EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0504*
HOUSE BILL 504
F1 5lr0455
CF SB 429
By: The Speaker (By Request – Administration) and Delegates Hornberger,
McComas, and Tomlinson
Introduced and read first time: January 22, 2025
Assigned to: Appropriations and Ways and Means
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act 2
FOR the purpose of repealing certain provisions of law relating to the Interstate Agreement 3
on Qualifications of Educational Personnel; altering the definitions of target per 4
pupil foundation amount, collaborative time per pupil amount, and special education 5
per pupil amount for certain fiscal years; altering the source of funds for the 6
Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund to include the interest earnings of the 7
Academic Excellence Fund; freezing certain increases in the Concentration of 8
Poverty School Grant Program for certain fiscal years, authorizing certain county 9
boards of education to spend Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program grants 10
on behalf of certain schools subject to certain criteria, and requiring the State 11
Department of Education to conduct a certain evaluation of the Concentration of 12
Poverty School Grant Program; establishing the Collaborative Time Innovation 13
Demonstration Grant in the Department; modifying the school leadership training 14
program; authorizing the Department to establish a national teacher recruitment 15
campaign for certain years; establishing the Maryland Teacher Relocation Incentive 16
Grant in the Department; delaying the phase–in of the minimum percentage of time 17
that teachers on a certain career ladder must teach in a classroom beginning on a 18
certain date; altering the definition of wraparound services to include additional 19
services provided by community schools; authorizing a certain office in the 20
Department to hire staff to support the Director of Community Schools; altering the 21
requirements of an implementation plan for community schools; requiring local 22
school systems to develop certain countywide community school implementation 23
plans; establishing the Academic Excellence Program and the Academic Excellence 24
Fund in the Department; altering the purpose and eligibility criteria of the Grow 25
Your Own Educators Grant Program and altering the distribution and use of Grow 26
Your Own Educators Grant Program grants; requiring the Department to consult 27
with a certain entity to support the development and implementation of 28
grow–your–own programs; altering certain plans and requirements that a certain 29
collaborative must develop or provide; prohibiting a local school system from 30 2 HOUSE BILL 504
reducing the compensation of certain teacher candidates; providing that certain 1
provisions of law regarding the issuance of an initial teaching certificate do not apply 2
to certain teachers under certain circumstances; entering into the Interstate Teacher 3
Mobility Compact for the purpose of authorizing regulated teachers who hold 4
multistate licenses to teach in each member state; establishing requirements for 5
multistate licensure; establishing the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact 6
Commission and its powers and duties; providing for the withdrawal from the 7
Compact; requiring the Department to contract with an independent entity to 8
conduct a certain study of funding special education by a certain date; and generally 9
relating to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. 10
BY repealing 11
Article – Education 12
Section 6–601 through 6–604 and the subtitle “Subtitle 6. Interstate Agreement on 13
Qualifications of Educational Personnel” 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 17
Article – Education 18
Section 5–201(a), 5–206(a), 6–1002(a)(1), and 18–27A–05 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 22
Article – Education 23
Section 5–201(s), 5–206(f), 5–213, 5–223, 5–225, 6–124, 6–126, 6–1002(h), 9.9–101 24
through 9.9–104, 18–27A–01 through 18–27A–04, and 18–27A–06 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 27
BY adding to 28
Article – Education 29
Section 6–123.1, 6–130, and 6–131; 6–601 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 6. 30
Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact”; and 9.12–101 through 9.12–104 to be 31
under the new title “Title 9.12. Academic Excellence Program” 32
Annotated Code of Maryland 33
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 34
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 35
Article – State Finance and Procurement 36
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 37
Annotated Code of Maryland 38
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 39
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 40
Article – State Finance and Procurement 41 HOUSE BILL 504 3
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)204. and 205. 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3
BY adding to 4
Article – State Finance and Procurement 5
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)206. 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 8
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 9
That Section(s) 6–601 through 6–604 and the subtitle “Subtitle 6. Interstate Agreement on 10
Qualifications of Educational Personnel” of Article – Education of the Annotated Code of 11
Maryland be repealed. 12
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 13
as follows: 14
Article – Education 15
5–201. 16
(a) In this subtitle, except as otherwise provided, the following words have the 17
meanings indicated. 18
(s) “Target per pupil foundation amount” means: 19
(1) For fiscal year 2022, $7,991; 20
(2) For fiscal year 2023, $8,310; 21
(3) For fiscal year 2024, $8,642; 22
(4) For fiscal year 2025, $8,789; 23
(5) For fiscal year 2026, [$9,226] $9,063; 24
(6) For fiscal year 2027, [$9,732] $9,398; 25
(7) For fiscal year 2028, [$10,138] $9,626; 26
(8) For fiscal year 2029, [$10,564] $9,866; 27
(9) For fiscal year 2030, [$11,004] $10,276; 28
(10) For fiscal year 2031, [$11,442] $10,683; 29 4 HOUSE BILL 504
(11) For fiscal year 2032, [$11,898] $11,104; 1
(12) For fiscal year 2033, [$12,365] $11,536; [and] 2
(13) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2034, $11,946; 3
(14) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2035, $12,369; 4
(15) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2036, $12,808; 5
(16) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2037, $13,259; AND 6
[(13)] (17) For subsequent fiscal years, the target per pupil foundation 7
amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded to the 8
nearest whole dollar. 9
5–206. 10
(a) In this section, “Fund” means the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. 11
(f) The Fund consists of: 12
(1) Revenue distributed to the Fund under Title 9, Subtitles 1D and 1E of 13
the State Government Article and §§ 2–4A–02, 2–605.1, and 2–1303 of the Tax – General 14
Article; 15
(2) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund; 16
(3) INTEREST EARNED BY TH E ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND 17
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9.12–103 OF THIS ARTICLE; and 18
[(3)] (4) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit 19
of the Fund. 20
5–213. 21
(a) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share of the foundation 22
program to each county board. 23
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, each fiscal year, 24
the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for 25
the foundation program calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle. 26
(c) (1) Each county board shall distribute to the local workforce development 27
board for the county the following amount multiplied by the enrollment count in the county: 28 HOUSE BILL 504 5
(i) For fiscal year 2024, $62; and 1
(ii) For each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the prior fiscal year 2
amount increased by the inflation adjustment. 3
(2) The funds distributed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be 4
used to support the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students 5
established under § 7–126 of this article that is provided collaboratively by the workforce 6
development board, the school, any other relevant State or local agencies, and employers. 7
(3) On or before June 30, 2024, and in each of the next 2 fiscal years, the 8
local workforce development board, in collaboration with the county board and any other 9
relevant State or local agencies, shall report to the Accountability and Implementation 10
Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title on the use of the funds and the impact of 11
the funds on providing career counseling. 12
(d) (1) In this subsection, “collaborative time per pupil amount” means: 13
(i) For fiscal year [2026] 2030, $163; 14
(ii) For fiscal year [2027] 2031, $334; 15
(iii) For fiscal year [2028] 2032, $512; 16
(iv) For fiscal year [2029] 2033, $698; 17
(v) For fiscal year [2030] 2034, $891; 18
(vi) For fiscal year [2031] 2035, $1,093; 19
(vii) For fiscal year [2032] 2036, $1,306; 20
(viii) For fiscal year [2033] 2037, $1,527; and 21
(ix) For each fiscal year thereafter, the collaborative time per pupil 22
amount in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment. 23
(2) The collaborative time per pupil amount multiplied by the enrollment 24
count in each county shall be distributed to and expended by schools in each county in 25
accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article and the county’s collaborative time 26
implementation plan approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board. 27
5–223. 28
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 29 6 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) “Community school” means a community school under Title 9.9 of this 1
article. 2
(3) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, 3
“concentration of poverty level” means the average percentage of eligible students of the 4
school’s enrollment for the 3 prior school years rounded to the nearest whole percent. 5
(ii) If the 3 prior school years includes the 2020–2021 school year, 6
“concentration of poverty level” means: 7
1. The sum of the percentage of eligible students of the 8
school’s enrollment for the 4 prior school years minus the 2020–2021 school year percentage 9
of eligible students; divided by 10
2. Three; and 11
3. Rounded to the nearest whole percent. 12
(4) (i) “Eligible school” means: 13
1. For the personnel grant, a public school, including a public 14
charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of: 15
A. For fiscal year 2020, at least 80%; 16
B. For fiscal year 2021, at least 75%; 17
C. For fiscal year 2022, at least 70%; 18
D. For fiscal year 2023, at least 65%; 19
E. For fiscal year 2024, at least 60%; and 20
F. For fiscal year 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, at 21
least 55%; and 22
2. For the per pupil grant, a public school, including a public 23
charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of: 24
A. For fiscal year 2022, at least 80%; 25
B. For fiscal year 2023, at least 75%; 26
C. For fiscal year 2024, at least 70%; 27
D. For fiscal year 2025, at least 65%; 28 HOUSE BILL 504 7
E. For fiscal year 2026, at least 60%; and 1
F. For fiscal year 2027, and each fiscal year thereafter, at 2
least 55%. 3
(ii) “Eligible school” includes an alternative option program in the 4
local school system if the students in the program are not included in the count of eligible 5
students for another program or school to determine eligibility for the concentration of 6
poverty grant. 7
(iii) “Eligible school” does not include a school that is eligible to 8
receive funding under this section but has closed. 9
(5) “Eligible student” means the compensatory education enrollment as 10
defined in § 5–222 of this subtitle in the second prior fiscal year rounded to the nearest 11
whole number. 12
(6) “Locally funded county” means a county board that receives a 13
compensatory education State share under § 5–221(c)(1)(ii) of this subtitle. 14
(7) “Needs assessment” means the assessment completed under § 9.9–104 15
of this article. 16
(8) “Per pupil grant amount” means, for all eligible schools in the county, 17
the per pupil amount for each eligible school calculated under subsection (d) of this section 18
multiplied by the number of eligible students in the school. 19
(9) “Per pupil maximum amount” means: 20
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $3,374.48; and 21
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 22
increased by the inflation adjustment. 23
(10) “Program” means the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program 24
established under this section. 25
(11) “Sliding scale adjustment factor” means: 26
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $7,422.33; and 27
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 28
increased by the inflation adjustment. 29
(12) “Sliding scale upper limit” means: 30
8 HOUSE BILL 504
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $13,495.15; and 1
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 2
increased by the inflation adjustment. 3
(13) “State funded county” means a county that is not a locally funded 4
county. 5
(14) “Wraparound services” includes the wraparound services defined under 6
§ 9.9–101 of this article. 7
(b) (1) There is a Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in the State. 8
(2) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to eligible schools with 9
a high concentration of eligible students. 10
(3) The Program consists of the: 11
(i) Personnel grant; and 12
(ii) Per pupil grant. 13
(c) (1) (i) [1.] For fiscal year 2022, the State shall distribute a personnel 14
grant to each county board equal to $248,833 for each eligible school in the county. 15
[2.] (II) In each subsequent fiscal year, the personnel grant 16
