Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1441 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
2	1
3		-	– 1 –
4		-	Chapter 165
5		-	(House Bill 1441)
6	2
7		-	AN ACT concerning
	3	+	EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
	4	+	[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
	5	+	Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
	6	+	Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
	7	+	amendment.
	8	+	Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
	9	+	hb1441
8	10
9		-	Early Childhood Education – Publicly Funded Prekindergarten Programs –
10		-	Alterations
	11	+	HOUSE BILL 1441
	12	+	F5, F1 (4lr2732)
	13	+	ENROLLED BILL
	14	+	— Ways and Means and Appropriations/Education, Energy, and the Environment and
	15	+	Budget and Taxation —
	16	+	Introduced by Delegate Atterbeary Delegates Atterbeary, Ebersole, Fair,
	17	+	Feldmark, Grossman, Henson, Mireku –North, Palakovich Carr, Patterson,
	18	+	Roberts, Vogel, Wells, Wilkins, Wims, Wu, and Young
11	19
12		-	FOR the purpose of establishing certain requirements for a teacher’s certificate in early
13		-	childhood education; altering the teaching credentials required for staff of qualified
14		-	providers for prekindergarten services for purposes of the Prekindergarten Grant
15		-	Program; repealing certain requirements for county boards of education to ensure
16		-	that a certain percentage of publicly funded prekindergarten slots are provided by
17		-	eligible private providers; providing for the goal of the State regarding the proportion
18		-	of prekindergarten slots offered in each county; altering staff qualifications in
19		-	eligible prekindergarten programs; requiring county boards to establish an
20		-	experience–based educator professional development program; requiring the State
21		-	Department of Education to create a model memorandum of understanding for use
22		-	by county boards of education for a certain purpose; altering the minimum criteria
23		-	for a certain memorandum of understanding; authorizing a county board to apply for
24		-	certain funding to lease space to provide prekindergarten programs; establishing an
25		-	early childhood educator career ladder for eligible private prekindergarten
26		-	providers; providing for the purpose and structure of the career ladder; requiring the
27		-	Department to establish prekindergarten provider hubs; requiring the Department
28		-	to establish a program to aid eligible prekindergarten providers in meeting certain
29		-	requirements; requiring the Department to publicize and distribute a certain list of
30		-	eligible private prekindergarten providers; requiring certain local business agencies
31		-	to assist private prekindergarten providers in a certain manner; altering certain
32		-	funding timelines for the Child Care Incentive Grant Program and the Maryland
33		-	Child Care Credential Program to align with certain timelines for prekindergarten
34		-	programs; requiring the Governor to include a certain appropriation in a certain
35		-	fiscal year for the Maryland Child Care Credential Program; altering the
36		-	qualifications for an award from the Child Care Career and Professional
37		-	Development Fund; requiring the Office of Child Care to prioritize certain grant
38		-	awards to certain applicants; requiring certain award recipients who do not perform
39		-	the service obligation to repay certain award funding except under certain
40		-	circumstances; and generally relating to publicly funded prekindergarten programs
41		-	in the State.
	20	+	Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
42	21
43		-	BY adding to
44		-	Article – Education
45		-	Section 6–129, 7–1A–03, 7–1A–04.1, and 7–1A–09
46		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
47		-	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	22	+	_______________________________________________
	23	+	Proofreader.
	24	+	_______________________________________________
	25	+	Proofreader.
48	26
49		-	~~BY repealing~~ and ~~reenacting~~, ~~without amendments,~~ ~~Ch.~~ ~~165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND~~
	27	+	Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
50	28
51		-	– 2 –
52		-	Article – Education
53		-	Section 7–101.2(b)(1)
54		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
55		-	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	29	+	_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
56	30
57		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
58		-	Article – Education
59		-	Section 7–101.2(c) and (d), 7–1A–01, 7–1A–03, 7–1A–04, 7–1A–05, 7–1A–07,
60		-	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,
61		-	7–1A–09, 9.5–904, and 9.5–905
62		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
63		-	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	31	+	______________________________________________
	32	+	Speaker.
64	33
65		-	BY repealing
66		-	Article – Education
67		-	Section 7–1A–03
68		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
69		-	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	34	+	CHAPTER ______
70	35
71		-	BY adding to
72		-	Article – Education
73		-	Section 7–1A–08 and 7–1A–09
74		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
75		-	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	36	+	AN ACT concerning 1
76	37
77		-	~~SECTION 1.~~ ~~BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,~~
78		-	~~That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:~~
	38	+	Early Childhood Education – Publicly Funded Prekindergarten Programs – 2
	39	+	Alterations 3
79	40
80		-	Article – Education
	41	+	FOR the purpose of establishing certain requirements for a teacher’s certificate in early 4
	42	+	childhood education; altering the teaching credentials required for staff of qualified 5
	43	+	providers for prekindergarten services for purposes of the Prekindergarten Grant 6
	44	+	Program; repealing certain requirements for county boards of education to ensure 7
	45	+	that a certain percentage of publicly funded prekindergarten slots are provided by 8
	46	+	eligible private providers; providing for the goal of the State regarding the proportion 9
	47	+	of prekindergarten slots offered in each county; altering staff qualifications in 10
	48	+	eligible prekindergarten programs; requiring county boards to establish an 11
	49	+	experience–based educator professional development program; requiring the State 12 2 HOUSE BILL 1441
81	50
82		-	6–129.
83	51
84		-	(A) (1) A TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE IN EAR LY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON
85		-	SHALL BE OF TWO CLAS SES.
	52	+	Department of Education to create a model memorandum of understanding for use 1
	53	+	by county boards of education for a certain purpose; altering the minimum criteria 2
	54	+	for a certain memorandum of understanding; authorizing a county board to apply for 3
	55	+	certain funding to lease space to provide prekindergarten programs; establishing an 4
	56	+	early childhood educator career ladder for eligible private prekindergarten 5
	57	+	providers; providing for the purpose and structure of the career ladder; requiring the 6
	58	+	Department to establish prekindergarten provider hubs; requiring the Department 7
	59	+	to establish a program to aid eligible prekindergarten providers in meeting certain 8
	60	+	requirements; requiring the Department to publicize and distribute a certain list of 9
	61	+	eligible private prekindergarten providers; requiring certain local business agencies 10
	62	+	to assist private prekindergarten providers in a certain manner; altering certain 11
	63	+	funding timelines for the Child Care Incentive Grant Program and the Maryland 12
	64	+	Child Care Credential Program to align with certain timelines for prekindergarten 13
	65	+	programs; requiring the Governor to include a certain appropriation in a certain 14
	66	+	fiscal year for the Maryland Child Care Credential Program; altering the 15
	67	+	qualifications for an award from the Child Care Career and Professional 16
	68	+	Development Fund; requiring the Office of Child Care to prioritize certain grant 17
	69	+	awards to certain applicants; requiring certain award recipients who do not perform 18
	70	+	the service obligation to repay certain award funding except under certain 19
	71	+	circumstances; and generally relating to publicly funded prekindergarten programs 20
	72	+	in the State. 21
86	73
87		-	(2) A FIRST–CLASS CERTIFICATE SH ALL REQUIRE AN INDIV IDUAL TO
88		-	HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE.
	74	+	BY adding to 22
	75	+	Article – Education 23
	76	+	Section 6–129, 7–1A–03, 7–1A–04.1, and 7–1A–09 24
	77	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 25
	78	+	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 26
89	79
90		-	(3) A SECOND–CLASS CERTIFICATE SH ALL REQUIRE AN INDIV IDUAL
91		-	TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE ’S DEGREE IN EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION OR CHILD
92		-	DEVELOPMENT .
	80	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 27
	81	+	Article – Education 28
	82	+	Section 7–101.2(b)(1) 29
	83	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 30
	84	+	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 31
93	85
94		-	(B) A TEACHER WHO HOLDS A FIRST–CLASS TEACHER CERTIF ICATE IN
95		-	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION SHALL BE COMPE NSATED AT A HIGHER RATE OF
96		-	PAY. WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	86	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 32
	87	+	Article – Education 33
	88	+	Section 7–101.2(c) and (d), 7–1A–01, 7–1A–03, 7–1A–04, 7–1A–05, 7–1A–07, 34
	89	+	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
	90	+	7–1A–09, 9.5–904, and 9.5–905 36
	91	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 37
	92	+	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 38
97	93
98		-	– 3 –
	94	+	BY repealing 39
	95	+	Article – Education 40
	96	+	Section 7–1A–03 41
	97	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 42
	98	+	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 43 HOUSE BILL 1441 3
99	99
100		-	(C) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 7–1A–04 OF THIS ARTICLE, AN INDIVIDUAL
101		-	SHALL HOLD A TEACHER ’S CERTIFICATE IN EAR LY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON TO
102		-	TEACH FOR AN ELIGIBL E PREKINDERGARTEN PR OVIDER UNDER TITLE 7, SUBTITLE
103		-	1A OF THIS ARTICLE.
104	100
105		-	7–101.2.
106	101
107		-	(b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion
108		-	Grant Program in the State.
	102	+	BY adding to 1
	103	+	Article – Education 2
	104	+	Section 7–1A–08 and 7–1A–09 3
	105	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 4
	106	+	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 5
109	107
110		-	(c) (1) Except SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND
111		-	EXCEPT EXCEPT as provided in paragraph (2) PARAGRAPH (3) (2) of this subsection,
112		-	before approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under
113		-	this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom
114		-	funded under this section the provider will:
	108	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 6
	109	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 7
115	110
116		-	(i) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more
117		-	than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom;
	111	+	Article – Education 8
118	112
119		-	(ii) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher [certified in early
120		-	childhood education by the State] WHO HOLDS AT LEAST A N ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE IN
121		-	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION OR CHILD DEVEL OPMENT and at least one teacher’s
122		-	aide who has at least a high school degree MEET THE HIGH STAFF QUALIFICATIONS OF
123		-	§ 7–1A–04(A)(1)(I) OF THIS TITLE;
	113	+	6–129. 9
124	114
125		-	(iii) Operate an educational program for:
	115	+	(A) (1) A TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE IN EAR LY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON 10
	116	+	SHALL BE OF TWO CLAS SES. 11
126	117
127		-	1. 5 days per week;
	118	+	(2) A FIRST–CLASS CERTIFICATE SH ALL REQUIRE AN INDIV IDUAL TO 12
	119	+	HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE. 13
128	120
129		-	2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school
130		-	calendar established by the local school board; and
	121	+	(3) A SECOND–CLASS CERTIFICATE SH ALL REQUIRE AN INDIV IDUAL 14
	122	+	TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE ’S DEGREE IN EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION OR CHILD 15
	123	+	DEVELOPMENT . 16
131	124
132		-	3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day;
133		-	or
	125	+	(B) A TEACHER WHO HOLDS A FIRST–CLASS TEACHER CERTIF ICATE IN 17
	126	+	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SHALL BE C OMPENSATED AT A HIGH ER RATE OF 18
	127	+	PAY. 19
134	128
135		-	B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; and
	129	+	(C) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 7–1A–04 OF THIS ARTICLE, AN INDIVIDUAL 20
	130	+	SHALL HOLD A TEACHER ’S CERTIFICATE IN EAR LY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON TO 21
	131	+	TEACH FOR AN ELIGIBL E PREKINDERGARTEN PR OVIDER UNDER TITLE 7, SUBTITLE 22
	132	+	1A OF THIS ARTICLE. 23
136	133
137		-	(iv) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of §
138		-	7–1A–04 of this title.
	134	+	7–101.2. 24
139	135
140		-	(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A
141		-	TEACHER IN A CLASSRO OM FUNDED UNDER THIS SECTION MUST :
142		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	136	+	(b) (1) There is a grant program known as the Prekindergarten Expansion 25
	137	+	Grant Program in the State. 26
143	138
144		-	– 4 –
145		-	(I) HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE AND BE WORK ING TOWARD A
146		-	CERTIFICATION FOR TE ACHING IN EARLY CHIL DHOOD EDUCATION ; OR
	139	+	(c) (1) Except SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND 27
	140	+	EXCEPT EXCEPT as provided in paragraph (2) PARAGRAPH (3) (2) of this subsection, 28
	141	+	before approving qualified providers for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under 29
	142	+	this section, a qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom 30
	143	+	funded under this section the provider will: 31
	144	+	4 HOUSE BILL 1441
147	145
148		-	(II) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEAD TEACHER U NDER
149		-	THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR CAREER LADD ER ESTABLISHED UNDER §
150		-	7–1A–08 OF THIS TITLE.
151	146
152		-	(3) Before approving qualified providers who are Montessori schools or
153		-	Montessori programs for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a
154		-	qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under
155		-	this section the provider will:
	147	+	(i) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 1
	148	+	than 10 to 1 with a maximum of 20 children per classroom; 2
156	149
157		-	(i) Meet the requirements under paragraph (1)(iii) of this
158		-	subsection;
	150	+	(ii) Provide in each classroom at least one teacher [certified in early 3
	151	+	childhood education by the State] WHO HOLDS AT LEAST AN ASSOCIATE ’S DEGREE IN 4
	152	+	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION OR CHILD DEVEL OPMENT and at least one teacher’s 5
	153	+	aide who has at least a high school degree MEET THE HIGH STAFF QUALIFICATIONS OF 6
	154	+	§ 7–1A–04(A)(1)(I) OF THIS TITLE; 7
159	155
160		-	(ii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more
161		-	than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per classroom if all of the students are under
162		-	the age of 5 years;
	156	+	(iii) Operate an educational program for: 8
163	157
164		-	(iii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more
165		-	than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per classroom if some of the students are at
166		-	least 5 years old; and
	158	+	1. 5 days per week; 9
167	159
168		-	(iv) Require a classroom teacher to:
	160	+	2. 180 days per year, in accordance with the public school 10
	161	+	calendar established by the local school board; and 11
169	162
170		-	1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and
	163	+	3. A. For half–day programs, at least 2.5 hours per day; 12
	164	+	or 13
171	165
172		-	2. ~~Hold a Montessori credential issued by:~~
	166	+	B. For full–day programs, at least 6.5 hours per day; and 14
173	167
174		-	A. The Association Montessori Internationale;
	168	+	(iv) To receive a grant under this section, meet the requirements of § 15
	169	+	7–1A–04 of this title. 16
175	170
176		-	B. The American Montessori Society; or
	171	+	(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 17
	172	+	TEACHER IN A CLASSRO OM FUNDED UNDER THIS SECTION MUST : 18
177	173
178		-	C. A ~~program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation~~
179		-	~~Council~~ for ~~Teacher~~ Education.
