EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1426*
HOUSE BILL 1426
F1 4lr3191
CF SB 1102
By: Chair, Ways and Means Committee
Introduced and read first time: February 9, 2024
Assigned to: Ways and Means and Appropriations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Education – Blueprint for Maryland’s Future – Alterations 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing the State Department of Education to award funding for a 3
new Judy Center or Family Support Center for planning and development under a 4
certain circumstance; altering the date by which the Accountability and 5
Implementation Board has to conduct and submit a certain independent evaluation; 6
requiring a nonclassroom teacher who pursues National Board Certification to 7
receive certain funding from the State under certain circumstances; altering 8
requirements for the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program; requiring each 9
local department of social services or local health department to provide each local 10
school system with certain information; altering the requirements for, and 11
expanding the purpose of, the Nancy Grasmick Public School Professional Award to 12
include early childhood educators; renaming the Nancy Grasmick Public School 13
Professional Award to be the Nancy Grasmick School Professional Award; altering 14
the date by which the Career and Technical Education Committee shall establish 15
certain goals; altering the date by which the CTE Committee must report on the 16
progress on obtaining a certain goal; extending the fiscal year for which per pupil 17
funding increases may be limited under a certain circumstance; and generally 18
relating to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. 19
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 20
Article – Education 21
Section 5–230(a)(1), (6) through (10), and (12), (b), and (d), 5–410(a) and (b), and 22
7–101.2(a)(1), (6), and (7) and (b)(1) and (2) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 25
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 26
Article – Education 27
Section 5–230(c), 5–410(c) and (d)(1), 6–1012, 7–101.2(c)(1), 7–1A–02, 9.5–1002, 28
18–1501, 18–1502, 18–1503, and 21–204 29 2 HOUSE BILL 1426
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 2
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3
Chapter 36 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021 4
Section 16(d) through (f) 5
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 6
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 7
Article – Education 8
5–230. 9
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 10
(6) “Full day” means a period of time during the day that: 11
(i) Meets the needs of families; and 12
(ii) Is not less than 7 hours or more than 12 hours per day. 13
(7) “Judy Center” means a site where comprehensive early childhood 14
education services are provided to young children and their families for the purpose of 15
promoting school readiness through collaboration with participating agencies and 16
programs. 17
(8) “Judy Center Grant” means a grant that is distributed under subsection 18
(d) of this section. 19
(9) “Local management board” means a local management board as defined 20
under § 8–101(l) of the Human Services Article. 21
(10) “Participating agencies and programs” includes: 22
(i) Public prekindergarten and kindergarten programs; 23
(ii) Head Start programs; 24
(iii) Family literacy programs and services; 25
(iv) Local infants and toddlers programs; 26
(v) Child care centers and family child care homes; 27
(vi) Family support centers; 28
HOUSE BILL 1426 3
(vii) Healthy family sites; 1
(viii) Parent involvement programs; 2
(ix) Early childhood programs affiliated with institutions of higher 3
education; and 4
(x) Other home visiting, community health, family support services, 5
and child care resource and referral agencies. 6
(12) “Program” means the Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education 7
Enhancement Program established under this section. 8
(b) (1) There is a Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education Enhancement 9
Program in the Department. 10
(2) The purpose of the Program is to promote school readiness through the 11
development and expansion of collaborative approaches to the delivery of high quality, 12
comprehensive, full–day early childhood education programs and family support services. 13
(c) (1) The Program shall be funded as provided in the State budget. 14
(2) Funds that are allocated to the Program in the State budget may be 15
used: 16
(i) To cover the costs incurred by the Department in implementing 17
and administering the Program; 18
(ii) For Judy Center Grants[, as]: 19
1. AS provided under subsection (d) of this section; AND 20