equals the personnel grant in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment. 17
[(ii)] (III) Except as provided in [subparagraph (iii) of this 18
paragraph] SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION , each county board shall distribute 19
directly to each eligible school the amount provided under paragraph (1)(i) AND (II) of this 20
subsection. 21
[(iii) 1. Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this 22
subparagraph, if a local school system has at least 40 eligible schools, the county board 23
may, on behalf of eligible schools, expend no more than 50% of the funds distributed by the 24
State under this paragraph, provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the 25
eligible schools that ensures that the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (8) of this 26
subsection are met and the plan is submitted to the Accountability and Implementation 27
Board in accordance with § 5–402 of this title. 28
2. Subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph does not apply 29
to a public charter school unless the public charter school chooses to participate in the 30
plan.] 31
HOUSE BILL 504 9
(2) (i) Each eligible school shall employ one community school 1
coordinator staff position in the eligible school. 2
(ii) 1. Each eligible school shall provide full–time coverage by at 3
least one professional health care practitioner during school hours, including any extended 4
learning time, who is a licensed physician, a licensed physician’s assistant, or a licensed 5
registered nurse, practicing within the scope of the health care practitioner’s license. 6
2. A health care practitioner providing coverage under this 7
subparagraph may work under a school health services program, a county health 8
department, or a school–based health center. 9
3. This subparagraph may not be construed to: 10
A. Require that an eligible school hire a full–time health care 11
practitioner staff position; or 12
B. Preclude the hiring of any other health care practitioners 13
that meet the needs of the students. 14
(3) Each eligible school shall use the personnel grant to fund the 15
requirements under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 16
(4) If the personnel grant provided to an eligible school exceeds the cost to 17
employ the positions and provide the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this 18
subsection, the eligible school may only use the excess funds to: 19
(i) Provide wraparound services to the students enrolled in the 20
eligible school; 21
(ii) Complete the needs assessment; and 22
(iii) In fiscal years 2021 through 2025, provide the requirements 23
under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, including 13A.04.16.01. 24
(5) (i) If an eligible school, prior to receiving a personnel grant, employs 25
an individual in a position or has the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this 26
subsection, at least the same amount of funds shall be provided to the eligible school to be 27
used for those positions or coverage after receiving a personnel grant. 28
(ii) If an eligible school satisfies subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, 29
then the school shall use the personnel grant in accordance with paragraph (4) of this 30
subsection. 31
(6) The community school coordinator shall be subject to the requirements 32
under § 9.9–104 of this article. 33
10 HOUSE BILL 504
(7) A county that provides a school nurse, school health services, or 1
community school services from funds outside of those made in the fiscal year 2019 local 2
appropriation to the county board shall continue to provide at least the same resources to 3
an eligible school through fiscal year 2030. 4
(8) If an eligible school becomes ineligible, the school shall remain entitled 5
to the personnel grant for two school years after the school loses eligibility but may not 6
receive the per pupil grant. 7
(9) The personnel and per pupil grant may be used through fiscal year 2027 8
to provide the programs required under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, including 9
13A.04.16.01. 10
(d) (1) (i) 1. Eligible schools with a concentration of poverty level of at 11
least 80% shall receive a per pupil grant beginning in fiscal year 2022. 12
2. All other eligible schools shall receive the per pupil grant 13
1 year after becoming eligible and on completion of the needs assessment required under § 14
9.9–104 of this article. 15
(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, each 16
eligible school shall receive a per pupil grant each fiscal year equal to the product of the 17
total number of eligible students in the school and the per pupil amount based on the sliding 18
scale under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 19
(2) (i) The sliding scale per pupil amount shall be calculated as 20
provided in this paragraph. 21
(ii) For schools with a concentration of poverty level less than or 22
equal to 55%, the per pupil amount is $0. 23
(iii) For schools with a concentration of poverty level greater than 24
55% but less than 80%, the per pupil amount is equal to the product of the concentration of 25
poverty level and the sliding scale upper limit minus the sliding scale adjustment factor. 26
(iv) For schools with a concentration of poverty level equal to or 27
greater than 80% the per pupil amount is the maximum per pupil amount. 28
(3) Except as provided in paragraph [(4)] (5) of this subsection, each 29
eligible school shall receive the following proportion of the per pupil grant calculated under 30
paragraph (2) of this subsection rounded to the nearest whole dollar: 31
(i) For the 1st year of eligibility, 16%; 32
(ii) For the 2nd year of eligibility, 32%; 33
(iii) For the 3rd year of eligibility, 37%; 34 HOUSE BILL 504 11
(iv) For the 4th year of eligibility, 55%; 1
(v) For the 5th year of eligibility, 66%; 2
(vi) For the 6th year of eligibility, 75%; and 3
(vii) For the 7th year of eligibility and each year of eligibility 4
thereafter, 100%. 5
(4) (I) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2027 AND 2028, INCREASES IN THE 6
PROPORTION OF THE PE R PUPIL AMOUNT FOR EACH ELIGIBLE SCHOOL 7
CALCULATED UNDER PAR AGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL PAUSE AT THE 8
PROPORTION ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS RECEIVED IN FISCAL YEAR 2026. 9
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2029, THE INCREASES IN THE 10
PROPORTION OF THE PE R PUPIL AMOUNT FOR E ACH ELIGIBLE SCHOOL SHALL 11
RESUME BASED ON THE AMOUNT THE ELIGIBLE SCHOOL WOULD HAVE RE CEIVED IN 12
FISCAL YEAR 2027 AS CALCULATED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 13
[(4)] (5) Beginning in fiscal year [2030] 2032, each eligible school shall 14
receive 100% of the per pupil grant calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection 15
rounded to the nearest whole dollar. 16
(e) (1) For a locally funded county each fiscal year, the State shall distribute 17
the State share of the per pupil grant amount to each county board. 18
(2) For a State funded county: 19
(i) The State shall distribute 100% of the per pupil grant amount to 20
each county board; and 21
(ii) There is no local share of the per pupil grant amount. 22
(3) Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the 23
minimum school funding amount for the per pupil grant amount calculated under § 5–234 24
of this subtitle. 25
(f) (1) [Each] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS 26
SECTION, EACH eligible school shall use the per pupil grant to provide wraparound 27
services and other programs and services identified in the eligible school’s needs 28
assessment plan. 29
(2) [(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if a 30
local school system has at least 40 eligible schools, the county board may, on behalf of the 31
eligible schools, expend no more than 50% of the funds distributed for the per pupil grant, 32 12 HOUSE BILL 504
provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the eligible schools that ensures that 1
the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection are met and the plan is submitted to 2
the Accountability and Implementation Board under § 5–402 of this title. 3
(ii) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not apply to a public 4
charter school unless the public charter school chooses to participate in the plan. 5
(3)] A local school system may request flexibility in distributing funds 6
through [the Accountability and Implementation Board appeal process under § 5–406 of 7
this title] AN APPEALS PROCESS ESTABLIS HED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 8
(g) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IF 9
A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTE M HAS AT LEAST 2 ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS : 10
(I) THE COUNTY BOARD MAY , ON BEHALF OF THE ELI GIBLE 11
SCHOOLS, EXPEND NO MORE THAN 50% OF THE FUNDS DISTRIB UTED FOR THE 12
PROGRAM, PROVIDED THAT A PLAN IS DEVELOPED IN CONS ULTATION WITH THE 13
ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS THA T ENSURES THAT THE R EQUIREMENTS OF SUBSE CTIONS 14
(C)(2) THROUGH (8) AND (F)(1) OF THIS SECTION ARE MET AND THE PLAN , 15
CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN TITLE 9.9 OF THIS ARTICLE , IS 16
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT ; AND 17
(II) THE COUNTY BOARD MAY EXPEND A PORTION OF THE 18
FUNDS DISTRIBUTED FO R THE PROGRAM ON CENTRAL AD MINISTRATIVE COSTS , 19
INCLUDING TO: 20
1. PROVIDE CENTRAL SUPPO RT TO EFFECTI VELY 21
MANAGE PROGRAM FUNDS ; 22
2. ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH OUTSIDE SERVICE 23
PROVIDERS THAT SUPPO RT AT LEAST 2 ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS ; 24
3. COORDINATE SPENDING O N BEHALF OF ELIGIBLE 25
SCHOOLS UNDER SUBPAR AGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ; AND 26
4. ANY OTHER ADMIN ISTRATIVE COST AS DE FINED BY 27
THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH RE GULATION. 28
(2) PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION D OES NOT APPLY TO A 29
PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOO L UNLESS THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL CHOOS ES TO 30
PARTICIPATE IN THE P LAN. 31
(3) (I) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES AND 32
PROCEDURES TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBSECTION . 33 HOUSE BILL 504 13
(II) BY JULY 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T 1
REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBSECTION . 2
(H) On or before October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department 3
shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of 4
Legislative Services the percentage and number of students at each school eligible for free 5
or reduced price meals in the prior school year and each public school’s eligibility for a grant 6
under this program in the upcoming fiscal year. 7
[(h)] (I) (1) On or before August 15, 2025, and each August 15 thereafter, 8
each community school coordinator of an eligible school shall submit to the Department 9
[and the Accountability and Implementation Board] an evaluation that provides for the 10
immediately preceding school year for the community school coordinator’s eligible school: 11
(i) How funds provided under this section were allocated at the 12
beginning of the school year compared to how the funds were actually used; 13
(ii) The numbers of: 14
1. Students identified as needing wraparound services; 15
2. Students and families provided with wraparound services, 16
categorized by the type of service as described under § 9.9–101 of this article; and 17
3. Families, organizations, and community members who 18
volunteered at the eligible school; 19
(iii) The rates of: 20
1. Chronic absenteeism; and 21
2. Student disciplinary action; and 22
(iv) Strategies for reducing the rate of chronic absenteeism identified 23
under item (iii) of this paragraph. 24
(2) Each community school coordinator shall use the evaluation form 25
developed by the Director of Community Schools under § 9.9–103 of this article. 26
(3) The Department [and the Accountability and Implementation Board] 27
shall: 28
(i) [Make] TRANSMIT THE FINAL RE PORT TO THE 29
ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD AND MAKE publicly available each 30
evaluation submitted under this subsection; and 31 14 HOUSE BILL 504
(ii) On or before December 1, 2024, jointly submit a report to the 1
General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on 2
possible methods for ensuring that funds provided under this section are used 3
appropriately and effectively. 4
(4) (I) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT 5
SHALL CONDUCT A STATEWIDE EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM. 6
(II) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TRAN SMIT THE FINAL REPOR T TO 7
THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD AND MAKE THE RE PORT 8
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE . 9
5–225. 10
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 11
(2) (i) “Special education enrollment” means the number of students 12
enrolled in a public school in the prior fiscal year who required special education services 13
as defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 14
(ii) “Special education enrollment” includes special education 15
students enrolled in a publicly funded prekindergarten program under Title 7, Subtitle 1A 16
of this article. 17
(iii) “Special education enrollment” does not include students who are 18
enrolled in or attend: 19
1. The Maryland School for the Blind; 20
2. The Maryland School for the Deaf; or 21
3. An educational program operated by the State. 22
(3) (I) [“Special] FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022 THROUGH 2025, 23
“SPECIAL education per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per 24