	174	+	(I) HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE AND BE WORK ING TOWARD A 19
	175	+	CERTIFICATION FOR TE ACHING IN EARLY CHIL DHOOD EDUCATION ; OR 20
180	176
181		-	(d) ~~(1) (i) Beginning in fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2025 2029,~~ the
182		-	~~Governor shall annually appropriate to~~ the ~~Fund an amount that is at least equal to the~~
183		-	~~total amount~~ of ~~all funds received by the Program in the prior fiscal year~~.
	177	+	(II) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEAD TEACHER U NDER 21
	178	+	THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR CAREER LADD ER ESTABLISHED UNDER § 22
	179	+	7–1A–08 OF THIS TITLE. 23
184	180
185		-	(ii) ~~Beginning in fiscal year [2026] 2028 2030,~~ ~~the funds~~
186		-	~~appropriated~~ to ~~the Fund shall be consolidated into the publicly funded full–day~~
187		-	~~prekindergarten program established in Subtitle 1A of this title.~~
188		-	~~WES MOORE,~~ ~~Governor Ch. 165~~
	181	+	(3) Before approving qualified providers who are Montessori schools or 24
	182	+	Montessori programs for prekindergarten services to receive a grant under this section, a 25
	183	+	qualified provider shall certify to the Department that for each classroom funded under 26
	184	+	this section the provider will: 27
189	185
190		-	– 5 –
191		-	(2) The Governor may provide funds to the Department to administer the
192		-	Program.
	186	+	(i) Meet the requirements under paragraph (1)(iii) of this 28
	187	+	subsection; 29
193	188
194		-	7–1A–01.
	189	+	(ii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 30
	190	+	than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per classroom if all of the students are under 31
	191	+	the age of 5 years; 32
	192	+	HOUSE BILL 1441 5
195	193
196		-	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
197	194
198		-	(b) “Cost of quality” means the per–pupil amount provided under § 5–229 of this
199		-	article.
	195	+	(iii) Maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more 1
	196	+	than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per classroom if some of the students are at 2
	197	+	least 5 years old; and 3
200	198
201		-	(C) “EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TOR CAREER LADDER ” MEANS THE CAREER
202		-	LADDER FOR PRIVATE P ROVIDER PREKINDERGAR TEN EDUCATORS ESTABL ISHED
203		-	BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 7–1A–08 OF THIS SUBTITLE.
	199	+	(iv) Require a classroom teacher to: 4
204	200
205		-	~~[(c)] (D) “Eligible~~ ~~prekindergarten provider”~~ ~~includes an:~~
	201	+	1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and 5
206	202
207		-	~~(1) Eligible public provider;~~ ~~and~~
	203	+	2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by: 6
208	204
209		-	~~(2) Eligible private provider~~.
	205	+	A. The Association Montessori Internationale; 7
210	206
211		-	[(d)] (E) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community–based early
212		-	learning program that:
	207	+	B. The American Montessori Society; or 8
213	208
214		-	(i) Is licensed in the State;
	209	+	C. A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation 9
	210	+	Council for Teacher Education. 10
215	211
216		-	(ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than
217		-	the cost of quality; and
	212	+	(d) (1) (i) Beginning in fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2025 2029, the 11
	213	+	Governor shall annually appropriate to the Fund an amount that is at least equal to the 12
	214	+	total amount of all funds received by the Program in the prior fiscal year. 13
218	215
219		-	(iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.
	216	+	(ii) Beginning in fiscal year [2026] 2028 2030, the funds 14
	217	+	appropriated to the Fund shall be consolidated into the publicly funded full–day 15
	218	+	prekindergarten program established in Subtitle 1A of this title. 16
220	219
221		-	(2) ~~“Eligible private provider”~~ ~~includes~~ the ~~Ulysses Currie Head Start~~
222		-	Program ~~under § 5–231 of this article~~.
	220	+	(2) The Governor may provide funds to the Department to administer the 17
	221	+	Program. 18
223	222
224		-	~~[(e)] (F) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that:~~
	223	+	7–1A–01. 19
225	224
226		-	(1) ~~Is provided by a county board at a public school;~~ ~~and~~
	225	+	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 20
227	226
228		-	(2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.
	227	+	(b) “Cost of quality” means the per–pupil amount provided under § 5–229 of this 21
	228	+	article. 22
229	229
230		-	[(f)] (G) “Full–day prekindergarten” means an early learning program with a
231		-	six and one–half hour school day.
	230	+	(C) “EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TOR CAREER LADDER” MEANS THE CAREER 23
	231	+	LADDER FOR PRIVATE P ROVIDER PREKINDERGAR TEN EDUCATORS ESTABL ISHED 24
	232	+	BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 7–1A–08 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 25
232	233
233		-	[(g)] (H) “Prekindergarten program” means an early learning program at an
234		-	eligible prekindergarten provider.
235		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	234	+	[(c)] (D) “Eligible prekindergarten provider” includes an: 26
236	235
237		-	– 6 –
238		-	(I) “PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUB ” MEANS A COORDINATED
239		-	PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDERS AND O THER
240		-	ENTITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 7–1A–09 OF THIS SUBTITLE.
	236	+	(1) Eligible public provider; and 27
241	237
242		-	~~[(h)]~~ (J) ~~“Prekindergarten slot”~~ ~~means the available space for a child to attend~~
243		-	~~a prekindergarten program.~~
	238	+	(2) Eligible private provider. 28
	239	+	6 HOUSE BILL 1441
244	240
245		-	[(i)] (K) “Tier I child” means a child:
246	241
247		-	(1) Who is 3 or 4 years old;
	242	+	[(d)] (E) (1) “Eligible private provider” means a community–based early 1
	243	+	learning program that: 2
248	244
249		-	(2) (i) Whose family income is less than or equal to 300% of the federal
250		-	poverty level; or
	245	+	(i) Is licensed in the State; 3
251	246
252		-	(ii) Who is a homeless youth; and
	247	+	(ii) Does not charge more tuition for full–day prekindergarten than 4
	248	+	the cost of quality; and 5
253	249
254		-	(3) ~~Whose family chooses to enroll~~ the ~~child in full~~–~~day prekindergarten~~.
	250	+	(iii) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 6
255	251
256		-	[(j)] (L) “Tier II child” means a child:
	252	+	(2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start 7
	253	+	Program under § 5–231 of this article. 8
257	254
258		-	(1) ~~Who is 4 years old;~~
	255	+	[(e)] (F) “Eligible public provider” means an early learning program that: 9
259	256
260		-	(2) Whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the
261		-	federal poverty level; and
	257	+	(1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and 10
262	258
263		-	(3) ~~Whose family chooses to enroll~~ the ~~child in full~~–~~day prekindergarten~~.
	259	+	(2) Meets the requirements under § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle. 11
264	260
265		-	[(k)] (M) “Tier III child” means a child:
	261	+	[(f)] (G) “Full–day prekindergarten” means an early learning program with a 12
	262	+	six and one–half hour school day. 13
266	263
267		-	(1) Who is 4 years old;
	264	+	[(g)] (H) “Prekindergarten program” means an early learning program at an 14
	265	+	eligible prekindergarten provider. 15
268	266
269		-	(2) Whose family income is more than 600% of the federal poverty level;
270		-	and
	267	+	(I) “PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUB ” MEANS A COORDINATED 16
	268	+	PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDERS AND O THER 17
	269	+	ENTITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 7–1A–09 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 18
271	270
272		-	(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten.
	271	+	[(h)] (J) “Prekindergarten slot” means the available space for a child to attend 19
	272	+	a prekindergarten program. 20
273	273
274		-	[~~7–1A–03.~~
	274	+	[(i)] (K) “Tier I child” means a child: 21
275	275
276		-	(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, a county board shall
277		-	ensure that:
	276	+	(1) Who is 3 or 4 years old; 22
278	277
279		-	(1) Beginning in the 2022–2023 2024–2025 school year, prekindergarten
280		-	slots provided by eligible private providers shall account for at least 30% 10% of the total
281		-	prekindergarten slots provided by eligible prekindergarten providers in each county;
282		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	278	+	(2) (i) Whose family income is less than or equal to 300% of the federal 23
	279	+	poverty level; or 24
283	280
284		-	– 7 –
285		-	(2) The proportion of eligible private provider prekindergarten slots in each
286		-	county increases by 5 10 percentage points every school year, until, in the 2026–2027
287		-	2028–2029 school year, eligible private provider prekindergarten slots account for at least
288		-	50% of eligible prekindergarten provider prekindergarten slots in each county; and
	281	+	(ii) Who is a homeless youth; and 25
289	282
290		-	(3) In each year after the 2026–2027 2028–2029 school year, the
291		-	proportion of eligible private provider prekindergarten slots in each county shall continue
292		-	to constitute at least 50% of eligible prekindergarten provider prekindergarten slots in each
293		-	county.
	283	+	(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten. 26
294	284
295		-	(b) (1) The Department shall issue a waiver from the requirements of this
296		-	section to a county board if:
	285	+	[(j)] (L) “Tier II child” means a child: 27
297	286
298		-	(i) 1. All families in the county who desire to enroll their eligible
299		-	children with eligible prekindergarten providers are able to do so; or
	287	+	(1) Who is 4 years old; 28 HOUSE BILL 1441 7
300	288
301		-	(ii) 2. After reasonable cross–jurisdictional or regional efforts,
302		-	there are too few eligible private providers to meet the minimum requirements of this
303		-	section; AND
304	289
305		-	(II) THE COUNTY BOARD DEMONST RATES TO THE
306		-	DEPARTMENT THAT IT HA S MADE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO FULLY EMBR ACE THE
307		-	MIXED DELIVERY SYSTE M, INCLUDING BY ADOPTIN G A MEMORANDUM OF
308		-	UNDERSTANDING IN ACC ORDANCE WITH § 7–1A–05 OF THIS SUBTITLE .
309	290
310		-	(2) The Department may exclude by annual waiver Tier I children who are
311		-	3 years old in a county from the calculation under subsection (a) of this section until the
312		-	2029–2030 2031–2032 school year.
	291	+	(2) Whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the 1
	292	+	federal poverty level; and 2
313	293
314		-	(3) The Department may exclude by annual waiver Tier I children who are
315		-	4 years old in a county from the calculation under subsection (a) of this section until the
316		-	2026–2027 2028–2029 school year.
	294	+	(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten. 3
317	295
318		-	(4) The Department shall establish waiver application procedures to carry
319		-	out the provisions of this subsection.]
	296	+	[(k)] (M) “Tier III child” means a child: 4
320	297
321		-	~~7–1A–03.~~
	298	+	(1) Who is 4 years old; 5
322	299
323		-	IT IS THE GOAL OF THE STATE THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THE
324		-	PREKINDERGARTEN SLOT S PROVIDED IN EACH C OUNTY BE PROVIDED BY ELIGIBLE
325		-	PRIVATE PROVIDERS BE GINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR .
	300	+	(2) Whose family income is more than 600% of the federal poverty level; 6
	301	+	and 7
326	302
327		-	7–1A–04.
