EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*hb1426*
HOUSE BILL 1426
F1 (4lr3191)
ENROLLED BILL
— Ways and Means and Appropriations/Education, Energy, and the Environment and
Budget and Taxation —
Introduced by Chair, Ways and Means Committee
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his ap proval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
CHAPTER ______
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 the State Board of Education, rather than the Accountability and 7
Implementation Board, to approve certain specifications for teachers and 8
administrators relating to time spent in the classroom and time spent on other 9
teacher activities; requiring a nonclassroom teacher who pursues National Board 10
Certification to receive certain funding from the State under certain circumstances; 11
altering certain requirements and funding timelines for the Prekindergarten 12
Expansion Grant Program; altering requirements for the Prekindergarten 13
Expansion Grant Program; requiring each local department of social services or local 14 2 HOUSE BILL 1426
health department to provide each local school system with certain information; 1
authorizing the State Board of Education and the Accountability and 2
Implementation Board to establish certain limits on courses taken by certain dually 3
enrolled students at certain institutions of higher education; altering the 4
requirements for, and expanding the purpose of, the Nancy Grasmick Public School 5
Professional Award to include early childhood educators; renaming the Nancy 6
Grasmick Public School Professional Award to be the Nancy Grasmick School 7
Professional Award; altering the date by which the Career and Technical Education 8
Committee shall establish certain goals; altering the date by which the CTE 9
Committee must report on the progress on obtaining a certain goal; repealing a 10
periodic report on the Geographic Cost of Education Index that was rendered 11
obsolete by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future; extending the fiscal year for which 12
per pupil funding increases may be limited under a certain circumstance; altering 13
the date by which administration of the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment must 14
be completed and results made available for a certain school year only; and generally 15
relating to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. 16
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 17
Article – Education 18
Section 4–122(a)(1), 4–122.1(a)(1), 5–230(a)(1), (6) through (10), and (12), (b), and (d), 19
5–410(a) and (b), and 7–101.2(a)(1), (6), and (7) and (b)(1) and (2) 6–1002(a), 20
and 7–101.2(b)(1) 8–313(a)(1), 8–3A–09(a)(1), 8–710(a)(1), and 16–305(b)(1) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 23
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 24
Article – Education 25
Section 4–122(a)(6) and (b)(2), 4–122.1(a)(5) and (c)(2), 5–103, 5–218(c)(1), 5–230(c), 26
5–410(c) and (d)(1), 5–230(c), 6–1002(h), 6–1003(a) and (b)(2), 6–1004(b)(4), 27
(c)(4), and (d)(5), 6–1006(b)(3) and (c)(3), 6–1012, 7–101.2(c) and (d), 28
7–101.2(c)(1), 7–1A–02, 7–205.1(g)(1) and (4), 7–1703(d)(1), 8–309(a)(2), 29
8–313(a)(5), 8–3A–09(a)(4), 8–507(b)(3), 8–709, 8–710(a)(4), 9.5–1002, 30
11–105(j)(6), 15–101(b), 16–305(b)(2), 18–1501, 18–1502, 18–1503, and 31
21–204 32
Annotated Code of Maryland 33
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 34
BY adding to 35
Article – Education 36
Section 7–205.1(g)(4) 37
Annotated Code of Maryland 38
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 39
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 40
Article – Tax – Property 41
Section 7–512(c), 9–205(i)(1), 9–239(b), and 9–302(i)(2) and (3) 42
Annotated Code of Maryland 43 HOUSE BILL 1426 3
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 1
BY repealing 2
Chapter 2 of the Acts of the General Assembly of the 2007 Special Session 3
Section 13 4
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 5
Chapter 36 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021 6
Section 16(d) through (f) 7
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENE RAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 9
Article – Education 10
4–122. 11
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 12
(6) “Local current expense per student” means all expenditures made by a 13
county from county appropriations, except State, federal, and other aid, for public 14
elementary and secondary education in the prior fiscal year, divided by the full–time 15
equivalent enrollment, as defined in [§ 5–202(a)] § 5–201 of this article. 16
(b) (2) The service providing local education agency shall include a child 17
enrolled as the result of an out–of–county living arrangement in their full–time equivalent 18
enrollment as provided by [§ 5–202(a)(6)] § 5–201 of this article. 19
4–122.1. 20
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 21
(5) “Local current expense per student” means all expenditures made by a 22
county from county appropriations, except State, federal, and other aid, for public 23
elementary and secondary education in the prior fiscal year, divided by the full–time 24
equivalent enrollment, as defined in [§ 5–202(a)] § 5–201 of this article. 25
(c) (2) The receiving agency shall include a child enrolled as the result of an 26
informal kinship care relationship in its full–time equivalent enrollment as provided by [§ 27
5–202(a)] § 5–201 of this article. 28
5–103. 29
(a) The amount requested in the annual budget of each county board for current 30
expenses for the next school year and that is to be raised by revenue from local sources may 31 4 HOUSE BILL 1426
not be less than the minimum amount required to be levied under [§ 5–202(d)(1)(i)] § 1
5–235(A) of this title. 2
(b) The county commissioners or county council may provide funds that are more 3
than the amount required by [§ 5–202(d)(1)(i)] § 5–235(A) of this title to support improved 4
and additional programs. 5
(c) If a county council or board of county commissioners does not approve the 6
amount requested in the budget that is more than the amount required by [§ 5–202(d)(1)(i)] 7
§ 5–235(A) of this title: 8
(1) The county council or board of county commissioners: 9
(i) May not reduce the amount requested in the budget that is 10
