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.
*hb1441*
HOUSE BILL 1441
F5, F1 (4lr2732)
ENROLLED BILL
— Ways and Means and Appropriations/Education, Energy, and the Environment and
Budget and Taxation —
Introduced by Delegate Atterbeary Delegates Atterbeary, Ebersole, Fair,
Feldmark, Grossman, Henson, Mireku –North, Palakovich Carr, Patterson,
Roberts, Vogel, Wells, Wilkins, Wims, Wu, and Young
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Early Childhood Education – Publicly Funded Prekindergarten Programs – 2
Alterations 3
FOR the purpose of establishing certain requirements for a teacher’s certificate in early 4
childhood education; altering the teaching credentials required for staff of qualified 5
providers for prekindergarten services for purposes of the Prekindergarten Grant 6
Program; repealing certain requirements for county boards of education to ensure 7
that a certain percentage of publicly funded prekindergarten slots are provided by 8
eligible private providers; providing for the goal of the State regarding the proportion 9
of prekindergarten slots offered in each county; altering staff qualifications in 10
eligible prekindergarten programs; requiring county boards to establish an 11
experience–based educator professional development program; requiring the State 12 2 HOUSE BILL 1441
Department of Education to create a model memorandum of understanding for use 1
by county boards of education for a certain purpose; altering the minimum criteria 2
for a certain memorandum of understanding; authorizing a county board to apply for 3
certain funding to lease space to provide prekindergarten programs; establishing an 4
early childhood educator career ladder for eligible private prekindergarten 5
providers; providing for the purpose and structure of the career ladder; requiring the 6
Department to establish prekindergarten provider hubs; requiring the Department 7
to establish a program to aid eligible prekindergarten providers in meeting certain 8
requirements; requiring the Department to publicize and distribute a certain list of 9
eligible private prekindergarten providers; requiring certain local business agencies 10
to assist private prekindergarten providers in a certain manner; altering certain 11
funding timelines for the Child Care Incentive Grant Program and the Maryland 12
Child Care Credential Program to align with certain timelines for prekindergarten 13
programs; requiring the Governor to include a certain appropriation in a certain 14
fiscal year for the Maryland Child Care Credential Program; altering the 15
qualifications for an award from the Child Care Career and Professional 16
Development Fund; requiring the Office of Child Care to prioritize certain grant 17
awards to certain applicants; requiring certain award recipients who do not perform 18
the service obligation to repay certain award funding except under certain 19
circumstances; and generally relating to publicly funded prekindergarten programs 20
in the State. 21
BY adding to 22
Article – Education 23
Section 6–129, 7–1A–03, 7–1A–04.1, and 7–1A–09 24
Annotated Code of Maryland 25
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 26
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 27
Article – Education 28
Section 7–101.2(b)(1) 29
Annotated Code of Maryland 30
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 31
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 32
Article – Education 33
Section 7–101.2(c) and (d), 7–1A–01, 7–1A–03, 7–1A–04, 7–1A–05, 7–1A–07, 34
7–1A–08, 7–1A–09, 9.5–903, 9.5–904, 9.5–904, 9.5–905, and 9.5–906 7–1A–08, 35
7–1A–09, 9.5–904, and 9.5–905 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 38
BY repealing 39
Article – Education 40
Section 7–1A–03 41
Annotated Code of Maryland 42
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 43 HOUSE BILL 1441 3
BY adding to 1
Article – Education 2
Section 7–1A–08 and 7–1A–09 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 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
6–129. 9
(A) (1) A TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE IN EAR LY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON 10
SHALL BE OF TWO CLAS SES. 11
(2) A FIRST–CLASS CERTIFICATE SH ALL REQUIRE AN INDIV IDUAL TO 12
HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE. 13
(3) A SECOND–CLASS CERTIFICATE SH ALL REQUIRE AN INDIV IDUAL 14
TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE ’S DEGREE IN EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION OR CHILD 15
DEVELOPMENT . 16
(B) A TEACHER WHO HOLDS A FIRST–CLASS TEACHER CERTIF ICATE IN 17
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SHALL BE C OMPENSATED AT A HIGH ER RATE OF 18
PAY. 19
(C) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 7–1A–04 OF THIS ARTICLE, AN INDIVIDUAL 20
SHALL HOLD A TEACHER ’S CERTIFICATE IN EAR LY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON TO 21
TEACH FOR AN ELIGIBL E PREKINDERGARTEN PR OVIDER UNDER TITLE 7, SUBTITLE 22
1A OF THIS ARTICLE. 23
7–101.2. 24
(b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 25
Grant Program in the State. 26
(c) (1) Except SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND 27
EXCEPT EXCEPT as provided in paragraph (2) PARAGRAPH (3) (2) of this subsection, 28
before approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under 29
this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom 30
funded under this section the provider will: 31
4 HOUSE BILL 1441
(i) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 1
than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 2
(ii) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher [certified in early 3
childhood education by the State] WHO HOLDS AT LEAST AN ASSOCIATE ’S DEGREE IN 4