328		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	303	+	(3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full–day prekindergarten. 8
329	304
330		-	– 8 –
331		-	(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, all eligible
332		-	prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements that are evidence–based and
333		-	nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality, including:
	305	+	[7–1A–03. 9
334	306
335		-	(i) Beginning in the [2027–2028] 2025–2026 school year:
	307	+	(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, a county board shall 10
	308	+	ensure that: 11
336	309
337		-	1. [High staff] STAFF qualifications[, including HIGH
338		-	STAFF QUALIFICATIONS , INCLUDING:
	310	+	(1) Beginning in the 2022–2023 2024–2025 school year, prekindergarten 12
	311	+	slots provided by eligible private providers shall account for at least 30% 10% of the total 13
	312	+	prekindergarten slots provided by eligible prekindergarten providers in each county; 14
339	313
340		-	1. BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR ,
341		-	ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PROV IDER teachers who, at a minimum, hold:
	314	+	(2) The proportion of eligible private provider prekindergarten slots in each 15
	315	+	county increases by 5 10 percentage points every school year, until, in the 2026–2027 16
	316	+	2028–2029 school year, eligible private provider prekindergarten slots account for at least 17
	317	+	50% of eligible prekindergarten provider prekindergarten slots in each county; and 18
342	318
343		-	A. State certification for teaching in early childhood
344		-	education; or
	319	+	(3) In each year after the 2026–2027 2028–2029 school year, the 19
	320	+	proportion of eligible private provider prekindergarten slots in each county shall continue 20
	321	+	to constitute at least 50% of eligible prekindergarten provider prekindergarten slots in each 21
	322	+	county. 22
345	323
346		-	B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing
347		-	residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which
348		-	includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content
349		-	knowledge; and
	324	+	(b) (1) The Department shall issue a waiver from the requirements of this 23
	325	+	section to a county board if: 24
350	326
351		-	2. ~~Teaching BEGINNING~~ IN THE ~~2027–2028 SCHOOL~~
352		-	~~YEAR,~~ ELIGIBLE ~~PUBLIC PROV IDER TEACHING assistants who have at least:~~
	327	+	(i) 1. All families in the county who desire to enroll their eligible 25
	328	+	children with eligible prekindergarten providers are able to do so; or 26
353	329
354		-	A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or
	330	+	(ii) 2. After reasonable cross–jurisdictional or regional efforts, 27
	331	+	there are too few eligible private providers to meet the minimum requirements of this 28
	332	+	section; AND 29
355	333
356		-	~~B. An associate’s degree]~~ ~~FOR TEACHERS AND TEA CHING~~
357		-	~~ASSISTANTS AS REQUIR ED UNDER § 7–1A–04.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE;~~ OR
	334	+	(II) THE COUNTY BOARD DEMO NSTRATES TO THE 30
	335	+	DEPARTMENT THAT IT HA S MADE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO FULLY EMBR ACE THE 31 8 HOUSE BILL 1441
358	336
359		-	C. ON JULY 1, 2027 2024, DOCUMENTED EXPERIENC E
360		-	OF ACTIVELY PROVIDING SERVICES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD ED UCATION SERVING AS
361		-	A TEACHING ASSISTANT IN A PUBLICLY FUNDED PREKINDERGARTEN CLAS SROOM
362		-	FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 5 YEARS FOR AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK AND 180 DAYS
363		-	PER YEAR; AND
364	337
365		-	3. BEGINNING IN THE 2025–2026 SCHOOL YEAR ,
366		-	ELIGIBLE PRIVATE PRO VIDER EDUCATORS WHO MEET THE REQUIREMENT S OF THE
367		-	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATOR CAREER LADDER ;
	338	+	MIXED DELIVERY SYSTE M, INCLUDING BY ADOPTIN G A MEMORANDUM OF 1
	339	+	UNDERSTANDING IN ACC ORDANCE WITH § 7–1A–05 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 2
368	340
369		-	(ii) Professional development for all staff;
	341	+	(2) The Department may exclude by annual waiver Tier I children who are 3
	342	+	3 years old in a county from the calculation under subsection (a) of this section until the 4
	343	+	2029–2030 2031–2032 school year. 5
370	344
371		-	(iii) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1
372		-	in each class;
	345	+	(3) The Department may exclude by annual waiver Tier I children who are 6
	346	+	4 years old in a county from the calculation under subsection (a) of this section until the 7
	347	+	2026–2027 2028–2029 school year. 8
373	348
374		-	(iv) ~~Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom;~~
375		-	~~WES MOORE,~~ ~~Governor Ch. 165~~
	349	+	(4) The Department shall establish waiver application procedures to carry 9
	350	+	out the provisions of this subsection.] 10
376	351
377		-	– 9 –
378		-	(v) A full–day prekindergarten program;
	352	+	7–1A–03. 11
379	353
380		-	(vi) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full
381		-	participation in all program opportunities;
	354	+	IT IS THE GOAL OF THE STATE THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THE 12
	355	+	PREKINDERGARTEN SLOT S PROVIDED IN EACH C OUNTY BE PROVIDED BY ELIGIBLE 13
	356	+	PRIVATE PROVID ERS BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR . 14
382	357
383		-	(vii) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten,
384		-	learning environments that:
	358	+	7–1A–04. 15
385	359
386		-	1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development
387		-	Standards;
	360	+	(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, all eligible 16
	361	+	prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements that are evidence–based and 17
	362	+	nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality, including: 18
388	363
389		-	~~2. Use evidence~~–~~based curricula;~~ ~~and~~
	364	+	(i) Beginning in the [2027–2028] 2025–2026 school year: 19
390	365
391		-	3. Use instruction methods that are:
	366	+	1. [High staff] STAFF qualifications[, including HIGH 20
	367	+	STAFF QUALIFICATIONS , INCLUDING: 21
392	368
393		-	A. Developmentally appropriate; and
	369	+	1. BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR , 22
	370	+	ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PROVIDER teachers who, at a minimum, hold: 23
394	371
395		-	B. Culturally and linguistically responsive;
	372	+	A. State certification for teaching in early childhood 24
	373	+	education; or 25
396	374
397		-	(viii) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students;
	375	+	B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing 26
	376	+	residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, w hich 27
	377	+	includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content 28
	378	+	knowledge; and 29
398	379
399		-	~~(ix) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to~~
400		-	~~the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county~~
401		-	~~in which the early learning program is located;~~
	380	+	2. Teaching BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL 30
	381	+	YEAR, ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PROV IDER TEACHING assistants who have at least: 31
	382	+	HOUSE BILL 1441 9
402	383
403		-	(x) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement;
404	384
405		-	(xi) ~~On–site~~ or ~~accessible comprehensive services for students;~~
	385	+	A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or 1
406	386
407		-	~~(xii) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive~~
408		-	~~services for families~~ of ~~students~~; ~~and~~
	387	+	B. An associate’s degree] FOR TEACHERS AND TEA CHING 2
	388	+	ASSISTANTS AS REQUIR ED UNDER § 7–1A–04.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR 3
409	389
410		-	(xiii) Evidence–based health and safety standards.
	390	+	C. ON JULY 1, 2027 2024, DOCUMENTED EXPERIENC E 4
	391	+	OF ACTIVELY PROVIDING SERVICES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVING AS 5
	392	+	A TEACHING ASSISTANT IN A PUBLICLY FUNDED PREKINDERGARTEN CLAS SROOM 6
	393	+	FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 5 YEARS FOR AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK AND 180 DAYS 7
	394	+	PER YEAR; AND 8
411	395
412		-	~~(2) An eligible prekindergarten provider that is a Montessori~~ school or
413		-	~~Montessori program shall include all of~~ the ~~structural elements listed in paragraph (1) of~~
414		-	~~this subsection except the following:~~
	396	+	3. BEGINNING IN THE 2025–2026 SCHOOL YEAR , 9
	397	+	ELIGIBLE PRIVATE PRO VIDER EDUCATORS WHO MEE T THE REQUIREMENTS O F THE 10
	398	+	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATOR CAREER LADDER ; 11
415	399
416		-	(i) For staff qualifications, the eligible prekindergarten provider
417		-	shall employ teachers who:
	400	+	(ii) Professional development for all staff; 12
418	401
419		-	1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and
	402	+	(iii) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 13
	403	+	in each class; 14
420	404
421		-	~~2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by:~~
	405	+	(iv) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom; 15
422	406
423		-	A~~. The Association Montessori Internationale~~; ~~Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND~~
	407	+	(v) A full–day prekindergarten program; 16
424	408
425		-	– 10 –
	409	+	(vi) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full 17
	410	+	participation in all program opportunities; 18
426	411
427		-	B. The American Montessori Society; or
	412	+	(vii) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten, 19
	413	+	learning environments that: 20
428	414
429		-	C. ~~A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation~~
430		-	~~Council for Teacher Education~~; ~~and~~
	415	+	1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development 21
	416	+	Standards; 22
431	417
432		-	(ii) For the student –to–classroom personnel ratio, the
433		-	prekindergarten provider shall maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of:
	418	+	2. Use evidence–based curricula; and 23
434	419
435		-	1. No more than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per
436		-	classroom if all of the students are under the age of 5 years; and
	420	+	3. Use instruction methods that are: 24
437	421
438		-	2. No more than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per
439		-	classroom if some of the students are at least 5 years old.
	422	+	A. Developmentally appropriate; and 25
440	423
441		-	(b) In addition to the requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section, an
442		-	eligible prekindergarten provider shall:
	424	+	B. Culturally and linguistically responsive; 26
443	425
444		-	(1) If the provider is an eligible private provider, achieve a quality rating
445		-	level of 3 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly
446		-	available manner, determined by the Department;
	426	+	(viii) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students; 27
447	427
448		-	(2) ~~If the provider is an eligible public provider,~~ ~~achieve a quality rating~~
449		-	~~level~~ of ~~4 in~~ the ~~Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly~~
450		-	~~available manner, determined by~~ the ~~Department~~;
	428	+	(ix) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to 28
	429	+	the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county 29
	430	+	in which the early learning program is located; 30 10 HOUSE BILL 1441
451	431
452		-	(3) Submit to the Department a plan to achieve a quality rating level 5 in
453		-	the Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten
454		-	provider;
455	432
456		-	(4) Achieve in accordance with the plan a quality rating level 5 in the
457		-	Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten
458		-	provider and publish that quality rating in a publicly available manner, determined by the
459		-	Department; and
460	433
461		-	(5) Except as otherwise provided in § 7–1A–07 of this subtitle, be open for
462		-	pupil attendance in accordance with § 7–103 of this title.
	434	+	(x) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement; 1
463	435
464		-	(c) (1) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not engage in explicitly
465		-	religious activities during school hours.
	436	+	(xi) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students; 2
466	437
467		-	(2) ~~If an eligible prekindergarten provider engages in an explicitly religious~~
468		-	~~activity, the activity shall be:~~
	438	+	(xii) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive 3
	439	+	services for families of students; and 4
469	440
470		-	(i) Separate in time and location from any instruction offered by the
471		-	eligible prekindergarten provider; and WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	441	+	(xiii) Evidence–based health and safety standards. 5
472	442
473		-	– 11 –
	443	+	(2) An eligible prekindergarten provider that is a Montessori school or 6
	444	+	Montessori program shall include all of the structural elements listed in paragraph (1) of 7
	445	+	this subsection except the following: 8
474	446
475		-	(ii) Voluntary.
	447	+	(i) For staff qualifications, the eligible prekindergarten provider 9
	448	+	shall employ teachers who: 10
476	449
477		-	(3) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall make reasonable
478		-	efforts to make the areas where prekindergarten children spend time during school hours
479		-	as nonsectarian as possible.
	450	+	1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and 11
480	451
481		-	(ii) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not be required to
482		-	adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with its religious or moral teachings.
	452	+	2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by: 12
483	453
484		-	(4) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall comply with Title VI
485		-	of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title 20, Subtitle 6 of the State Government
486		-	Article, and not discriminate in student admissions, retention, or expulsion or otherwise
487		-	discriminate against any student or parent of a student on the basis of race, color, national
488		-	origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
	454	+	A. The Association Montessori Internationale; 13
489	455
490		-	(ii) If a student has a disability, placement of the student shall be
491		-	based on where the student will be best served.
	456	+	B. The American Montessori Society; or 14
492	457
493		-	~~(iii) An eligible prekindergarten provider found to have violated~~ the
494		-	~~nondiscrimination requirements under this section:~~
	458	+	C. A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation 15
	459	+	Council for Teacher Education; and 16
495	460
496		-	~~1. May not continue~~ to ~~be an eligible prekindergarten~~
497		-	provider~~; and~~
	461	+	(ii) For the student –to–classroom personnel ratio, the 17
	462	+	prekindergarten provider shall maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of: 18
498	463
499		-	2. ~~Shall reimburse the Department all public funds provided~~
500		-	~~under this subtitle minus any amount received from~~ the ~~child care scholarship program.~~
	464	+	1. No more than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per 19
	465	+	classroom if all of the students are under the age of 5 years; and 20
501	466
502		-	~~(5) Except as provided in § 7–305.~~1 of ~~this title,~~ ~~an eligible prekindergarten~~
503		-	~~provider may not suspend or expel a child who is enrolled in a prekindergarten program~~.
	467	+	2. No more than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per 21
	468	+	classroom if some of the students are at least 5 years old. 22
504	469
505		-	7–1A–04.1.
	470	+	(b) In addition to the requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section, an 23
	471	+	eligible prekindergarten provider shall: 24
506	472
507		-	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
508		-	INDICATED.
	473	+	(1) If the provider is an eligible private provider, achieve a quality rating 25
	474	+	level of 3 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly 26
	475	+	available manner, determined by the Department; 27
509	476
510		-	(2) ~~“CDA CERTIFICATE”~~ ~~MEANS~~ A ~~CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE~~
511		-	~~CERTIFICATE WITH~~ A ~~P RESCHOOL DESIGNATION ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL FOR~~
512		-	~~PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION.~~
	477	+	(2) If the provider is an eligible public provider, achieve a quality rating 28
	478	+	level of 4 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly 29
	479	+	available manner, determined by the Department; 30 HOUSE BILL 1441 11
513	480
514		-	(3) “EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO:
515	481
516		-	(I) HAS DOCUMENTED EXPERI ENCE ACTIVELY PROVID ING
517		-	SERVICES IN EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND
518		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
519	482
520		-	~~– 12 –~~
521		-	~~(II) DOES NOT HOLD A TEACH ING CREDENTIAL ISSUE D BY~~ THE
522		-	~~DEPARTMENT OR CREDENTIAL ISSUED BY AN APPROPRIATE ORGAN IZATION.~~
	483	+	(3) Submit to the Department a plan to achieve a quality rating level 5 in 1
	484	+	the Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten 2
	485	+	provider; 3
523	486
524		-	(4) “PROGRAM” MEANS AN EXPERIENCE –BASED EDUCATOR
525		-	PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT PROGRAM .
