MD
Maryland House Bill HB902

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB902 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 209
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 209
5-(House Bill 902)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ *hb0902*
89
9-Prekindergarten – Ulysses Currie Head Start Program – Eligibility for State
10-Funds
10+HOUSE BILL 902
11+F1 4lr2933
1112
12-FOR the purpose of authorizing a provider in the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program to
13-receive certain State funds under certain circumstances; exempting providers in the
14-Program from certain State requirements for eligible prekindergarten providers; and
15-generally relating to the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program.
13+By: Delegates Ghrist, Edelson, Harris, Smith, Solomon, and Wolek
14+Introduced and read first time: February 2, 2024
15+Assigned to: Appropriations
16+Committee Report: Favorable
17+House action: Adopted
18+Read second time: March 4, 2024
1619
17-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
18- Article – Education
19-Section 5–231 and 7–1A–04
20- Annotated Code of Maryland
21- (2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
20+CHAPTER ______
2221
23- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
24-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
22+AN ACT concerning 1
2523
26-Article – Education
24+Prekindergarten – Ulysses Currie Head Start Program – Eligibility for State 2
25+Funds 3
2726
28-5–231.
27+FOR the purpose of authorizing a provider in the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program to 4
28+receive certain State funds under certain circumstances; exempting providers in the 5
29+Program from certain State requirements for eligible prekindergarten providers; and 6
30+generally relating to the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program. 7
2931
30- (a) The Head Start Program in the State shall be referred to as the Ulysses Currie
31-Head Start Program.
32+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
33+ Article – Education 9
34+Section 5–231 and 7–1A–04 10
35+ Annotated Code of Maryland 11
36+ (2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 12
3237
33- (b) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual State budget an
34-appropriation of at least $3,000,000 for the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program.
38+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 13
39+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 14
3540
36- (C) A PROVIDER IN THE ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START PROGRAM IS
37-ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FULL STATE FUNDS UNDER § 5–229 OF THIS SUBTITLE EVEN
38-IF THE PROGRAM RECEIVES FEDE RAL FUNDS.
41+Article – Education 15
3942
40-7–1A–04.
43+5–231. 16
4144
42- (a) (1) Except as provided in [paragraph] PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) of this
43-subsection, all eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements that are
44-evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality,
45-including:
45+ (a) The Head Start Program in the State shall be referred to as the Ulysses Currie 17
46+Head Start Program. 18
47+ 2 HOUSE BILL 902
4648
47- (i) Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year:
48- Ch. 209 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
4949
50-– 2 –
51- 1. High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a
52-minimum, hold:
50+ (b) For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual State budget an 1
51+appropriation of at least $3,000,000 for the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program. 2
5352
54- A. State certification for teaching in early childhood
55-education; or
53+ (C) A PROVIDER IN THE ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START PROGRAM IS 3
54+ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FULL STATE FUNDS UNDER § 5–229 OF THIS SUBTITLE EVEN 4
55+IF THE PROGRAM RECEIVES FEDE RAL FUNDS. 5
5656
57- B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing
58-residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which
59-includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content
60-knowledge; and
57+7–1A–04. 6
6158
62- 2. Teaching assistants who have at least:
59+ (a) (1) Except as provided in [paragraph] PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) of this 7
60+subsection, all eligible prekindergarten providers shall include structural elements that are 8
61+evidence–based and nationally recognized as important for ensuring program quality, 9
62+including: 10
6363
64- A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or
64+ (i) Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year: 11
6565
66- B. An associate’s degree;
66+ 1. High staff qualifications, including teachers who, at a 12
67+minimum, hold: 13
6768
68- (ii) Professional development for all staff;
69+ A. State certification for teaching in early childhood 14
70+education; or 15
6971
70- (iii) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1
71-in each class;
72+ B. A bachelor’s degree in any field and are pursuing 16
73+residency through the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program, which 17
74+includes early childhood coursework, clinical practice, and evidence of pedagogical content 18
75+knowledge; and 19
7276
73- (iv) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom;
77+ 2. Teaching assistants who have at least: 20
7478
75- (v) A full–day prekindergarten program;
79+ A. A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate; or 21
7680
77- (vi) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full
78-participation in all program opportunities;
81+ B. An associate’s degree; 22
7982
80- (vii) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten,
81-learning environments that:
83+ (ii) Professional development for all staff; 23
8284
83- 1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development
84-Standards;
85+ (iii) A student–to–classroom personnel ratio of no more than 10 to 1 24
86+in each class; 25
8587
86- 2. Use evidence–based curricula; and
88+ (iv) Class sizes of no more than 20 students per classroom; 26
8789
88- 3. Use instruction methods that are:
90+ (v) A full–day prekindergarten program; 27
8991
90- A. Developmentally appropriate; and
92+ (vi) Inclusion of students with disabilities to ensure access to and full 28
93+participation in all program opportunities; 29
9194
92- B. Culturally and linguistically responsive;
95+ (vii) For at least 1 year before a student’s enrollment in kindergarten, 30
96+learning environments that: 31 HOUSE BILL 902 3
9397
94- (viii) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students;
95- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 209
9698
97-– 3 –
98- (ix) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to
99-the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county
100-in which the early learning program is located;
10199
102- (x) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement;
100+ 1. Are aligned with State Early Learning and Development 1
101+Standards; 2
103102
104- (xi) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students;
103+ 2. Use evidence–based curricula; and 3
105104
106- (xii) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive
107-services for families of students; and
105+ 3. Use instruction methods that are: 4
108106
109- (xiii) Evidence–based health and safety standards.