pupil foundation amount: 25
[(i)] 1. For fiscal year 2022, 86%; 26
[(ii)] 2. For fiscal year 2023, 86%; 27
[(iii)] 3. For fiscal year 2024, 92%; AND 28
[(iv)] 4. For fiscal year 2025, 99%[;]. 29
HOUSE BILL 504 15
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2026, “SPECIAL EDUCATION 1
PER PUPIL AMOUNT ” MEANS THE FOLLOWING : 2
[(v)] 1. For fiscal year 2026, [103%] $9,503; 3
[(vi)] 2. For fiscal year 2027, [112%] $10,900; 4
[(vii)] 3. For fiscal year 2028, [122%] $12,368; 5
[(viii)] 4. For fiscal year 2029, [136%] $14,367; 6
[(ix)] 5. For fiscal year 2030, [153%] $16,836; 7
[(x)] 6. For fiscal year 2031, [151%] $17,277; 8
[(xi)] 7. For fiscal year 2032, [148%] $17,609; [and] 9
[(xii)] 8. For fiscal year 2033 [and each fiscal year thereafter, 10
146%], $18,424; AND 11
9. FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE SPECIAL 12
EDUCATION PER PUPIL AMOUNT FOR THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR INCREASE D BY THE 13
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT ROUNDED TO THE NEARE ST WHOLE DOLLAR . 14
(b) Each school shall use the funds provided under this section to provide the 15
services required by each student’s individualized education program or 504 plans. 16
(c) (1) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for special 17
education to each county board. 18
(2) Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school or 19
publicly funded prekindergarten program the minimum school funding amount for special 20
education calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle. 21
6–123.1. 22
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GRANT” MEANS THE COLLABORATIVE TIME 23
INNOVATION DEMONSTRATION GRANT. 24
(B) (1) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026 THROUGH 2029, THERE IS A 25
COLLABORATIVE TIME INNOVATION DEMONSTRATION GRANT. 26
(2) (I) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO PROVIDE F UNDS TO 27
ESTABLISH INNOVATIVE MODELS THAT CAN B E REPLICATED FOR TEA CHER 28 16 HOUSE BILL 504
COLLABORATION AT THE SCHOOL OR LOCAL SCHO OL SYSTEM LEVEL THAT IMPROVE 1
TEACHER RETENTION AN D STUDENT LEARNING . 2
(II) INNOVATIVE MODELS MAY INCLUDE ELEMENTS , IN WHOLE 3
OR IN PART, OF THE FOLLOWING : 4
1. A TEAM–BASED, EXPERT–LED STRUCTURE IN WHICH 5
EDUCATORS SHARE THE WORK OF PLANNING FOR INSTRUCTION AND THE 6
PROVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORTS, EDUCATING, AND SUPPORTING STUDE NTS; 7
2. REDUCED WORKLOADS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO 8
LEARN AND PRACTICE F OR NEW TEACHERS , TEACHERS IN LOW –PERFORMIN G 9
SCHOOLS, AND TEACHERS IN SCHO OLS RECEIVING THE CO NCENTRATION OF 10
POVERTY GRANT , GRADUALLY INCREASING TO FULL TEACHING RES PONSIBILITIES; 11
3. MODIFIED TEACHING SCH EDULES THAT ALLOW TI ME 12
FOR REFLECTION , COLLABORATION , AND STUDENT CONNECTI ONS; 13
4. MEANINGFUL LEADERSHIP O PPORTUNITIES FOR 14
EFFECTIVE, EXPERIENCED TEACHERS TO GROW IN THEIR CAR EERS, EXTEND THEIR 15
IMPACT, AND INCREASE THEIR C OMPENSATION IN ALIGN MENT WITH THE CAREER 16
LADDER; OR 17
5. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES AN D STAFFING PLANS THA T 18
ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTI ONAL TIME OR SMALLER GROUP SETTINGS FOR 19
STUDENTS WHO NEED IT MOST. 20
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE GRANT. 21
(4) ALLOWABLE USES OF GRANT FUNDS INCLUDE : 22
(I) COMPENSATION FOR ADDI TIONAL STAFF TO SUPP ORT 23
TEACHER RELEASE TIME ; 24
(II) PLANNING RELATED TO A NEW MASTER SCHEDULE AND 25
TEACHER STAFFING ASS IGNMENTS; 26
(III) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPM ENT; 27
(IV) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM AN APPROVED VEN DOR; 28
(V) COSTS INVOLVED WITH I NCREASED INTERACTION S 29
BETWEEN TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO BENEFIT STUDENTS ; AND 30 HOUSE BILL 504 17
(VI) ANY OTHER USE APPROVE D BY THE DEPARTMENT . 1
(C) (1) (I) A COUNTY BOARD MAY SUB MIT A PROPOSAL TO TH E 2
DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE A GRANT TO ESTABLISH AN INNOVATIVE MODEL THAT 3
FURTHERS THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. 4
(II) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, AN APPLICATION MUST BE 5
SUBMITTED WITH A COS IGNED AGREEMENT FROM THE COUNTY BOARD ’S LOCAL 6
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIO N AS DEFINED UNDER § 6–401 OF THIS TITLE. 7
(III) ONLY APPLICATIONS FOR NEW PROGRAMS NOT ALR EADY IN 8
PLACE AT THE SCHOOL OR SYSTEM LEVEL ARE ELIGIBLE T O RECEIVE FUNDS . 9
(2) AN APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE: 10
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE P ROPOSED INNOVATIVE M ODEL; 11
(II) A FINANCIAL PLAN THAT DETAILS THE ESTIMATE D TOTAL 12
COST, INCLUDING ANY ONE –TIME COSTS, OF IMPLEMENTING THE PRO POSED 13
INNOVATIVE MODEL ; 14
(III) A DESCRIPTION OF THE G OALS AND METRICS USE D TO 15
EVALUATE THE EFFICAC Y OF THE GRANT AND I NNOVATIVE MODEL ; AND 16
(IV) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE 17
DEPARTMENT . 18
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PROCESSES AND 19
PROCEDURES FOR ACCEP TING AND EVALUATING APPLICATIONS. 20
(4) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE PLANNING GRANTS BEFO RE 21
AWARDING DEMONSTRATI ON GRANTS. 22
(5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE, TO THE EXTENT 23
PRACTICABLE , DIVERSITY AMONG THE GRANTEES FOR THE FOLLOWING 24
CATEGORIES: 25
(I) GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION I N THE STATE; 26
(II) SIZE OF THE SCHOOL AN D LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTE M; AND 27
18 HOUSE BILL 504
(III) SCHOOL GRADE BAND TO INCLUDE A MIX OF ELE MENTARY, 1
MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS . 2
(6) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMEN T SHALL MAKE 3
INITIAL GRANT AWARDS . 4
(7) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COND UCT AN EVALUATION OF EACH 5
GRANT AWARD TO DETER MINE WHETHER TO RECO MMEND THAT ONE OR MU LTIPLE 6
INNOVATIVE MODELS BE CONSIDERED AS A BEST PRACTICE TO BE REPLI CATED. 7
(D) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 8
SUBMIT AN INTERIM RE PORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9
2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON 10
THE IMPLEMENTATION O F THE GRANT AWARDS A ND WHICH INNOVATIVE MODELS 11
HAVE DEMONSTRATED T HE MOST SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING THE 12
PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. 13
(2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2029, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 14
SUBMIT A FINAL REPOR T TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 15
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY O N THE 16
IMPLEMENTATION OF TH E GRANT AWARDS . 17
6–124. 18
(a) (1) The Department shall establish, in collaboration with the 19
Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of this article, a school 20
leadership training program for the State Superintendent, county superintendents, senior 21
instruction–related staff, members of the Accountability and Implementation Board, 22
members of the State Board, members of county boards, and school [principals] LEADERS. 23
(2) THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM CON SISTS OF TWO 24
COMPONENTS : 25
(I) THE SCHOOL SYSTEM LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM; 26
AND 27
(II) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY . 28
[(2) (i)] (B) (1) The following individuals shall complete the school 29
SYSTEM leadership training program: 30
[1.] (I) The State Superintendent; 31
[2.] (II) A county superintendent; and 32 HOUSE BILL 504 19
[3.] (III) The chair and vice chair of the State Board, a county 1
board, and the Accountability and Implementation Board. 2
[(ii) The individuals described in paragraph (1) of this subsection not 3
required to complete the training under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph are, to the 4
extent practicable, encouraged to complete the school leadership training program.] 5
[(b)] (2) The school SYSTEM leadership training program shall BE: 6
[(1) Be:] 7
(i) For a duration of 12 months; 8
(ii) Cohort–based to encourage collaboration and shared learning, 9
including through regional gatherings of education leaders and other meetings when 10
appropriate; 11
(iii) To the extent practicable, job–embedded to allow for application 12
of knowledge and techniques; 13
(iv) Tailored to program participants using self–diagnostics and 14
school–level diagnostics; 15
(v) Evidence–based in accordance with the guidelines for the federal 16
Every Student Succeeds Act; [and] 17
(vi) Provided through both in–person and virtual sessions; and 18
[(2)] (VII) Include training on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, as 19
defined in § 5–401 of this article. 20
[(c)] (3) The school SYSTEM leadership training program shall include: 21
[(1)] (I) A review of education in the United States relative to countries 22
with top performing education systems and the implications of high performance for 23
students, the economic security of the United States, and quality of life; 24
[(2)] (II) A model for strategic thinking that will assist education leaders 25
to transform districts and redesign schools under their leadership; 26
[(3)] (III) Training to provide a working knowledge of research on how 27
students learn and the implications for instructional redesign, curriculum plans, and 28
professional learning; 29
20 HOUSE BILL 504
[(4)] (IV) A research–based model for coaching school leaders and 1
instructional coaches; 2
[(5)] (V) A review of research regarding: 3
[(i)] 1. The benefits to students from access to high–quality and 4
diverse teachers; 5
[(ii)] 2. Methods to attract highly qualified teachers from diverse 6
backgrounds who reflect the demographics of the students they teach; and 7
[(iii)] 3. Best practices for teacher retention, including retention of 8
teachers from diverse backgrounds; 9
[(6)] (VI) Lessons in transformational leadership; 10
[(7)] (VII) A method for organizing schools to achieve high performance, 11
including: 12
[(i)] 1. Building instructional leadership teams; 13
[(ii)] 2. Implementing career ladders for teachers; 14
[(iii)] 3. Overseeing teacher induction and mentoring systems; and 15
[(iv)] 4. Identifying, recruiting, and retaining high–quality and 16
diverse school leaders; 17
[(8)] (VIII) Training to provide a deep understanding of standards–aligned 18
instructional systems; 19
[(9)] (IX) An overview of ethical leadership directly tied to the educational 20
leaders’ responsibility to drive equitable learning in their schools; and 21
[(10)] (X) A review of research regarding methods to attract and retain an 22
inclusive workforce. 23
(C) (1) (I) THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL S MAY COMPLETE THE 24
MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY : 25
1. SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ; 26
2. SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRIN CIPALS; 27
HOUSE BILL 504 21
3. SCHOOL–BASED OR COUNTY BOAR D LEADERS 1
INTERESTED IN DEVELO PING THE INSTRUCTION AL LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO BECOME 2
AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL P RINCIPAL OR ASSISTAN T PRINCIPAL; AND 3
4. OTHER INDIVIDUALS THE DEPARTMENT OR COUNTY 4
BOARD DETERMINES COU LD BENEFIT FROM THE ACADEMY. 5
(II) SCHOOL LEADERS WHO WO RK IN OR ARE INTERES TED IN 6
TRANSFERRING TO A CO MMUNITY SCHOOL OR A LOW–PERFORMING SCHOOL SH ALL 7
BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN PARTICIPATING IN THE ACADEMY. 8
(2) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY SHALL BE: 9
(I) FOR A DURATION OF 12 MONTHS; 10
(II) COHORT–BASED TO ENCOURAGE C OLLABORATION AND 11
SHARED LEARNING ; 12
(III) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABL E, JOB–EMBEDDED TO ALLOW 13
FOR APPLICATION OF K NOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQ UES; 14
(IV) TAILORED TO PARTICIPA NTS USING SELF –DIAGNOSTICS 15
AND SCHOOL–LEVEL DIAGNOSTICS ; 16
(V) EVIDENCE–BASED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES 17
FOR THE FEDERAL EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT; 18
(VI) PROVIDED THROUGH BOTH IN–PERSON AND VIRTUAL 19
SESSIONS; AND 20
(VII) INCLUDE TRAINING ON B EST PRACTICES AND ST RATEGIES 21
USED BY HIGHLY EFFEC TIVE SCHOOL LEADERS THAT WILL ENABLE SCH OOL 22
LEADERS TO IMPLEMENT COMPONENTS OF THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S 23
FUTURE, AS DEFINED IN § 5–401 OF THIS ARTICLE. 24
(3) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY SHALL 25
INCLUDE: 26
(I) STRATEGIC PLANNING AN D CHANGE MANAGEMENT TO 27
TRANSFORM AND REDESI GN SCHOOLS; 28
(II) INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS HIP, INCLUDING: 29
22 HOUSE BILL 504
1. ALIGNMENT BETWEEN STA NDARDS, ASSESSMENTS , 1
AND INTERNALIZING CU RRICULUM; 2
2. LESSON OBSERVATIONS , PROVIDING FEEDBACK , AND 3
TEACHER COACHING ; AND 4
3. DATA–INFORMED INSTRUCTION AND DRIVING 5
EQUITABLE LEARNING O UTCOMES ACROSS STUDE NT GROUPS; 6
(III) BEST PRACTICES FOR FA CILITATING PROFESSIO NAL 7
LEARNING AMONG TEACH ERS; 8
(IV) METHODS FOR RECRUITIN G AND RETAINING HIGH LY 9
QUALIFIED TEACHERS A ND TEACHERS FROM DIV ERSE BACKGROUNDS WHO 10
REFLECT THE DEMOGRAP HICS OF THE STUDENTS THEY TEACH; 11
(V) A METHOD FOR ORGANIZIN G SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE HIGH 12
PERFORMANCE , INCLUDING: 13
1. BUILDING INSTRUCTIONA L LEADERSHIP TEAMS ; 14
2. UTILIZING TEACHERS ON THE CAREER LADDER ; AND 15
3. MASTER SCHEDULING ; AND 16
(VI) STRATEGIES FOR EFFECT IVE PEER MENTORSHIP . 17
(4) (I) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY MAY 18
INCLUDE A MENTORSHIP COMPONENT FOR PARTIC IPANTS. 19
(II) EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LEAD ERS SHALL BE SELECTE D TO 20
SERVE AS MENTORS . 21
(III) MENTORS MAY BE PAID A STIPEND TO PARTICIPA TE IN THE 22