	487	+	(4) Achieve in accordance with the plan a quality rating level 5 in the 4
	488	+	Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten 5
	489	+	provider and publish that quality rating in a publicly available manner, determined by the 6
	490	+	Department; and 7
526	491
527		-	(B) ~~(1) TO QUALIFY~~ AS ~~A TEACH ER~~ IN ~~A PREKINDERGAR TEN CLASSROOM~~
528		-	~~PROVIDED BY AN ELIGI BLE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER,~~ ~~AN INDIVIDUAL SHALL :~~
	492	+	(5) Except as otherwise provided in § 7–1A–07 of this subtitle, be open for 8
	493	+	pupil attendance in accordance with § 7–103 of this title. 9
529	494
530		-	(I) ~~HOLD, AT MINIMUM ,~~ AN ~~ASSOCIATE ’S~~ ~~DEGREE~~ IN ~~EARLY~~
531		-	~~CHILDHOOD EDUCATION OR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ; OR~~
	495	+	(c) (1) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not engage in explicitly 10
	496	+	religious activities during school hours. 11
532	497
533		-	(II) 1. FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027:
	498	+	(2) If an eligible prekindergarten provider engages in an explicitly religious 12
	499	+	activity, the activity shall be: 13
534	500
535		-	~~A. HAVE 9,000 HOURS OF DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE~~
536		-	~~ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION~~; AND
	501	+	(i) Separate in time and location from any instruction offered by the 14
	502	+	eligible prekindergarten provider; and 15
537	503
538		-	B. ~~ENROLL IN A PROGRAM ; AND~~
	504	+	(ii) Voluntary. 16
539	505
540		-	~~2. DEMONSTRATE CONSISTEN T PROGRESS TOWARD~~
541		-	~~COMPLETION OF A CDA CERTIFICATE WITHIN 3 YEARS AFTER ENROLLIN G IN A~~
542		-	~~PROGRAM~~.
	506	+	(3) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall make reasonable 17
	507	+	efforts to make the areas where prekindergarten children spend time during school hours 18
	508	+	as nonsectarian as possible. 19
543	509
544		-	(2) TO QUALIFY AS A TEACH ING ASSISTANT IN A P REKINDERGARTEN
545		-	CLASSROOM PROVIDED BY AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDER , AN
546		-	INDIVIDUAL SHALL :
	510	+	(ii) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not be required to 20
	511	+	adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with its religious or moral teachings. 21
547	512
548		-	(I) HOLD A CDA CERTIFICATE; OR
	513	+	(4) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall comply with Title VI 22
	514	+	of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title 20, Subtitle 6 of the State Government 23
	515	+	Article, and not discriminate in student admissions, retention, or expulsion or otherwise 24
	516	+	discriminate against any student or parent of a student on the basis of race, color, national 25
	517	+	origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. 26
549	518
550		-	(II) 1. FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027:
	519	+	(ii) If a student has a disability, placement of the student shall be 27
	520	+	based on where the student will be best served. 28
551	521
552		-	A. HAVE ~~1,500 HOURS OF DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE~~
553		-	~~ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND~~
	522	+	(iii) An eligible prekindergarten provider found to have violated the 29
	523	+	nondiscrimination requirements under this section: 30
554	524
555		-	B. ENROLL IN A PROGRAM ; AND
	525	+	1. May not continue to be an eligible prekindergarten 31
	526	+	provider; and 32
	527	+	12 HOUSE BILL 1441
556	528
557		-	2. DEMONSTRATE CONSISTEN T PROGRESS TOWARD
558		-	COMPLETION OF A CDA CERTIFICATE WITHIN 3 YEARS AFTER ENROLLIN G IN A
559		-	PROGRAM.
560	529
561		-	(C) (1) (I) EACH COUNTY BOARD SHA LL ESTABLISH AN
562		-	EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR PROFE SSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
563		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	530	+	2. Shall reimburse the Department all public funds provided 1
	531	+	under this subtitle minus any amount received from the child care scholarship program. 2
564	532
565		-	– 13 –
566		-	(II) THE PURPOSE OF THE PR OGRAM UNDER THIS SUB SECTION
567		-	IS TO ASSIST EXPERIE NCE–BASED EDUCATORS IN O BTAINING A CDA CERTIFICATE
568		-	WITHIN A 3–YEAR PERIOD.
	533	+	(5) Except as provided in § 7–305.1 of this title, an eligible prekindergarten 3
	534	+	provider may not suspend or expel a child who is enrolled in a prekindergarten program. 4
569	535
570		-	(III) A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL
571		-	OPERATE FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2030.
	536	+	7–1A–04.1. 5
572	537
573		-	(2) ~~TO QUALIFY FOR A PROG RAM UNDER~~ THIS ~~SUBSE CTION,~~ AN
574		-	~~EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR SHALL :~~
	538	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 6
	539	+	INDICATED. 7
575	540
576		-	(I) APPLY TO THE PROGRAM BETWEEN JULY 1, 2025, AND
577		-	JUNE 30, 2027, BOTH INCLUSIVE ;
	541	+	(2) “CDA CERTIFICATE” MEANS A CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE 8
	542	+	CERTIFICATE WITH A P RESCHOOL DESIGNATION ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL FOR 9
	543	+	PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION. 10
578	544
579		-	(II) MEET THE WORK EXPERIE NCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A
580		-	TEACHER OR TEACHING ASSISTANT DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(1)(II)1 OR
581		-	(2)(II)1 OF THIS SECTION; AND
	545	+	(3) “EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO: 11
582	546
583		-	(III) BE EMPLOYED AS A TEAC HER OR TEACHING ASSI STANT BY:
	547	+	(I) HAS DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE ACTIVELY PROVIDING 12
	548	+	SERVICES IN EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND 13
584	549
585		-	1. AN ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PR OVIDER; OR
	550	+	(II) DOES NOT HOLD A TEACH ING CREDENTIAL ISSUE D BY THE 14
	551	+	DEPARTMENT OR CREDENT IAL ISSUED BY AN APP ROPRIATE ORGANIZATIO N. 15
586	552
587		-	2. AN ELIGIBLE PRIVATE P ROVIDER LOCATED IN T HE
588		-	COUNTY UNDER THE JUR ISDICTION OF THE COU NTY BOARD OPERATING THE
589		-	PROGRAM.
	553	+	(4) “PROGRAM” MEANS AN EXPERIENCE –BASED EDUCA TOR 16
	554	+	PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT PROGRAM . 17
590	555
591		-	(3) A ~~PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL,~~ AT
592		-	~~MINIMUM~~:
	556	+	(B) (1) TO QUALIFY AS A TEACH ER IN A PREKINDERGAR TEN CLASSROOM 18
	557	+	PROVIDED BY AN ELIGI BLE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER, AN INDIVIDUAL SHALL : 19
593	558
594		-	(I) ~~PROVIDE A PARTICIPANT WITH INFORMATION REG ARDING~~
595		-	~~PROFESSIONAL~~ DEVELOPMENT ~~OPPORTUN ITIES IN EARLY CHILD HOOD EDUCATION~~ ;
	559	+	(I) HOLD, AT MINIMUM , AN ASSOCIATE ’S DEGREE IN EARLY 20
	560	+	CHILDHOOD EDUCATION OR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ; OR 21
596	561
597		-	(II) PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASS ISTANCE IN WORKING T OWARD
598		-	THE CDA CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE FILLING OUT FORMS , OBTAINING
599		-	REQUIRED MATERIALS , AND FINDING A TRAINI NG LOCATION; AND
	562	+	(II) 1. FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027: 22
600	563
601		-	(III) PAIR EACH PARTICIPANT WITH A MENTOR TEACHER .
	564	+	A. HAVE 9,000 HOURS OF DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE 23
	565	+	ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND 24
602	566
603		-	(4) A MENTOR TEACHER WHO P ARTICIPATES IN A PRO GRAM UNDER
604		-	PARAGRAPH (3)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL RECEIVE COMPENS ATION.
	567	+	B. ENROLL IN A PROGRAM ; AND 25
605	568
606		-	7–1A–05.
607		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	569	+	2. DEMONSTRATE CONSISTEN T PROGRESS TOWARD 26
	570	+	COMPLETION OF A CDA CERTIFICATE WITHIN 3 YEARS AFTER ENROLLIN G IN A 27
	571	+	PROGRAM. 28
	572	+	HOUSE BILL 1441 13
608	573
609		-	– 14 –
610		-	(a) (1) Each county board shall enter into a memorandum of understanding
611		-	with the Department, each eligible private provider participating in publicly funded
612		-	prekindergarten in the county, and other applicable government agencies.
613	574
614		-	(2) Before executing a memorandum of understanding under this section,
615		-	each county board shall submit an implementation plan of the proposed memorandum of
616		-	understanding to the Accountability and Implementation Board in accordance with §
617		-	5–404 of this article.
	575	+	(2) TO QUALIFY AS A TEACH ING ASSISTANT IN A P REKINDERGARTEN 1
	576	+	CLASSROOM PROVIDED B Y AN ELIGIBLE PREKIN DERGARTEN PROVIDER , AN 2
	577	+	INDIVIDUAL SHALL : 3
618	578
619		-	(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A MODEL MEMORAND UM OF
620		-	UNDERSTANDING FOR US E BY COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION IN FULF ILLING THE
621		-	REQUIREMENTS UNDER T HIS SECTION.
	579	+	(I) HOLD A CDA CERTIFICATE; OR 4
622	580
623		-	[(b)] (C) [The] EACH memorandum of understanding shall, AT A MINIMUM ,
624		-	provide for:
	581	+	(II) 1. FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027: 5
625	582
626		-	(1) THE ADOPTION OF AN EA RLY CHILDHOOD EDUCAT OR CAREER
627		-	LADDER BY ELIGIBLE P RIVATE PROVIDERS IN ACCORDAN CE WITH § 7–1A–08 OF
628		-	THIS SUBTITLE;
	583	+	A. HAVE 1,500 HOURS OF DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE 6
	584	+	ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCATION ; AND 7
629	585
630		-	~~(2) Services for children with disabilities~~;
	586	+	B. ENROLL IN A PROGRAM ; AND 8
631	587
632		-	(2) (3) A process by which a parent is able to indicate a preference for
633		-	eligible prekindergarten providers;
	588	+	2. DEMONSTRATE CONSISTEN T PROGRESS TOWARD 9
	589	+	COMPLETION OF A CDA CERTIFICATE WITHIN 3 YEARS AFTER ENROLLIN G IN A 10
	590	+	PROGRAM. 11
634	591
635		-	(3) (4) The manner for processing the payment of the State share, local
636		-	share, and family share for each child who is enrolled with an eligible prekindergarten
637		-	provider;
	592	+	(C) (1) (I) EACH COUNTY BOARD SHA LL ESTABLISH AN 12
	593	+	EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR PROFE SSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 13
638	594
639		-	(4) (5) Any agreed upon administrative costs to be retained by an
640		-	agency that is party to the agreement;
	595	+	(II) THE PURPOSE OF THE PR OGRAM UNDER THIS SUB SECTION 14
	596	+	IS TO ASSIST EXPERIEN CE–BASED EDUCATORS IN O BTAINING A CDA CERTIFICATE 15
	597	+	WITHIN A 3–YEAR PERIOD. 16
641	598
642		-	(5) ~~(6) The manner in which the parties will meet the requirements of~~
643		-	~~this subtitle;~~
	599	+	(III) A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL 17
	600	+	OPERATE FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2030. 18
644	601
645		-	(6) ~~(7)~~ A ~~plan to address racial and socioeconomic integration in~~
646		-	~~prekindergarten classrooms;~~ ~~[and]~~
	602	+	(2) TO QUALIFY FOR A PROG RAM UNDER THIS SUBSE CTION, AN 19
	603	+	EXPERIENCE–BASED EDUCATOR SHALL : 20
647	604
648		-	(7) (8) A METHOD FOR THE COUNT Y BOARD TO DISTRIBUT E A LIST
649		-	OF ELIGIBLE PUBLIC A ND PRIVATE PR OVIDERS IN THE SAME AREA WITH A PARENT
650		-	INTERESTED IN ENROLL ING THE PARENT ’S CHILD IN A PREKIND ERGARTEN
651		-	PROGRAM;
652		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	605	+	(I) APPLY TO THE PROGRAM BETWEEN JULY 1, 2025, AND 21
	606	+	JUNE 30, 2027, BOTH INCLUSIVE ; 22
653	607
654		-	– 15 –
655		-	(8) (9) FACILITATION OF PEER –TO–PEER ELIGIBLE
656		-	PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER MEETINGS , THROUGH A PREKINDERG ARTEN
657		-	PROVIDER HUB IF ONE IS ESTABLISHED IN THE AREA , IN WHICH ELIGIBLE
658		-	PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDERS ARE ABLE TO SH ARE BEST PRACTICES I N THE
659		-	FIELD; AND
	608	+	(II) MEET THE WORK EXPERIE NCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A 23
	609	+	TEACHER OR TEACHING ASSISTANT DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(1)(II)1 OR 24
	610	+	(2)(II)1 OF THIS SECTION; AND 25
660	611
661		-	~~[(7)]~~ (9) ~~(10) Any other provisions necessary to carry out this subtitle.~~
	612	+	(III) BE EMPLOYED AS A TEAC HER OR TEACHING ASSI STANT BY: 26
662	613
663		-	[(c)] (D) A memorandum of understanding under this section shall seek to avoid,
664		-	to the extent practicable, a disproportionate concentration of students of the same race,
665		-	ethnicity, disability status, and income within an eligible provider.
	614	+	1. AN ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PR OVIDER; OR 27
666	615
667		-	7–1A–07.