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION OR CHILD DEVEL OPMENT and at least one teacher’s 5
aide who has at least a high school degree MEET THE HIGH STAFF QUALIFICATIONS OF 6
§ 7–1A–04(A)(1)(I) OF THIS TITLE; 7
(iii) Operate an educational program for: 8
1. 5 days per week; 9
2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 10
calendar established by the local school board; and 11
3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 12
or 13
B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; and 14
(iv) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 15
7–1A–04 of this title. 16
(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 17
TEACHER IN A CLASSRO OM FUNDED UNDER THIS SECTION MUST : 18
(I) HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE AND BE WORK ING TOWARD A 19
CERTIFICATION FOR TE ACHING IN EARLY CHIL DHOOD EDUCATION ; OR 20
(II) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEAD TEACHER U NDER 21
THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR CAREER LADD ER ESTABLISHED UNDER § 22
7–1A–08 OF THIS TITLE. 23
(3) Before approving qualified providers who are Montessori schools or 24
Montessori programs for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a 25
qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under 26
this section the provider will: 27
(i) Meet the requirements under paragraph (1)(iii) of this 28
subsection; 29
(ii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 30
than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per classroom if all of the students are under 31
the age of 5 years; 32
HOUSE BILL 1441 5
(iii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 1
than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per classroom if some of the students are at 2
least 5 years old; and 3
(iv) Require a classroom teacher to: 4
1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and 5
2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by: 6
A. The Association Montessori Internationale; 7
B. The American Montessori Society; or 8
C. A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation 9
Council for Teacher Education. 10
(d) (1) (i) Beginning in fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2025 2029, the 11
Governor shall annually appropriate to the Fund an amount that is at least equal to the 12
total amount of all funds received by the Program in the prior fiscal year. 13
(ii) Beginning in fiscal year [2026] 2028 2030, the funds 14
appropriated to the Fund shall be consolidated into the publicly funded full–day 15
prekindergarten program established in Subtitle 1A of this title. 16
(2) The Governor may provide funds to the Department to administer the 17
Program. 18
7–1A–01. 19
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 20
(b) “Cost of quality” means the per–pupil amount provided under § 5–229 of this 21
article. 22
(C) “EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TOR CAREER LADDER” MEANS THE CAREER 23
LADDER FOR PRIVATE P ROVIDER PREKINDERGAR TEN EDUCATORS ESTABL ISHED 24
BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 7–1A–08 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 25
[(c)] (D) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an: 26
(1) Eligible public provider; and 27
(2) Eligible private provider. 28
6 HOUSE BILL 1441
[(d)] (E) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community–based early 1
learning program that: 2
(i) Is licensed in the State; 3
(ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than 4
the cost of quality; and 5
(iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 6
(2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start 7
Program under § 5–231 of this article. 8
[(e)] (F) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that: 9
(1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and 10
(2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 11
[(f)] (G) “Full–day prekindergarten” means an early learning program with a 12
six and one–half hour school day. 13
[(g)] (H) “Prekindergarten program” means an early learning program at an 14
eligible prekindergarten provider. 15
(I) “PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUB ” MEANS A COORDINATED 16
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDERS AND O THER 17
ENTITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 7–1A–09 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 18
[(h)] (J) “Prekindergarten slot” means the available space for a child to attend 19
a prekindergarten program. 20
[(i)] (K) “Tier I child” means a child: 21
(1) Who is 3 or 4 years old; 22
(2) (i) Whose family income is less than or equal to 300% of the federal 23
poverty level; or 24
(ii) Who is a homeless youth; and 25
(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten. 26
[(j)] (L) “Tier II child” means a child: 27
(1) Who is 4 years old; 28 HOUSE BILL 1441 7
(2) Whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the 1
federal poverty level; and 2
(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten. 3
[(k)] (M) “Tier III child” means a child: 4
(1) Who is 4 years old; 5
(2) Whose family income is more than 600% of the federal poverty level; 6
and 7
(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten. 8
[7–1A–03. 9
(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, a county board shall 10
ensure that: 11
(1) Beginning in the 2022–2023 2024–2025 school year, prekindergarten 12
slots provided by eligible private providers shall account for at least 30% 10% of the total 13
prekindergarten slots provided by eligible prekindergarten providers in each county; 14
(2) The proportion of eligible private provider prekindergarten slots in each 15
county increases by 5 10 percentage points every school year, until, in the 2026–2027 16
2028–2029 school year, eligible private provider prekindergarten slots account for at least 17