ACADEMY. 23
6–130. 24
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORI ZED TO ESTABLISH A N ATIONAL 25
TEACHER RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN TO BRING LI CENSED AND PROSPECTI VE 26
TEACHERS TO THE STATE. 27
(2) THE CAMPAIGN SHALL EN D ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2029. 28 HOUSE BILL 504 23
(3) THE PURPOSE OF THE CA MPAIGN IS TO BRING L ICENSED AND 1
PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS TO THE STATE TO REDUCE THE N UMBER OF 2
CONDITIONALLY LICENS ED TEACHERS AND MEET THE STATE’S TEACHER 3
WORKFORCE NEEDS TO I MPLEMENT COLLABORATI VE TIME. 4
(B) (1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT 5
WITH A NATIONAL E DUCATION NONPROFIT T HAT HAS EXPERIENCE I N GUIDING 6
OTHER STATE EDUCATIO N AGENCIES IN TARGET ED, STATE–BASED RECRUITMENT 7
CAMPAIGNS. 8
(2) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 9
SUBSECTION SHALL SUP PORT THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DES IGN, 10
IMPLEMENTATION , AND EVALUATION OF THE CAMPAIGN, INCLUDING THE 11
DEVELOPMENT OF MARKE TING MATERIALS AND P ROCESSES TO HELP INT ERESTED 12
TEACHER CANDIDATES T O BECOME A TEACHER I N THE STATE. 13
(3) THE ENTITY SHALL PROV IDE ONE–TO–ONE MENTORING AND 14
SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROSPECTIVE C ANDIDATES AT NO COST TO THE CANDIDATE . 15
(4) THE CAMPAIGN SHALL IN CLUDE PUBLIC SERVICE 16
ANNOUNCEMENT ADVERTI SING, DIGITAL MARKETING , AND DIRECT OUTREACH TO 17
ENCOURAGE CANDIDATES TO TEACH IN THE STATE. 18
6–131. 19
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GRANT” MEANS THE MARYLAND TEACHER 20
RELOCATION INCENTIVE GRANT. 21
(B) (1) THERE IS A MARYLAND TEACHER RELOCATION INCENTIVE 22
GRANT. 23
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO PROVIDE U P TO $2,000 IN 24
REIMBURSEMENT TO PAR TIALLY OFFSET THE CO ST FOR AN OUT –OF–STATE 25
LICENSED TEACHER TO MOVE TO THE STATE TO ADDRESS THE STATE’S TEACHER 26
WORKFORCE SHORTAGE A ND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CONDITIONALLY LIC ENSED 27
TEACHERS IN CLASSROO MS. 28
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE GRANT. 29
(4) GRANTS MAY NOT BE AWA RDED AFTER JUNE 30, 2029. 30
24 HOUSE BILL 504
(C) (1) (I) A COUNTY BOARD MAY SUB MIT A PROPOSAL TO TH E 1
DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR A CANDID ATE. 2
(II) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, A CANDIDATE SHALL : 3
1. HAVE A SIGNED CONTRAC T TO TEACH IN A PUBL IC 4
SCHOOL IN THE STATE; 5
2. BE RECOGNIZED AS A LI CENSED TE ACHER IN A 6
PUBLIC KINDERGARTEN , ELEMENTARY , MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL IN AN OTHER 7
STATE TO PROVIDE INS TRUCTION IN A SPECIF IC SUBJECT AREA , GRADE LEVEL , OR 8
FOR A SPECIFIC STUDE NT POPULATION ; 9
3. HOLD AN UNENCUMBERED LICENSE THAT IS NOT 10
RESTRICTED, PROBATION ARY, PROVISIONAL, TEMPORARY , OR IN ANY WAY SERVES 11
AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR FULLY LICENSED TEACH ERS IN ANOTHER STATE ; AND 12
4. AGREE TO TEACH IN A S CHOOL THAT HAS RECEI VED 13
FUNDING UNDER § 5–223 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS AFTER RECEIVIN G 14
THE GRANT. 15
(2) AN APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE: 16
(I) ITEMIZED RECORDS OF E XPENSES THE CANDIDAT E 17
INCURRED DURING THE MOVE; 18
(II) A COPY OF THE TEACHER ’S LICENSE HELD BY TH E 19
CANDIDATE; 20
(III) A COPY OF THE SIGNED C ONTRACT BETWEEN THE 21
CANDIDATE AND THE CO UNTY BOARD; AND 22
(IV) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE 23
DEPARTMENT . 24
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PROCESSES AND 25
PROCEDURES FOR ACCEP TING AND EVALUATING APPLICATIONS. 26
(4) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 27
MAKE INITIAL GRANT A WARDS. 28
(D) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2029, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT 29
A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 30 HOUSE BILL 504 25
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE IMPLE MENTATION OF 1
THE GRANT AWARDS , INCLUDING THE FOLLOW ING INFORMAT ION: 2
(1) THE NUMBER OF GRANT A PPLICATIONS RECEIVED ; 3
(2) THE NUMBER OF GRANTS AWARDED; AND 4
(3) THE NUMBER OF OUT –OF–STATE TEACHERS RECRU ITED TO THE 5
STATE AFTER THE IMPLE MENTATION OF THE GRANT. 6
6–1002. 7
(a) (1) On or before July 1, 2024, each county board shall implement a career 8
ladder that meets the requirements of this subtitle. 9
(h) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, teachers at each level or tier 10
of the career ladder shall teach in the classroom for a minimum percentage of their total 11
working time, as specified in this subtitle. 12
(2) The percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 13
become effective in phases over an 8–year period beginning July 1, [2025] 2029, as 14
specified by a county board on approval of the State Board. 15
(3) The following teachers shall be given priority for working time outside 16
the classroom as the percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection are phased 17
in: 18
(i) Newly licensed teachers, particularly new teachers in 19
low–performing schools or schools that have a high concentration of students living in 20
poverty; and 21
(ii) Teachers in schools that: 22
1. Are low–performing; 23
2. Have a high concentration of students living in poverty; or 24
3. Have large achievement gaps between subpopulations of 25
students. 26
9.9–101. 27
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 28
(b) “Community school” means a public school that establishes a set of strategic 29
partnerships between the school and other community resources that leverage shared 30 26 HOUSE BILL 504
accountability, collaborative leadership, capacity building, and authentic family and 1
community engagement, using a student–centered framework to promote inclusive student 2
achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well–being of students, families, 3
educators, and the community through a variety of engaging practices including the 4
provision of wraparound services. 5
(c) “School–community partnership” means a partnership between a local school 6
system or an existing public school and a community–based organization or agency for the 7
purpose of planning and implementing a community school. 8
(d) “Trauma–informed intervention” means a method for understanding and 9
responding to an individual with symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma or traumatic 10
stress. 11
(e) “Wraparound services” [means] INCLUDES: 12
(1) Extended learning time, including before and after school, weekends, 13
summer school, and an extended school year; 14
(2) Safe transportation to and from school and off –site learning 15
opportunities, including apprenticeship programs; 16
(3) Vision, hearing, and dental care services; 17
(4) Establishing or expanding school–based health center services; 18
(5) Additional social workers, mentors, counselors, therapists, 19
psychologists, and restorative practice coaches; 20
(6) Enhancing physical wellness, including providing healthy food for 21
in–school and out–of–school time and linkages to community providers; 22
(7) Enhancing behavioral health services, including access to mental 23
health practitioners and providing professional development to school staff to provide 24
trauma–informed interventions; 25
(8) Providing family and community engagement and supports, including 26
informing parents of academic course offerings, language classes, workforce development 27
training, opportunities for children, and available social services as well as educating 28
families on how to monitor a child’s learning; 29
(9) Establishing and enhancing linkages to Judy Centers and other early 30
education programs that feed into the school; 31
(10) Enhancing student enrichment experiences, including educational field 32
trips, partnerships, and programs with museums, arts organizations, and cultural 33
institutions; 34 HOUSE BILL 504 27
(11) Improving student attendance AND CHRONIC ABSENTEE ISM; 1
(12) Improving the learning environment AND NUMBER OF HIGHLY 2
QUALIFIED TEACHERS at the school; [and] 3
(13) Any professional development for teachers and school staff to quickly 4
identify students who are in need of these resources; AND 5
(14) OTHER SERVICES AS DEF INED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 6
GUIDANCE OR REGULATI ON. 7
9.9–102. 8
The purpose of a community school is to help students and families overcome the 9
in–school and out–of–school barriers that prevent [children] STUDENTS from learning and 10
succeeding over the course of their lives by having an integrated focus on academics, health 11
and social services, youth and community development, and authentic family and 12
community engagement. 13
9.9–103. 14
(a) There are community schools in the State. 15
(b) A community school shall: 16
(1) Promote active family and community engagement, incl uding 17
educational opportunities for adults and family members of students at the school who live 18
in the neighborhood of the school; 19
(2) Have at least one community school coordinator, as described under § 20
9.9–104 of this title; 21
(3) Implement, in a manner responsive to the needs assessment required 22
under § 9.9–104 of this title, expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities 23
provided after school, during weekends, and in the summer that emphasize mastering 24
21st–century skills through practical learning opportunities and community 25
problem–solving; 26
(4) Implement collaborative leadership and accountability practices that 27
empower parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners to build a culture 28
of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility using strategies such as 29
site–based leadership teams and teacher learning communities; 30
(5) Have a parent teacher organization or a school family council; and 31
28 HOUSE BILL 504
(6) Have a community school leadership team, including members who 1
represent students, families, and educators. 2
(c) (1) There shall be a Director of Community Schools WITHIN THE OFFICE 3
OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND EXPANDED LEARNING TIME in the Department. 4
(2) The Director of Community Schools in the Department shall coordinate 5
professional development for community school coordinators at each community school. 6
(3) The Director of Community Schools shall support the outreach and 7
implementation of State programs for children in community schools. 8
(4) (i) The Director of Community Schools shall create a common needs 9
assessment tool that each community school coordinator shall use in order to complete the 10
needs assessment required under § 9.9–104 of this title. 11
(ii) The Director of Community Schools shall consult with local 12
school systems and members of the community schools’ leadership teams in order to 13
determine the correct content to include in the common needs assessment tool. 14
(5) The Director of Community Schools shall develop an evaluation form to 15
be used by [community school coordinators] LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS to complete the 16
evaluation required under § 5–223 of this article. 17
(6) In addition to the funding provided for the Director of Community 18
Schools position in the Department, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an 19
appropriation [of at least $100,000] to the Department for the Director of Community 20
Schools to provide training and technical assistance to community schools and for 21
additional staff. 22
(7) THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND EXPANDED 23
LEARNING TIME MAY HIRE STAFF T O SUPPORT THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY 24
SCHOOLS IN PROVIDING DIRECT GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION TO LOCAL S CHOOL 25
SYSTEMS AND COMMUNIT Y SCHOOL COORDINATOR S. 26
9.9–104. 27
(a) (1) A community school shall have an experienced and qualified 28
community school coordinator who: 29
(i) Is hired at the appropriate administrative level; 30
(ii) Understands, respects, and demonstrates a high degree of 31
cultural awareness of and competency in the diversity in the community and in 32
cross–cultural practice with stakeholders; and 33
HOUSE BILL 504 29
(iii) May be employed by the school district. 1
(2) A community school coordinator may be a social worker. 2
(b) (1) A community school coordinator shall be responsible for: 3
(i) Establishing a community school; 4
(ii) Completing an assessment of the needs of the students in the 5
school for appropriate wraparound services to enhance the success of all students in the 6
school; 7
(iii) Developing an implementation plan based on the assessment of 8
needs for the community school, in cooperation with other interested stakeholders; and 9
(iv) Coordinating support programs that address out–of–school 10
learning barriers for students and families, including: 11
1. Wraparound services; and 12
2. As appropriate: 13
A. Tutoring; 14
B. [English language] MULTILINGUAL learner courses; 15
C. Early childhood development and parenting classes; 16
D. College and career advising; 17
E. Employment opportunities; 18
F. Citizenship education; 19
G. Food pantries; 20
H. Rental assistance, in accordance with § 9.9–104.1 of this 21
subtitle; and 22
I. School–based behavioral and physical health services. 23
(2) The needs assessment completed under this subsection shall: 24
(i) Be completed in collaboration with: 25
1. The principal; 26
30 HOUSE BILL 504
2. A school health care practitioner; 1
3. A parent teacher organization or a school council; and 2
4. Members of the community schools’ leadership teams; 3
(ii) Include an assessment of the physical, behavioral, mental, social, 4
and emotional health needs and wraparound service needs of students, their families, and 5
their communities; 6
(iii) Be completed using the common needs assessment tool developed 7