	616	+	2. AN ELIGIBLE PRIVATE P ROVIDER LOCATED IN T HE 28
	617	+	COUNTY UNDER THE JUR ISDICTION OF THE COU NTY BOARD OPERATING THE 29
	618	+	PROGRAM. 30 14 HOUSE BILL 1441
668	619
669		-	(a) (1) The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall prioritize
670		-	public school construction funding requests for high quality prekindergarten classrooms.
671	620
672		-	(2) The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall consider the
673		-	availability of private eligible prekindergarten providers when determining priorities
674		-	under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
675	621
676		-	(b) A county board may partner with the State or the county government to
677		-	address physical space constraints for eligible prekindergarten providers by utilizing
678		-	existing available space at a location that is not an eligible prekindergarten provider
679		-	including:
	622	+	(3) A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL, AT 1
	623	+	MINIMUM: 2
680	624
681		-	(1) Senior care facilities; or
	625	+	(I) PROVIDE A PARTICIPANT WITH INFORMATION REG ARDING 3
	626	+	PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT OPPORTUNITIES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD ED UCATION; 4
682	627
683		-	(2) Community centers.
	628	+	(II) PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASS ISTANCE IN WORKING T OWARD 5
	629	+	THE CDA CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE FILLING OUT FORMS , OBTAINING 6
	630	+	REQUIRED MATERIALS , AND FINDING A TRAINI NG LOCATION; AND 7
684	631
685		-	(C) A COUNTY BOARD MAY LEA SE SPACE FROM THE CO UNTY TO PROVIDE
686		-	PREKINDERGARTEN PROG RAMS IN ACCORDANCE W ITH THIS SUBTITLE.
	632	+	(III) PAIR EACH PARTICIPANT WITH A MENTOR TEACHE R. 8
687	633
688		-	(1) A COUNTY BOARD MAY APPLY FOR FUNDING FROM THE CAP ITAL
689		-	IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR ASSISTANCE ON RE NOVATIONS TO PUBLIC
690		-	FACILITIES LEASED AS ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PREK INDERGARTEN PROGRAMS .
	634	+	(4) A MENTOR TEACHER WHO P ARTICIPATES IN A PRO GRAM UNDER 9
	635	+	PARAGRAPH (3)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL RECEIVE COMPENSATION . 10
691	636
692		-	(2) THE MANAGEMENT OF PUB LIC FACILITIES LEASE D UNDER THIS
693		-	SUBSECTION SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE B UILDING OWNER AND NO T
694		-	THE COUNTY BOARD .
	637	+	7–1A–05. 11
695	638
696		-	7–1A–08.
697		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	639	+	(a) (1) Each county board shall enter into a memorandum of understanding 12
	640	+	with the Department, each eligible private provider participating in publicly funded 13
	641	+	prekindergarten in the county, and other applicable government agencies. 14
698	642
699		-	~~– 16 –~~
700		-	~~(A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1,~~ ~~2025,~~ THE ~~DEPARTMENT SHALL~~
701		-	~~ESTABLISH AN EARLY C HILDHOOD EDUCATOR CA REER LADDER FOR ELIG IBLE~~
702		-	~~PRIVATE PROVIDERS~~ .
	643	+	(2) Before executing a memorandum of understanding under this section, 15
	644	+	each county board shall submit an implementation plan of the proposed memorandum of 16
	645	+	understanding to the Accountability and Implementation Board in accordance with § 17
	646	+	5–404 of this article. 18
703	647
704		-	(2) THE ~~EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATOR CAREER LADDER IS FOR~~
705		-	~~TEACHERS AND ASSISTA NT TEACHERS EMPLOYED~~ BY ~~ELIGIBLE PRIVATE~~
706		-	~~PROVIDERS~~.
	648	+	(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A MODEL MEMORAND UM OF 19
	649	+	UNDERSTANDING FOR US E BY COUNTY BOARDS O F EDUCATION IN FULFI LLING THE 20
	650	+	REQUIREMENTS UNDER T HIS SECTION. 21
707	651
708		-	(3) THE ~~PURPOSE~~ OF ~~THE EA RLY CHILDHOOD EDUCAT OR CAREER~~
709		-	~~LADDER IS TO~~:
	652	+	[(b)] (C) [The] EACH memorandum of understanding shall, AT A MINIMUM , 22
	653	+	provide for: 23
710	654
711		-	(I) TRANSFORM EARLY CHILD HOOD EDUCATION TEACH ING
712		-	INTO A HIGH–STATUS PROFESSION IN THE STATE;
	655	+	(1) THE ADOPTION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR C AREER 24
	656	+	LADDER BY ELIGIBLE P RIVATE PROVIDERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 7–1A–08 OF 25
	657	+	THIS SUBTITLE; 26
713	658
714		-	(II) ATTRACT HIGH –PERFORMING STUDENTS TO PURSUE THE
715		-	HIGH–STATUS EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATION TEACHIN G PROFESSION; AND
	659	+	(2) Services for children with disabilities; 27
716	660
717		-	(~~III~~) ~~RETAIN HIGH–QUALITY EARLY CHILDH OOD EDUCATION~~
718		-	~~TEACHERS WHO GAIN AD DITIONAL RESPONSIBIL ITY, AUTHORITY, STATUS, AND~~
719		-	~~COMPENSATION A S THEY GAIN ADDITION AL EXPERTISE.~~
	661	+	(2) (3) A process by which a parent is able to indicate a preference for 28
	662	+	eligible prekindergarten providers; 29
	663	+	HOUSE BILL 1441 15
720	664
721		-	(B) THE EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATOR CAREER LADDE R SHALL:
722	665
723		-	(1) ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATORS FOR
724		-	THEIR WORK;
	666	+	(3) (4) The manner for processing the payment of the State share, local 1
	667	+	share, and family share for each child who is enrolled with an eligible prekindergarten 2
	668	+	provider; 3
725	669
726		-	(2) PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATORS WITH TH E
727		-	OPPORTUNITY TO IDENT IFY AND WORK WITH PR EKINDERGARTEN TEACHERS A ND
728		-	TEACHING ASSISTANTS ;
	670	+	(4) (5) Any agreed upon administrative costs to be retained by an 4
	671	+	agency that is party to the agreement; 5
729	672
730		-	(3) PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATORS THE OPP ORTUNITY TO
731		-	DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE BY PAR TICIPATING IN JOB –EMBEDDED
732		-	PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT; AND
	673	+	(5) (6) The manner in which the parties will meet the requirements of 6
	674	+	this subtitle; 7
733	675
734		-	(4) ~~COMPENSATE EARLY CHIL DHOOD EDUCATORS AT G REATER~~
735		-	~~RATES AS THEY ADVANC E TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF THE CAREER LADDER .~~
	676	+	(6) (7) A plan to address racial and socioeconomic integration in 8
	677	+	prekindergarten classrooms; [and] 9
736	678
737		-	(C) (1) THE LEVELS OF THE CAR EER LADDER ARE AS FO LLOWS:
	679	+	(7) (8) A METHOD FOR THE COUNT Y BOARD TO DISTRIBUT E A LIST 10
	680	+	OF ELIGIBLE PUBLIC A ND PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN THE SAME AREA WIT H A PARENT 11
	681	+	INTERESTED IN ENROLL ING THE PARENT ’S CHILD IN A PREKIND ERGARTEN 12
	682	+	PROGRAM; 13
738	683
739		-	(I) LEVEL ONE IS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING A SSISTANT;
	684	+	(8) (9) FACILITATION OF PEER –TO–PEER ELIGIB LE 14
	685	+	PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDER MEETINGS , THROUGH A PREKINDERG ARTEN 15
	686	+	PROVIDER HUB IF ONE IS ESTABLISHED IN TH E AREA, IN WHICH ELIGIBLE 16
	687	+	PREKINDERGARTEN PROV IDERS ARE ABLE TO SH ARE BEST PRACTICES I N THE 17
	688	+	FIELD; AND 18
740	689
741		-	(II) LEVEL TWO IS A PREKIN DERGARTEN LEAD TEACH ER; AND
742		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	690	+	[(7)] (9) (10) Any other provisions necessary to carry out this subtitle. 19
743	691
744		-	~~– 17 –~~
745		-	~~(III) LEVEL THREE IS AN EARLY CHI LDHOOD CONSULTING~~
746		-	~~TEACHER~~.
	692	+	[(c)] (D) A memorandum of understanding under this section shall seek to avoid, 20
	693	+	to the extent practicable, a disproportionate concentration of students of the same race, 21
	694	+	ethnicity, disability status, and income within an eligible provider. 22
747	695
748		-	(2) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING
749		-	ASSISTANT, AN EDUCATOR SHALL :
	696	+	7–1A–07. 23
750	697
751		-	(I) 1. HOLD A HIGH SCHOOL DI PLOMA; AND
	698	+	(a) (1) The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall prioritize 24
	699	+	public school construction funding requests for high quality prekindergarten classrooms. 25
752	700
753		-	2. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027:
	701	+	(2) The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall consider the 26
	702	+	availability of private eligible prekindergarten providers when determining priorities 27
	703	+	under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 28
754	704
755		-	A. EARN AND MAINTAIN A CHILD DEVELOPMENT
756		-	ASSOCIATE (CDA) WITH A PRESCHOOL DES IGNATION; OR
	705	+	(b) A county board may partner with the State or the county government to 29
	706	+	address physical space constraints for eligible prekindergarten providers by utilizing 30
	707	+	existing available space at a location that is not an eligible prekindergarten provider 31
	708	+	including: 32
757	709
758		-	B. HOLD AN ASSOCIATE DEG REE IN EARLY CHILDHO OD
759		-	EDUCATION OR CHILD D EVELOPMENT ; OR
	710	+	(1) Senior care facilities; or 33 16 HOUSE BILL 1441
760	711
761		-	(II) ON JULY 1, 2024, HAVE DOCUMENTED EXPE RIENCE OF
762		-	ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCA TION FOR A MINIMUM
763		-	OF 15 YEARS FOR AT LEAST :
764	712
765		-	1. 20 HOURS PER WEEK ; AND
766	713
767		-	2. ~~180 DAYS PER YEAR.~~
	714	+	(2) Community centers. 1
768	715
769		-	(3) ~~(I) SUBJECT~~ TO ~~SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , IN~~
770		-	~~ORDER TO QUALIFY AS A~~ PREKINDERGARTEN ~~LE AD TEACHER,~~ ~~AN EDUCATOR SHALL :~~
	716	+	(C) A COUNTY BOARD MAY LEA SE SPACE FROM THE CO UNTY TO PROVIDE 2
	717	+	PREKINDERGARTEN PROG RAMS IN ACCORDANCE W ITH THIS SUBTITLE. 3
771	718
772		-	1. HOLD AT LEAST A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN EARLY
773		-	CHILDHOOD EDUCATION , CHILD DEVELOPMENT , OR A RELATED FIELD F ROM AN
774		-	INSTITUTION OF HIGHE R EDUCATION ACCREDIT ED BY AN INSTITUTION AL
775		-	ACCREDITING ASSOCIAT ION RECOGNIZED BY TH E U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
776		-	EDUCATION;
	719	+	(1) A COUNTY BOARD MAY APP LY FOR FUNDING FROM THE CAPITAL 4
	720	+	IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR ASSISTANCE ON RE NOVATIONS TO PUBLIC 5
	721	+	FACILITIES LEASED AS ELIGIBLE PUBLIC PREK INDERGARTEN PROGRAMS . 6
777	722
778		-	2~~. A.~~ ~~HOLD AT LE AST A BACHELOR ’S~~ ~~DEGREE IN~~
779		-	~~EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION,~~ ~~CHILD DEVELOPMENT , OR A RELATED FIELD~~ F ~~ROM~~
780		-	~~AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION IN AN OTHER COUNTRY ; AND~~
	723	+	(2) THE MANAGEMENT OF PUB LIC FACILITIES LEASE D UNDER THIS 7
	724	+	SUBSECTION SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY O F THE BUILDING OWNER AND NOT 8
	725	+	THE COUNTY BOARD . 9
781	726
782		-	B. HAVE THAT DEGREE THE DEGREE UNDER ITE M A OF
783		-	THIS ITEM VERIFIED AS COMPARAB LE TO A BACHELOR’S DEGREE GRANTED BY AN
784		-	ACCREDITED INSTITUTI ON OF HIGHER EDUCATI ON IN THE UNITED STATES BY AN
785		-	INDEPENDENT AGENCY A UTHORIZED TO ANALYZE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS
786		-	SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT ;
787		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	727	+	7–1A–08. 10
788	728
789		-	– 18 –
790		-	3. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN A FIELD UNRELATED
791		-	TO EARLY CH ILDHOOD EDUCATION FR OM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
792		-	ACCREDITED BY AN INS TITUTIONAL ACCREDITI NG ASSOCIATION APPRO VED BY THE
793		-	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; OR
	729	+	(A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 11
	730	+	ESTABLISH AN EARLY C HILDHOOD EDUCATOR C AREER LADDER FOR ELI GIBLE 12
	731	+	PRIVATE PROVIDERS . 13
794	732
795		-	4. SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (III) OF THIS
796		-	PARAGRAPH , ON JULY 1, 2024, HAVE DOCUMENTED EXPE RIENCE OF ACTIVELY
797		-	PROVIDING SERVICES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD ED UCATION FOR A MINIMU M OF 10
798		-	YEARS FOR AT LEAST :
	733	+	(2) THE EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATOR CAREER LADDE R IS FOR 14
	734	+	TEACHERS AND ASSISTA NT TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY ELIGIBLE PRIVATE 15
	735	+	PROVIDERS. 16
799	736
800		-	A. 20 HOURS PER WEEK ; AND
	737	+	(3) THE PURPOSE OF THE EA RLY CHILDHOOD EDUCAT OR CAREER 17
	738	+	LADDER IS TO: 18
801	739
802		-	B. 180 DAYS PER YEAR.
