MD
Maryland House Bill HB206

Maryland 2023 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB206 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 670
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 670
5-(House Bill 206)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
9+ *hb0206*
810
9-Early Childhood Education – Prekindergarten Programs – Montessori Schools
10-and Programs
11+HOUSE BILL 206
12+F5 (3lr0447)
13+ENROLLED BILL
14+— Ways and Means/Education, Energy, and the Environment —
15+Introduced by Delegate Ivey
1116
12-FOR the purpose of altering the eligibility requirements for the Prekindergarten Expansion
13-Grant Program and publicly funded prekindergarten programs to include certain
14-operational requirements, staff credentials, and student–to–staff ratios for
15-Montessori schools and programs; and generally relating to the inclusion of
16-Montessori schools and programs in prekindergarten programs in the State.
17+Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
1718
18-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
19- Article – Education
20-Section 7–101.2(a)(1), (5), and (6) and (b)(1) and 7–1A–01(a) and (c) through (e)
21- Annotated Code of Maryland
22- (2022 Replacement Volume)
19+_______________________________________________
20+Proofreader.
21+_______________________________________________
22+Proofreader.
2323
24-BY adding to
25- Article – Education
26- Section 7–101.2(a)(5)
27- Annotated Code of Maryland
28- (2022 Replacement Volume)
24+Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
2925
30-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
31- Article – Education
32-Section 7–101.2(c) 7–101.2(a)(5) and (6) and (c) and 7–1A–04(a)
33- Annotated Code of Maryland
34- (2022 Replacement Volume)
26+_______ day of _______________ at __ ______________________ o’clock, ________M.
3527
36- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
37-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
28+______________________________________________
29+Speaker.
3830
39-Article – Education
31+CHAPTER ______
4032
41-7–101.2.
33+AN ACT concerning 1
4234
43- (a) (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.
35+Early Childhood Education – Prekindergarten Programs – Montessori Schools 2
36+and Programs 3
4437
45- (5) “MONTESSORI SCHOOL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 6–127 OF
46-THIS ARTICLE.
47- Ch. 670 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
38+FOR the purpose of altering the eligibility requirements for the Prekindergarten Expansion 4
39+Grant Program and publicly funded prekindergarten programs to include certain 5
40+operational requirements, staff credentials, and student–to–staff ratios for 6
41+Montessori schools and programs; and generally relating to the inclusion of 7
42+Montessori schools and programs in prekindergarten programs in the State. 8
4843
49-– 2 –
50- (5) (6) “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant
51-Program.
44+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
45+ Article – Education 10
46+Section 7–101.2(a)(1), (5), and (6) and (b)(1) and 7–1A–01(a) and (c) through (e) 11
47+ Annotated Code of Maryland 12
48+ (2022 Replacement Volume) 13
49+ 2 HOUSE BILL 206
5250
53- (6) (7) “Qualified provider” means:
5451
55- (i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of
56-understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a
57-nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and
52+BY adding to 1
53+ Article – Education 2
54+ Section 7–101.2(a)(5) 3
55+ Annotated Code of Maryland 4
56+ (2022 Replacement Volume) 5
5857
59- (ii) A county board.
58+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
59+ Article – Education 7
60+Section 7–101.2(c) 7–101.2(a)(5) and (6) and (c) and 7–1A–04(a) 8
61+ Annotated Code of Maryland 9
62+ (2022 Replacement Volume) 10
6063
61- (b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion
62-Grant Program in the State.
64+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
65+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
6366
64- (c) (1) [Before] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS
65-SUBSECTION, BEFORE approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to
66-receive a grant under this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that
67-for each classroom funded under this section the provider will:
67+Article – Education 13
6868
69- [(1)] (I) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more
70-than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom;
69+7–101.2. 14
7170
72- [(2)] (II) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early
73-childhood education by the State and at least one teacher’s aide who has at least a high
74-school degree;
71+ (a) (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated. 15
7572
76- [(3)] (III) Operate an educational program for:
73+ (5) “MONTESSORI SCHOOL ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 6–127 OF 16
74+THIS ARTICLE. 17
7775
78- [(i)] 1. 5 days per week;
76+ (5) (6) “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant 18
77+Program. 19
7978
80- [(ii)] 2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school
81-calendar established by the local school board; and
79+ (6) (7) “Qualified provider” means: 20
8280
83- [(iii) 1.] 3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day;
84-or
81+ (i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of 21
82+understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a 22
83+nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and 23
8584
86- [2.] B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day;
87-and
85+ (ii) A county board. 24
8886
89- [(4)] (IV) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of §
90-7–1A–04 of this title.