by the Director of Community Schools under § 9.9–103 of this title, when the tool is 8
available; 9
(iv) Be submitted to the Department and the local school system 10
within 1 year of receiving a personnel grant under § 5–223 of this article or within 1 year 11
of becoming a community school; and 12
(v) Be published online. 13
(3) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ESTABL ISH REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL 14
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS AND COUNTYWIDE COMMU NITY SCHOOL 15
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS . 16
[(3)] (4) The implementation plan completed under this subsection shall 17
include: 18
(i) A strategy for providing wraparound services to address the 19
needs of the students, their families, and their communities, building on and strengthening 20
community resources near the school; 21
(II) A SET OF MEASURABLE GO ALS TIED TO THE PRIO RITIES 22
IDENTIFIED IN THE NE EDS ASSESSMENT THAT WILL BE MEASURED ANN UALLY BY 23
THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR AND PRIN CIPAL TO DETERMINE 24
PROGRESS TOWARD MEET ING THE GOALS; 25
[(ii)] (III) Inclusion, if possible and practicable, of community 26
partners in geographic proximity to the school that can assist in meeting the needs 27
identified in the assessment; 28
[(iii)] (IV) Ensure that time is made available to train staff on the 29
supports available, the need for the supports, and how to engage with the community 30
schools coordinator to access these supports; and 31
[(iv)] (V) Develop strategies to maximize external non–State or 32
non–local education funding. 33 HOUSE BILL 504 31
[(4) (i)] (5) The implementation plan shall be submitted to the local 1
school system for approval within 1 year of completion of the needs assessment. 2
[(ii) After the implementation plan is approved by the local school 3
system it shall be submitted to the Department for review. 4
(iii) The Department may provide comments to the community school 5
coordinator on the implementation plan.] 6
[(5)] (6) (i) A community school coordinator shall review the 7
implementation plan [at least once every 3 years] ANNUALLY to determine whether the 8
community school is meeting students’ needs AND MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD THE 9
MEASURABLE GOALS EST ABLISHED UNDER PARAG RAPH (4)(II) OF THIS 10
SUBSECTION . 11
(ii) A community school coordinator shall alter the implementation 12
plan, using the common needs assessment tool, and the provision of wraparound services 13
to address changes in students’ needs. 14
(iii) An updated implementation plan shall be submitted to the local 15
school system for approval. 16
[(iv) After an updated implementation plan is approved, it shall be 17
submitted to the Department for review. 18
(v) The Department may provide comments to the community school 19
coordinator on the updated implementation plan.] 20
(7) (I) LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS SHALL DEVELOP COUNTY WIDE 21
COMMUNITY S CHOOL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS THAT INCORPORA TE 22
SCHOOL–LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. 23
(II) THE COUNTYWIDE IMPLEM ENTATION PLAN SHALL INCLUDE 24
A SET OF MEASURABLE GOALS TIED TO THE PR IORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS 25
ASSESSMENT THAT WILL BE MEASURED ANNUALLY BY THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL 26
COORDINATOR TO DETER MINE PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE GOALS . 27
(III) IF THE LOCAL SCHOOL S YSTEM FAILS TO PROVI DE THE 28
DEPARTMENT WITH A COU NTYWIDE COMMUNITY SC HOOL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 29
THAT MEETS THE REQUI REMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT ’S GUIDANCE AND 30
REGULATIONS , THE DEPARTMENT MAY WITHHO LD FUNDS OR TAKE OTH ER 31
COMPLIANCE ACTIONS A S NECESSARY. 32
TITLE 9.12. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 33 32 HOUSE BILL 504
9.12–101. 1
(A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOL LOWING WORDS HAVE TH E MEANINGS 2
INDICATED. 3
(B) “COORDINATOR OF PROFE SSIONAL LEARNING ” MEANS A CERTIFIED 4
EDUCATOR WHO DEVELOP S AND FACILITATES PR OFESSIONAL LEARNING 5
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ED UCATORS AND ADMINIST RATORS IN THE STATE TO 6
IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE –BASED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES IN EARLY C HILDHOOD 7
EDUCATION, LITERACY, MATHEMAT ICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES , AND SPECIAL 8
EDUCATION. 9
(C) “FUND” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 10
(D) “INSTRUCTIONAL COACH ” MEANS A CERTIFIED ED UCATOR WHO 11
PROVIDES COACHING TO EDUCATORS , ADMINISTRATORS , AND OTHER EDUCATION 12
PROFESSIONALS TO IMP ROVE INSTRUCTION AND INTE GRATE EVIDENCE –BASED 13
PRACTICES. 14
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 15
9.12–102. 16
(A) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 17
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ACADEMIC 18
NEEDS IN SCHOOLS TO ENSURE MARYLAND STUDENTS HAV E EQUITABLE ACCESS T O 19
HIGH–QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND TARGETED ACADEMI C SUPPORT. 20
(C) (1) THE PROGRAM SHALL ESTABLI SH SYSTEMS THAT ENSU RE 21
EDUCATORS HAVE CONSI STENT ACCESS TO HIGH –QUALITY, JOB–EMBEDDED , AND 22
SUSTAINED PR OFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES . 23
(2) THE PROGRAM SHALL USE COO RDINATORS OF PROFESS IONAL 24
LEARNING AND INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES TO EN HANCE INSTRUCTIONAL 25
PRACTICES AND COLLAB ORATE WITH SCHOOLS A ND COUNTY BOARDS TO 26
STRENGTHEN SYSTEMS O F PROFESSIONAL DEVEL OPMENT. 27
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 28
(1) PROMOTE THE PROGRAM TO COUNTY BOA RDS; 29
HOUSE BILL 504 33
(2) ESTABLISH CRITERIA FO R HIRING QUALIFIED E DUCATORS AND 1
ADMINISTRATORS INTER ESTED IN BECOMING CO ORDINATORS OF PROFES SIONAL 2
LEARNING OR INSTRUCT IONAL COACHES ; 3
(3) IDENTIFY SCHOOLS FOR PARTICIP ATION IN THE PROGRAM BASED 4
ON THE SCHOOL ’S ACCOUNTABILITY DAT A; AND 5
(4) DEVELOP TRAINING FOR ALL COORDINATORS OF PROFESSIONAL 6
LEARNING AND INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES . 7
9.12–103. 8
(A) (1) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 9
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE GR ANTS TO ADDRESS 10
CRITICAL ACADEMIC NE EDS IN SCHOOLS , PARTICULARLY THOSE I DENTIFIED AS 11
LOW–PERFORMING . 12
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 13
(4) (I) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 14
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 15
(II) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND 16
SEPARATELY, AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 17
(5) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 18
(I) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 19
FUND; AND 20
(II) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 21
FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND. 22
(6) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR GRANTS TO COUNTY BOARDS, 23
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH ER EDUCATION , NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ONS, OR OTHER 24
ENTITIES FOR THE FOL LOWING PURPOSES : 25
(I) CONTRACTS WITH VENDOR S TO PROVIDE SERVICE S; 26
(II) TRAINING AND WORKSHOP S; 27
(III) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATIO N; 28 34 HOUSE BILL 504
(IV) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM; 1
(V) PROGRAM EVALUATION AN D REPORTING; AND 2
(VI) ANY OTHER COSTS APPRO VED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 3
(7) (I) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE 4
FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 5
(II) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE 6
CREDITED TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE FUND UNDER § 5–206 OF 7
THIS ARTICLE. 8
(8) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN 9
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 10
(B) EACH YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ECT THE FOLLOWING DA TA: 11
(1) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF M ONEY DISBURSED FROM THE FUND, 12
DISAGGREGATED BY COU NTY; AND 13
(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF S CHOOLS SERVED BY THE FUND. 14
9.12–104. 15
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES, PROCEDURES , AND REGULATIONS 16
TO CARRY OUT THIS TI TLE. 17
18–27A–01. 18
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 19
(b) “Collaborative” means an agreement outlining commitments of a partnership 20
among: 21
(1) At least one local school system; 22
(2) At least one employee organization representing employees of a local 23
school system in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 4 or Subtitle 5 of this article; and 24
(3) At least one institution of higher education [with a teacher preparation 25
program approved by the Department] IN THE STATE. 26
HOUSE BILL 504 35
(c) [“Noncertified education support professional” means a noncertified public 1
school employee designated as part of a bargaining unit under Title 6, Subtitle 5 of this 2
article. 3
(d)] “Program” means the Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program established 4
under this subtitle. 5
(D) “TEACHER CANDIDATE ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATING IN THE 6
PROGRAM. 7
[(e) “Provisional teacher” means an individual employed by a local school system 8
through a provisional contract as a conditional teacher.] 9
18–27A–02. 10
(a) There is a Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program. 11
(b) (1) The purpose of the Program is to provide support to COLLABORATIVES 12
THAT PRIORITIZE TEAC HER LICENSURE PROGRA MS THAT EMPHASIZE ON –THE–JOB 13
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNIN G FOR eligible individuals who: 14
(i) Are interested in pursuing a career in the teaching profession; 15
[and] 16
(ii) ARE HIRED BY A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE STATE AS A 17
SCHOOL–BASED PART–TIME OR FULL–TIME EMPLOYEE ; AND 18
(III) Ultimately pledge to fulfill a 3–YEAR service obligation as a 19
teacher employed full–time in a high–needs school, grade level, or content area in the [State 20
in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department] LOCAL SCHOOL 21
SYSTEM IN WHICH THEY ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOY ED. 22
(2) The Department shall administer the Program. 23
(c) [(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, to] TO be eligible for the 24
Program, a teacher candidate applicant shall: 25
(1) MEET ONE OF THE FOLLO WING REQUIREMENTS : 26
(i) Be employed [as a noncertified education support professional or 27
provisional teacher] by a participating local school system [on the effective date of the 28
Program] IN A SCHOOL–BASED POSITION ; [and] OR 29
(ii) [Meet the educational requirements determined by a 30
collaborative] HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DI PLOMA OR ITS EQUIVAL ENT; AND 31 36 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) PURSUE A TEACHER LICENSURE PA THWAY APPROVED BY TH E 1
DEPARTMENT . 2
[(2) Not more than one quarter of the funds used to support teaching 3
candidate applicants may be used to support teaching candidate applicants who are 4
provisional teachers.] 5
18–27A–03. 6
(a) A collaborative shall negotiate an agreement that meets the requirements of 7
subsection (b) of this section. 8
(b) A collaborative shall develop and submit to the Department: 9
(1) A plan [to] THAT INCLUDES : 10
(i) [Select] IDENTIFICATION OF THE COLLABORATIVE 11
MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH MEMBER ; 12
(II) SCHOOL–BASED PART –TIME OR FULL –TIME POSITIONS 13
THAT ALLOW THE TEACH ER CANDIDATE TO SYST EMATICALLY DEVELOP T HE SKILLS 14
OF A TEACH –THROUGH–EXPERIENTIAL –LEARNING AND DEMONST RATION OF 15
COMPETENCIES; 16
(III) IDENTIFICATION OF at least one content area in the local school 17
system in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department; 18
[(ii) Select at least one teacher preparation program at an institution 19
of higher education that satisfies the training requirements for teacher candidates; and 20
(iii) Designate an individual from a collaborative to assist teacher 21
candidates and provide Program guidance;] 22
(IV) A MINIMUM RATIO OF ONE MENTOR WHO IS REGULA RLY 23
EMPLOYED PER ONE TEACHER CAND IDATE CONSISTENT WIT H PROPER 24
SUPERVISION, TRAINING, AND CONTINUITY OF EM PLOYMENT AND APPLICA BLE 25
PROVISIONS IN COLLEC TIVE BARGAINING AGRE EMENTS; 26
(V) A SYSTEMIC PROGRAM OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNIN G THAT 27
RESULTS IN CREDITS F ROM THE INSTITU TION OF HIGHER EDUCA TION IF CREDITS 28
ARE REQUIRED FOR COM PLETION, INCLUDING CREDITS TO WARD THE PRACTICUM ; 29
AND 30
HOUSE BILL 504 37
(VI) THE DESIGNATION OF A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR FROM 1
THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYS TEM TO ASSIST TEACHE R CANDIDATES , EVALUATE THE 2
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM, AND MANAGE THE ADMIN ISTRATION 3
ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM; 4
(2) An estimate, BASED ON APPROPRIATE DATA, of the [numbers of: 5
(i) Teacher applicants likely to complete the Program who are 6
noncertificated education support professionals; 7
(ii) Teacher applicants likely to complete the Program who are 8
provisional teachers; and 9
(iii) Mentor teachers necessary to support teacher candidates in the 10
Program] NUMBER OF PROJECTED PARTICIPANTS TO INCL UDE IN THE PROGRAM; 11
and 12
(3) Evidence of a written billing agreement with an institution of higher 13
education that includes: 14
(i) The total cost to the collaborative for the cohort of teacher 15
candidates; 16
(ii) Prorated tuition cost the collaborative shall pay the institution of 17