2. IF THE DEPARTMENT AWARDS MUL TIYEAR FUNDING 21
UNDER SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION, FOR PLANNING AND DEVE LOPMENT OF A 22
JUDY CENTER IN THE FIRST YEAR OF MULTIYEAR FUNDING ; 23
(iii) For Preschool Services Grants, as provided under subsection (e) 24
of this section; 25
(iv) For Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grants, as 26
provided under subsection (f) of this section; and 27
(v) To fund the statewide implementation of the Department’s Early 28
Childhood Assessment System, as provided under subsection (g) of this section. 29
4 HOUSE BILL 1426
(3) (i) For each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, the State shall 1
provide funding for 9 additional Judy Centers per year. 2
(ii) For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, the State shall 3
provide funding for 18 additional Judy Centers per year. 4
(iii) The Governor shall appropriate, in each of fiscal years 2021 5
through 2030, $330,000 for each additional Judy Center required under this paragraph. 6
(iv) The State shall prioritize increasing the number of Judy Centers 7
in communities with Title I schools. 8
(d) The Department may distribute a Judy Center Grant to a county board if the 9
county board submits an application to the Department that includes: 10
(1) A memorandum of understanding between the county board, the 11
participating agencies and programs, and, in the discretion of the county board, the local 12
management board that includes: 13
(i) The terms of the collaboration to be undertaken by the county 14
board, the participating agencies and programs, and, if applicable, the local management 15
board, including the roles and responsibilities of each of these entities; and 16
(ii) A plan for establishing ongoing communication between private 17
service providers and public school early education programs; and 18
(2) Documentation that shows that: 19
(i) The Department’s Early Childhood Assessment System will be 20
implemented at the Center; 21
(ii) All participating agencies and programs that provide early 22
childhood education services through the Center have voluntarily obtained accreditation 23
or, by the date of the Grant application, have voluntarily initiated and are actively pursuing 24
the process of obtaining accreditation; and 25
(iii) The Center will provide comprehensive, full–day early childhood 26
education services and family support services. 27
5–410. 28
(a) In addition to its own assessments and tracking of progress, required under § 29
5–406 of this subtitle, the Board shall contract with a public or private entity to conduct an 30
independent evaluation of the State’s progress in implementing the Blueprint for 31
Maryland’s Future and achieving the expected outcomes during the implementation period. 32
(b) The independent evaluation shall include an assessment of: 33 HOUSE BILL 1426 5
(1) The use of additional funding to meet the goals of the Blueprint for 1
Maryland’s Future; 2
(2) Progress toward the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and 3
whether the goals have been achieved; and 4
(3) Any recommendations to alter the goals or strategies employed to reach 5
the goals, including new uses for existing funds or additional funding. 6
(c) (1) An entity with which the Board contracts for an independent evaluation 7
shall report its results to the Board on or before: 8
(i) [October 1, 2024] DECEMBER 1, 2026; and 9
(ii) October 1, 2030. 10
(2) The Board shall contract for each independent evaluation as soon as 11
practicable. 12
(d) (1) (i) On or before [December 1, 2024] JANUARY 15, 2027, the Board 13
shall, using the first independent evaluation and its own judgment, report to the Governor 14
and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly 15
on whether the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being implemented as intended and 16
achieving the expected outcomes. 17
(ii) The Board’s report shall include an assessment of the State’s 18
progress towards: 19
1. Increasing the number of teachers achieving National 20
Board Certification; 21
2. Providing full–day prekindergarten programs for 3– and 22
4–year–olds in accordance with Title 7, Subtitle 1A of this article; 23
3. Improving behavioral health services in accordance with § 24
7–447 of this article; and 25
4. Ensuring that students enrolled in public schools meet 26
college and career standards in accordance with § 7–205.1 of this article. 27
(iii) The Board’s report shall include any legislative or structural 28
corrections necessary to fully implement the Blueprint. 29
6–1012. 30
6 HOUSE BILL 1426
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “NONCLASSROOM TEACHER” MEANS A POSITIO N IN A 1