50% of eligible prekindergarten provider prekindergarten slots in each county; and 18
(3) In each year after the 2026–2027 2028–2029 school year, the 19
proportion of eligible private provider prekindergarten slots in each county shall continue 20
to constitute at least 50% of eligible prekindergarten provider prekindergarten slots in each 21
county. 22
(b) (1) The Department shall issue a waiver from the requirements of this 23
section to a county board if: 24
(i) 1. All families in the county who desire to enroll their eligible 25
children with eligible prekindergarten providers are able to do so; or 26
(ii) 2. After reasonable cross–jurisdictional or regional efforts, 27
there are too few eligible private providers to meet the minimum requirements of this 28
section; AND 29
(II) THE COUNTY BOARD DEMO NSTRATES TO THE 30
DEPARTMENT THAT IT HA S MADE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO FULLY EMBR ACE THE 31 8 HOUSE BILL 1441
MIXED DELIVERY SYSTE M, INCLUDING BY ADOPTIN G A MEMORANDUM OF 1
UNDERSTANDING IN ACC ORDANCE WITH § 7–1A–05 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 2
(2) The Department may exclude by annual waiver Tier I children who are 3
3 years old in a county from the calculation under subsection (a) of this section until the 4
2029–2030 2031–2032 school year. 5
(3) The Department may exclude by annual waiver Tier I children who are 6
4 years old in a county from the calculation under subsection (a) of this section until the 7
2026–2027 2028–2029 school year. 8
(4) The Department shall establish waiver application procedures to carry 9
out the provisions of this subsection.] 10
7–1A–03. 11
IT IS THE GOAL OF THE STATE THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THE 12
PREKINDERGARTEN SLOT S PROVIDED IN EACH C OUNTY BE PROVIDED BY ELIGIBLE 13
PRIVATE PROVID ERS BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR . 14
7–1A–04. 15
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, all eligible 16
prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements that are evidence–based and 17
nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality, including: 18
(i) Beginning in the [2027–2028] 2025–2026 school year: 19
1. [High staff] STAFF qualifications[, including HIGH 20
STAFF QUALIFICATIONS , INCLUDING: 21
1. BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR , 22
ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PROVIDER teachers who, at a minimum, hold: 23
A. State certification for teaching in early childhood 24
education; or 25
B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing 26
residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, w hich 27
includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content 28
knowledge; and 29
2. Teaching BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL 30
YEAR, ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PROV IDER TEACHING assistants who have at least: 31
HOUSE BILL 1441 9
A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or 1
B. An associate’s degree] FOR TEACHERS AND TEA CHING 2
ASSISTANTS AS REQUIR ED UNDER § 7–1A–04.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR 3
C. ON JULY 1, 2027 2024, DOCUMENTED EXPERIENC E 4
OF ACTIVELY PROVIDING SERVICES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVING AS 5
A TEACHING ASSISTANT IN A PUBLICLY FUNDED PREKINDERGARTEN CLAS SROOM 6
FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 5 YEARS FOR AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK AND 180 DAYS 7
PER YEAR; AND 8
3. BEGINNING IN THE 2025–2026 SCHOOL YEAR , 9
ELIGIBLE PRIVATE PRO VIDER EDUCATORS WHO MEE T THE REQUIREMENTS O F THE 10
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATOR CAREER LADDER ; 11
(ii) Professional development for all staff; 12
(iii) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 13
in each class; 14
(iv) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom; 15
(v) A full–day prekindergarten program; 16
(vi) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full 17
participation in all program opportunities; 18
(vii) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten, 19
learning environments that: 20
1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development 21
Standards; 22
2. Use evidence–based curricula; and 23
3. Use instruction methods that are: 24
A. Developmentally appropriate; and 25
B. Culturally and linguistically responsive; 26
(viii) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students; 27
(ix) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to 28
the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county 29
in which the early learning program is located; 30 10 HOUSE BILL 1441
(x) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement; 1
(xi) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students; 2
(xii) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive 3
services for families of students; and 4
(xiii) Evidence–based health and safety standards. 5
(2) An eligible prekindergarten provider that is a Montessori school or 6
Montessori program shall include all of the structural elements listed in paragraph (1) of 7
this subsection except the following: 8
(i) For staff qualifications, the eligible prekindergarten provider 9
shall employ teachers who: 10
1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and 11
2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by: 12
A. The Association Montessori Internationale; 13
B. The American Montessori Society; or 14
C. A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation 15
Council for Teacher Education; and 16
(ii) For the student –to–classroom personnel ratio, the 17
prekindergarten provider shall maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of: 18