higher education if a candidate does not complete the Program; and 18
(iii) A provision that no teacher candidate shall be required to pay 19
tuition, books, or fees as part of the teacher candidate’s course of study. 20
(c) A collaborative shall develop and submit to the Department: 21
(1) An outreach plan to recruit teacher candidates and mentor teachers 22
that: 23
(i) Prioritizes candidates and mentor teachers with linguistic 24
diversity and from racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in the teaching 25
profession; 26
(ii) [Estimates Program expenses by category, keeping program 27
expenses related to provisional teachers at or below one quarter of total expenses; and 28
(iii) Identifies at least one source of long–term funding for the 29
Program, including the process and timeline for obtaining long–term funding] INCLUDES 30
RECRUITMENT INITIATI VES THAT TARGET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES , ASSOCIATE 31
OF ARTS AND TEACHING DEGREE CANDIDATES , CAREER CHANGERS , AND 32
COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN TERESTED IN THE TEAC HING PROFESSION ; AND 33 38 HOUSE BILL 504
(III) IDENTIFIES A SUSTAINA BILITY PLAN TO CONTI NUE 1
RECRUITING, PREPARING, AND MENTORING TEACHE R CANDIDATES AFTER 2
COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM; and 3
(2) Any other materials required by the Department. 4
18–27A–04. 5
(A) (1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHA LL CONSULT 6
WITH A NATIONAL NONP ROFIT ENTITY THAT HA S SUCCESSFULLY GUIDE D OTHER 7
STATE EDUCATION AGEN CIES OR LOCAL EDUCAT ION AGENCIES THAT HA VE 8
INCREASED THE NUMBER OF LICENSED TEACHERS BY: 9
(I) LAUNCHING SUSTAINABLE , COST–EFFECTIVE 10
GROW–YOUR–OWN TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS ; 11
(II) IMPLEMENTING REGISTER ED TEACHER APPRENTIC ESHIPS; 12
AND 13
(III) IMPLEMENTING TEACHER RESIDENCIES. 14
(2) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 15
SUBSECTION SHALL SUP PORT THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DES IGN, 16
IMPLEMENTATION , AND EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE 17
DEVELOPMENT OF METRI CS FOR ESTABLISHING HIGH–QUALITY TEACHER 18
PREPARATION AND LICE NSURE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST LIK ELIHOOD 19
OF INCREASING THE TE ACHER WORKFORCE IN T HE STATE. 20
(3) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER P ARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 21
SUBSECTION MAY WORK DIRECTLY WITH COLLAB ORATIVES TO SUPPORT THE 22
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPL EMENTATION OF GROW –YOUR–OWN TEACHER 23
PREPARATION PROGRAMS . 24
[(a) (1)] (B) [The] BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, THE Department shall 25
award a grant to a local school system OR INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION that is 26
part of a collaborative for employees of the local school system to complete a [teacher 27
preparation program at an institution of higher education] PATHWAY T O TEACHER 28
LICENSURE under the agreement described in § 18–27A–03 of this subtitle. 29
[(2)] (C) The Department shall award a grant TO A LOCAL SCHOOL 30
SYSTEM for: 31
[(i)] (1) Tuition, books, and fees for teacher candidates; 32 HOUSE BILL 504 39
[(ii)] (2) Stipends for mentor teachers; and 1
[(iii)] (3) Costs associated with the administration of the Program. 2
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL AWAR D A GRANT TO AN INST ITUTION OF 3
HIGHER EDUCATION FOR : 4
(1) CURRICULAR DEVELOPMEN T; 5
(2) DEVELOPMENT OF COMPET ENCY–BASED COURSEWORK AND 6
ASSESSMENTS ; AND 7
(3) COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DELIVERY AND EVA LUATION OF 8
ON–THE–JOB EXPERIENTIAL LEA RNING. 9
(E) GRANTS SHALL BE AWARD ED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS. 10
[(3)] (F) In awarding a grant, the Department shall [take necessary steps 11
to ensure that not more than one quarter of expenses awarded in the grant go to supporting 12
provisional teacher participants in the Program] PRIORITIZE COLLABORA TIVES THAT 13
PARTNER WITH INSTITU TIONS OF HIGHER EDUC ATION OFFERING TO NE GOTIATE A 14
LOWER TUITION COST FOR TEACHER CAN DIDATES. 15
[(4) The Department, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of 16
Labor, shall, on request, provide technical assistance to a collaborative in obtaining State, 17
federal, or other funding for the operation of the Program. 18
(b) A teacher candidate shall be paid a rate of pay and offered benefits that are at 19
least equal to the rate of pay received by and benefits offered to a noncertified education 20
support professional or provisional teacher of the equivalent classification and tenure in 21
the local school system provided in the collective bargaining agreement. 22
(c) (1) A collaborative shall provide each teacher candidate a mentor teacher 23
for the entirety of the Program. 24
(2) A teacher candidate may not serve as a teacher of record or a substitute 25
teacher for any teacher other than the mentor teacher assigned to the teacher candidate.] 26
(G) A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM MAY NOT REDUCE THE C OMPENSATION OR 27
BENEFITS OF A TEACHE R CANDIDATE. 28
[(d)] (H) A local school system and an employee organization that represents the 29
teacher candidates shall negotiate a gradual release model that allows teacher candidates 30
to focus primarily on internship and practicum requirements, IF APPLICABLE. 31 40 HOUSE BILL 504
[(e)] (I) A teacher candidate shall perform a service obligation to teach full–time 1
in the State in a public school or a public prekindergarten program in a [high–needs school, 2
as identified by the Department, or in a grade level or] content area in which there is a 3
shortage of qualified educators, as identified by the Department for a minimum of 2 years. 4
18–27A–05. 5
The Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation for the 6
Program. 7
18–27A–06. 8
(a) Each year, the Department shall collect [and publish on its website]: 9
(1) Data on teacher candidate race, gender, and linguistic status; 10
(2) Data on teacher candidate status and retention; 11
(3) Spending by category; 12
(4) A summary of teacher candidate recruitment methods; and 13
(5) If applicable, the hiring status and retention data of Program 14
graduates. 15
(b) [In reporting] WHEN COLLECTING the data under subsection (a) of this 16
section, the Department shall make reasonable efforts to anonymize the data to protect the 17
privacy of teacher candidates. 18
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 19
as follows: 20
Article – Education 21
6–126. 22
(a) (1) This subsection applies to individuals who have graduated from a 23
teacher preparation program or an alternative teacher preparation program. 24
(2) Beginning on July 1, 2025, to qualify for an initial certificate an 25
individual shall: 26
(i) Pass the subject–specific examinations under § 6–125 of this 27
subtitle; 28
(ii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 29 HOUSE BILL 504 41
1. Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, pass a 1
nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability; or 2
2. Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, complete a 3
rigorous local school system teacher induction program that lasts for the lesser of: 4
A. 3 years; or 5
B. The amount of time a teacher may hold a conditional 6
teacher certificate; 7
(iii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 8
1. Pass a basic literacy skills assessment approved by the 9
Department under § 6–125 of this subtitle; 10
2. Hold a degree from a regionally accredited educational 11
institution and have earned a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 12
4.0 scale or its equivalent on the most recently earned degree; or 13
3. Submit documentation to the Department of ha ving 14
received effective evaluations from a local school system for 3 years; 15
(iv) Pass a rigorous State–specific examination of mastery of reading 16
instruction and content for the grade level the individual will be teaching; and 17
(v) Satisfactorily complete any other requirements established by 18
the State Board. 19
(3) An individual who graduates from a teacher preparation program in 20
the State who passed a nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment may not be 21
required to take the assessment more than one time. 22
(4) (i) In order to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (2)(ii)2 of this 23
subsection, a candidate for an initial teacher certificate shall submit documentation to the 24
Department that the candidate has completed a rigorous comprehensive i nduction 25
program, established in accordance with § 6–117 of this subtitle, that meets the 26
requirements of this paragraph. 27
(ii) The comprehensive induction program shall be developed by a 28
local school system, either independently or collaboratively with other local school systems. 29
(iii) Before establishing a comprehensive induction program, one or 30
more local school systems shall submit a plan for the program to the Department and the 31
Accountability and Implementation Board. 32
42 HOUSE BILL 504
(iv) The comprehensive induction program shall include a locally 1
developed portfolio component that is aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and 2
Support Consortium Standards. 3
(v) A teacher preparation program or an alternative teacher 4
preparation program may use th e locally developed portfolio component under 5
subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph as meeting a portion of the coursework requirements 6
of the program. 7
(vi) A candidate who satisfactorily completes a comprehensive 8
induction program established in accordance with this paragraph may not be required to 9
pass a nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability. 10
(b) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A TEACH ER WHO HOLDS A 11
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE FROM A STATE FOR WHICH TH E LICENSE 12
OR CERTIFICATE IS AC CEPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 13
MOBILITY COMPACT UNDER SUBTITLE 6 OF THIS TITLE. 14
(2) In addition to any other requirements established by the State Board, 15
to qualify for a certificate in the State, a teacher who graduated from an institution of 16
higher education in another state or holds a professional license or certificate from another 17
state shall: 18
[(1)] (I) Pass an examination of teaching ability within 18 months of 19
being hired by a local school system; 20
[(2)] (II) Hold an active National Board Certification from the National 21
Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or 22
[(3)] (III) Complete a comprehensive induction program in accordance with 23
subsection (a)(4) of this section. 24
(c) (1) The Department, after a reasonable period of review and assessment, 25
shall determine whether one of the assessments of teaching skill approved for initial 26
teacher certification under this section more adequately measures the skills and knowledge 27
required of a highly qualified teacher. 28
(2) If the Department makes a determination under paragraph (1) of this 29
subsection that requires a revision to the statutory requirements for initial teacher 30
certification, the Department shall, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government 31
Article, submit a report to the General Assembly on or before the next September 1 on its 32
recommendations for revising the qualifications for initial teacher certification. 33
(d) (1) The Department shall actively monitor and assess, during their 34
implementation and development, new teacher standards and assessments produced under 35 HOUSE BILL 504 43
this section for any negative impact on the diversity of teacher candidates passing the 1
initial teacher certification assessments. 2
(2) The Department shall report the results of its monitoring and 3
assessment to the Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of 4
this article. 5
SUBTITLE 6. INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT. 6
6–601. 7
THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT IS HEREBY ENA CTED AND 8
ENTERED INTO WITH ALL OTHE R JURISDICTIONS THAT LEGALLY JOIN IN THIS 9
COMPACT IN THE FORM S UBSTANTIALLY AS THE COMPACT APPEARS IN TH IS 10
SECTION AS FOLLOWS : 11
ARTICLE I. PURPOSE. 12
THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPACT IS TO FACILIT ATE THE MOBILITY OF 13
TEACHERS ACROSS THE MEMBER STATES, WITH THE GOAL OF SUP PORTING 14
TEACHERS THROUGH A NE W PATHWAY TO LICENSU RE. THROUGH THIS COMPACT, 15
THE MEMBER STATES SEEK TO ESTABL ISH A COLLECTIVE REG ULATORY 16
FRAMEWORK THAT EXPED ITES AND ENHANCES TH E ABILITY OF TEACHERS TO MOVE 17
ACROSS STATE LINES. 18
THIS COMPACT IS INTENDED T O ACHIEVE THE FOLLOW ING OBJECTIVES AND 19
SHOULD BE INTERPRETE D ACCORDINGLY . THE MEMBER STATES HEREBY RATIFY 20
THE SAME INTENTIONS BY SUBSCRIBING HERET O. 21
A. CREATE A STREAMLINED PATHWAY TO LICENSURE MOBILITY FOR 22
TEACHERS; 23
B. SUPPORT THE RELOCATIO N OF ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES; 24
C. FACILITATE AND ENHANC E THE EXCHANGE OF LI CENSURE, 25
INVESTIGATIVE, AND DISCIPLINARY INF ORMATION BETWEEN THE MEMBER 26
STATES; 27
D. ENHANCE THE POWER OF STATE AND DISTRICT LE VEL EDUCATION 28
OFFICIALS TO HIR E QUALIFIED, COMPETENT TEACHERS BY REMOVING BARRIERS 29
TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF OUT–OF–STATE TEACHERS; 30
E. SUPPORT THE RETENTION OF TEACHERS IN THE PROFE SSION BY 31
REMOVING BARRIERS TO RE–LICENSURE IN A NEW STATE; AND 32 44 HOUSE BILL 504
F. MAINTAIN STATE SOVEREIGNTY IN THE REGULA TION OF THE TEACHING 1
PROFESSION. 2
ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS. 3
AS USED IN THIS COMPACT, AND EXCEPT AS OTHERW ISE PROVIDED, THE 4
FOLLOWING DEFINITION S SHALL GOVERN THE T ERMS HEREIN: 5
A. “ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBER” MEANS ANY PERSON WIT H FULL–TIME 6