SCHOOL FOR WHICH , IF THE INDIVIDUAL EA RNS NBC, THE INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIB LE 2
TO JOIN THE CAREER L ADDER, INCLUDING: 3
(1) ADMINISTRATORS ; 4
(2) ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS ; 5
(3) INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIAL ISTS; AND 6
(4) PRINCIPALS. 7
[(a)] (B) (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, each 8
teacher OR NONCLASSROOM TEACHER who pursues NBC shall receive from the State an 9
amount equal to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards fees associated 10
with the initial completion and renewal of NBC. 11
(2) Each teacher AND NONCLASSROOM TEACHER may only receive 12
payment under this subsection for one retake of each assessment on the National Board for 13
Professional Teaching Standards. 14
[(b)] (C) Each county shall pay to the State one–third of the cost for each teacher 15
OR NONCLASSROOM TEACHER who receives funds under subsection [(a)] (B) of this 16
section to pursue NBC. 17
[(c)] (D) (1) A teacher OR A NONCLASSROOM TEACHER who does not 18
complete all the requirements for assessment by the National Board for Professional 19
Teaching Standards shall reimburse the State the full amount of the funds received under 20
subsection [(a)] (B) of this section. 21
(2) The State shall reimburse the county the amount received under 22
subsection [(b)] (C) of this section on receipt of the reimbursement from a teacher OR 23
NONCLASSROOM TEACHER under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 24
(3) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection do not apply to a 25
teacher OR NONCLASSROOM TEACHER who completes all the requirements for 26
assessment by the National Board [of] FOR Professional Teaching Standards but does not 27
obtain NBC. 28
7–101.2. 29
(a) (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated. 30
(6) “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program. 31
HOUSE BILL 1426 7
(7) “Qualified provider” means: 1
(i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of 2
understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a 3
nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and 4
(ii) A county board. 5
(b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 6
Grant Program in the State. 7
(2) The purpose of the Program is to broaden the availability of 8
high–quality prekindergarten and school readiness services throughout the State for 9
children and their families in coordination with the expansion of publicly funded full–day 10
prekindergarten under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future established under Subtitle 1A 11
of this title. 12
(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before approving 13
qualified providers for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a 14
qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under 15
this section the provider will: 16
(i) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 17
than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 18
(ii) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early 19
childhood education by the State OR ONE TEACHER WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE WHO 20
PLANS TO PURSUE A STATE CERTIFICATION F OR TEACHING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD 21
EDUCATION and at least one teacher’s aide who has at least a high school degree; 22
(iii) Operate an educational program for: 23
1. 5 days per week; 24
2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 25
calendar established by the local school board; and 26
3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 27
or 28
B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; and 29
(iv) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 30
7–1A–04 of this title. 31
7–1A–02. 32
8 HOUSE BILL 1426
(a) (1) A local department of social services or a local health department shall 1
provide a parent or guardian with oral and written notice that their child may be eligible 2
for publicly funded prekindergarten programs if the parent or guardian: 3
(i) Applied for economic services with the local department of social 4
services or the local health department; and 5
(ii) Has a child who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1 of the 6
next academic year. 7
(2) The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 8
include: 9
(i) Contact information for the enrollment office of the local school 10
system and the Division of Early Childhood Development in the Department; and 11
(ii) Information on the existence of the child care scholarship for 12
before and after full–day prekindergarten programming and the possibility of eligibility for 13
State aid. 14
(3) On or before December 1 of each year, each local department of social 15
services and each local health department shall report to the General Assembly, in 16