107+ A. Developmentally appropriate; and 5
110108
111- (2) An eligible prekindergarten provider that is a Montessori school or
112-Montessori program shall include all of the structural elements listed in paragraph (1) of
113-this subsection except the following:
109+ B. Culturally and linguistically responsive; 6
114110
115- (i) For staff qualifications, the eligible prekindergarten provider
116-shall employ teachers who:
111+ (viii) Individualized accommodations and supports for all students; 7
117112
118- 1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and
113+ (ix) Instructional staff salaries and benefits that are comparable to 8
114+the salaries and benefits of instructional staff employed by the county board of the county 9
115+in which the early learning program is located; 10
119116
120- 2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by:
117+ (x) Program evaluation to ensure continuous program improvement; 11
121118
122- A. The Association Montessori Internationale;
119+ (xi) On–site or accessible comprehensive services for students; 12
123120
124- B. The American Montessori Society; or
121+ (xii) Community partnerships that promote access to comprehensive 13
122+services for families of students; and 14
125123
126- C. A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation
127-Council for Teacher Education; and
124+ (xiii) Evidence–based health and safety standards. 15
128125
129- (ii) For the student –to–classroom personnel ratio, the
130-prekindergarten provider shall maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of:
126+ (2) An eligible prekindergarten provider that is a Montessori school or 16
127+Montessori program shall include all of the structural elements listed in paragraph (1) of 17
128+this subsection except the following: 18
131129
132- 1. No more than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per
133-classroom if all of the students are under the age of 5 years; and
130+ (i) For staff qualifications, the eligible prekindergarten provider 19
131+shall employ teachers who: 20
134132
135- 2. No more than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per
136-classroom if some of the students are at least 5 years old.
133+ 1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field; and 21
137134
138- (3) FOR AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDER IN THE
139-ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START PROGRAM UNDER § 5–231 OF THIS ARTICLE , IF A
140-STRUCTURAL ELEMENT L ISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION C ONFLICTS
141-WITH A FEDERAL REQUI REMENT FOR THE ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START
142-PROGRAM, A PREKINDERGARTEN PR OVIDER IN THE ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START Ch. 209 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
135+ 2. Hold a Montessori credential issued by: 22
143136
144-– 4 –
145-PROGRAM SHALL FOLLOW THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AN D IS EXEMPT FROM THE
146-CONFLICTING STRUCTUR AL ELEMENT.
137+ A. The Association Montessori Internationale; 23
147138
148- (b) In addition to the requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section, an
149-eligible prekindergarten provider shall:
139+ B. The American Montessori Society; or 24
150140
151- (1) If the provider is an eligible private provider, achieve a quality rating
152-level of 3 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly
153-available manner, determined by the Department;
141+ C. A program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation 25
142+Council for Teacher Education; and 26
154143
155- (2) If the provider is an eligible public provider, achieve a quality rating
156-level of 4 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly
157-available manner, determined by the Department;
144+ (ii) For the student –to–classroom personnel ratio, the 27
145+prekindergarten provider shall maintain a student–to–classroom personnel ratio of: 28 4 HOUSE BILL 902
158146
159- (3) Submit to the Department a plan to achieve a quality rating level 5 in
160-the Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten
161-provider;
162147
163- (4) Achieve in accordance with the plan a quality rating level 5 in the
164-Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten
165-provider and publish that quality rating in a publicly available manner, determined by the
166-Department; and
167148
168- (5) Except as otherwise provided in § 7–1A–07 of this subtitle, be open for
169-pupil attendance in accordance with § 7–103 of this title.
149+ 1. No more than 10 to 1, with a maximum of 20 students per 1
150+classroom if all of the students are under the age of 5 years; and 2
170151
171- (c) (1) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not engage in explicitly
172-religious activities during school hours.