DUTY STATUS IN TH E ARMED FORCES OF TH E UNITED STATES, INCLUDING 7
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE. 8
B. “ADVERSE ACTION” MEANS ANY LIMITATION OR RESTRICTION IMPOS ED 9
BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY, SUCH AS REVOCATION , 10
SUSPENSION, REPRIMAND , PROBATION, OR LIMITATION ON THE LICE NSEE’S 11
ABILITY TO WORK AS A TEACHER. 12
C. “BYLAWS” MEANS THOSE BYLAWS E STABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION. 13
D. “CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSE” MEANS A CURRENT , 14
VALID AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY 15
ALLOWING AN INDIVIDUAL TO SERVE AS A TEACHER IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL 16
SETTINGS IN A SPECIF IC CAREER AND TECHNI CAL EDUCATION AREA . 17
E. “CHARTER MEMBER STATE” MEANS A MEMBER STATE THAT HAS 18
ENACTED LEGISLATION TO ADOPT THIS COMPACT WHERE SUCH LE GISLATION 19
PREDATES THE INITIAL MEETI NG OF THE COMMISSION AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE 20
OF THE COMPACT. 21
F. “COMMISSION” MEANS THE INTERSTATE ADMINISTRATIVE BODY 22
WHOSE MEMBERSHIP CON SISTS OF DELEGATES O F ALL STATES THAT HAVE 23
ENACTED THIS COMPACT, AND WHICH IS KNOWN A S THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 24
MOBILITY COMPACT COMMISSION. 25
G. “COMMISSIONER ” MEANS THE DELEGATE O F A MEMBER STATE. 26
H. “ELIGIBLE LICENSE” MEANS A LICENSE TO E NGAGE IN THE TEACHIN G 27
PROFESSION THAT REQU IRES AT LEAST A BACH ELOR’S DEGREE AND THE 28
COMPLETION OF A STAT E APPROVED PROGRAM FOR TEACHER LICENSURE . 29
I. “ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSE” MEANS THE SPOUSE OF ANY INDIVIDUAL 30
IN FULL–TIME DUTY STATUS IN THE ACTIVE ARMED FOR CES OF THE UNITED STATES 31 HOUSE BILL 504 45
INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MOVING AS A 1
RESULT OF A MILITARY MISSION OR MILITARY CAREER PROG RESSION 2
REQUIREMENTS OR ON M EMBER’S TERMINAL MOVE AS A RESULT OF SEPARATION 3
OR RETIREMENT (TO INCLUDE SURVIVING SPOUSES OF DECEASED MILITARY 4
MEMBERS). 5
J. “EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE” MEANS A GROUP OF COMMISSIONERS 6
ELECTED OR APPOINTED TO ACT ON BEHALF OF , AND WITHIN THE POWER S 7
GRANTED TO THEM BY , THE COMMISSION AS PROVIDE D FOR HEREIN. 8
K. “LICENSING AUTHORITY” MEANS AN OFFICIAL , AGENCY, BOARD, OR 9
OTHER ENTITY OF A STATE THAT IS RESPONS IBLE FOR THE LICENSI NG AND 10
REGULATION OF TEACHERS AUTHORIZED T O TEACH IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL 11
SETTINGS. 12
L. “MEMBER STATE” MEANS ANY STATE THAT HAS ADOPTE D THIS 13
COMPACT, INCLUDING ALL AGENCI ES AND OFFICIALS OF SUCH A STATE. 14
M. “RECEIVING STATE” MEANS ANY STATE WHERE A TEACHER HAS 15
APPLIED FOR LICENSURE UNDE R THIS COMPACT. 16
N. “RULE” MEANS ANY REGULATION PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSION 17
UNDER THIS COMPACT, WHICH SHALL HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW IN EACH MEMBER 18
STATE. 19
O. “STATE” MEANS A STATE , TERRITORY, OR POSSESSION OF THE UNITED 20
STATES, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 21
P. “STATE PRACTICE LAWS” MEANS A MEMBER STATE’S LAWS, RULES, 22
AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE TEACHING PROFESSION, DEFINE THE SCOPE 23
OF SUCH PROFESSION , AND CREATE THE METHO DS AND GROUNDS FOR I MPOSING 24
DISCIPLINE. 25
Q. “STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT ” MEANS A REQUIREMENT FOR 26
LICENSURE COVERED IN COURSEWORK OR EXAMIN ATION THAT INCLUDES CONTENT 27
OF UNIQUE INTEREST T O THE STATE. 28
R. “TEACHER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CURRENTLY HOLDS AN 29
AUTHORIZATION FROM A MEMBER STATE THAT FORMS THE BASIS FOR 30
EMPLOYMENT IN THE P–12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF TH E STATE TO PROVIDE 31
INSTRUCTION IN A SPE CIFIC SUBJECT AREA , GRADE LEVEL , OR STUDENT 32
POPULATION . 33
46 HOUSE BILL 504
S. “UNENCUMBERED LICENSE” MEANS A CURRENT , VALID 1
AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY ALLO WING 2
AN INDIVIDUAL TO SER VE AS A TEACHER IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL S ETTINGS. 3
AN UNENCUMBERED LICENSE IS NOT A REST RICTED, PROBATIONARY , 4
PROVISIONAL, SUBSTITUTE, OR TEMPORARY CREDENT IAL. 5
ARTICLE III. LICENSURE UNDER THE COMPACT. 6
A. LICENSURE UNDER THIS COMPACT PERTAINS ONLY TO THE INITIAL 7
GRANT OF A LICENSE B Y THE RECEIVING STATE. NOTHING HEREIN APPLIE S TO ANY 8
SUBSEQUENT OR ONGOIN G COMPLIANCE REQUIRE MENTS THAT A RECEIVING STATE 9
MIGHT REQUIRE FOR TEACHERS. 10
B. EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF 11
THE COMMISSION, DEFINE, COMPILE, AND UPDATE AS NECESS ARY A LIST OF 12
ELIGIBLE LICENSES AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSES THAT 13
THE MEMBER STATE IS WILLING TO C ONSIDER FOR EQUIVALE NCY UNDER THIS 14
COMPACT AND PROVIDE T HE LIST TO THE COMMISSION. THE LIST SHALL INCLUD E 15
THOSE LICENSES THAT A RECEIVING STATE IS WILLING TO G RANT TO TEACHERS 16
FROM OTHER MEMBER STATES, PENDING A DETERMINAT ION OF EQUIVALENCY B Y 17
THE RECEIVING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY. 18
C. UPON THE RECEIPT OF A N APPLICATION FOR L ICENSURE BY A 19
TEACHER HOLDING AN UNENCUMBERED ELIGIBLE LICENSE, THE RECEIVING 20
STATE SHALL DETERMINE WHICH OF THE RECEIVING STATE’S ELIGIBLE LICENSES 21
THE TEACHER IS QUALIFIED TO HOLD AND SHALL GR ANT SUCH A LICENSE O R 22
LICENSES TO THE APPL ICANT. SUCH A DETERM INATION SHALL BE MAD E IN THE 23
SOLE DISCRETION OF T HE RECEIVING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY AND MAY 24
INCLUDE A DETERMINAT ION THAT THE APPLICA NT IS NOT ELIGIBLE F OR ANY OF 25
THE RECEIVING STATE’S ELIGIBLE LICENSES. FOR ALL TEACHERS WHO HOLD AN 26
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE, THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL GRANT ONE OR MORE 27
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE(S) THAT, IN THE RECEIVING STATE’S SOLE DISCRETION , 28
ARE EQUIVALENT TO TH E LICENSE(S) HELD BY THE TEACHER IN ANY OTHER 29
MEMBER STATE. 30
D. FOR ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES 31
WHO HOLD A LICENSE T HAT IS NOT UNENCUMBERED , THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL 32
GRANT AN EQUIVALENT LICENSE OR LICENSES THAT, IN THE RECEIVING STATE’S 33
SOLE DISCRETION , IS EQUIVALENT TO THE LICENSE OR LICENSES HELD BY THE 34
TEACHER IN ANY OTHER MEMBER STATE, EXCEPT WHERE THE RECEIVING STATE 35
DOES NOT HAVE AN EQU IVALENT LICENSE . 36
HOUSE BILL 504 47
E. FOR A TEACHER HOLDING AN UNENCUMBERED CAREER AND 1
TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSE, THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL GRANT AN 2
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE EQUIVALENT TO THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL 3
EDUCATION LICENSE HELD BY THE A PPLYING TEACHER AND ISSUED BY ANOTHER 4
MEMBER STATE, AS DETERMINED BY THE RECEIVING STATE IN ITS SOLE 5
DISCRETION, EXCEPT WHERE A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHER 6
DOES NOT HOLD A BACH ELOR’S DEGREE AND THE RECEIVING STATE REQUIRES A 7
BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR LICENSE S TO TEACH CAREER AND TECHNICAL 8
EDUCATION. A RECEIVING STATE MAY REQUIRE CAREER AND TECHNICAL 9
EDUCATION TEACHERS TO MEET STATE INDUSTRY RECOGN IZED REQUIREMENTS , 10
IF REQUIRED BY LAW I N THE RECEIVING STATE. 11
ARTICLE IV. LICENSURE NOT UNDER THE COMPACT. 12
A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE III ABOVE, NOTHING IN THIS 13
COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO LIMIT OR IN HIBIT THE POWER OF A MEMBER 14
STATE TO REGULATE LIC ENSURE OR ENDORSEMEN TS OVERSEEN BY THE MEMBER 15
STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY. 16
B. WHEN A TEACHER IS REQUIRED T O RENEW A LICENSE RE CEIVED 17
PURSUANT TO THIS COMPACT, THE STATE GRANTING SUCH A LICENSE MAY 18
REQUIRE THE TEACHER TO COMPLETE STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AS A 19
CONDITION OF LICENSU RE RENEWAL OR ADVANC EMENT IN THAT STATE. 20
C. FOR THE PURPOSES OF DETERM INING COMPENSATION , A RECEIVING 21
STATE MAY REQUIRE ADD ITIONAL INFORMATION FROM TEACHERS RECEIVING A 22
LICENSE UNDER THE PR OVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT. 23
D. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO LIMIT THE 24
POWER OF A MEMBER STATE TO CON TROL AND MAINTAIN OW NERSHIP OF ITS 25
INFORMATION PERTAINI NG TO TEACHERS, OR LIMIT THE APPLICA TION OF A 26
MEMBER STATE’S LAWS OR REGULATION S GOVERNING THE OWNE RSHIP, USE, OR 27
DISSEMINATION OF INF ORMATION PERTAINING TO TEACHERS. 28
E. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO INVA LIDATE OR 29
ALTER ANY EXISTING A GREEMENT OR OTHER CO OPERATIVE ARRANGEMEN T THAT A 30
MEMBER STATE MAY ALREADY BE A PARTY TO, OR LIMIT THE ABILITY OF A MEMBER 31
STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY FUTURE AGREEM ENT OR OTHER COOPERA TIVE 32
ARRANGEMENT TO : 33
1. AWARD TEACHING LICENS ES OR OTHER BENEFITS BASED ON 34
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIO NAL CREDENTIALS INCL UDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO , 35
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION; 36 48 HOUSE BILL 504
2. PARTICIPATE IN THE EX CHANGE OF NAMES OF TEACHERS WHOSE 1
LICENSE HAS BEEN SUB JECT TO AN ADVERSE ACTION BY A MEMBER STATE; OR 2
3. PARTICIPATE IN ANY AG REEMENT OR COOPERATI VE 3
ARRANGEMENT WITH A N ON–MEMBER STATE. 4
ARTICLE V. TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE 5
UNDER THE COMPACT. 6
A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FO R ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS OR ELIGIBLE 7
MILITARY SPOUSES IN ARTICLE III.D ABOVE, A TEACHER MAY ONLY BE E LIGIBLE 8
TO RECEIVE A LICENSE UNDER THIS COMPACT WHERE THAT TEACHER HOLDS AN 9
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE IN A MEMBER STATE. 10
B. A TEACHER ELIGIBLE TO R ECEIVE A LICENSE UND ER THIS COMPACT 11
SHALL, UNLESS OTHERWISE PRO VIDED FOR HEREIN : 12
1. UPON THE TEACHER’S APPLICATION TO REC EIVE A LICENSE 13
UNDER THIS COMPACT, UNDERGO A CRIMINAL H ISTORY BACKGROUND CH ECK IN 14
THE RECEIVING STATE IN ACCORDANCE W ITH THE LAWS AND REG ULATIONS OF THE 15
RECEIVING STATE; AND 16
2. PROVIDE THE RECEIVING STATE WITH INFORMATIO N IN 17
ADDITION TO THE INFO RMATION REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE FOR THE PU RPOSES OF 18
DETERMINING COMPENSA TION, IF APPLICABLE. 19
ARTICLE VI. DISCIPLINE AND ADVERSE ACTIONS. 20
A. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE DEEM ED OR CONSTRUED TO 21
LIMIT THE AUTHORITY OF A MEMBER STATE TO INVESTIGATE OR IMPOSE 22
DISCIPLINARY MEASURE S ON TEACHERS ACCORDING TO THE STATE PRACTICE 23
LAWS THEREOF . 24
B. MEMBER STATES SHALL BE AUTHO RIZED TO RECEIVE , AND SHALL 25
PROVIDE, FILES AND INFORMATIO N REGARDING THE INVESTIG ATION AND 26
DISCIPLINE, IF ANY, OF TEACHERS IN OTHER MEMBER STATES UPON REQUEST . ANY 27
MEMBER STATE RECEIVING SUCH INFORMATION OR FILES SHALL PROTECT AND 28
MAINTAIN THE SECURIT Y AND CONFIDENTIALIT Y THEREOF, IN AT LEAST THE SAME 29
MANNER THAT IT MAINTAINS ITS OWN IN VESTIGATORY OR DISCI PLINARY FILES AND 30
INFORMATION . PRIOR TO DISCLOSING A NY DISCIPLINARY OR I NVESTIGATORY 31
INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM ANOTHER MEMBER STATE, THE DISCLOSING STATE 32 HOUSE BILL 504 49
SHALL COMMUNICATE IT S INTENTION AND PURP OSE FOR SUCH DISCLOS URE TO THE 1
MEMBER STATE THAT ORIGINALLY PROVIDED THAT INFORM ATION. 2
ARTICLE VII. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY 3
COMPACT COMMISSION. 4
A. THE INTERSTATE COMPAC T MEMBER STATES HEREBY CREATE AND 5
ESTABLISH A JOINT PU BLIC AGENCY KNOWN AS THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 6
MOBILITY COMPACT COMMISSION: 7
1. THE COMMISSION IS A JOINT INTERSTATE GOVERNMEN TAL 8
AGENCY COMPRISED OF STATES THAT HAVE ENAC TED THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 9
MOBILITY COMPACT. 10
2. NOTHING IN THIS INTER STATE COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED 11
TO BE A WAIVER OF SOVEREIG N IMMUNITY. 12
B. MEMBERSHIP, VOTING, AND MEETINGS. 13
1. EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL HAVE AND BE LIMITED TO ONE (1) 14
DELEGATE TO THE COMMISSION, WHO SHALL BE GIVEN T HE TITLE OF 15
COMMISSIONER . 16
2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE THE PRIMARY ADMINI STRATIVE 17
OFFICER OF THE STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY OR THEIR DE SIGNEE. 18
3. ANY COMMISSIONER MAY BE R EMOVED OR SUSPENDED FROM 19
OFFICE AS PROVIDED B Y THE LAW OF THE STA TE FROM WHICH THE COMMISSIONER 20
IS APPOINTED. 21
4. THE MEMBER STATE SHALL FILL ANY VACANCY OCCURRING IN 22
THE COMMISSION WITHIN 90 DAYS. 23
5. EACH COMMISSIONER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE (1) VOTE 24
ABOUT THE PROMULGATI ON OF RULES AND CREATION OF BYLAWS AND SHALL 25
OTHERWISE HAVE AN OP PORTUNITY TO PARTICI PATE IN THE BUSINESS AND 26
AFFAIRS OF THE COMMISSION. A COMMISSIONER SHALL VO TE IN PERSON OR BY 27
SUCH OTHER MEANS AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS. THE BYLAWS MAY PROVIDE FO R 28
COMMISSIONERS ’ PARTICIPATION IN MEE TINGS BY TELEPHONE O R OTHER MEANS 29
OF COMMUNICATION . 30
50 HOUSE BILL 504
6. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH 1
CALENDAR YEAR . ADDITIONAL MEETINGS S HALL BE HELD AS SET FORTH IN THE 2
BYLAWS. 3
7. THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH BY RULE A TERM OF OFFICE 4
FOR COMMISSIONERS . 5
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES. 6
1. ESTABLISH A CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE COMMISSION. 7
2. ESTABLISH THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE COMMISSION. 8
3. ESTABLISH BYLAWS FOR THE COMMISSION. 9
4. MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIA L RECORDS IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THE 10
BYLAWS OF THE COMMISSION. 11
5. MEET AND TAKE SUCH AC TIONS AS ARE CONSIST ENT WITH THE 12