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the number of parents who 17
were given a notification and subsequently enrolled their child in a publicly funded 18
prekindergarten program. 19
(B) EACH LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES O R A LOCAL HEALTH 20
DEPARTMENT SHALL PRO VIDE TO EACH LOCAL S CHOOL SYSTEM THE NAM E AND 21
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EACH PARENT OR G UARDIAN PRO VIDED NOTICE 22
UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 23
[(b)] (C) The requirements set forth in § 7–101(b) of this title regarding the 24
domicile of a child and the residency of the child’s parent or guardian shall apply to 25
prekindergarten programs established by county boards as required by this subtitle. 26
9.5–1002. 27
(a) A family support center shall be known as a “Patty Center”. 28
(b) A family support center shall provide parents and their children with a 29
hospitable and constructive environment and services that: 30
(1) Improve parenting skills; 31
(2) Develop the family as a functioning unit; and 32
(3) Promote the growth and development of their children. 33 HOUSE BILL 1426 9
(c) (1) (i) For fiscal year 2021, the State shall provide funding for six 1
additional centers. 2
(ii) For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2029, the State shall 3
provide funding for three additional centers per fiscal year. 4
(2) The Governor shall appropriate in each of fiscal years 2021 through 5
2030 $330,000 for each additional center required under this subsection. 6
(d) The Department shall select the location for the centers funded under 7
subsection (c) of this section. 8
(E) (1) A FAMILY SUPPORT CENTE R MAY RECEIVE MULTIY EAR FUNDING. 9
(2) IF A FAMILY SUPPORT C ENTER RECEIVES MULTI YEAR FUNDING , 10
FUNDING MAY BE USED FOR PLANNING AND DEV ELOPMENT IN THE FIRS T YEAR OF 11
FUNDING FOR THE FAMI LY SUPPORT CENTER . 12
18–1501. 13
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
(B) “EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TOR” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE AT AN ELIGIBLE 15
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER AS DEFINED UNDER § 7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE 16
WHO: 17
(1) IS A TEACHER HOLDING , AT A MINIMUM: 18
(I) STATE CERTIFICATION F OR TEACHING IN EARLY 19
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ; OR 20
(II) A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D AND WHO IS 21
PURSUING RESIDENCY T HROUGH THE MARYLAND APPROVED ALTERNATIVE 22
PREPARATION PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES EARLY CHILDHOOD COURSEWORK , 23
CLINICAL PRACTICE , AND EVIDENCE OF PEDA GOGICAL CONTENT KNOW LEDGE; OR 24
(2) IS A TEACHING ASSISTANT HO LDING, AT A MINIMUM: 25
(I) A CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATE ; OR 26
(II) AN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE. 27
[(b)] (C) (1) “Eligible field of employment” means, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N 28
PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , employment in the State by an organization, 29 10 HOUSE BILL 1426
institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under § 1
501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 2
(2) “Eligible field of employment” includes employment by the State or any 3
local government in the State, but does not include being employed as a judicial clerk in 4
any court. 5
(3) “ELIGIBLE FIELD OF EMPLOYMENT ” MEANS, FOR AN EARLY 6
CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR , EMPLOYMENT AT AN ELIGIBLE PREKI NDERGARTEN 7
PROVIDER, AS DEFINED IN § 7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE , THAT RECEIVES FUNDING 8
UNDER § 7–101.2 OF THIS ARTICLE. 9
[(c)] (D) “Higher education loan” means any loan for undergraduate or graduate 10
study that is obtained for tuition, educational expenses, or living expenses from: 11
(1) A college or university, government, or commercial source; or 12
(2) An organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is 13
exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 14
[(d)] (E) (1) “Mental health professional” means an individual who provides 15
mental health services in public schools and is employed by: 16
(i) A county school system; or 17
(ii) A local health department to provide school health services 18
through an agreement with a county board. 19
(2) “Mental health professional” includes a school psychologist, resource 20
psychologist, psychologist coordinator, social worker, social worker supervisor, school 21
counselor, or mental health coordinator. 22
[(e)] (F) “Program” means the Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment 23
Program. 24
18–1502. 25