	740	+	(I) TRANSFORM EARLY CHILD HOOD EDUCATION TEACH ING 19
	741	+	INTO A HIGH–STATUS PROFESSION IN THE STATE; 20
803	742
804		-	(II) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S A PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD
805		-	TEACHER THROUGH ANY PATHWAY OTHER THAN THE PATHWAY DES CRIBED UNDER
806		-	SUBPARAGRAPH (I)1 OF THIS PARAGRAPH , AN EDUCATOR MUST ACH IEVE A
807		-	MINIMUM SCORE ON THE CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM (CLASS)
808		-	ASSESSMENT AS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ADDITIO N TO THE REQUIREMENT S
809		-	LISTED UNDER SUBPARA GRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH .
	743	+	(II) ATTRACT HIGH –PERFORMING STUDENTS TO PURSUE THE 21
	744	+	HIGH–STATUS EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATION TEACHIN G PROFESSION; AND 22
810	745
811		-	(III) 1. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2030, A PREKINDERGARTEN
812		-	LEAD TEACHER WHO QUA LIFIES THROUGH THE P ATHWAY DESCRIBED UND ER
813		-	SUBPARAGRAPH (I)4 OF THIS PARAGRAPH SH ALL EARN AN ASSOCIAT E DEGREE IN
814		-	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION.
	746	+	(III) RETAIN HIGH–QUALITY EARLY CHILDH OOD EDUCATION 23
	747	+	TEACHERS WHO GAIN AD DITIONAL RESPONSIBIL ITY, AUTHORITY, STATUS, AND 24
	748	+	COMPENSATION AS THEY GAIN ADDITIONAL EXPE RTISE. 25
815	749
816		-	2. TEACHERS FROM LEVEL THREE O F THE CAREER
817		-	LADDER SHALL MENTOR AND PROVIDE PROFESSI ONAL SUPPORT TO A
818		-	PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD TEACHER DESCRIBED UN DER THIS SUBPARAGRAP H TO
819		-	ENSURE THAT THE TEAC HER EARNS A DEGREE W ITHIN THE REQUIRED A MOUNT OF
820		-	TIME.
	750	+	(B) THE EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATOR CAREER LADDE R SHALL: 26
821	751
822		-	(IV) ~~IN ORDER TO MA INTAIN STATUS AS A P REKINDERGARTEN~~
823		-	~~LEAD TEACHER , EACH YEAR A LEAD TEA CHER SHALL COMPLETE AT LEAST 20~~
824		-	~~WORKING HOURS OF PRO FESSIONAL LEARNING A ND DEVELOPMENT IN :~~
	752	+	(1) ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATORS FOR 27
	753	+	THEIR WORK; 28
	754	+	HOUSE BILL 1441 17
825	755
826		-	1. EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTR UCTION;
827	756
828		-	2. DEVELOPMENTALLY APPRO PRIATE PRACTICE ; AND
	757	+	(2) PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATORS WITH TH E 1
	758	+	OPPORTUNITY TO IDENT IFY AND WORK WITH PR EKINDERGARTEN TEACHE RS AND 2
	759	+	TEACHING ASSISTANTS ; 3
829	760
830		-	3~~. ANY OTHER PROFESSIONA L SKILL AREAS~~ THE
831		-	~~DEPARTMENT DETERMINES ARE VALUABLE .~~
832		-	~~WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165~~
	761	+	(3) PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHO OD EDUCATORS THE OPP ORTUNITY TO 4
	762	+	DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE BY PAR TICIPATING IN JOB –EMBEDDED 5
	763	+	PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT; AND 6
833	764
834		-	– 19 –
835		-	(4) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S AN EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTING
836		-	TEACHER, AN EDUCATOR SHALL :
	765	+	(4) COMPENSATE EARLY CHIL DHOOD EDUCATORS AT G REATER 7
	766	+	RATES AS THEY ADVANC E TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF THE CAREER LADDER . 8
837	767
838		-	(I) BE A PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD TEACHER IN GOOD
839		-	STANDING;
	768	+	(C) (1) THE LEVELS OF THE CAR EER LADDER ARE AS FO LLOWS: 9
840	769
841		-	(II) BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR , HOLD EARLY
842		-	CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATION OR BE PURSUING CERTIFICATI ON;
	770	+	(I) LEVEL ONE IS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEAC HING ASSISTANT; 10
843	771
844		-	(III) BE ABLE TO LEAD OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATORS
845		-	IN AN EFFECTIVE AND DISCIPLINED WAY TO I MPROVE THE CURRICULU M AND
846		-	INSTRUCTION OF PREKI NDERGARTEN STUDENTS ;
	772	+	(II) LEVEL TWO IS A PREKIN DERGARTEN LEAD TEACH ER; AND 11
847	773
848		-	(IV) DEMONSTRATE THE SKILL S AND KNOWLEDGE TO M ENTOR
849		-	EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSI STANT TEACHERS AND N EW PREKINDERGARTEN L EAD
850		-	TEACHERS, INCLUDING BY HELPING THEM TO MEET THE EDU CATIONAL AND
851		-	CERTIFICATION QUALIF ICATIONS NECESSARY T O QUALIFY FOR AND MA INTAIN
852		-	STATUS ON THE CAREER LAD DER; AND
	774	+	(III) LEVEL THREE IS AN EAR LY CHILDHOOD CONSULT ING 12
	775	+	TEACHER. 13
853	776
854		-	(V) SUPERVISE AND SUPPORT PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD
855		-	TEACHERS, IF PRACTICABLE THROU GH PREKINDERGARTEN P ROVIDER HUBS , IN
856		-	ONE OR MORE SITES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE DEV ELOPMENTALLY APPROPR IATE
857		-	INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTI CES FOR PREKINDERGAR TEN STUDENTS.
	777	+	(2) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING 14
	778	+	ASSISTANT, AN EDUCATOR SHALL : 15
858	779
859		-	~~7–1A–09~~.
	780	+	(I) 1. HOLD A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; AND 16
860	781
861		-	(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PREKINDERGARTE N
862		-	PROVIDER HUBS IN CEN TRALIZED AND DIVERSE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE
863		-	STATE.
	782	+	2. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027: 17
864	783
865		-	(2) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL BE DE SIGNED TO
866		-	HELP BRING AS MANY PEOPLE PROVIDERS INTO THE STATE’S MIXED
867		-	PREKINDERGARTEN DELI VERY SYSTEM AS POSSI BLE.
	784	+	A. EARN AND MAINTAIN A CHILD DEVELOPMENT 18
	785	+	ASSOCIATE (CDA) WITH A PRESCHOOL DES IGNATION; OR 19
868	786
869		-	~~(3) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL FORM~~
870		-	~~PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN :~~
	787	+	B. HOLD AN ASSOCIATE DEG REE IN EARLY CHILDHO OD 20
	788	+	EDUCATION OR CHILD D EVELOPMENT ; OR 21
871	789
872		-	(I) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TORS ON THE EARLY
873		-	CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR C AREER LADDER ;
	790	+	(II) ON JULY 1, 2024, HAVE DOCUMENTED EXPE RIENCE OF 22
	791	+	ACTIVELY PROVIDING S ERVICES IN EARLY CHI LDHOOD EDUCATION FOR A MINIMUM 23
	792	+	OF 15 YEARS FOR AT LEAST : 24
874	793
875		-	(II) CHILD CARE CENTERS LI CENSED UNDER TITLE 9.5,
876		-	SUBTITLE 4 OF THIS ARTICLE;
877		-	Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	794	+	1. 20 HOURS PER WEEK ; AND 25
878	795
879		-	– 20 –
880		-	(III) FAMILY CHILD CARE HOM ES OR LARGE FAMILY C HILD CARE
881		-	HOMES REGISTERED UND ER TITLE 9.5, SUBTITLE 3 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND
	796	+	2. 180 DAYS PER YEAR. 26
882	797
883		-	(IV) ~~ANY OTHER ENTITIES TH~~ ~~AT THE DEPARTMENT~~
884		-	~~DETERMINES WILL AID IN BRINGING ELIGIBLE CHILDREN INTO THE STATE’S MIXED~~
885		-	~~DELIVERY SYSTEM .~~
	798	+	(3) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , IN 27
	799	+	ORDER TO QUALIFY AS A PREKINDERGARTEN LE AD TEACHER, AN EDUCATOR SHALL : 28
	800	+	18 HOUSE BILL 1441
886	801
887		-	(4) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL COORD INATE
888		-	SUPPORT AMONG ENTITI ES THAT SERVE CHILDR EN AND THEIR FAMILIE S TO
889		-	ENSURE THAT THE MAXI MUM NUMBER OF ELIGIB LE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BE
890		-	PLACED IN A PREKINDE RGARTEN SLOT.
891	802
892		-	(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A PROGRAM TO A ID
893		-	ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDERS IN ME ETING THE REQUIREMEN TS OF
894		-	THIS SUBTITLE.
	803	+	1. HOLD AT LEAST A BACHE LOR’S DEGREE IN EARLY 1
	804	+	CHILDHOOD EDUCATION , CHILD DEVELOPMENT , OR A RELATED FIELD F ROM AN 2
	805	+	INSTITUTION OF HIGHE R EDUCATION ACCREDIT ED BY AN INST ITUTIONAL 3
	806	+	ACCREDITING ASSOCIAT ION RECOGNIZED BY TH E U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 4
	807	+	EDUCATION; 5
895	808
896		-	(2) THE PROGRAM SHALL PRO VIDE TO ELIGIBLE PRI VATE
897		-	PROVIDERS:
	809	+	2. A. HOLD AT LEAST A BACHE LOR’S DEGREE IN 6
	810	+	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION, CHILD DEVELOPMENT , OR A RELATED FIELD F ROM 7
	811	+	AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION IN AN OTHER COUNTRY ; AND 8
898	812
899		-	(I) INFORMATION ON PROFES SIONAL DEVELOPMENT
900		-	OPPORTUNITIES FOR TE ACHERS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS;
	813	+	B. HAVE THAT DEGREE THE DEGREE UNDER ITE M A OF 9
	814	+	THIS ITEM VERIFIED AS COMPARAB LE TO A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE GRANTED BY AN 10
	815	+	ACCREDITED INSTITUTI ON OF HIGHER EDUCATI ON IN THE UNITED STATES BY AN 11
	816	+	INDEPENDENT AGENCY A UTHORIZED TO ANALYZE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS 12
	817	+	SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT ; 13
901	818
902		-	(II) TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR MEETING REQUIREMENTS TO
903		-	ENROLL IN CHILD CARE SUPPORT PROGRAMS ; AND
	819	+	3. HOLD A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE IN A FIELD UNRELATED 14
	820	+	TO EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATION FROM AN INS TITUTION OF HIGHER E DUCATION 15
	821	+	ACCREDITED BY AN INS TITUTIONAL ACCREDITI NG ASSOCIATION APPRO VED BY THE 16
	822	+	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; OR 17
904	823
905		-	(III) ASSISTANCE WITH IMPLE MENTING EARLY CHILDH OOD
906		-	CURRICULUM STANDARDS.
	824	+	4. SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (III) OF THIS 18
	825	+	PARAGRAPH , ON JULY 1, 2024, HAVE DOCUMENTED EXPE RIENCE OF ACTIVELY 19
	826	+	PROVIDING SERVICES I N EARLY CHILDHOOD ED UCATION FOR A MINIMU M OF 10 20
	827	+	YEARS FOR AT LEAST : 21
907	828
908		-	(3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
909		-	PROVIDE PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SUBSECTI ON
910		-	THROUGH PREKINDERGAR TEN PROVIDER HUBS .
	829	+	A. 20 HOURS PER WEEK ; AND 22
911	830
912		-	(B) (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ISH A LIST OF ELIGIB LE
913		-	PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN EACH LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM ON ITS WEBSITE AND
914		-	DISTRIBUTE THE LIST TO THE FOLLOWING ENT ITIES AND ORGANIZATI ONS LOCATED
915		-	WITHIN THE AREAS IN WHICH THE ELIGIBLE P RIVATE PROVIDERS ARE LOCATED:
	831	+	B. 180 DAYS PER YEAR. 23
916	832
917		-	(I) A LOCAL OFFICE OF ECON OMIC DEVELOPMENT ;
	833	+	(II) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S A PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD 24
	834	+	TEACHER THROUGH ANY PATHWAY OTHER THAN T HE PATHWAY DESCRIBED UNDER 25
	835	+	SUBPARAGRAPH (I)1 OF THIS PARAGRAPH , AN EDUCATOR MUST ACH IEVE A 26
	836	+	MINIMUM SCORE ON THE CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM (CLASS) 27
	837	+	ASSESSMENT AS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ADDITIO N TO THE REQUIREMENT S 28
	838	+	LISTED UNDER SUBPARA GRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH . 29
918	839
919		-	(II) THE MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
920		-	CENTER;
	840	+	(III) 1. ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2030, A PREKINDERGARTEN 30
	841	+	LEAD TEACHER WHO QUA LIFIES THROUGH THE P ATHWAY DESCRIBED UND ER 31
	842	+	SUBPARAGRAPH (I)4 OF THIS PARAGRAPH SH ALL EARN AN ASSOCIAT E DEGREE IN 32
	843	+	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATION. 33
921	844
922		-	(III) A LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOA RD; WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	845	+	2. TEACHERS FROM LEVEL T HREE OF THE CAREER 34
	846	+	LADDER SHALL MENTOR AND PROVIDE PROFESSI ONAL SUPPORT TO A 35 HOUSE BILL 1441 19
923	847
924		-	– 21 –
925	848
926		-	(IV) A LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVE LOPMENT BOARD ; AND
	849	+	PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD TEACHER DESCRIBED UN DER THIS SUBPARAGRAP H TO 1
	850	+	ENSURE THAT THE TEACHER E ARNS A DEGREE WITHIN THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF 2
	851	+	TIME. 3
927	852
928		-	(V) A LOCAL OFFICE SUPPORT ING MINORITY AND
929		-	WOMEN–OWNED BUSINESSES .