1. No more than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per 19
classroom if all of the students are under the age of 5 years; and 20
2. No more than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per 21
classroom if some of the students are at least 5 years old. 22
(b) In addition to the requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section, an 23
eligible prekindergarten provider shall: 24
(1) If the provider is an eligible private provider, achieve a quality rating 25
level of 3 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly 26
available manner, determined by the Department; 27
(2) If the provider is an eligible public provider, achieve a quality rating 28
level of 4 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly 29
available manner, determined by the Department; 30 HOUSE BILL 1441 11
(3) Submit to the Department a plan to achieve a quality rating level 5 in 1
the Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten 2
provider; 3
(4) Achieve in accordance with the plan a quality rating level 5 in the 4
Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten 5
provider and publish that quality rating in a publicly available manner, determined by the 6
Department; and 7
(5) Except as otherwise provided in § 7–1A–07 of this subtitle, be open for 8
pupil attendance in accordance with § 7–103 of this title. 9
(c) (1) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not engage in explicitly 10
religious activities during school hours. 11
(2) If an eligible prekindergarten provider engages in an explicitly religious 12
activity, the activity shall be: 13
(i) Separate in time and location from any instruction offered by the 14
eligible prekindergarten provider; and 15
(ii) Voluntary. 16
(3) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall make reasonable 17
efforts to make the areas where prekindergarten children spend time during school hours 18
as nonsectarian as possible. 19
(ii) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not be required to 20
adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with its religious or moral teachings. 21
(4) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall comply with Title VI 22
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title 20, Subtitle 6 of the State Government 23
Article, and not discriminate in student admissions, retention, or expulsion or otherwise 24
discriminate against any student or parent of a student on the basis of race, color, national 25
origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. 26
(ii) If a student has a disability, placement of the student shall be 27
based on where the student will be best served. 28
(iii) An eligible prekindergarten provider found to have violated the 29
nondiscrimination requirements under this section: 30
1. May not continue to be an eligible prekindergarten 31
provider; and 32
12 HOUSE BILL 1441
2. Shall reimburse the Department all public funds provided 1
under this subtitle minus any amount received from the child care scholarship program. 2
(5) Except as provided in § 7–305.1 of this title, an eligible prekindergarten 3
provider may not suspend or expel a child who is enrolled in a prekindergarten program. 4
7–1A–04.1. 5
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 6
INDICATED. 7
(2) “CDA CERTIFICATE” MEANS A CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE 8
CERTIFICATE WITH A P RESCHOOL DESIGNATION ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL FOR 9
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION. 10
(3) “EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 11
(I) HAS DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE ACTIVELY PROVIDING 12
SERVICES IN EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND 13
(II) DOES NOT HOLD A TEACH ING CREDENTIAL ISSUE D BY THE 14
DEPARTMENT OR CREDENT IAL ISSUED BY AN APP ROPRIATE ORGANIZATIO N. 15
(4) “PROGRAM” MEANS AN EXPERIENCE –BASED EDUCA TOR 16
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT PROGRAM . 17
(B) (1) TO QUALIFY AS A TEACH ER IN A PREKINDERGAR TEN CLASSROOM 18
PROVIDED BY AN ELIGI BLE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER, AN INDIVIDUAL SHALL : 19
(I) HOLD, AT MINIMUM , AN ASSOCIATE ’S DEGREE IN EARLY 20
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION OR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ; OR 21
(II) 1. FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027: 22
A. HAVE 9,000 HOURS OF DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE 23
ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND 24
B. ENROLL IN A PROGRAM ; AND 25
2. DEMONSTRATE CONSISTEN T PROGRESS TOWARD 26
COMPLETION OF A CDA CERTIFICATE WITHIN 3 YEARS AFTER ENROLLIN G IN A 27
PROGRAM. 28
HOUSE BILL 1441 13
(2) TO QUALIFY AS A TEACH ING ASSISTANT IN A P REKINDERGARTEN 1
CLASSROOM PROVIDED B Y AN ELIGIBLE PREKIN DERGARTEN PROVIDER , AN 2
INDIVIDUAL SHALL : 3
(I) HOLD A CDA CERTIFICATE; OR 4
(II) 1. FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027: 5
A. HAVE 1,500 HOURS OF DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE 6
ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND 7
B. ENROLL IN A PROGRAM ; AND 8
2. DEMONSTRATE CONSISTEN T PROGRESS TOWARD 9
COMPLETION OF A CDA CERTIFICATE WITHIN 3 YEARS AFTER ENROLLIN G IN A 10
PROGRAM. 11
(C) (1) (I) EACH COUNTY BOARD SHA LL ESTABLISH AN 12
EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR PROFE SSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 13
(II) THE PURPOSE OF THE PR OGRAM UNDER THIS SUB SECTION 14
IS TO ASSIST EXPERIEN CE–BASED EDUCATORS IN O BTAINING A CDA CERTIFICATE 15
WITHIN A 3–YEAR PERIOD. 16
(III) A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL 17
OPERATE FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2030. 18
(2) TO QUALIFY FOR A PROG RAM UNDER THIS SUBSE CTION, AN 19
EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR SHALL : 20
(I) APPLY TO THE PROGRAM BETWEEN JULY 1, 2025, AND 21
JUNE 30, 2027, BOTH INCLUSIVE ; 22
(II) MEET THE WORK EXPERIE NCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A 23
TEACHER OR TEACHING ASSISTANT DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(1)(II)1 OR 24
(2)(II)1 OF THIS SECTION; AND 25
(III) BE EMPLOYED AS A TEAC HER OR TEACHING ASSI STANT BY: 26
1. AN ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PR OVIDER; OR 27
2. AN ELIGIBLE PRIVATE P ROVIDER LOCATED IN T HE 28
COUNTY UNDER THE JUR ISDICTION OF THE COU NTY BOARD OPERATING THE 29
PROGRAM. 30 14 HOUSE BILL 1441
(3) A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL, AT 1
MINIMUM: 2
(I) PROVIDE A PARTICIPANT WITH INFORMATION REG ARDING 3
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT OPPORTUNITIES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD ED UCATION; 4
(II) PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASS ISTANCE IN WORKING T OWARD 5
THE CDA CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE FILLING OUT FORMS , OBTAINING 6
REQUIRED MATERIALS , AND FINDING A TRAINI NG LOCATION; AND 7
(III) PAIR EACH PARTICIPANT WITH A MENTOR TEACHE R. 8
(4) A MENTOR TEACHER WHO P ARTICIPATES IN A PRO GRAM UNDER 9
PARAGRAPH (3)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL RECEIVE COMPENSATION . 10
7–1A–05. 11
(a) (1) Each county board shall enter into a memorandum of understanding 12
with the Department, each eligible private provider participating in publicly funded 13
prekindergarten in the county, and other applicable government agencies. 14
(2) Before executing a memorandum of understanding under this section, 15
each county board shall submit an implementation plan of the proposed memorandum of 16
understanding to the Accountability and Implementation Board in accordance with § 17
5–404 of this article. 18
(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A MODEL MEMORAND UM OF 19
UNDERSTANDING FOR US E BY COUNTY BOARDS O F EDUCATION IN FULFI LLING THE 20
REQUIREMENTS UNDER T HIS SECTION. 21
[(b)] (C) [The] EACH memorandum of understanding shall, AT A MINIMUM , 22
provide for: 23
(1) THE ADOPTION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR C AREER 24
LADDER BY ELIGIBLE P RIVATE PROVIDERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 7–1A–08 OF 25
THIS SUBTITLE; 26
(2) Services for children with disabilities; 27
(2) (3) A process by which a parent is able to indicate a preference for 28
eligible prekindergarten providers; 29
HOUSE BILL 1441 15
(3) (4) The manner for processing the payment of the State share, local 1
share, and family share for each child who is enrolled with an eligible prekindergarten 2
provider; 3
(4) (5) Any agreed upon administrative costs to be retained by an 4
agency that is party to the agreement; 5
(5) (6) The manner in which the parties will meet the requirements of 6
this subtitle; 7
(6) (7) A plan to address racial and socioeconomic integration in 8
prekindergarten classrooms; [and] 9
(7) (8) A METHOD FOR THE COUNT Y BOARD TO DISTRIBUT E A LIST 10
OF ELIGIBLE PUBLIC A ND PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN THE SAME AREA WIT H A PARENT 11
INTERESTED IN ENROLL ING THE PARENT ’S CHILD IN A PREKIND ERGARTEN 12
PROGRAM; 13
(8) (9) FACILITATION OF PEER –TO–PEER ELIGIB LE 14
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER MEETINGS , THROUGH A PREKINDERG ARTEN 15
PROVIDER HUB IF ONE IS ESTABLISHED IN TH E AREA, IN WHICH ELIGIBLE 16
PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDERS ARE ABLE TO SH ARE BEST PRACTICES I N THE 17
FIELD; AND 18
[(7)] (9) (10) Any other provisions necessary to carry out this subtitle. 19
[(c)] (D) A memorandum of understanding under this section shall seek to avoid, 20
to the extent practicable, a disproportionate concentration of students of the same race, 21
ethnicity, disability status, and income within an eligible provider. 22
7–1A–07. 23
(a) (1) The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall prioritize 24
public school construction funding requests for high quality prekindergarten classrooms. 25
(2) The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall consider the 26
availability of private eligible prekindergarten providers when determining priorities 27
under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 28
(b) A county board may partner with the State or the county government to 29
address physical space constraints for eligible prekindergarten providers by utilizing 30
existing available space at a location that is not an eligible prekindergarten provider 31
including: 32
(1) Senior care facilities; or 33 16 HOUSE BILL 1441
(2) Community centers. 1
(C) A COUNTY BOARD MAY LEA SE SPACE FROM THE CO UNTY TO PROVIDE 2
PREKINDERGARTEN PROG RAMS IN ACCORDANCE W ITH THIS SUBTITLE. 3
(1) A COUNTY BOARD MAY APP LY FOR FUNDING FROM THE CAPITAL 4
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR ASSISTANCE ON RE NOVATIONS TO PUBLIC 5
FACILITIES LEASED AS ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PREK INDERGARTEN PROGRAMS . 6
(2) THE MANAGEMENT OF PUB LIC FACILITIES LEASE D UNDER THIS 7
SUBSECTION SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY O F THE BUILDING OWNER AND NOT 8
THE COUNTY BOARD . 9
7–1A–08. 10
(A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 11
ESTABLISH AN EARLY C HILDHOOD EDUCATOR C AREER LADDER FOR ELI GIBLE 12
PRIVATE PROVIDERS . 13
(2) THE EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATOR CAREER LADDE R IS FOR 14
TEACHERS AND ASSISTA NT TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY ELIGIBLE PRIVATE 15
PROVIDERS. 16
(3) THE PURPOSE OF THE EA RLY CHILDHOOD EDUCAT OR CAREER 17
LADDER IS TO: 18
(I) TRANSFORM EARLY CHILD HOOD EDUCATION TEACH ING 19