87+ (b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 25
88+Grant Program in the State. 26
9189
92- (2) BEFORE APPROVING QUAL IFIED PROVIDERS WHO ARE
93-MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OR MONTESSORI PROGRAMS F OR PREKINDERGARTEN
94-SERVICES TO RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS S ECTION, A QUALIFIED PROVIDER WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 670
90+ (c) (1) [Before] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 27
91+SUBSECTION, BEFORE approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to 28
92+receive a grant under this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that 29
93+for each classroom funded under this section the provider will: 30
9594
96-– 3 –
97-SHALL CERTIFY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT FOR E ACH CLASSROOM FUNDED UNDER
98-THIS SECTION THE PROVIDER WILL :
95+ [(1)] (I) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 31
96+than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 32
97+ HOUSE BILL 206 3
9998
100- (I) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(III) OF
101-THIS SUBSECTION ;
10299
103- (II) MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO
104-OF NO MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER T HE AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NO
105-MORE THAN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WH O ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD, WITH A
106-MAXIMUM OF 20 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF ALL OF THE STU DENTS ARE UNDER
107-THE AGE OF 5 YEARS;
100+ [(2)] (II) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early 1
101+childhood education by the State and at least one teacher’s aide who has at least a high 2
102+school degree; 3
108103
109- (III) MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO
110-OF NO MORE THAN 14 TO 1, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 28 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF
111-SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD; AND
104+ [(3)] (III) Operate an educational program for: 4
112105
113- (III) (IV) REQUIRE A CLASSROOM T EACHER TO BE:
106+ [(i)] 1. 5 days per week; 5
114107
115- 1. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D; AND
108+ [(ii)] 2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 6
109+calendar established by the local school board; and 7
116110
117- 2. BE CERTIFIED HOLD A MONTESSORI CREDENTIAL
118-ISSUED BY:
111+ [(iii) 1.] 3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 8
112+or 9
119113
120- 1. A. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE ,
121-USA;
114+ [2.] B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; 10
115+and 11
122116
123- 2. B. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR
117+ [(4)] (IV) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 12
118+7–1A–04 of this title. 13
124119
125- 3. C. THE A PROGRAM ACCREDITED B Y THE MONTESSORI
126-ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION.
120+ (2) BEFORE APPROVING QUAL IFIED PROVIDERS WHO ARE 14
121+MONTESSORI SCHOOLS OR MONTESSORI PROGRAMS F OR PREKINDERGARTEN 15
122+SERVICES TO RECEIVE A GRANT UNDER THIS S ECTION, A QUALIFIED PROVIDER 16
123+SHALL CERTIFY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT FOR E ACH CLASSROOM FUNDED UNDER 17
124+THIS SECTION THE PROVIDER WILL : 18
127125
128-7–1A–01.
126+ (I) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(III) OF 19
127+THIS SUBSECTION ; 20
129128
130- (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
129+ (II) MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO 21
130+OF NO MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER T HE AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NO 22
131+MORE THAN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WH O ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD, WITH A 23
132+MAXIMUM OF 20 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF ALL OF THE STU DENTS ARE UNDER 24
133+THE AGE OF 5 YEARS; 25
131134
132- (c) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an:
135+ (III) MAINTAIN A STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO 26
136+OF NO MORE THAN 14 TO 1, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 28 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF 27
137+SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD; AND 28
133138
134- (1) Eligible public provider; and
139+ (III) (IV) REQUIRE A CLASSROOM T EACHER TO BE: 29
135140
136- (2) Eligible private provider.