	853	+	(IV) IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN STATUS AS A PREKINDE RGARTEN 4
	854	+	LEAD TEACHER , EACH YEAR A LEAD TEA CHER SHALL COMPLETE AT LEAST 20 5
	855	+	WORKING HOURS OF PRO FESSIONAL LEARNING A ND DEVELOPMENT IN : 6
930	856
931		-	(2) AN ENTITY OR ORGANIZA TION LISTED UNDER PA RAGRAPH (1) OF
932		-	THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L, IF APPLICABLE, ASSIST A PRIVATE PRE KINDERGARTEN
933		-	PROVIDER IN ITS JURI SDICTION WITH:
	857	+	1. EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTR UCTION; 7
934	858
935		-	(I) ENROLLING IN BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WHICH
936		-	THE PROVIDER QUALIFI ES; AND
	859	+	2. DEVELOPMENTALLY APPRO PRIATE PRACTICE ; AND 8
937	860
938		-	~~(II) ADOPTING A BUSINESS P LAN TO HELP~~ THE ~~PROV IDER MEET~~
939		-	~~THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE~~.
	861	+	3. ANY OTHER PROFESSIONA L SKILL AREAS THE 9
	862	+	DEPARTMENT DETERMINES ARE VALUABLE . 10
940	863
941		-	(3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, ORGANIZATIONS LISTED UNDER
942		-	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL WORK WITH PREKI NDERGARTEN
943		-	PROVIDER HUBS TO PRO VIDE SUPPORT.
	864	+	(4) IN ORDER TO QUALIFY A S AN EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTING 11
	865	+	TEACHER, AN EDUCATOR SHALL : 12
944	866
945		-	(C) ~~(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ICIZE THE AVAILABILI TY OF~~
946		-	~~PUBLICLY FUNDED PREK INDERGARTEN PROGRAMS TO THE PUBLIC.~~
	867	+	(I) BE A PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD TEACHER IN GOOD 13
	868	+	STANDING; 14
947	869
948		-	[7–1A–08.] 7–1A–10.
	870	+	(II) BEGINNING IN THE 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR , HOLD EARLY 15
	871	+	CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATION OR BE PURSUING CERTIFICATI ON; 16
949	872
950		-	On or before December 1, 2021, and each December 1 thereafter, each county board
951		-	shall submit the following information, disaggregated by eligible private and eligible public
952		-	providers, to the Department and the Accountability and Implementation Board
953		-	established under Title 5, Subtitle 4 of this article:
	873	+	(III) BE ABLE TO LEAD OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUC ATORS 17
	874	+	IN AN EFFECTIV E AND DISCIPLINED WA Y TO IMPROVE THE CUR RICULUM AND 18
	875	+	INSTRUCTION OF PREKI NDERGARTEN STUDENTS ; 19
954	876
955		-	(1) The number of eligible prekindergarten providers in the county;
	877	+	(IV) DEMONSTRATE THE SKILL S AND KNOWLEDGE TO M ENTOR 20
	878	+	EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSI STANT TEACHERS AND N EW PREKINDERGARTEN L EAD 21
	879	+	TEACHERS, INCLUDING BY HELPING THEM TO MEE T THE EDUCATIONAL AN D 22
	880	+	CERTIFICATION QUALIF ICATIONS NECESSARY T O QUALIFY FOR AND MA INTAIN 23
	881	+	STATUS ON THE CAREER LADDER; AND 24
956	882
957		-	(2) The number of eligible prekindergarten providers in the county that, in
958		-	the immediately preceding calendar year, expanded to offer prekindergarten programs that
959		-	are open for pupil attendance a minimum of 6.5 hours during each school day;
	883	+	(V) SUPERVISE AND SUPPORT PREKINDERGARTEN LEAD 25
	884	+	TEACHERS, IF PRACTICABLE THROU GH PREKINDERGARTEN P ROVIDER HUBS , IN 26
	885	+	ONE OR MORE SITE S IN ORDER TO IMPROV E DEVELOPMENTALLY AP PROPRIATE 27
	886	+	INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTI CES FOR PREKINDERGAR TEN STUDENTS . 28
960	887
961		-	(3) The Maryland EXCELS program quality rating level of each eligible
962		-	prekindergarten provider in the county;
	888	+	7–1A–09. 29
963	889
964		-	(4) The ~~participation rate of all county 3–~~ ~~and 4–year olds in eligible~~
965		-	~~prekindergarten providers established or expanded~~ in ~~accordance with this subtitle,~~
966		-	~~disaggregated by age and tier,~~ ~~if applicable;~~
	890	+	(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PREKINDERGARTE N 30
	891	+	PROVIDER HUBS IN CEN TRALIZED AND DIVERSE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE 31
	892	+	STATE. 32 20 HOUSE BILL 1441
967	893
968		-	(5) The number and proportion of eligible prekindergarten providers in the
969		-	county that are eligible private providers; Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
970	894
971		-	– 22 –
972	895
973		-	(6) A measure of school readiness in accordance with § 7–210 of this title;
974		-	and
	896	+	(2) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL BE DE SIGNED TO 1
	897	+	HELP BRING AS MANY PEOPLE PROVIDERS INTO THE STATE’S MIXED 2
	898	+	PREKINDERGARTEN DELI VERY SYSTEM AS POSSI BLE. 3
975	899
976		-	(7) ~~A demonstration that the expansion of~~ prekindergarten ~~programs in~~
977		-	~~the county gave priority to~~:
	900	+	(3) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL FORM 4
	901	+	PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN : 5
978	902
979		-	(i) ~~Children in areas with limited or no access to quality child care,~~
980		-	~~regardless of family income~~;
	903	+	(I) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCA TORS ON THE EARLY 6
	904	+	CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR C AREER LADDER ; 7
981	905
982		-	(ii) Tier I children; and
	906	+	(II) CHILD CARE CENTERS LI CENSED UNDER TITLE 9.5, 8
	907	+	SUBTITLE 4 OF THIS ARTICLE; 9
983	908
984		-	(iii) Students with disabilities, regardless of family income.
	909	+	(III) FAMILY CHILD CARE HOM ES OR LARGE FAMILY C HILD CARE 10
	910	+	HOMES REGISTERED UND ER TITLE 9.5, SUBTITLE 3 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 11
985	911
986		-	[7–1A–09.] 7–1A–10. 7–1A–11.
	912	+	(IV) ANY OTHER ENTITIES TH AT THE DEPARTMENT 12
	913	+	DETERMINES WILL AID IN BRINGING ELIGIBLE CHILDREN INTO THE STATE’S MIXED 13
	914	+	DELIVERY SYSTEM . 14
987	915
988		-	The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.
	916	+	(4) PREKINDERGARTEN PROVI DER HUBS SHALL COORD INATE 15
	917	+	SUPPORT AMONG ENTITI ES THAT SERVE CHILDR EN AND THEIR FAMILIE S TO 16
	918	+	ENSURE THAT THE MAXI MUM NUMBER OF ELIGIB LE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BE 17
	919	+	PLACED IN A PREKINDE RGARTEN SLOT . 18
989	920
990		-	9.5–903.
	921	+	(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A PROGRAM TO A ID 19
	922	+	ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDERS IN ME ETING THE REQUIREMEN TS OF 20
	923	+	THIS SUBTITLE. 21
991	924
992		-	(a) There is a Child Care Incentive Grant Program.
	925	+	(2) THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVID E TO ELIGIBLE PRIVAT E 22
	926	+	PROVIDERS: 23
993	927
994		-	(b) The Office may award funding to a child care provider through the program
995		-	for the purpose of improving the child care provider’s quality of care through the purchase
996		-	of Office–approved:
	928	+	(I) INFORMATION ON PROFES SIONAL DEVELOPMENT 24
	929	+	OPPORTUNITIES FOR TE ACHERS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS; 25
997	930
998		-	(1) Materials;
	931	+	(II) TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR MEETING REQUIREMENTS TO 26
	932	+	ENROLL IN CHILD CARE SUPPORT PROGRAMS ; AND 27
999	933
1000		-	(2) Equipment; or
	934	+	(III) ASSISTANCE WITH IMPLE MENTING EARLY CHILDH OOD 28
	935	+	CURRICULUM STANDARDS . 29
	936	+	HOUSE BILL 1441 21
1001	937
1002		-	(3) Supplies.
1003	938
1004		-	(c) For each of fiscal years 2022 through [2030] 2032, funding for the program
1005		-	shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year.
	939	+	(3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 1
	940	+	PROVIDE PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SUBSECTI ON 2
	941	+	THROUGH PREKINDERGAR TEN PROVIDER HUBS . 3
1006	942
1007		-	9.5–904.
	943	+	(B) (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ISH A LIST OF ELIGIB LE 4
	944	+	PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN EACH LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM ON ITS WEBSITE AND 5
	945	+	DISTRIBUTE THE LIST TO THE FOLLOWING ENT ITIES AND ORGANIZATI ONS LOCATED 6
	946	+	WITHIN THE AREAS IN WHICH THE ELIGIBLE P RIVATE PROVIDERS ARE LOCATED: 7
1008	947
1009		-	(a) ~~There is~~ a ~~Maryland Child Care Credential Program.~~
	948	+	(I) A LOCAL OFFICE OF ECON OMIC DEVELOPMENT ; 8
1010	949
1011		-	(b) ~~An individual may apply to~~ the ~~Office for a staff credential,~~ ~~including a child~~
1012		-	~~development associate credential, or an administrator credential under this subsection.~~
	950	+	(II) THE MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 9
	951	+	CENTER; 10
1013	952
1014		-	(c) If a person pursues, obtains, or already holds an Office–approved credential,
1015		-	the Office may award to the individual:
	953	+	(III) A LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOA RD; 11
1016	954
1017		-	(1) ~~An achievement bonus~~; ~~WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165~~
	955	+	(IV) A LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVE LOPMENT BOARD ; AND 12
1018	956
1019		-	– 23 –
	957	+	(V) A LOCAL OFFICE SUPPORT ING MINORITY AND 13
	958	+	WOMEN–OWNED BUSINESSES. 14
1020	959
1021		-	(2) A training reimbursement; or
	960	+	(2) AN ENTITY OR ORGANIZA TION LISTED UNDER PA RAGRAPH (1) OF 15
	961	+	THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L, IF APPLICABLE, ASSIST A PRIVATE PRE KINDERGARTEN 16
	962	+	PROVIDER IN ITS JURI SDICTION WITH: 17
1022	963
1023		-	(3) A training voucher.
	964	+	(I) ENROLLING IN BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WHICH 18
	965	+	THE PROVIDER QUALI FIES; AND 19
1024	966
1025		-	(d) ~~(1)~~ The ~~Governor shall appropriate $4,000,000 for the program for fiscal~~
1026		-	~~year 2021~~.
	967	+	(II) ADOPTING A BUSINESS P LAN TO HELP THE PROV IDER MEET 20
	968	+	THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE. 21
1027	969
1028		-	(2) For each of fiscal years 2022 through [2024] 2026, funding for the
1029		-	program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year.
	970	+	(3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, ORGANIZATIONS LISTED UNDER 22
	971	+	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL WORK WITH PREKI NDERGARTEN 23
	972	+	PROVIDER HUBS TO PRO VIDE SUPPORT. 24
1030	973
1031		-	(3) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPROPRI ATE
1032		-	FOR THE PROGRAM AN A MOUNT THAT IS AT LEA ST EQUAL TO THE AMOU NT
1033		-	APPROPRIATED IN FISC AL YEAR 2024.
	974	+	(C) (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ICIZE THE AVAILABILI TY OF 25
	975	+	PUBLICLY FUNDED PREK INDERGARTEN PROGRAMS TO THE PUBLIC. 26
1034	976
1035		-	(4) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2027 THROUGH 2030, THE
1036		-	GOVERNOR SHALL APPROP RIATE FOR THE PROGRA M AN AMOUNT THAT IS AT LEAST
1037		-	EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT APPROPRIA TED IN THE PRIOR FIS CAL YEAR.
	977	+	[7–1A–08.] 7–1A–10. 27
1038	978
1039		-	9.5–905.
	979	+	On or before December 1, 2021, and each December 1 thereafter, each county board 28
	980	+	shall submit the following information, disaggregated by eligible private and eligible public 29
	981	+	providers, to the Department and the Accountability and Implementation Board 30
	982	+	established under Title 5, Subtitle 4 of this article: 31 22 HOUSE BILL 1441
1040	983
1041		-	(a) There is a Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund.