dedicated to satisfying a final court judgment; and 11
(ii) Shall indicate in writing, within 15 days after the adoption of the 12
budget, which major categories of the annual budget have been reduced and the reason for 13
the reduction; and 14
(2) The county board shall submit to the county governing body, within 30 15
days after the adoption of the budget, a report indicating how the alterations to the budget 16
will be implemented, accompanied by reasonable supporting detail and analysis. 17
5–218. 18
(c) (1) In this subsection, “full–time equivalent enrollment” has the meaning 19
stated in [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this subtitle. 20
5–230. 21
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 22
(6) “Full day” means a period of time during the day that: 23
(i) Meets the needs of families; and 24
(ii) Is not less than 7 hours or more than 12 hours per day. 25
(7) “Judy Center” means a site where comprehensive early childhood 26
education services are provided to young children and their families for the purpose of 27
promoting school readiness through collaboration with participating agencies and 28
programs. 29
(8) “Judy Center Grant” means a grant that is distributed under subsection 30
(d) of this section. 31 HOUSE BILL 1426 5
(9) “Local management board” means a local management board as defined 1
under § 8–101(l) of the Human Services Article. 2
(10) “Participating agencies and programs” includes: 3
(i) Public prekindergarten and kindergarten programs; 4
(ii) Head Start programs; 5
(iii) Family literacy programs and services; 6
(iv) Local infants and toddlers programs; 7
(v) Child care centers and family child care homes; 8
(vi) Family support centers; 9
(vii) Healthy family sites; 10
(viii) Parent involvement programs; 11
(ix) Early childhood programs affiliated with institutions of higher 12
education; and 13
(x) Other home visiting, community health, family support services, 14
and child care resource and referral agencies. 15
(12) “Program” means the Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education 16
Enhancement Program established under this section. 17
(b) (1) There is a Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education Enhancement 18
Program in the Department. 19
(2) The purpose of the Program is to promote school readiness through the 20
development and expansion of collaborative approaches to the delivery of high quality, 21
comprehensive, full–day early childhood education programs and family support services. 22
(c) (1) The Program shall be funded as provided in the State budget. 23
(2) Funds that are allocated to the Program in the State budget may be 24
used: 25
(i) To cover the costs incurred by the Department in implementing 26
and administering the Program; 27
(ii) For Judy Center Grants[, as]: 28 6 HOUSE BILL 1426
1. AS provided under subsection (d) of this section; AND 1
2. IF THE DEPARTMENT AWARDS MUL TIYEAR FUNDING 2
UNDER SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION, FOR PLANNING AND DEV ELOPMENT OF A 3
JUDY CENTER IN THE FIRST Y EAR OF MULTIYEAR FUN DING; 4
(iii) For Preschool Services Grants, as provided under subsection (e) 5
of this section; 6
(iv) For Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grants, as 7
provided under subsection (f) of this section; and 8
(v) To fund the statewide implementation of the Department’s Early 9
Childhood Assessment System, as provided under subsection (g) of this section. 10
(3) (i) For each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, the State shall 11
provide funding for 9 additional Judy Centers per year. 12
(ii) For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, the State shall 13
provide funding for 18 additional Judy Centers per year. 14
(iii) The Governor shall appropriate, in each of fiscal years 2021 15
through 2030, $330,000 for each additional Judy Center required under this paragraph. 16
(iv) The State shall prioritize increasing the number of Judy Centers 17
in communities with Title I schools. 18
(d) The Department may distribute a Judy Center Grant to a county board if the 19
county board submits an application to the Department that includes: 20
(1) A memorandum of under standing between the county board, the 21
participating agencies and programs, and, in the discretion of the county board, the local 22
management board that includes: 23
(i) The terms of the collaboration to be undertaken by the county 24
board, the participating agencies and programs, and, if applicable, the local management 25
board, including the roles and responsibilities of each of these entities; and 26
(ii) A plan for establishing ongoing communication between private 27
service providers and public school early education programs; and 28
(2) Documentation that shows that: 29
(i) The Department’s Early Childhood Assessment System will be 30
implemented at the Center; 31 HOUSE BILL 1426 7
(ii) All participating agencies and programs that provide early 1
childhood education services through the Center have voluntarily obtained accreditation 2
or, by the date of the Grant application, have voluntarily initiated and are actively pursuing 3
the process of obtaining accreditation; and 4
(iii) The Center will provide comprehensive, full–day early childhood 5
education services and family support services. 6
5–410. 7
(a) In addition to its own assessments and tracking of progress, required under § 8
5–406 of this subtitle, the Board shall contract with a public or private entity to conduct an 9
independent evaluation of the State’s progress in implementing the Blueprint for 10
Maryland’s Future and achieving the expected outcomes during the implementation period. 11
(b) The independent evaluation shall include an assessment of: 12
(1) The use of additional funding to meet the goals of the Blueprint for 13
Maryland’s Future; 14
(2) Progress toward the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and 15
whether the goals have been achieved; and 16
(3) Any recommendations to alter the goals or strategies employed to reach 17
the goals, including new uses for existing funds or additional funding. 18
(c) (1) An entity with which the Board contracts for an independent evaluation 19
shall report its results to the Board on or before: 20
(i) [October 1, 2024] DECEMBER 1, 2026; and 21
(ii) October 1, 2030. 22