141+ 1. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D; AND 30
137142
138- (d) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community–based early learning
139-program that:
143+ 2. BE CERTIFIED HOLD A MONTESSORI CREDENTIAL 31
144+ISSUED BY: 32 4 HOUSE BILL 206
140145
141- (i) Is licensed in the State; Ch. 670 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
142146
143-– 4 –
144147
145- (ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than
146-the cost of quality; and
148+ 1. A. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE , 1
149+USA; 2
147150
148- (iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.
151+ 2. B. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR 3
149152
150- (2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start
151-Program under § 5–231 of this article.
153+ 3. C. THE A PROGRAM ACCREDITED B Y THE MONTESSORI 4
154+ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION. 5
152155
153-(e) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that:
156+7–1A–01. 6
154157
155- (1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and
158+ (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 7
156159
157- (2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.
160+ (c) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an: 8
158161
159-7–1A–04.
162+ (1) Eligible public provider; and 9
160163
161- (a) (1) [All] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS
162-SUBSECTION, ALL eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements
163-that are evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program
164-quality, including:
164+ (2) Eligible private provider. 10
165165
166- [(1)] (I) Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year:
166+ (d) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community–based early learning 11
167+program that: 12
167168
168- [(i)] 1. High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a
169-minimum, hold:
169+ (i) Is licensed in the State; 13
170170
171- [1.] A. State certification for teaching in early childhood
172-education; or
171+ (ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than 14
172+the cost of quality; and 15
173173
174- [2.] B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing
175-residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which
176-includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content
177-knowledge; and
174+ (iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 16
178175
179- [(ii)] 2. Teaching assistants who have at least:
176+ (2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start 17
177+Program under § 5–231 of this article. 18
180178
181- [1.] A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or
179+(e) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that: 19
182180
183- [2.] B. An associate’s degree;
181+ (1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and 20
184182
185- [(2)] (II) Professional development for all staff;
183+ (2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 21
186184
187- [(3)] (III) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1
188-in each class; WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 670
185+7–1A–04. 22
189186
190-– 5 –
187+ (a) (1) [All] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 23
188+SUBSECTION, ALL eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements 24
189+that are evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program 25
190+quality, including: 26
191191
192- [(4)] (IV) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom;
192+ [(1)] (I) Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year: 27 HOUSE BILL 206 5
193193
194- [(5)] (V) A full–day prekindergarten program;
195194
196- [(6)] (VI) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full
197-participation in all program opportunities;
198195
199- [(7)] (VII) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten,
200-learning environments that:
196+ [(i)] 1. High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a 1
197+minimum, hold: 2
201198
202- [(i)] 1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development
203-Standards;
199+ [1.] A. State certification for teaching in early childhood 3
200+education; or 4
204201
205- [(ii)] 2. Use evidence–based curricula; and
202+ [2.] B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing 5
203+residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which 6
204+includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content 7
205+knowledge; and 8
206206
207- [(iii)] 3. Use instruction methods that are:
207+ [(ii)] 2. Teaching assistants who have at least: 9
208208
209- [1.] A. Developmentally appropriate; and
209+ [1.] A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or 10
210210
211- [2.] B. Culturally and linguistically responsive;
211+ [2.] B. An associate’s degree; 11
212212
213- [(8)] (VIII) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students;
213+ [(2)] (II) Professional development for all staff; 12
214214
215- [(9)] (IX) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to
216-the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county
217-in which the early learning program is located;
215+ [(3)] (III) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 13
216+in each class; 14
218217
219- [(10)] (X) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement;
218+ [(4)] (IV) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom; 15
220219
221- [(11)] (XI) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students;
220+ [(5)] (V) A full–day prekindergarten program; 16
222221
223- [(12)] (XII) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive
224-services for families of students; and
222+ [(6)] (VI) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full 17
223+participation in all program opportunities; 18
225224
226- [(13)] (XIII) Evidence–based health and safety standards.
