimeWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Committee selects students’ free career pathways

Students who meet Maryland’s college and career readiness standard have access to a no-cost career education pathway. The Career and Technical Education Committee must adopt these programs, replacing the prior recommendation and approval process. Each pathway must allow completion of a qualifying credential, certificate, registered apprenticeship, or youth apprenticeship.

More ways to become Maryland teachers

Qualifying teacher-preparation graduates can use a portfolio assessment from a nationally accredited or Department-approved program for initial Maryland certification. Graduates of a Department-sponsored registered teaching apprenticeship can submit their apprenticeship certificate instead of passing a teaching-ability assessment. Out-of-state applicants gain another option: documentation of effective school or school-system evaluations for 2 years. They must have graduated from an out-of-state teacher-preparation program or hold an out-of-state professional license or certificate.

Schools gain more flexible student support

Community school wraparound services now include evidence-based one-to-one and small-group academic help, beyond in-person tutoring during the school day. The law also removes the fiscal year 2027 end date for certain uses of Concentration of Poverty grants. Eligible schools can keep using personnel and per-pupil grants for programs required by Maryland’s education curriculum regulations. These changes expand allowed services and funding uses, but do not set a new grant amount.

Career education leaders set student goals

The Career and Technical Education Committee directs statewide coordination within the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, under Accountability and Implementation Board oversight. Seven jointly selected members represent employers, industry groups, labor, community colleges, agriculture, and career education experts. The Governor and legislative leaders jointly choose an employer representative as chair. Beginning July 1, 2026, the committee must set annual county-board goals and track progress toward a statewide 45% target. That target is for public high school students to complete the high school level of a registered apprenticeship or earn another committee-defined industry-recognized occupational credential before graduation.

Low-income student funding counts change

Through fiscal year 2028, Maryland keeps the greatest of three counts: meal eligibility, Community Eligibility Provision calculations, or direct certification. Starting in fiscal year 2029, it uses the greater of two prior-year counts for county public schools. Those are the free or reduced-price meal count, using USDA data or an approved alternative State form, and directly certified students. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Accountability and Implementation Board and Education Department must identify a low-income student counting method. These rules determine school funding counts, not payments to families.

Public career guides connect training steps

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Career and Technical Education Committee must maintain a list of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations. It must consult industry and work with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, which must approve the list. Together, they must develop public guides covering job standards, advancement steps, credentials at each stage, and credential requirements; the board must adopt them. State agencies and relevant education and workforce programs must use the list and guides for curriculum, credentials, and career advancement. Committee recommendations must aim to connect high school and later training across industries, include workplace soft skills, support skill transfers, and use industry practitioners’ assessments when possible.

Students’ college course options face limits

For fiscal years 2025–2030, the State Board and Accountability and Implementation Board can limit dual-enrollment course numbers and types. This authority covers college-level courses in the pathway for students who meet the college and career readiness standard. It affects students enrolled in both a Maryland public high school and a college. Limits are allowed, not required, as expanded access phases in alongside school funding increases.

Principal certification requirement delayed until 2034

The law delays the National Board Certification requirement for the licensed-principal tier from 2029 to July 1, 2034. Beginning then, teachers seeking this level-four administrator career tier generally must be National Board Certified. Applicants without that certification can still qualify through a State Board waiver by meeting the board’s other criteria.

School reviews pause as funding shifts

Beginning July 1, 2026, Maryland must suspend the Expert Review Team Program for the 2026–2027 school year. For fiscal year 2027, its funding must move to the Academic Excellence Fund. The budget also permits $3.334574 million of the review program’s appropriation to support the Judith P. Hoyer Program. It permits $3.334574 million of the Hoyer Program’s General Fund appropriation to move to the Academic Excellence Fund. The law reallocates school program money; it does not provide payments to families.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 298 • No: 189

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 100 • No: 36 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 33 • No: 13 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/9/2026

Floor Amendment {963924/1 (Delegate Fisher) Rejected

Yes: 39 • No: 92 • Other: 5

House vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 96 • No: 37 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 30 • No: 11 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 602

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (100-36)

    4/13/2026House

  4. Conference Committee Report {593224/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026House

  5. Motion Special Order until Later This Session (Delegate Smith) Adopted

    4/13/2026House

  6. Conference Committee Report {593224/1

    4/13/2026House

  7. Third Reading Passed (33-13)

    4/13/2026Senate

  8. Conference Committee Report {593224/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Smith, Forbes and Ebersole)

    4/13/2026Senate

  10. House Refuses Recede

    4/13/2026Senate

  11. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Smith, Forbes and Ebersole)

    4/13/2026House

  12. House Refuses Recede

    4/13/2026House

  13. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Feldman, Watson and Carozza)

    4/13/2026House

  14. Senate Requests House Recede

    4/13/2026House

  15. Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  16. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Feldman, Watson and Carozza)

    4/13/2026Senate

  17. Senate Requests House Recede

    4/13/2026Senate

  18. Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  19. Third Reading Passed (96-37)

    4/9/2026House

  20. Floor Amendment {963924/1 (Delegate Fisher) Rejected (39-92)

    4/9/2026House

  21. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  22. Favorable with Amendments {793524/1 Adopted

    4/9/2026House

  23. Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

    4/9/2026House

  24. Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. (Appropriations)

    3/30/2026House

  25. Hearing canceled (Appropriations)

    3/30/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/19/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/21/2026

    PDF

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