(2) The Board shall contract for each independent evaluation as soon as 23
practicable. 24
(d) (1) (i) On or before [December 1, 2024] JANUARY 15, 2027, the Board 25
shall, using the first independent evaluation and its own judgment, report to the Governor 26
and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly 27
on whether the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being implemented as intended and 28
achieving the expected outcomes. 29
(ii) The Board’s report shall include an assessment of the State’s 30
progress towards: 31
8 HOUSE BILL 1426
1. Increasing the number of teachers achieving National 1
Board Certification; 2
2. Providing full–day prekindergarten programs for 3– and 3
4–year–olds in accordance with Title 7, Subtitle 1A of this article; 4
3. Improving behavioral health services in accordance with § 5
7–447 of this article; and 6
4. Ensuring that students enrolled in public schools meet 7
college and career standards in accordance with § 7–205.1 of this article. 8
(iii) The Board’s report shall include any legislative or structural 9
corrections necessary to fully implement the Blueprint. 10
6–1002. 11
(a) (1) On or before July 1, 2024, each county board shall implement a career 12
ladder that meets the requirements of this subtitle. 13
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the requirements of this 14
subtitle shall become effective in a county on the date the county board adopts a career 15
ladder under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 16
(h) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, teachers at each level or tier 17
of the career ladder shall teach in the classroom for a minimum percentage of their total 18
working time, as specified in this subtitle. 19
(2) The percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 20
become effective in phases over an 8–year period beginning July 1, 2025, as specified by a 21
county board on approval of the [Accountability and Implementation Board] STATE 22
BOARD. 23
(3) The following teachers shall be given priority for working time outside 24
the classroom as the percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection are phased 25
in: 26
(i) Newly licensed teachers, particularly new teachers in 27
low–performing schools or schools that have a high concentration of students living in 28
poverty; and 29
(ii) Teachers in schools that: 30
1. Are low–performing; 31
2. Have a high concentration of students living in poverty; or 32
HOUSE BILL 1426 9
3. Have large achievement gaps between subpopulations of 1
students. 2
6–1003. 3
(a) Beginning with teachers listed under [§ 6–1002(f)(3)] § 6–1002(H)(3) of this 4
subtitle, as specified by the [State Board] COUNTY BOARD , a teacher on level one, two, or 5
three of the career ladder shall: 6
(1) Teach in the classroom on average 60% of the teacher’s working time; 7
and 8
(2) Spend the remaining time on other teacher activities, including: 9
(i) Improving instruction; 10
(ii) Identifying, working with, and tutoring students who need 11
additional help; 12
(iii) Working with the most challenging students; 13
(iv) Working with students living in concentrated poverty; and 14
(v) Leading or participating in professional learning. 15
(b) (2) Beginning with teachers listed under [§ 6–1002(f)(3)] § 6–1002(H)(3) 16
of this subtitle, as specified by the [State Board] COUNTY BOARD , an assistant principal 17
shall: 18
(i) Participate in classroom activity involving direct interactions 19
with students for at least 20% of their working hours; and 20
(ii) Spend a portion of the remaining time on other teacher related 21
activities, including: 22
1. Setting priorities for the subject level departments or 23
grade levels of the school; and 24
2. Fulfilling specialized roles, such as head of professional 25
development. 26
6–1004. 27
(b) (4) Beginning with teachers listed under [§ 6–1002(f)(3)] § 6–1002(H)(3) 28
of this subtitle as specified by the [State Board] COUNTY BOARD , a lead teacher shall: 29
10 HOUSE BILL 1426
(i) Teach in the classroom on average 50% of the teacher’s working 1
time; and 2
(ii) Spend the remaining time on other teacher activities, including: 3
1. Mentoring newer and struggling teachers and teachers 4
who are pursuing NBC; and 5
2. Leading workshops and demonstrations at the school 6
level. 7
(c) (4) Beginning with teachers listed under [§ 6–1002(f)(3)] § 6–1002(H)(3) 8
of this subtitle as specified by the [State Board] COUNTY BOARD , a distinguished teacher 9
shall: 10
(i) Teach in the classroom on average 40% of the teacher’s working 11
time; and 12
(ii) Spend the remaining time on other teacher activities, including: 13
1. Mentoring lead teachers; and 14
2. Leading workshops and demonstrations at the school and 15
district level. 16
(d) (5) Beginning with teachers listed under [§ 6–1002(f)(3)] § 6–1002(H)(3) 17
of this subtitle as specified by the [State Board] COUNTY BOARD , a professor distinguished 18
teacher shall teach in a classroom on average 20% of the teacher’s working time. 19
6–1006. 20
(b) (3) Beginning with teachers listed under [§ 6–1002(f)(3)] § 6–1002(H)(3) 21
of this subtitle as specified by the [State Board] COUNTY BOARD , a licensed principal is 22
encouraged to teach in the classroom for at least 10% of the principal’s working hours. 23
(c) (3) Beginning with teachers listed under [§ 6–1002(f)(3)] § 6–1002(H)(3) 24
of this subtitle as specified by the [State Board] COUNTY BOARD , a distinguished principal 25
is encouraged to teach in a classroom for at least 10% of the principal’s working hours. 26
6–1012. 27
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “NONCLASSROOM TEACHER” MEANS A POSITION IN A 28
SCHOOL FOR WHICH , IF THE INDIVIDUAL EA RNS NBC, THE INDIVIDUAL IS EL IGIBLE 29
TO JOIN THE CAREER L ADDER, INCLUDING: 30
(1) ADMINISTRATORS ; 31 HOUSE BILL 1426 11
(2) ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS ; 1
(3) INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIAL ISTS; AND 2
(4) PRINCIPALS. 3
[(a)] (B) (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, each 4
teacher OR NONCLASSROOM TEAC HER who pursues NBC shall receive from the State an 5
amount equal to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards fees associated 6
with the initial completion and renewal of NBC. 7
(2) Each teacher AND NONCLASSROOM TEA CHER may only receive 8