INTO A HIGH–STATUS PROFESSION IN THE STATE; 20
(II) ATTRACT HIGH –PERFORMING STUDENTS TO PURSUE THE 21
HIGH–STATUS EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATION TEACHIN G PROFESSION; AND 22
(III) RETAIN HIGH–QUALITY EARLY CHILDH OOD EDUCATION 23
TEACHERS WHO GAIN AD DITIONAL RESPONSIBIL ITY, AUTHORITY, STATUS, AND 24
COMPENSATION AS THEY GAIN ADDITIONAL EXPE RTISE. 25
(B) THE EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATOR CAREER LADDE R SHALL: 26
(1) ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATORS FOR 27
THEIR WORK; 28
HOUSE BILL 1441 17
(2) PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATORS WITH TH E 1
OPPORTUNITY TO IDENT IFY AND WORK WITH PR EKINDERGARTEN TEACHE RS AND 2
TEACHING ASSISTANTS ; 3
(3) PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATORS THE OPP ORTUNITY TO 4
DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE BY PAR TICIPATING IN JOB –EMBEDDED 5
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT; AND 6
(4) COMPENSATE EARLY CHIL DHOOD EDUCATORS AT G REATER 7
RATES AS THEY ADVANC E TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF THE CAREER LADDER . 8
(C) (1) THE LEVELS OF THE CAR EER LADDER ARE AS FO LLOWS: 9
(I) LEVEL ONE IS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEAC HING ASSISTANT; 10
(II) LEVEL TWO IS A PREKIN DERGARTEN LEAD TEACH ER; AND 11
(III) LEVEL THREE IS AN EAR LY CHILDHOOD CONSULT ING 12
TEACHER. 13
(2) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING 14
ASSISTANT, AN EDUCATOR SHALL : 15
(I) 1. HOLD A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; AND 16
2. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027: 17
A. EARN AND MAINTAIN A CHILD DEVELOPMENT 18
ASSOCIATE (CDA) WITH A PRESCHOOL DES IGNATION; OR 19
B. HOLD AN ASSOCIATE DEG REE IN EARLY CHILDHO OD 20
EDUCATION OR CHILD D EVELOPMENT ; OR 21
(II) ON JULY 1, 2024, HAVE DOCUMENTED EXPE RIENCE OF 22
ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCATION FOR A MINIMUM 23
OF 15 YEARS FOR AT LEAST : 24
1. 20 HOURS PER WEEK ; AND 25
2. 180 DAYS PER YEAR. 26
(3) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , IN 27
ORDER TO QUALIFY AS A PREKINDERGARTEN LE AD TEACHER, AN EDUCATOR SHALL : 28
18 HOUSE BILL 1441
1. HOLD AT LEAST A BACHE LOR’S DEGREE IN EARLY 1
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION , CHILD DEVELOPMENT , OR A RELATED FIELD F ROM AN 2
INSTITUTION OF HIGHE R EDUCATION ACCREDIT ED BY AN INST ITUTIONAL 3
ACCREDITING ASSOCIAT ION RECOGNIZED BY TH E U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 4
EDUCATION; 5
2. A. HOLD AT LEAST A BACHE LOR’S DEGREE IN 6
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION, CHILD DEVELOPMENT , OR A RELATED FIELD F ROM 7
AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION IN AN OTHER COUNTRY ; AND 8
B. HAVE THAT DEGREE THE DEGREE UNDER ITE M A OF 9
THIS ITEM VERIFIED AS COMPARAB LE TO A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE GRANTED BY AN 10
ACCREDITED INSTITUTI ON OF HIGHER EDUCATI ON IN THE UNITED STATES BY AN 11
INDEPENDENT AGENCY A UTHORIZED TO ANALYZE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS 12
SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 13
3. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN A FIELD UNRELATED 14
TO EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATION FROM AN INS TITUTION OF HIGHER E DUCATION 15
ACCREDITED BY AN INS TITUTIONAL ACCREDITI NG ASSOCIATION APPRO VED BY THE 16
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; OR 17
4. SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (III) OF THIS 18
PARAGRAPH , ON JULY 1, 2024, HAVE DOCUMENTED EXPE RIENCE OF ACTIVELY 19
PROVIDING SERVICES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD ED UCATION FOR A MINIMU M OF 10 20
YEARS FOR AT LEAST : 21
A. 20 HOURS PER WEEK ; AND 22
B. 180 DAYS PER YEAR. 23
(II) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S A PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD 24
TEACHER THROUGH ANY PATHWAY OTHER THAN T HE PATHWAY DESCRIBED UNDER 25
SUBPARAGRAPH (I)1 OF THIS PARAGRAPH , AN EDUCATOR MUST ACH IEVE A 26
MINIMUM SCORE ON THE CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM (CLASS) 27
ASSESSMENT AS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ADDITIO N TO THE REQUIREMENT S 28
LISTED UNDER SUBPARA GRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH . 29
(III) 1. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2030, A PREKINDERGARTEN 30
LEAD TEACHER WHO QUA LIFIES THROUGH THE P ATHWAY DESCRIBED UND ER 31
SUBPARAGRAPH (I)4 OF THIS PARAGRAPH SH ALL EARN AN ASSOCIAT E DEGREE IN 32
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION. 33
2. TEACHERS FROM LEVEL T HREE OF THE CAREER 34
LADDER SHALL MENTOR AND PROVIDE PROFESSI ONAL SUPPORT TO A 35 HOUSE BILL 1441 19
PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD TEACHER DESCRIBED UN DER THIS SUBPARAGRAP H TO 1
ENSURE THAT THE TEACHER E ARNS A DEGREE WITHIN THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF 2
TIME. 3
(IV) IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN STATUS AS A PREKINDE RGARTEN 4
LEAD TEACHER , EACH YEAR A LEAD TEA CHER SHALL COMPLETE AT LEAST 20 5
WORKING HOURS OF PRO FESSIONAL LEARNING A ND DEVELOPMENT IN : 6
1. EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTR UCTION; 7
2. DEVELOPMENTALLY APPRO PRIATE PRACTICE ; AND 8
3. ANY OTHER PROFESSIONA L SKILL AREAS THE 9
DEPARTMENT DETERMINES ARE VALUABLE . 10
(4) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S AN EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTING 11
TEACHER, AN EDUCATOR SHALL : 12
(I) BE A PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD TEACHER IN GOOD 13
STANDING; 14
(II) BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR , HOLD EARLY 15
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATION OR BE PURSUING CERTIFICATI ON; 16