225+ [(7)] (VII) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten, 19
226+learning environments that: 20
227227
228- (2) AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDER GARTEN PROVIDER THAT IS A
229-MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR MONTESSORI PROGRAM SH ALL INCLUDE ALL OF T HE
230-STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION E XCEPT
231-THE FOLLOWING :
228+ [(i)] 1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development 21
229+Standards; 22
232230
233- (I) FOR STAFF QUALIFICATI ONS, THE ELIGIBLE
234-PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER SHALL EMPLOY TE ACHERS WHO ARE:
235- Ch. 670 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
231+ [(ii)] 2. Use evidence–based curricula; and 23
236232
237-– 6 –
238- 1. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D; AND
233+ [(iii)] 3. Use instruction methods that are: 24
239234
240- 2. ARE CERTIFIED HOLD A MONTESSORI CREDENTIAL
241-ISSUED BY:
235+ [1.] A. Developmentally appropriate; and 25
242236
243- 1. A. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE ,
244-USA;
237+ [2.] B. Culturally and linguistically responsive; 26
245238
246- 2. B. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR
239+ [(8)] (VIII) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students; 27 6 HOUSE BILL 206
247240
248- 3. C. THE A PROGRAM ACCREDITED B Y THE MONTESSORI
249-ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION; AND
250241
251- (II) FOR THE STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO,
252-THE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER SHALL MAINT AIN A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM
253-PERSONNEL RATIO OF NO:
254242
255- 1. NO MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER THE
256-AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NO MORE TH AN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5
257-YEARS OLD, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 20 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF ALL OF THE
258-STUDENTS ARE UNDER T HE AGE OF 5 YEARS; AND
243+ [(9)] (IX) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to 1
244+the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county 2
245+in which the early learning program is located; 3
259246
260- 2. NO MORE THAN 14 TO 1, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 28
261-STUDENTS PER CLASSROOM IF SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE AT LEAST 5 YEARS OLD.
247+ [(10)] (X) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement; 4
262248
263- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
264-1, 2023.
249+ [(11)] (XI) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students; 5
265250
266-Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2023.
251+ [(12)] (XII) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive 6
252+services for families of students; and 7
253+
254+ [(13)] (XIII) Evidence–based health and safety standards. 8
255+
256+ (2) AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDER GARTEN PROVIDER THAT IS A 9
257+MONTESSORI SCHOOL OR MONTESSORI PROGRAM SH ALL INCLUDE ALL OF T HE 10
258+STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION E XCEPT 11
259+THE FOLLOWING : 12
260+
261+ (I) FOR STAFF QUALIFICATI ONS, THE ELIGIBLE 13
262+PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER SHALL EMPLOY TE ACHERS WHO ARE: 14
263+
264+ 1. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D; AND 15
265+
266+ 2. ARE CERTIFIED HOLD A MONTESSORI CREDENTIAL 16
267+ISSUED BY: 17
268+
269+ 1. A. THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE , 18
270+USA; 19
271+
272+ 2. B. THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY; OR 20
273+
274+ 3. C. THE A PROGRAM ACCREDITED B Y THE MONTESSORI 21
275+ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION; AND 22
276+
277+ (II) FOR THE STUDENT –TO–CLASSROOM PERSONNEL RATIO, 23
278+THE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER SHALL MAINT AIN A STUDENT–TO–CLASSROOM 24
279+PERSONNEL RATIO OF NO: 25
280+
281+ 1. NO MORE THAN 10 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS UNDER THE 26
282+AGE OF 5 YEARS AND NO MORE TH AN 15 TO 1 FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE AT LEAST 5 27
283+YEARS OLD, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 20 STUDENTS PER CLASSRO OM IF ALL OF THE 28
284+STUDENTS ARE UNDER T HE AGE OF 5 YEARS; AND 29
285+ HOUSE BILL 206 7
286+
287+
288+ 2. NO MORE THAN 14 TO 1, WITH A MAXIMUM OF 28 1
289+STUDENTS PER CLAS SROOM IF SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE AT LEAS T 5 YEARS OLD. 2
290+
291+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 3
292+1, 2023. 4
293+
294+
295+
296+
297+
298+Approved:
299+________________________________________________________________________________
300+ Governor.
301+________________________________________________________________________________
302+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.
303+________________________________________________________________________________
304+ President of the Senate.