152+ 2. No more than 14 to 1, with a maximum of 28 students per 3
153+classroom if some of the students are at least 5 years old. 4
173154
174- (2) If an eligible prekindergarten provider engages in an explicitly religious
175-activity, the activity shall be:
155+ (3) FOR AN ELIGIBLE PREKINDERGA RTEN PROVIDER IN THE 5
156+ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START PROGRAM UNDER § 5–231 OF THIS ARTICLE , IF A 6
157+STRUCTURAL ELEMENT L ISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION C ONFLICTS 7
158+WITH A FEDERAL REQUI REMENT FOR THE ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START 8
159+PROGRAM, A PREKINDERGARTEN PR OVIDER IN THE ULYSSES CURRIE HEAD START 9
160+PROGRAM SHALL FOLLOW THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AN D IS EXEMPT FROM THE 10
161+CONFLICTING STRUCTUR AL ELEMENT. 11
176162
177- (i) Separate in time and location from any instruction offered by the
178-eligible prekindergarten provider; and
163+ (b) In addition to the requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section, an 12
164+eligible prekindergarten provider shall: 13
179165
180- (ii) Voluntary.
166+ (1) If the provider is an eligible private provider, achieve a quality rating 14
167+level of 3 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly 15
168+available manner, determined by the Department; 16
181169
182- (3) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall make reasonable
183-efforts to make the areas where prekindergarten children spend time during school hours
184-as nonsectarian as possible.
170+ (2) If the provider is an eligible public provider, achieve a quality rating 17
171+level of 4 in the Maryland EXCELS program and publish that quality rating in a publicly 18
172+available manner, determined by the Department; 19
185173
186- (ii) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not be required to
187-adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with its religious or moral teachings.
174+ (3) Submit to the Department a plan to achieve a quality rating level 5 in 20
175+the Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten 21
176+provider; 22
188177
189- (4) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall comply with Title VI
190-of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title 20, Subtitle 6 of the State Government WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 209
178+ (4) Achieve in accordance with the plan a quality rating level 5 in the 23
179+Maryland EXCELS program within 5 years after becoming an eligible prekindergarten 24
180+provider and publish that quality rating in a publicly available manner, determined by the 25
181+Department; and 26
191182
192-– 5 –
193-Article, and not discriminate in student admissions, retention, or expulsion or otherwise
194-discriminate against any student or parent of a student on the basis of race, color, national
195-origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
183+ (5) Except as otherwise provided in § 7–1A–07 of this subtitle, be open for 27
184+pupil attendance in accordance with § 7–103 of this title. 28
196185
197- (ii) If a student has a disability, placement of the student shall be
198-based on where the student will be best served.
186+ (c) (1) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not engage in explicitly 29
187+religious activities during school hours. 30
199188
200- (iii) An eligible prekindergarten provider found to have violated the
201-nondiscrimination requirements under this section:
189+ (2) If an eligible prekindergarten provider engages in an explicitly religious 31
190+activity, the activity shall be: 32
202191
203- 1. May not continue to be an eligible prekindergarten
204-provider; and
192+ (i) Separate in time and location from any instruction offered by the 33
193+eligible prekindergarten provider; and 34 HOUSE BILL 902 5
205194
206- 2. Shall reimburse the Department all public funds provided
207-under this subtitle minus any amount received from the child care scholarship program.
208195
209- (5) Except as provided in § 7–305.1 of this title, an eligible prekindergarten
210-provider may not suspend or expel a child who is enrolled in a prekindergarten program.
211196
212- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
213-1, 2024.
197+ (ii) Voluntary. 1
214198
215-Approved by the Governor, April 25, 2024.
199+ (3) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall make reasonable 2
200+efforts to make the areas where prekindergarten children spend time during school hours 3
201+as nonsectarian as possible. 4
202+
203+ (ii) An eligible prekindergarten provider may not be required to 5
204+adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with its religious or moral teachings. 6
205+
206+ (4) (i) An eligible prekindergarten provider shall comply with Title VI 7
207+of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title 20, Subtitle 6 of the State Government 8
208+Article, and not discriminate in student admissions, retention, or expulsion or otherwise 9
209+discriminate against any student or parent of a student on the basis of race, color, national 10
210+origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. 11
211+
212+ (ii) If a student has a disability, placement of the student shall be 12
213+based on where the student will be best served. 13
214+
215+ (iii) An eligible prekindergarten provider found to have violated the 14
216+nondiscrimination requirements under this section: 15
217+
218+ 1. May not continue to be an eligible prekindergarten 16
219+provider; and 17
220+
221+ 2. Shall reimburse the Department all public funds provided 18
222+under this subtitle minus any amount received from the child care scholarship program. 19
223+
224+ (5) Except as provided in § 7–305.1 of this title, an eligible prekindergarten 20
225+provider may not suspend or expel a child who is enrolled in a prekindergarten program. 21
226+
227+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 22
228+1, 2024. 23
229+
230+
231+
232+Approved:
233+________________________________________________________________________________
234+ Governor.
235+________________________________________________________________________________
236+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.
237+________________________________________________________________________________
238+ President of the Senate.