(III) BE ABLE TO LEAD OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATORS 17
IN AN EFFECTIV E AND DISCIPLINED WA Y TO IMPROVE THE CUR RICULUM AND 18
INSTRUCTION OF PREKI NDERGARTEN STUDENTS ; 19
(IV) DEMONSTRATE THE SKILL S AND KNOWLEDGE TO M ENTOR 20
EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSI STANT TEACHERS AND N EW PREKINDERGARTEN L EAD 21
TEACHERS, INCLUDING BY HELPING THEM TO MEE T THE EDUCATIONAL AN D 22
CERTIFICATION QUALIF ICATIONS NECESSARY T O QUALIFY FOR AND MA INTAIN 23
STATUS ON THE CAREER LADDER; AND 24
(V) SUPERVISE AND SUPPORT PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD 25
TEACHERS, IF PRACTICABLE THROU GH PREKINDERGARTEN P ROVIDER HUBS , IN 26
ONE OR MORE SITE S IN ORDER TO IMPROV E DEVELOPMENTALLY AP PROPRIATE 27
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTI CES FOR PREKINDERGAR TEN STUDENTS . 28
7–1A–09. 29
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PREKINDERGARTE N 30
PROVIDER HUBS IN CEN TRALIZED AND DIVERSE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE 31
STATE. 32 20 HOUSE BILL 1441
(2) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL BE DE SIGNED TO 1
HELP BRING AS MANY PEOPLE PROVIDERS INTO THE STATE’S MIXED 2
PREKINDERGARTEN DELI VERY SYSTEM AS POSSI BLE. 3
(3) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL FORM 4
PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN : 5
(I) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TORS ON THE EARLY 6
CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR C AREER LADDER ; 7
(II) CHILD CARE CENTERS LI CENSED UNDER TITLE 9.5, 8
SUBTITLE 4 OF THIS ARTICLE; 9
(III) FAMILY CHILD CARE HOM ES OR LARGE FAMILY C HILD CARE 10
HOMES REGISTERED UND ER TITLE 9.5, SUBTITLE 3 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 11
(IV) ANY OTHER ENTITIES TH AT THE DEPARTMENT 12
DETERMINES WILL AID IN BRINGING ELIGIBLE CHILDREN INTO THE STATE’S MIXED 13
DELIVERY SYSTEM . 14
(4) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL COORD INATE 15
SUPPORT AMONG ENTITI ES THAT SERVE CHILDR EN AND THEIR FAMILIE S TO 16
ENSURE THAT THE MAXI MUM NUMBER OF ELIGIB LE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BE 17
PLACED IN A PREKINDE RGARTEN SLOT . 18
(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A PROGRAM TO A ID 19
ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDERS IN ME ETING THE REQUIREMEN TS OF 20
THIS SUBTITLE. 21
(2) THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVID E TO ELIGIBLE PRIVAT E 22
PROVIDERS: 23
(I) INFORMATION ON PROFES SIONAL DEVELOPMENT 24
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TE ACHERS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS; 25
(II) TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR MEETING REQUIREMENTS TO 26
ENROLL IN CHILD CARE SUPPORT PROGRAMS ; AND 27
(III) ASSISTANCE WITH IMPLE MENTING EARLY CHILDH OOD 28
CURRICULUM STANDARDS . 29
HOUSE BILL 1441 21
(3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 1
PROVIDE PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SUBSECTI ON 2
THROUGH PREKINDERGAR TEN PROVIDER HUBS . 3
(B) (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ISH A LIST OF ELIGIB LE 4
PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN EACH LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM ON ITS WEBSITE AND 5
DISTRIBUTE THE LIST TO THE FOLLOWING ENT ITIES AND ORGANIZATI ONS LOCATED 6
WITHIN THE AREAS IN WHICH THE ELIGIBLE P RIVATE PROVIDERS ARE LOCATED: 7
(I) A LOCAL OFFICE OF ECON OMIC DEVELOPMENT ; 8
(II) THE MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 9
CENTER; 10
(III) A LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOA RD; 11
(IV) A LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVE LOPMENT BOARD ; AND 12
(V) A LOCAL OFFICE SUPPORT ING MINORITY AND 13
WOMEN–OWNED BUSINESSES. 14
(2) AN ENTITY OR ORGANIZA TION LISTED UNDER PA RAGRAPH (1) OF 15
THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L, IF APPLICABLE, ASSIST A PRIVATE PRE KINDERGARTEN 16
PROVIDER IN ITS JURI SDICTION WITH: 17
(I) ENROLLING IN BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WHICH 18
THE PROVIDER QUALI FIES; AND 19
(II) ADOPTING A BUSINESS P LAN TO HELP THE PROV IDER MEET 20
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE. 21
(3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, ORGANIZATIONS LISTED UNDER 22
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL WORK WITH PREKI NDERGARTEN 23
PROVIDER HUBS TO PRO VIDE SUPPORT. 24
(C) (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ICIZE THE AVAILABILI TY OF 25
PUBLICLY FUNDED PREK INDERGARTEN PROGRAMS TO THE PUBLIC. 26
[7–1A–08.] 7–1A–10. 27
On or before December 1, 2021, and each December 1 thereafter, each county board 28
shall submit the following information, disaggregated by eligible private and eligible public 29
providers, to the Department and the Accountability and Implementation Board 30
established under Title 5, Subtitle 4 of this article: 31 22 HOUSE BILL 1441
(1) The number of eligible prekindergarten providers in the county; 1
(2) The number of eligible prekindergarten providers in the county that, in 2
the immediately preceding calendar year, expanded to offer prekindergarten programs that 3
are open for pupil attendance a minimum of 6.5 hours during each school day; 4
(3) The Maryland EXCELS program quality rating level of each eligible 5
prekindergarten provider in the county; 6
(4) The participation rate of all county 3– and 4–year olds in eligible 7
prekindergarten providers established or expanded in accordance with this subtitle, 8
disaggregated by age and tier, if applicable; 9
(5) The number and proportion of eligible prekindergarten providers in the 10
county that are eligible private providers; 11
(6) A measure of school readiness in accordance with § 7–210 of this title; 12