payment under this subsection for one retake of each assessment on the National Board for 9
Professional Teaching Standards. 10
[(b)] (C) Each county shall pay to the State one–third of the cost for each teacher 11
OR NONCLASSROOM TEAC HER who receives funds under subsection [(a)] (B) of this 12
section to pursue NBC. 13
[(c)] (D) (1) A teacher OR A NONCLASSROOM TE ACHER who does not 14
complete all the requirements for assessment by the National Board for Professional 15
Teaching Standards shall reimburse the State the full amount of the funds received under 16
subsection [(a)] (B) of this section. 17
(2) The State shall reimburse the county the amount received under 18
subsection [(b)] (C) of this section on receipt of the reimbursement from a teacher OR 19
NONCLASSROOM TEACHER under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 20
(3) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection do not apply to a 21
teacher OR NONCLASSROOM TEAC HER who completes all the requirements for 22
assessment by the National Board [of] FOR Professional Teaching Standards but does not 23
obtain NBC. 24
7–101.2. 25
(b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 26
Grant Program in the State. 27
(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before approving 28
qualified providers for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a 29
qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under this 30
section the provider will: 31
(i) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 32
10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 33 12 HOUSE BILL 1426
(ii) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher [certified in early 1
childhood education by the State] and at least one teacher’s aide who [has at least a high 2
school degree] MEET THE HIGH STAFF QUALIFICATIONS OF § 7–1A–04(A)(1)(I) OF THIS 3
TITLE; 4
(iii) Operate an educational program for: 5
1. 5 days per week; 6
2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 7
calendar established by the local school board; and 8
3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 9
or 10
B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; and 11
(iv) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 12
7–1A–04 of this title. 13
(2) Before approving qualified providers who are Montessori schools or 14
Montessori programs for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a 15
qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under this 16
section the provider will: 17
(i) Meet the requirements under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection; 18
(ii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 19
10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per classroom if all of the students are under the 20
age of 5 years; 21
(iii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 22
14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per classroom if some of the students are at least 5 23
years old; and 24
(iv) Require a classroom teacher to: 25
1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and 26
2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by: 27
A. The Association Montessori Internationale; 28
B. The American Montessori Society; or 29
HOUSE BILL 1426 13
C. A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation 1
Council for Teacher Education. 2
(d) (1) (i) Beginning in fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year [2025] 2029, 3
the Governor shall annually appropriate to the Fund an amount that is at least equal to the 4
total amount of all funds received by the Program in the prior fiscal year. 5
(ii) Beginning in fiscal year [2026] 2030, the funds appropriated to 6
the Fund shall be consolidated into the publicly funded full–day prekindergarten program 7
established in Subtitle 1A of this title. 8
(2) The Governor may provide funds to the Department to administer the 9
Program. 10
7–101.2. 11
(a) (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated. 12
(6) “Program” means the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program. 13
(7) “Qualified provider” means: 14
(i) If partnering with a county board under a memorandum of 15
understanding, a State accredited or nationally accredited child care program or a 16
nonpublic school approved by the Department to provide prekindergarten services; and 17
(ii) A county board. 18
(b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 19
Grant Program in the State. 20
(2) The purpose of the Program is to broaden the availability of 21
high–quality prekindergarten and school readiness services throughout the State for 22
children and their families in coordination with the expansion of publicly funded full–day 23
prekindergarten under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future established under Subtitle 1A 24
of this title. 25
(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before approving 26
qualified providers for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a 27
qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under 28
this section the provider will: 29
(i) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 30
than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 31
14 HOUSE BILL 1426
(ii) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher certified in early 1
childhood education by the State OR ONE TEACHER WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE WHO 2
PLANS TO PURSUE A STATE CERTIFICATION F OR TEACHING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD 3
EDUCATION and at least one teacher’s aide who has at least a high school degree; 4
(iii) Operate an educational program for: 5
1. 5 days per week; 6
2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 7
calendar established by the local school board; and 8
3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 9
or 10
B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; and 11
(iv) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 12
7–1A–04 of this title. 13
7–1A–02. 14
(a) (1) A local department of social services or a local health department shall 15
provide a parent or guardian with oral and written notice that their child may be eligible 16
for publicly funded prekindergarten programs if the parent or guardian: 17
(i) Applied for economic services with the local department of social 18