(a) There is a program of loan assistance repayment known as the Janet L. 26
Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program in the State. 27
(b) The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall assist in the repayment of 28
the amount of any higher education loan owed by an individual who: 29
(1) (i) Receives a graduate, professional, or undergraduate degree from: 30
1. A college or university in the State of Maryland; 31
HOUSE BILL 1426 11
2. A school of law; or 1
3. For a mental health professional, any accredited college or 2
university; or 3
(ii) Receives a Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) from the 4
Department after completing an alternative teaching preparation program approved by the 5
State Superintendent; 6
(2) Obtains eligible employment; 7
(3) Receives an income that is less than the maximum eligible total income 8
levels established by the Office, including any additional sources of income; and 9
(4) Satisfies any other criteria established by the Office. 10
(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Office shall assist 11
in the repayment of the amount of any higher education loan owed by [a]: 12
(1) [Public] A PUBLIC school teacher in the State who: 13
(i) Has taught in Maryland for at least 2 years: 14
1. In science, technology, engineering, fine arts, or math 15
subjects; 16
2. In a school in which at least the following percentages of 17
the students are enrolled in the free and reduced price lunch program in the State: 18
A. 75% through June 30, 2025; and 19
B. 55% beginning July 1, 2025; or 20
3. In a school that: 21
A. Had Title I status during the 2018–2019 school year; 22
B. Lost Title I status after the 2018–2019 school year; and 23
C. Participates in the United States Department of 24
Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision; and 25
(ii) Has received a performance evaluation rating for the most recent 26
year available in the county in which the teacher taught; [or] 27
(2) [Mental] A MENTAL health professional who has provided mental 28
health services in a public school for at least 2 years as an employee of: 29 12 HOUSE BILL 1426
(i) A county school system; or 1
(ii) A local health department through an agreement with a county 2
board; OR 3
(3) AN EARLY CHILDHOOD ED UCATOR WHO IS EMPLOY ED FOR AT 4
LEAST 2 YEARS BY AN ELIGIBLE PREKI NDERGARTEN PROVIDER , AS DEFINED IN § 5
7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE , THAT RECEIVES FUNDIN G UNDER § 7–101.2 OF THIS 6
ARTICLE. 7
(d) (1) A grant awarded under subsection (c) of this section shall be known as 8
the Nancy Grasmick [Public] School Professional Award. 9
(2) A recipient of a Nancy Grasmick [Public] School Professional Award 10
shall be known as a Nancy Grasmick [Public] School Professional Scholar. 11
(e) An applicant for assistance in the repayment of a commercial loan shall 12
demonstrate to the Office that the commercial loan was used for tuition, educational 13
expenses, or living expenses for graduate or undergraduate study. 14
(f) Assistance in the repayment of a loan from an entity set forth in § 15
18–1501(c)(2) of this subtitle shall require the approval of the Office. 16
(g) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Office shall assist 17
in the repayment of the amount of any higher education loan owed by a licensed clinical 18
alcohol and drug counselor, a licensed clinical marriage and family therapy counselor, or a 19
licensed clinical professional counselor whose practice is located in a high–need geographic 20
area of the State as determined by the Maryland Department of Health. 21
18–1503. 22
(a) The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall adopt regulations to 23
establish: 24
(1) The maximum starting income for eligibility in the Janet L. Hoffman 25
Loan Assistance Repayment Program; 26
(2) The maximum total income for eligibility in the Janet L. Hoffman Loan 27
Assistance Repayment Program, including any additional sources of income; 28
(3) That priority for participation in the Program shall be given to an 29
individual who: 30
(i) Graduated from an institution of higher education in the last 3 31
years; 32 HOUSE BILL 1426 13
(ii) Is a resident of the State; 1
(iii) Is employed on a full–time basis; and 2
(iv) 1. Provides, as the principal part of the individual’s 3
employment, legal services to low–income residents in the State who cannot afford legal 4
services, nursing services in nursing shortage areas in the State as defined in § 18–802 of 5
this title, or other services in an eligible field of employment in which there is a shortage of 6
qualified practitioners to low–income or underserved residents or areas of the State; or 7
2. For teacher [and], mental health professional, AND 8