and 13
(7) A demonstration that the expansion of prekindergarten programs in 14
the county gave priority to: 15
(i) Children in areas with limited or no access to quality child care, 16
regardless of family income; 17
(ii) Tier I children; and 18
(iii) Students with disabilities, regardless of family income. 19
[7–1A–09.] 7–1A–10. 7–1A–11. 20
The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. 21
9.5–903. 22
(a) There is a Child Care Incentive Grant Program. 23
(b) The Office may award funding to a child care provider through the program 24
for the purpose of improving the child care provider’s quality of care through the purchase 25
of Office–approved: 26
(1) Materials; 27
(2) Equipment; or 28
(3) Supplies. 29 HOUSE BILL 1441 23
(c) For each of fiscal years 2022 through [2030] 2032, funding for the program 1
shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year. 2
9.5–904. 3
(a) There is a Maryland Child Care Credential Program. 4
(b) An individual may apply to the Office for a staff credential, including a child 5
development associate credential, or an administrator credential under this subsection. 6
(c) If a person pursues, obtains, or already holds an Office–approved credential, 7
the Office may award to the individual: 8
(1) An achievement bonus; 9
(2) A training reimbursement; or 10
(3) A training voucher. 11
(d) (1) The Governor shall appropriate $4,000,000 for the program for fiscal 12
year 2021. 13
(2) For each of fiscal years 2022 through [2024] 2026, funding for the 14
program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year. 15
(3) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPROP RIATE 16
FOR THE PROGRAM AN A MOUNT THAT IS AT LEA ST EQUAL TO THE AMOU NT 17
APPROPRIATED IN FISC AL YEAR 2024. 18
(4) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2027 THROUGH 2030, THE 19
GOVERNOR SHALL APPROP RIATE FOR THE PROGRA M AN AMOUNT THAT IS AT LEAST 20
EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT APPROPRIATED IN THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR . 21
9.5–905. 22
(a) There is a Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund. 23
(b) The Office may award funding from the Fund to an individual who has: 24
(1) Obtained at least a level 2 in the Maryland Child Care Credential 25
Program under § 9.5–904 of this subtitle; 26
(2) Documented at least 1 year of experience working with groups of 27
children in an approved setting; [and] 28
24 HOUSE BILL 1441
(3) Been accepted by an accredited college or university for enrollment in 1
at least one course for credit toward a degree in early childhood education or A related field; 2
AND 3
(4) COMMITTED TO WORK IN AN APPROVED CHILD CA RE SETTING 4
FOR AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DETER MINED BY THE 5
OFFICE AFTER COMPLETI NG THE COURSE OF STU DY UNDER SUBSECTION (D)(2) OF 6
THIS SECTION. 7
(C) TO CARRY OUT THE PURP OSE OF THE PROGRAM, AWARDS SHALL BE 8
PRIORITIZED TO THE F OLLOWING APPLICANTS : 9
(1) AN APPLICANT WHO HAS NOT C OMPLETED ANY COLLEGE 10
COURSES FOR CREDIT F ROM AN ACCREDITED CO LLEGE OR UNIVERSITY ; AND 11
(2) AN APPLICANT WHO ATTE NDS OR HAS BEEN ACCE PTED BY AN 12
ACCREDITED COLLEGE O R UNIVERSITY THAT OF FERS NATIVE LANGUAGE OR 13
BILINGUAL COURSEWORK IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON OR A RELATED FIEL D. 14
[(c)] (D) An award under this section may only be: 15
(1) Applied toward the cost of: 16
(i) Tuition and fees; or 17
(ii) Textbooks required by a course in which the awardee is enrolled; 18
and 19
(2) Used by the awardee for the actual expense of college coursework 20
incurred subsequent to an award toward the completion of: 21
(i) A college degree in early childhood education or a related field; 22
or 23
(ii) Developmental coursework required to meet prerequisites for a 24
degree program in early childhood education or a related field. 25
(E) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 26
IN ACCORDANCE WITH R EGULATIONS ADOPTED B Y THE DEPARTMENT , AN AWARD 27
RECIPIENT SHALL REPA Y THE OFFICE THE FUNDS RECE IVED UNDER THIS SECTION 28
IF THE RECIPIENT DOE S NOT PERFORM THE SE RVICE OBLIGATION REQ UIRED 29
UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(4) OF THIS SECTION. 30
(2) THE OFFICE MAY WAIVE OR D EFER PAYMENT IF THE RECIPIENT 31
PROVIDES TO THE OFFICE SATISFACTORY E VIDENCE OF EXTENUATI NG 32 HOUSE BILL 1441 25
CIRCUMSTA NCES, INCLUDING ILLNESS OR DISABILITY, THAT PREVENT THE 1
RECIPIENT FROM FULFI LLING THE SERVICE OB LIGATION REQUIRED UN DER 2
SUBSECTION (B)(4) OF THIS SECTION. 3
(F) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2026 THROUGH 2030, THE GOVERNOR 4
SHALL APPROPRIATE FO R THE FUND AN AMOU NT THAT IS AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE 5
AMOUNT APPROPRIATED IN THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR. 6
9.5–906. 7
(a) The Office shall award a program that participates in the Maryland EXCELS 8
Program a bonus: 9
(1) On initial publication of a quality rating level 1, 2, 3, or 4; 10
(2) On each publication of a higher quality rating level after the initial 11
publication; 12
(3) On initial publication of a quality rating level 5; and 13
(4) Annually on renewal and republication of a quality rating level 5. 14
(b) (1) The Governor shall appropriate in fiscal year 2023 $5,000,000. 15
(2) For each of fiscal years 2024 through [2028] 2030, funding for the 16
program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year. 17
(3) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2029 AND 2030, THE GOVERNOR 18
SHALL APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROGRAM AN AMOUNT TH AT IS AT LEAST EQUAL TO 19
THE AMOUNT APPROPRIA TED IN THE PRIOR FIS CAL YEAR. 20
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 21
1, 2024. 22