services or the local health department; and 19
(ii) Has a child who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1 of the 20
next academic year. 21
(2) The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 22
include: 23
(i) Contact information for the enrollment office of the local school 24
system and the Division of Early Childhood Development in the Department; and 25
(ii) Information on the existence of the child care scholarship for 26
before and after full–day prekindergarten programming and the possibility of eligibility for 27
State aid. 28
(3) On or before December 1 of each year, each local department of social 29
services and each local health department shall report to the General Assembly, in 30
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the number of parents who 31 HOUSE BILL 1426 15
were given a notification and subsequently enrolled their child in a publicly funded 1
prekindergarten program. 2
(B) EACH LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES O R A LOCAL HEALTH 3
DEPARTMENT SHALL PRO VIDE TO EACH LOCAL S CHOOL SYSTEM THE NAM E AND 4
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EACH PARENT OR G UARDIAN PROVIDED NOT ICE 5
UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 6
[(b)] (C) The requirements set forth in § 7–101(b) of this title regarding the 7
domicile of a child and the residency of the child’s parent or guardian shall apply to 8
prekindergarten programs established by county boards as required by this subtitle. 9
7–205.1. 10
(g) (1) [Beginning] SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 11
BEGINNING in the 2023–2024 school year, each county board shall provide all students 12
who meet the CCR standard required under subsection (c) of this section with access to the 13
following post college and career readiness (post–CCR) pathways, at no cost to the student 14
or the student’s parents, including the cost of any fees: 15
(i) A competitive entry college preparatory program, chosen by the 16
county board, consisting of: 17
1. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program; 18
2. The Cambridge AICE Diploma Program; or 19
3. A comparable program consisting of Advanced Placement 20
courses specified by the College Board; 21
(ii) A program that allows a student, through an early college 22
program or dual enrollment at a student’s high school and an institution of higher 23
education to earn: 24
1. An associate degree; or 25
2. At least 60 credits toward a bachelor’s degree; and 26
(iii) A robust set of career and technology education programs that 27
are recommended by the CTE Skills Standards Advisory Committee and approved by the 28
CTE Committee and that allow students to complete: 29
1. A credit or noncredit certificate or license program, course, 30
or sequence of courses, including a program, course, or courses taken through dual 31
enrollment under § 15–127 of this article, at a secondary or postsecondary institution, 32
through an Advanced Placement course at a secondary institution, or through an 33 16 HOUSE BILL 1426
apprenticeship sponsor that leads to an industry recognized occupational–credential or 1
postsecondary certificate; 2
2. A registered apprenticeship program approved by the 3
Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning within the Maryland Department 4
of Labor; or 5
3. A youth apprenticeship program, under Title 18, Subtitle 6
18 of this article. 7
(4) THE TO PHASE IN EXPANSION OF DUAL ENROLLMENT T O 8
MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO CAN EARN THE MAXIMUM NUM BER OF 9
DUAL ENROLLMENT CRED ITS CONSISTENT WITH THE PHASED INCREA SES IN SCHOOL 10
FUNDING, FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025 THROUGH 2027, THE STATE BOARD AND THE 11
ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD, IN CONSULTATION WITH EACH 12
LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM , MAY LIMIT THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF COURSES THAT A 13
STUDENT DUALLY ENROL LED AT THE STUDE NT’S PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL AND AT AN 14
INSTITUTION OF HIGHE R EDUCATION MAY ENRO LL IN DURING THE SCH OOL YEAR AT 15
THE INSTITUTION OF H IGHER EDUCATION AS P ART OF THE POST –CCR PATHWAY IN 16
ACCORDANCE WITH PARA GRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND § 15–127 OF THIS 17
ARTICLE. 18
[(4)] (5) (i) The State Board shall adopt regulations to carry out this 19
subsection. 20
(ii) The regulations shall include standards that: 21
1. Guarantee, to the extent practicable, statewide uniformity 22
in the quality of the post–CCR pathways; 23
2. Meet the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection; 24
and 25
3. Require high school graduation credit to be awarded for 26
any programs administered in accordance with this subsection. 27
7–1703. 28
(d) (1) To qualify for a grant awarded in accordance with this subtitle, a 29
grantee shall provide the services listed in subsection (c) of this section in a county in which 30
at least 50% of public school students as a percentage of full–time equivalent students as 31
defined in [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article qualify for a free lunch under the National 32
School Lunch Program. 33
8–309. 34
HOUSE BILL 1426 17
(a) (2) Each county governing body shall include a child sent to the Maryland 1
School for the Blind under paragraph (1) of this subsection in the full–time equivalent 2
enrollment used for calculating the required local funds appropriated under [§ 5–202(d)] § 3
5–235 of this article. 4
8–313. 5
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 6
(5) “Target per pupil foundation amount” means the figure calculated for 7
each fiscal year by the Department in accordance with [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article. 8
8–3A–09. 9
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 10
(4) “Target per pupil foundation amount” means the figure calculated for 11
each fiscal year by the Department in accordance with [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article. 12
8–507. 13
(b) A county board shall reimburse the Department of Juvenile Services or the 14
Department of Human Services the amount of the basic cost calculated under subsection 15
(a) of this section for each child who was domiciled in the county prior to the placement if: 16