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATOR applicants only, qualifies for a Nancy Grasmick [Public] 9
School Professional Award; 10
(4) A limit on the total amount of assistance provided by the Office of 11
Student Financial Assistance in repaying the loan of an eligible individual, based on the 12
individual’s total income and outstanding higher education loan balance; 13
(5) A procedure and schedule for the monthly or annual payment of the 14
amount of loan assistance provided by the Office of Student Financial Assistance to the 15
eligible individual, as appropriate to assist an eligible individual in meeting loan 16
forgiveness program requirements; 17
(6) A requirement that an eligible individual apply to federal loan 18
forgiveness programs for which the individual may qualify; 19
(7) A requirement that an eligible individual notify the Office of Student 20
Financial Assistance if the individual receives other loan repayment assistance; and 21
(8) An annual review of the eligibility of each individual participating in 22
the Program. 23
(b) The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall adopt any other regulations 24
necessary to implement this subtitle. 25
21–204. 26
(a) (1) On or before [December 1, 2022] JUNE 1, 2024, the CTE Committee 27
shall establish, for each school year between the 2023–2024 school year and the 2030–2031 28
school year, inclusive, statewide goals that reach 45% by the 2030–2031 school year, for the 29
percentage of high school students who, prior to graduation, complete the high school level 30
of a registered apprenticeship or an industry–recognized occupational credential. 31
(2) To the extent practicable, the CTE Committee shall ensure that the 32
largest number of students achieve the requirement of this subsection by completing a high 33 14 HOUSE BILL 1426
school level of a registered apprenticeship program approved by the Division of Workforce 1
Development and Adult Learning within the Maryland Department of Labor. 2
(b) On or before December 1 each year, beginning in [2022] 2024, the CTE 3
Committee shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 4
Government Article, the General Assembly, and the Accountability and Implementation 5
Board on the progress, by high school, toward attaining the goals established by the CTE 6
Committee in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. 7
Chapter 36 of the Acts of 2021 8
SECTION 16. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 9
(d) In the independent evaluation and report to be submitted to the Governor and 10
the General Assembly on or before [December 1, 2024] JANUARY 15, 2027, as required 11
under § 5–410(d)(1) of the Education Article as enacted by this Act, the Accountability and 12
Implementation Board shall report whether the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being 13
implemented as intended and is achieving expected outcomes. 14
(e) (1) If the Accountability and Implementation Board does not report that 15
the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being implemented as intended and is achieving 16
expected outcomes in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, then: 17
(i) notwithstanding any other provision of law, per pupil increases 18
in major education aid required under this Act for fiscal year [2026] 2028 and each year 19
thereafter shall be limited to the rate of inflation as defined in § 5–201(h) of the Education 20
Article as enacted by this Act; 21
(ii) notwithstanding any other provision of law, any additional 22
funding increases required under this Act shall be limited to the rate of inflation as defined 23
in § 5–201(h) of the Education Article as enacted by this Act; and 24
(iii) subject to subsection (f) of this section and notwithstanding any 25
other provision of law, local school systems are not required to meet the additional 26
requirements of this Act that begin in fiscal year [2026] 2028 and each fiscal year 27
thereafter. 28
(2) If the Accountability and Implementation Board reports that the 29
Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is not being implemented as intended and is not achieving 30
expected outcomes, it is the intent of the General Assembly that the General Assembly 31
shall take immediate action to adjust the formula and policies under this Act to achieve the 32
goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future in order to fulfill the General Assembly’s 33
commitment to provide the resources, supports, and funding to fully implement the 34
Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. 35
(f) A local school system shall continue to fund the requirements of this Act in 36
effect prior to fiscal year [2026] 2028. 37 HOUSE BILL 1426 15
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 1
1, 2024. 2