1042	984
1043		-	(b) The Office may award funding from the Fund to an individual who has:
1044	985
1045		-	(1) Obtained at least a level 2 in the Maryland Child Care Credential
1046		-	Program under § 9.5–904 of this subtitle;
	986	+	(1) The number of eligible prekindergarten providers in the county; 1
1047	987
1048		-	(2) Documented at least 1 year of experience working with groups of
1049		-	children in an approved setting; [and]
	988	+	(2) The number of eligible prekindergarten providers in the county that, in 2
	989	+	the immediately preceding calendar year, expanded to offer prekindergarten programs that 3
	990	+	are open for pupil attendance a minimum of 6.5 hours during each school day; 4
1050	991
1051		-	(3) Been accepted by an accredited college or university for enrollment in
1052		-	at least one course for credit toward a degree in early childhood education or A related field;
1053		-	AND
	992	+	(3) The Maryland EXCELS program quality rating level of each eligible 5
	993	+	prekindergarten provider in the county; 6
1054	994
1055		-	(4) COMMITTED TO WORK IN AN APPROVED CHILD CA RE SETTING
1056		-	FOR AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DETER MINED BY THE
1057		-	OFFICE AFTER COMPLETI NG THE COURSE OF STUDY UNDE R SUBSECTION (D)(2) OF
1058		-	THIS SECTION.
	995	+	(4) The participation rate of all county 3– and 4–year olds in eligible 7
	996	+	prekindergarten providers established or expanded in accordance with this subtitle, 8
	997	+	disaggregated by age and tier, if applicable; 9
1059	998
1060		-	(C) ~~TO CARRY OUT~~ THE ~~PURP OSE~~ OF THE ~~PROGRAM, AWARDS SHALL BE~~
1061		-	~~PRIORITIZED TO THE F OLLOWING APPLICANTS :~~
	999	+	(5) The number and proportion of eligible prekindergarten providers in the 10
	1000	+	county that are eligible private providers; 11
1062	1001
1063		-	(1) ~~AN APPLICANT WHO HAS NOT COMPLETED ANY CO LLEGE~~
1064		-	~~COURSES FOR CREDIT F ROM AN ACCREDITED CO LLEGE OR UNIVERSITY ;~~ AND ~~Ch. 165 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND~~
	1002	+	(6) A measure of school readiness in accordance with § 7–210 of this title; 12
	1003	+	and 13
1065	1004
1066		-	– 24 –
	1005	+	(7) A demonstration that the expansion of prekindergarten programs in 14
	1006	+	the county gave priority to: 15
1067	1007
1068		-	(2) AN APPLICANT WHO ATTE NDS OR HAS BEEN ACCE PTED BY AN
1069		-	ACCREDITED COLLEGE O R UNIVERSITY THAT OF FERS NATIVE LANGUAGE OR
1070		-	BILINGUAL COURSEWORK IN EARLY CHILDHOOD E DUCATION OR A RELATE D FIELD.
	1008	+	(i) Children in areas with limited or no access to quality child care, 16
	1009	+	regardless of family income; 17
1071	1010
1072		-	~~[(c)]~~ (D) ~~An award under this section may only be:~~
	1011	+	(ii) Tier I children; and 18
1073	1012
1074		-	(1) ~~Applied toward the cost~~ of:
	1013	+	(iii) Students with disabilities, regardless of family income. 19
1075	1014
1076		-	~~(i) Tuition and fees; or~~
	1015	+	[7–1A–09.] 7–1A–10. 7–1A–11. 20
1077	1016
1078		-	(ii) Textbooks required by a course in which the awardee is enrolled;
1079		-	and
	1017	+	The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. 21
1080	1018
1081		-	(2) Used by the awardee for the actual expense of college coursework
1082		-	incurred subsequent to an award toward the completion of:
	1019	+	9.5–903. 22
1083	1020
1084		-	(i) A college degree in early childhood education or a related field;
1085		-	or
	1021	+	(a) There is a Child Care Incentive Grant Program. 23
1086	1022
1087		-	(ii) Developmental coursework required to meet prerequisites for a
1088		-	degree program in early childhood education or a related field.
	1023	+	(b) The Office may award funding to a child care provider through the program 24
	1024	+	for the purpose of improving the child care provider’s quality of care through the purchase 25
	1025	+	of Office–approved: 26
1089	1026
1090		-	(E) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION ,
1091		-	IN ACCORDANCE WITH R EGULATIONS ADOPTED B Y THE DEPARTMENT , AN AWARD
1092		-	RECIPIENT SHALL REPA Y THE OFFICE THE FUNDS RECE IVED UNDER THIS SECT ION
1093		-	IF THE RECIPIENT DOE S NOT PERFORM THE SE RVICE OBLIGATION REQ UIRED
1094		-	UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(4) OF THIS SECTION.
	1027	+	(1) Materials; 27
1095	1028
1096		-	(2) THE OFFICE MAY WAIVE OR D EFER PAYMENT IF THE RECIPIENT
1097		-	PROVIDES TO THE OFFICE SATISFACTORY E VIDENCE OF EXTENUATI NG
1098		-	CIRCUMSTANCES , INCLUDING ILLNESS OR DISABILITY, THAT PREVENT THE
1099		-	RECIPIENT FROM FULFI LLING THE SERVICE OBLIGA TION REQUIRED UNDER
1100		-	SUBSECTION (B)(4) OF THIS SECTION.
	1029	+	(2) Equipment; or 28
1101	1030
1102		-	(F) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2026 THROUGH 2030, THE GOVERNOR
1103		-	SHALL APPROPRIATE FO R THE FUND AN AMOUNT THAT I S AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE
1104		-	AMOUNT APPROPRIATED IN THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR.
	1031	+	(3) Supplies. 29 HOUSE BILL 1441 23
1105	1032
1106		-	9.5–906.
1107	1033
1108		-	(a) The Office shall award a program that participates in the Maryland EXCELS
1109		-	Program a bonus:
1110	1034
1111		-	(1) On initial publication of a quality rating level 1, 2, 3, or 4; WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 165
	1035	+	(c) For each of fiscal years 2022 through [2030] 2032, funding for the program 1
	1036	+	shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year. 2
1112	1037
1113		-	– ~~25 –~~
	1038	+	9.5–904. 3
1114	1039
1115		-	(2) On each publication of a higher quality rating level after the initial
1116		-	publication;
	1040	+	(a) There is a Maryland Child Care Credential Program. 4
1117	1041
1118		-	(3) On initial publication of a quality rating level 5; and
	1042	+	(b) An individual may apply to the Office for a staff credential, including a child 5
	1043	+	development associate credential, or an administrator credential under this subsection. 6
1119	1044
1120		-	(4) Annually on renewal and republication of a quality rating level 5.
	1045	+	(c) If a person pursues, obtains, or already holds an Office–approved credential, 7
	1046	+	the Office may award to the individual: 8
1121	1047
1122		-	~~(b)~~ (1) ~~The Governor shall appropriate in fiscal year 2023 $5,000,000.~~
	1048	+	(1) An achievement bonus; 9
1123	1049
1124		-	(2) For each of fiscal years 2024 through [2028] 2030, funding for the
1125		-	program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year.
	1050	+	(2) A training reimbursement; or 10
1126	1051
1127		-	(3) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2029 AND 2030, THE GOVERNOR
1128		-	SHALL APPROPRIATE FO R THE PROGRAM AN AMO UNT THAT IS AT LEAST EQUAL TO
1129		-	THE AMOUNT APPROPRIAT ED IN THE PRIOR FISC AL YEAR.
	1052	+	(3) A training voucher. 11
1130	1053
1131		-	~~SECTION 2.~~ ~~AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act~~ shall ~~take effect July~~
1132		-	~~1, 2024~~.
	1054	+	(d) (1) The Governor shall appropriate $4,000,000 for the program for fiscal 12
	1055	+	year 2021. 13
1133	1056
1134		-	Approved by the Governor, April 25, 2024.
	1057	+	(2) For each of fiscal years 2022 through [2024] 2026, funding for the 14
	1058	+	program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year. 15
	1059	+
	1060	+	(3) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPROP RIATE 16
	1061	+	FOR THE PROGRAM AN A MOUNT THAT IS AT LEA ST EQUAL TO THE AMOU NT 17
	1062	+	APPROPRIATED IN FISC AL YEAR 2024. 18
	1063	+
	1064	+	(4) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2027 THROUGH 2030, THE 19
	1065	+	GOVERNOR SHALL APPROP RIATE FOR THE PROGRA M AN AMOUNT THAT IS AT LEAST 20
	1066	+	EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT APPROPRIATED IN THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR . 21
	1067	+
	1068	+	9.5–905. 22
	1069	+
	1070	+	(a) There is a Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund. 23
	1071	+
	1072	+	(b) The Office may award funding from the Fund to an individual who has: 24
	1073	+
	1074	+	(1) Obtained at least a level 2 in the Maryland Child Care Credential 25
	1075	+	Program under § 9.5–904 of this subtitle; 26
	1076	+
	1077	+	(2) Documented at least 1 year of experience working with groups of 27
	1078	+	children in an approved setting; [and] 28
	1079	+	24 HOUSE BILL 1441
	1080	+
	1081	+
	1082	+	(3) Been accepted by an accredited college or university for enrollment in 1
	1083	+	at least one course for credit toward a degree in early childhood education or A related field; 2
	1084	+	AND 3
	1085	+
	1086	+	(4) COMMITTED TO WORK IN AN APPROVED CHILD CA RE SETTING 4
	1087	+	FOR AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DETER MINED BY THE 5
	1088	+	OFFICE AFTER COMPLETI NG THE COURSE OF STU DY UNDER SUBSECTION (D)(2) OF 6
	1089	+	THIS SECTION. 7
	1090	+
	1091	+	(C) TO CARRY OUT THE PURP OSE OF THE PROGRAM, AWARDS SHALL BE 8
	1092	+	PRIORITIZED TO THE F OLLOWING APPLICANTS : 9
	1093	+
	1094	+	(1) AN APPLICANT WHO HAS NOT C OMPLETED ANY COLLEGE 10
	1095	+	COURSES FOR CREDIT F ROM AN ACCREDITED CO LLEGE OR UNIVERSITY ; AND 11
	1096	+
	1097	+	(2) AN APPLICANT WHO ATTE NDS OR HAS BEEN ACCE PTED BY AN 12
	1098	+	ACCREDITED COLLEGE O R UNIVERSITY THAT OF FERS NATIVE LANGUAGE OR 13
	1099	+	BILINGUAL COURSEWORK IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATI ON OR A RELATED FIEL D. 14
	1100	+
	1101	+	[(c)] (D) An award under this section may only be: 15
	1102	+
	1103	+	(1) Applied toward the cost of: 16
	1104	+
	1105	+	(i) Tuition and fees; or 17
	1106	+
	1107	+	(ii) Textbooks required by a course in which the awardee is enrolled; 18
	1108	+	and 19
	1109	+
	1110	+	(2) Used by the awardee for the actual expense of college coursework 20
	1111	+	incurred subsequent to an award toward the completion of: 21
	1112	+
	1113	+	(i) A college degree in early childhood education or a related field; 22
	1114	+	or 23
	1115	+
	1116	+	(ii) Developmental coursework required to meet prerequisites for a 24
	1117	+	degree program in early childhood education or a related field. 25
	1118	+
	1119	+	(E) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 26
	1120	+	IN ACCORDANCE WITH R EGULATIONS ADOPTED B Y THE DEPARTMENT , AN AWARD 27
	1121	+	RECIPIENT SHALL REPA Y THE OFFICE THE FUNDS RECE IVED UNDER THIS SECTION 28
	1122	+	IF THE RECIPIENT DOE S NOT PERFORM THE SE RVICE OBLIGATION REQ UIRED 29
	1123	+	UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(4) OF THIS SECTION. 30
	1124	+
	1125	+	(2) THE OFFICE MAY WAIVE OR D EFER PAYMENT IF THE RECIPIENT 31
	1126	+	PROVIDES TO THE OFFICE SATISFACTORY E VIDENCE OF EXTENUATI NG 32 HOUSE BILL 1441 25
	1127	+
	1128	+
	1129	+	CIRCUMSTA NCES, INCLUDING ILLNESS OR DISABILITY, THAT PREVENT THE 1
	1130	+	RECIPIENT FROM FULFI LLING THE SERVICE OB LIGATION REQUIRED UN DER 2
	1131	+	SUBSECTION (B)(4) OF THIS SECTION. 3
	1132	+
	1133	+	(F) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2026 THROUGH 2030, THE GOVERNOR 4
	1134	+	SHALL APPROPRIATE FO R THE FUND AN AMOU NT THAT IS AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE 5
	1135	+	AMOUNT APPROPRIATED IN THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR. 6
	1136	+
	1137	+	9.5–906. 7
	1138	+
	1139	+	(a) The Office shall award a program that participates in the Maryland EXCELS 8
	1140	+	Program a bonus: 9
	1141	+
	1142	+	(1) On initial publication of a quality rating level 1, 2, 3, or 4; 10
	1143	+
	1144	+	(2) On each publication of a higher quality rating level after the initial 11
	1145	+	publication; 12
	1146	+
	1147	+	(3) On initial publication of a quality rating level 5; and 13
	1148	+
	1149	+	(4) Annually on renewal and republication of a quality rating level 5. 14
	1150	+
	1151	+	(b) (1) The Governor shall appropriate in fiscal year 2023 $5,000,000. 15
	1152	+
	1153	+	(2) For each of fiscal years 2024 through [2028] 2030, funding for the 16
	1154	+	program shall increase by 10% over the prior fiscal year. 17
	1155	+
	1156	+	(3) FOR EACH OF FISCAL YE ARS 2029 AND 2030, THE GOVERNOR 18
	1157	+	SHALL APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROGRAM AN AMOUNT TH AT IS AT LEAST EQUAL TO 19
	1158	+	THE AMOUNT APPROPRIA TED IN THE PRIOR FIS CAL YEAR. 20
	1159	+
	1160	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 21
	1161	+	1, 2024. 22
	1162	+
	1163	+
	1164	+