(3) The child was included in the full–time equivalent enrollment of the 17
county as calculated under [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article. 18
8–709. 19
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 20
(2) “Cost per pupil” means the amount of money spent by a county board 21
for the operating expenses of public education in the county from county and State sources 22
divided by the full–time equivalent enrollment of the county as defined in [§ 5–202(a)] § 23
5–201 of this article. 24
(3) “State sources” means funds provided to a county board in accordance 25
with [§§ 5–202, 5–207, 5–208, 5–209, and 5–210] §§ 5–213, 5–214, 5–216, 5–218, 5–222, 26
5–224, AND 5–225 of this article. 27
(b) Students participating in a program shall be included in the enrollment of the 28
county in which the student is domiciled for the purposes of calculating State aid under [§§ 29
5–202, 5–207, 5–208, 5–209, and 5–210] §§ 5–213, 5–214, 5–216, 5–218, 5–222, 5–224, 30
AND 5–225 of this article. 31
18 HOUSE BILL 1426
(c) (1) To support the cost of instructional programming for a program, each 1
county board shall pay to the Department an amount equal to 85% of the cost per pupil for 2
each student who participates in a program but is domiciled in the county. 3
(2) Each county governing body shall include a student participating in a 4
program in the full–time equivalent enrollment used for calculating the required local 5
funds appropriated under [§ 5–202(d)] § 5–235 of this article. 6
(d) The Department shall disburse the funds received in accordance with this 7
section to the program. 8
8–710. 9
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 10
(4) “Per pupil foundation amount” means the figure calculated for each 11
fiscal year by the Department in accordance with [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article. 12
9.5–1002. 13
(a) A family support center shall be known as a “Patty Center”. 14
(b) A family support center shall provide parents and their children with a 15
hospitable and constructive environment and services that: 16
(1) Improve parenting skills; 17
(2) Develop the family as a functioning unit; and 18
(3) Promote the growth and development of their children. 19
(c) (1) (i) For fiscal year 2021, the State shall provide funding for six 20
additional centers. 21
(ii) For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2029, the State shall 22
provide funding for three additional centers per fiscal year. 23
(2) The Governor shall appropriate in each of fiscal years 2021 through 24
2030 $330,000 for each additional center required under this subsection. 25
(d) The Department shall select the location for the centers funded under 26
subsection (c) of this section. 27
(E) (1) A FAMILY SUPPORT CENTE R MAY RECEIVE MULTIY EAR FUNDING. 28
HOUSE BILL 1426 19
(2) IF A FAMILY SUPP ORT CENTER RECEIVES MULTIYEAR FUNDING , 1
FUNDING MAY BE USED FOR PLANNING AND DEV ELOPMENT IN THE FIRS T YEAR OF 2
FUNDING FOR THE FAMI LY SUPPORT CENTER . 3
11–105. 4
(j) (6) The amount of the grant shall be a percentage of total design and 5
construction costs, including site acquisition and development costs, as follows: 6
(i) For a regional community college established under § 16–202 of 7
this article, 75 percent; or 8
(ii) For a public junior or community college that is not a regional 9
community college, the greater of: 10
1. A percentage equal to that percentage of the foundation 11
program that the State pays to the petitioning jurisdiction under [§ 5–202(b)] § 5–213 of 12
this article up to a maximum of 70 percent; or 13
2. 50 percent. 14
15–101. 15
(b) (1) Each public institution of higher education may accept, for special 16
admission any student who has: 17
(i) Completed the seventh grade; and 18
(ii) A scholastic aptitude test combined score of 1,200 or an 19
equivalent score on a nationally accepted college entrance examination. 20
(2) This subsection does not affect the State or local share of aid provided 21
[pursuant to § 5–202] UNDER TITLE 5, SUBTITLE 2 of this article to the secondary school 22
in which the student is enrolled. 23
16–305. 24
(b) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 25
(2) “Assessed valuation of real property” means assessed valuation of real 26
property as determined for purposes of the State aid calculated under [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of 27
this article. 28
18–1501. 29
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 30 20 HOUSE BILL 1426
(B) “EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TOR” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE AT AN ELIGIBLE 1
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER AS DEFINED UNDE R § 7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE 2
WHO: 3
(1) IS A TEACHER HOLDING , AT A MINIMUM: 4
(I) STATE CERTIFICATION FOR TEACHING IN EARLY 5
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ; OR 6
(II) A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ANY FIEL D AND WHO IS 7
PURSUING RESIDENCY T HROUGH THE MARYLAND APPROVED ALTERNATIVE 8
PREPARATION PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES EARLY CHILDHOOD COURSEWORK , 9
CLINICAL PRACTI CE, AND EVIDENCE OF PEDA GOGICAL CONTENT KNOW LEDGE; OR 10
(2) IS A TEACHING ASSISTA NT HOLDING, AT A MINIMUM: 11
(I) A CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATE ; OR 12
(II) AN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE. 13
[(b)] (C) (1) “Eligible field of employment” means, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN 14
PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , employment in the State by an organization, 15
institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under § 16
501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 17
(2) “Eligible field of employment” includes employment by the State or any 18
local government in the State, but does not include being employed as a judicial clerk in 19
any court. 20
(3) “ELIGIBLE FIELD OF EMP LOYMENT” MEANS, FOR AN EARLY 21
CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR , EMPLOYMENT AT AN ELI GIBLE PREKINDERGARTE N 22
PROVIDER, AS DEFINED IN § 7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE , THAT RECEIVES FUNDIN G 23
UNDER § 7–101.2 OF THIS ARTICLE. 24
[(c)] (D) “Higher education loan” means any loan for undergraduate or graduate 25
study that is obtained for tuition, educational expenses, or living expenses from: 26
(1) A college or university, government, or commercial source; or 27
(2) An organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is 28
exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 29
[(d)] (E) (1) “Mental health professional” means an individual who provides 30
mental health services in public schools and is employed by: 31 HOUSE BILL 1426 21
(i) A county school system; or 1
(ii) A local health department to provide school health services 2
through an agreement with a county board. 3
(2) “Mental health professional” includes a school psychologist, resource 4
psychologist, psychologist coordinator, social worker, social worker supervisor, school 5
counselor, or mental health coordinator. 6
[(e)] (F) “Program” means the Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment 7
Program. 8
18–1502. 9
(a) There is a program of loan assistance repayment known as the Janet L. 10
Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program in the State. 11
(b) The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall assist in the repayment of 12
the amount of any higher education loan owed by an individual who: 13
(1) (i) Receives a graduate, professional, or undergraduate degree from: 14
1. A college or university in the State of Maryland; 15
2. A school of law; or 16
3. For a mental health professional, any accredited college or 17
university; or 18
(ii) Receives a Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) from the 19
Department after completing an alternative teaching preparation program approved by the 20
State Superintendent; 21
(2) Obtains eligible employment; 22
(3) Receives an income that is less than the maximum eligible total income 23
levels established by the Office, including any additional sources of income; and 24
(4) Satisfies any other criteria established by the Office. 25
(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Office shall assist 26
in the repayment of the amount of any higher education loan owed by [a]: 27
(1) [Public] A PUBLIC school teacher in the State who: 28
22 HOUSE BILL 1426
(i) Has taught in Maryland for at least 2 years: 1
1. In science, technology, engineering, fine arts, or math 2
subjects; 3
2. In a school in which at least the following percentages of 4
the students are enrolled in the free and reduced price lunch program in the State: 5
A. 75% through June 30, 2025; and 6
B. 55% beginning July 1, 2025; or 7
3. In a school that: 8
A. Had Title I status during the 2018–2019 school year; 9
B. Lost Title I status after the 2018–2019 school year; and 10
C. Participates in the United States Department of 11
Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision; and 12
(ii) Has received a performance evaluation rating for the most recent 13
year available in the county in which the teacher taught; [or] 14
(2) [Mental] A MENTAL health professional who has provided mental 15
health services in a public school for at least 2 years as an employee of: 16
(i) A county school system; or 17
(ii) A local health department through an agreement with a county 18
board; OR 19
(3) AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR W HO IS EMPLOYED FOR A T 20
LEAST 2 YEARS BY AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER, AS DEFINED IN § 21
7–1A–01 OF THIS ARTICLE , THAT RECEIVES FUNDIN G UNDER § 7–101.2 OF THIS 22
ARTICLE. 23
(d) (1) A grant awarded under subsection (c) of this section shall be known as 24
the Nancy Grasmick [Public] School Professional Award. 25
(2) A recipient of a Nancy Grasmick [Public] School Professional Award 26
shall be known as a Nancy Grasmick [Public] School Professional Scholar. 27
(e) An applicant for assistance in the repayment of a commercial loan shall 28
demonstrate to the Office that the commercial loan was used for tuition, educational 29
expenses, or living expenses for graduate or undergraduate study. 30 HOUSE BILL 1426 23
(f) Assistance in the repayment of a loan from an entity set forth in § 1
18–1501(c)(2) of this subtitle shall require the approval of the Office. 2
(g) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Office shall assist 3
in the repayment of the amount of any higher education loan owed by a licensed clinical 4
alcohol and drug counselor, a licensed clinical marriage and family therapy counselor, or a 5
licensed clinical professional counselor whose practice is located in a high–need geographic 6
area of the State as determined by the Maryland Department of Health. 7
18–1503. 8
(a) The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall adopt regulations to 9
establish: 10
(1) The maximum starting income for eligibility in the Janet L. Hoffman 11
Loan Assistance Repayment Program; 12
(2) The maximum total income for eligibility in the Janet L. Hoffman Loan 13
Assistance Repayment Program, including any additional sources of income; 14
(3) That priority for participation in the Program shall be given to an 15
individual who: 16
(i) Graduated from an institution of higher education in the last 3 17
years; 18
(ii) Is a resident of the State; 19
(iii) Is employed on a full–time basis; and 20
(iv) 1. Provides, as the principal part of the individual’s 21
employment, legal services to low–income residents in the State who cannot afford legal 22
services, nursing services in nursing shortage areas in the State as defined in § 18–802 of 23
this title, or other services in an eligible field of employment in which there is a shortage of 24
qualified practitioners to low–income or underserved residents or areas of the State; or 25
2. For teacher [and], mental health professional, AND 26
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATOR applicants only, qualifies for a Nancy Grasmick [Public] 27
School Professional Award; 28
(4) A limit on the total amount of assistance provided by the Office of 29
Student Financial Assistance in repaying the loan of an eligible individual, based on the 30
individual’s total income and outstanding higher education loan balance; 31
(5) A procedure and schedule for the monthly or annual payment of the 32
amount of loan assistance provided by the Office of Student Financial Assistance to the 33 24 HOUSE BILL 1426
eligible individual, as appropriate to assist an eligible individual in meeting loan 1
forgiveness program requirements; 2
(6) A requirement that an eligible individual apply to federal loan 3
forgiveness programs for which the individual may qualify; 4
(7) A requirement that an eligible individual notify the Office of Student 5
Financial Assistance if the individual receives other loan repayment assistance; and 6
(8) An annual review of the eligibility of each individual participating in 7
the Program. 8
(b) The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall adopt any other regulations 9
necessary to implement this subtitle. 10
21–204. 11
(a) (1) On or before [December 1, 2022] JUNE 1, 2024, the CTE Committee 12
shall establish, for each school year between the 2023–2024 school year and the 2030–2031 13
school year, inclusive, statewide goals that reach 45% by the 2030–2031 school year, for the 14
percentage of high school students who, prior to graduation, complete the high school level 15
of a registered apprenticeship or an ANOTHER industry–recognized occupational 16
credential. 17
(2) To the extent practicable, the CTE Committee shall ensure that the 18
largest number of students achieve the requirement of this subsection by completing a high 19
school level of a registered apprenticeship program approved by the Division of Workforce 20
Development and Adult Learning within the Maryland Department of Labor. 21
(b) On or before December 1 each year, beginning in [2022] 2024, the CTE 22
Committee shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 23
Government Article, the General Assembly, and the Accountability and Implementation 24
Board on the progress, by high school, toward attaining the goals established by the CTE 25
Committee in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. 26
Article – Tax – Property 27
7–512. 28
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the assessment of any 29
property exempted under this section shall be included in the assessable base of Cecil 30
County for the purpose of computing any State aid to education under [§ 5–202] § 5–201 31
of the Education Article or other payments of State aid to the county that by law are based 32
on the assessment of property. 33
9–205. 34 HOUSE BILL 1426 25
(i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, to the extent 1
that a county grants a tax credit under this section for manufacturing personal property 2
described in § 7–225 of this article, the personal property may not be treated as taxable 3
personal property for the purpose of computing any payments of State aid to education 4
under [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of the Education Article or other payments of State aid to counties 5
or municipal corporations that by law are based on the assessment of property. 6
9–239. 7
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, to the extent that a county 8
grants a personal property tax credit for the machinery and equipment of a new electricity 9
generation facility or the machinery and equipment of an existing electricity generation 10
facility, the machinery and equipment may not be treated as taxable personal property for 11
the purpose of computing any payments of State aid to education under [§ 5–202] § 5–201 12
of the Education Article or other payments of State aid to counties or municipal 13
corporations that by law are based on the assessment of property. 14
9–302. 15
(i) (2) To the extent that a tax credit or exemption is granted under this 16
subsection for machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, assembling, processing, 17
or refining products for sale, the property may not be treated as taxable personal property 18
for the purpose of computing any payments of State aid to education under [§ 5–202] § 19
5–201 of the Education Article or other payments of State aid to counties or municipal 20
corporations that by law are based on the assessment of property. 21
(3) To the extent that a tax credit or exemption is granted under this 22
subsection for machinery and equipment that is used in the generation of electricity for a 23
facility that started generating electricity prior to June 1, 2000, the property may not be 24
treated as taxable personal property for the purpose of computing any payments of State 25
aid to education under [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of the Education Article or other payments of 26
State aid to counties or municipal corporations that by law are based on the assessment of 27
property. 28
Chapter 2 of the Acts of the 2007 Special Session 29
[SECTION 13. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 30
(a) The Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) Adjustment established in § 31
5–202(f) of the Education Article shall be updated every 3 years beginning September 2009 32
using the most current data available and the same methodology set forth in the report 33
entitled “Adjusting for Geographic Differences in the Cost of Education Provision in 34
Maryland (December 31, 2003).” 35
(b) The State Department of Education shall: 36 26 HOUSE BILL 1426
(1) submit the proposed updated GCEI Adjustment to the Governor and 1
General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1246 of the State Government Article, by 2
September 1 of the year in which it is updated; and 3
(2) recommend legislation in the first legislative session following 4
submission of the updated GCEI Adjustment that codifies the adjustment and requires that 5
the GCEI adjustment be used to adjust State aid in the fiscal year that begins on July 1 of 6
that year.] 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
HOUSE BILL 1426 27
(f) A local school system shall continue to fund the requirements of this Act in 1
effect prior to fiscal year [2026] 2028. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 3
1, 2024., notwithstanding the provisions of § 7–210(a)(2) of the Education Article, for the 4
2024–2025 school year only, administration of the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment to 5
all kindergartners may be completed after October 10 and the results may be made 6
available more than 45 days after the administration has been completed. 7
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 8
1, 2024. 9
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.