PROVISIONS OF THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT , THE BYLAWS, AND RULES OF THE 13
COMMISSION. 14
6. PROMULGATE UNIFORM RULES TO IMPLEMENT AN D ADMINISTER 15
THIS INTERSTATE COMP ACT. THE RULES SHALL HAVE THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF 16
LAW AND SHALL BE BIN DING IN ALL MEMBER STATES. IN THE EVENT THE 17
COMMISSION EXERCISES ITS RULEMAKING AUTHORITY IN A MANNER THAT IS 18
BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE COMPACT, OR THE POWERS 19
GRANTED HEREUNDER , THEN SUCH AN ACTION BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE 20
INVALID AND HAVE NO FORCE AND EFFEC T OF LAW. 21
7. BRING AND PROSECUTE L EGAL PROCEEDINGS OR ACTIONS IN 22
THE NAME OF THE COMMISSION, PROVIDED THAT THE ST ANDING OF ANY MEMBER 23
STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO SUE OR B E SUED UNDER APPLICA BLE LAW MAY 24
NOT BE AFFECTED . 25
8. PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE AND BONDS . 26
9. BORROW, ACCEPT, OR CONTRACT FOR SERV ICES OF PERSONNEL , 27
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO , EMPLOYEES OF A MEMBER STATE, OR AN 28
ASSOCIATED NONGOVERN MENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS OPEN TO MEMB ERSHIP 29
BY ALL STATES. 30
HOUSE BILL 504 51
10. HIRE EMPLOYEES , ELECT OR APPOINT OFFICERS , FIX 1
COMPENSATION , DEFINE DUTIES , GRANT SUCH INDIVIDUA LS APPROPRIATE 2
AUTHORITY TO CARRY O UT THE PURPOSES OF T HE COMPACT , AND ESTABLISH THE 3
COMMISSION’S PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATIN G TO CONFLICTS OF 4
INTEREST, QUALIFICATIONS OF P ERSONNEL, AND OTHER RELATED PE RSONNEL 5
MATTERS. 6
11. LEASE, PURCHASE, ACCEPT APPROPRIATE G IFTS OR DONATIONS 7
OF, OR OTHERWISE OWN , HOLD, IMPROVE, OR USE, ANY PROPERTY , REAL, 8
PERSONAL OR MIXED , PROVIDED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL 9
AVOID ANY APPEA RANCE OF IMPROPRIETY . 10
12. SELL, CONVEY, MORTGAGE , PLEDGE, LEASE, EXCHANGE, 11
ABANDON, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY REAL , PERSONAL, OR MIXED. 12
13. ESTABLISH A BUDGET AN D MAKE EXPENDITURES . 13
14. BORROW MONEY . 14
15. APPOINT COMMITTEES , INCLUDING STANDING COMMITTEES 15
COMPOSED OF MEMBERS AND SUCH OTHER INTER ESTED PERSONS AS MAY BE 16
DESIGNATED IN THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT , RULES, OR BYLAWS. 17
16. PROVIDE AND RECEIVE I NFORMATION FROM , AND COOPERATE 18
WITH, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGEN CIES. 19
17. ESTABLISH AND EL ECT AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 20
18. ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP A CHARTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE 21
INFORMATION GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE TO ADVISE O N FACILITATING EXCHA NGE 22
OF INFORMATION , USE OF INFORMATION , DATA PRIVACY, AND TECHNICAL SUPPOR T 23
NEEDS, AND PROVIDE REPORTS AS NEEDED. 24
19. PERFORM SUCH OTHER FU NCTIONS AS MAY BE NE CESSARY OR 25
APPROPRIATE TO ACHIE VE THE PURPOSES OF T HIS INTERSTATE COMPA CT 26
CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE REGULATION OF TEACHER LICENSURE . 27
20. DETERMINE WHETHER A STATE’S ADOPTED LANGUAGE I S 28
MATERIALLY D IFFERENT FROM THE MO DEL COMPACT LANGUAGE SUCH THAT THE 29
STATE WOULD NOT QUALI FY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT. 30
D. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY 31
COMPACT COMMISSION. 32 52 HOUSE BILL 504
1. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ACT O N 1
BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THIS INTERSTATE 2
COMPACT. 3
2. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE CO MPOSED OF EIGHT 4
VOTING MEMBERS : 5
A. THE COMMISSION CHAIR , VICE CHAIR, AND TREASURER ; 6
AND 7
B. FIVE MEMBERS WHO ARE ELECTED BY THE COMMISSION 8
FROM THE CURRENT MEM BERSHIP: 9
I. FOUR VOTING MEMBERS R EPRESENTING 10
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS I N ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION RULES; AND 11
II. ONE AT LARGE VOTING M EMBER IN ACCORDANCE 12
WITH COMMISSION RULES. 13
3. THE COMMISSION MAY ADD OR REMOVE MEMBE RS OF THE 14
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS PROVIDED IN COMMISSION RULES. 15
4. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE 16
ANNUALLY. 17
5. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING 18
DUTIES AND RESPONSIB ILITIES: 19
A. RECOMMEND TO THE ENTI RE COMMISSION C HANGES TO 20
THE RULES OR BYLAWS, CHANGES TO THE COMPA CT LEGISLATION , FEES PAID BY 21
INTERSTATE COMPACT MEMBER STATES SUCH AS ANNUAL DUES, AND ANY 22
COMPACT FEE CHARGED BY THE MEMBER STATES ON BEHALF OF T HE COMMISSION. 23
B. ENSURE COMMISSION ADMINISTRA TION SERVICES ARE 24
APPROPRIATELY PROVID ED, CONTRACTUAL OR OTHER WISE. 25
C. PREPARE AND RECOMMEND THE BUDGET. 26
D. MAINTAIN FINANCIAL RE CORDS ON BEHALF OF T HE 27
COMMISSION. 28
HOUSE BILL 504 53
E. MONITOR COMPLIANCE OF MEMBER STATES AND PROVIDE 1
REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION. 2
F. PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS PROVIDED IN RULES OR 3
BYLAWS. 4
6. MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION. 5
A. ALL MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC , AND 6
PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEE TINGS SHALL BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION 7
BYLAWS. 8
B. THE COMMISSION OR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR 9
OTHER COMMITTEES OF THE COMMISSION MAY CONVEN E IN A CLOSED , 10
NON–PUBLIC MEETING IF TH E COMMISSION OR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR OTHER 11
COMMITTEES OF THE COMMISSION MUST DISCU SS: 12
I. NONCOMPLIANCE OF A MEMBER STATE WITH ITS 13
OBLIGATIONS UNDER T HE COMPACT . 14
II. THE EMPLOYMENT , COMPENSATION , DISCIPLINE OR 15
OTHER MATTERS , PRACTICES OR PROCEDU RES RELATED TO SPECI FIC EMPLOYEES 16
OR OTHER MATTERS REL ATED TO THE COMMISSION’S INTERNAL PERSONNEL 17
PRACTICES AND PROCED URES. 18
III. CURRENT, THREATENED , OR REASONABLY 19
ANTICIPATED LITIGATI ON. 20
IV. NEGOTIATION OF CONTRA CTS FOR THE PURCHASE , 21
LEASE, OR SALE OF GOODS , SERVICES, OR REAL ESTATE . 22
V. ACCUSING ANY PERSON O F A CRIME OR FORMALL Y 23
CENSURING ANY PERSON . 24
VI. DISCLOSURE OF TRADE S ECRETS OR COMMERCIAL 25
OR FINANCIAL INFORMA TION THAT IS PRIVILE GED OR CONFIDENTIAL . 26
VII. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMA TION OF A PERSONAL 27
NATURE WHERE DISCLOS URE WOULD CONSTITUTE A CLEARLY UNWARRANTE D 28
INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY. 29
VIII. DISCLOSURE OF INVESTI GATIVE RECORDS COMPILED 30
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. 31 54 HOUSE BILL 504
IX. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMA TION RELATED TO ANY 1
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT S PREPARED BY OR ON BEHALF OF OR FOR USE OF THE 2
COMMISSION OR OTHER C OMMITTEE CHARGED WIT H RESPONSIBILITY OF 3
INVESTIGATION OR DET ERMINATION O F COMPLIANCE ISSUES PURSUANT TO THE 4
COMPACT. 5
X. MATTERS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM 6
DISCLOSURE BY FEDERA L OR MEMBER STATE STATUTE. 7
XI. OTHER MATTERS AS SET FORTH BY COMMISSION 8
BYLAWS AND RULES. 9
C. IF A MEETING , OR PORTION OF A MEET ING, IS CLOSED 10
PURSUANT TO THIS PRO VISION, THE COMMISSION’S LEGAL COUNSEL OR D ESIGNEE 11
SHALL CERTIFY THAT T HE MEETING MAY BE CL OSED AND SHALL REFER ENCE EACH 12
RELEVANT EXEMPTING P ROVISION. 13
D. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP MINUTES OF COMMISSION 14
MEETINGS AND SHALL P ROVIDE A FULL AND ACCURATE SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 15
TAKEN, AND THE REASONS THER EFOR, INCLUDING A DESCRIPT ION OF THE VIEWS 16
EXPRESSED. ALL DOCUMENTS CONSIDE RED IN CONNECTION WI TH AN ACTION 17
SHALL BE IDENTIFIED IN SUCH MINUTES . ALL MINUTES AND DOCUM ENTS OF A 18
CLOSED MEETING SHALL REMAIN UNDER S EAL, SUBJECT TO RELEASE B Y A 19
MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COMMISSION OR ORDER O F A COURT OF COMPETE NT 20
JURISDICTION. 21
7. FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION. 22
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PAY , OR PROVIDE FOR THE 23
PAYMENT OF, THE REASONABLE EXPEN SES OF ITS ESTABLISHMENT , ORGANIZATION , 24
AND ONGOING ACTIVITI ES. 25
B. THE COMMISSION MAY ACCEPT ALL APPROPRIATE 26
DONATIONS AND GRANTS OF MONEY, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, AND 27
SERVICES, AND RECEIVE, UTILIZE, AND DISPOSE OF THE S AME, PROVIDED THAT AT 28
ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL AVOI D ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY OR 29
CONFLICT OF INTEREST . 30
C. THE COMMISSION MAY LEVY O N AND COLLECT AN ANN UAL 31
ASSESSMENT FROM EACH MEMBER STATE OR IMPOSE FEES ON OTHER PARTIES TO 32
COVER THE COST OF TH E OPERATIONS AND ACT IVITIES OF THE COMMISSION, IN 33
ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSION RULES. 34 HOUSE BILL 504 55
D. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IN CUR OBLIGATIONS OF A NY 1
KIND PRIOR TO SECURI NG THE FUNDS ADEQUAT E TO MEET THE SAME ; NOR SHALL 2
THE COMMISSION PLEDGE THE CREDIT OF ANY OF THE MEMBER STATES, EXCEPT 3
BY AND WITH THE AUTHORI TY OF THE MEMBER STATE. 4
E. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP ACCURATE ACCOUNTS OF 5
ALL RECEIPTS AND DIS BURSEMENTS . THE RECEIPTS AND DISB URSEMENTS OF THE 6
COMMISSION SHALL BE S UBJECT TO ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES ESTABLISH ED 7
UNDER COMMISSION BYLAWS. ALL RECEIPTS AND DISB URSEMENTS OF FUNDS O F 8
THE COMMISSION SHALL BE R EVIEWED ANNUALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 9
COMMISSION BYLAWS, AND A REPORT OF THE REVIEW SHALL BE INCL UDED IN AND 10
BECOME PART OF THE A NNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. 11
8. QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, DEFENSE, AND INDEMNIFICATION . 12
A. THE MEMBERS , OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , 13
EMPLOYEES AND REPRES ENTATIVES OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE I MMUNE FROM 14
SUIT AND LIABILITY , EITHER PERSONALLY OR IN THEIR OFFICIAL CA PACITY, FOR 15
ANY CLAIM FOR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROPERTY OR PERSONAL INJURY OR 16
OTHER CIVIL LIABILIT Y CAUSED BY OR ARISI NG OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED 17
ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED , OR THAT THE PERSON A GAINST WHOM 18
THE CLAIM IS MADE HA D A REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURR ED WITHIN 19
THE SCOPE O F COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES OR RESPONSIBI LITIES; 20
PROVIDED THAT NOTHIN G IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED T O PROTECT 21
ANY SUCH PERSON FROM SUIT OR LIABILITY FO R ANY DAMAGE , LOSS, INJURY, OR 22
LIABILITY CAUSED BY THE INTENTIONAL OR W ILLFUL OR WANTON MIS CONDUCT OF 23
THAT PERSON . 24
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL DEFE ND ANY MEMBER , OFFICER, 25
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , EMPLOYEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMISSION IN 26
ANY CIVIL ACTION SEE KING TO IMPOSE LIABI LITY ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR 27
ALLEGED ACT , ERROR, OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED WITHIN T HE SCOPE OF 28
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , OR THAT THE PERSON 29
AGAINST WHOM THE CLA IM IS MADE HAD A REA SONABLE BASIS FOR BE LIEVING 30
OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR 31
RESPONSIBILITIES ; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING HE REIN SHALL BE CONSTR UED TO 32
PROHIBIT THAT PERSON FROM RETAINING HIS O R HER OWN COUNSEL ; AND 33
PROVIDED FURTHER , THAT THE ACTUAL OR A LLEGED ACT, ERROR, OR OMISSION 34
DID NOT RESULT FROM THAT PERSON ’S INTENTIONAL OR WIL LFUL OR WANTON 35
MISCONDUC T. 36
56 HOUSE BILL 504
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL INDE MNIFY AND HOLD HARML ESS 1
ANY MEMBER , OFFICER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , EMPLOYEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE 2
OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE AM OUNT OF ANY SETTLEME NT OR JUDGMENT 3
OBTAINED AGAINST THA T PERSON ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALL EGED ACT, 4
ERROR OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED WITHIN T HE SCOPE OF COMMISSION 5
EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , OR THAT SUCH PERSON HAD A 6
REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED W ITHIN THE SCOPE OF 7
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , PROVIDED THAT THE 8
ACTUAL OR ALLEGED AC T, ERROR, OR OMISSION DID NOT RESULT FROM THE 9
INTENTIONAL OR WILLF UL OR WANTON MISCOND UCT OF THAT PERSON . 10
ARTICLE VIII. RULEMAKING . 11
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL EXER CISE ITS RULEMAKING POWERS 12
PURSUANT TO THE CRIT ERIA SET FORTH I N THIS INTERSTATE CO MPACT AND THE 13
RULES ADOPTED THEREUN DER. RULES AND AMENDMENTS SHALL BECOME 14
BINDING AS OF THE DA TE SPECIFIED IN EACH RULE OR AMENDMENT . 15
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROM ULGATE REASONABLE RULES TO 16
ACHIEVE THE INTENT A ND PURPOSE OF THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT . IN THE EVENT 17
THE COMMISSION EXERCISES ITS RULEMAKING AUTHORITY IN A MANNER THAT IS 18
BEYOND PURPOSE AND I NTENT OF THIS INTERS TATE COMPACT , OR THE POWERS 19
GRANTED HEREUNDER , THEN SUCH AN ACTION BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE 20
INVALID AND HAVE NO FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW IN THE MEMBER STATES. 21
C. IF A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATURES OF THE MEMBER STATES 22
REJECTS A RULE, BY ENACTMENT OF A ST ATUTE OR RESOLUTION IN THE SAME 23
MANNER USED TO ADOPT THE COMPACT WITHIN F OUR (4) YEARS OF THE DATE OF 24
ADOPTION OF THE RULE, THEN SUCH RULE SHALL HAVE NO FU RTHER FORCE AND 25
EFFECT IN ANY MEMBER STATE. 26
D. RULES OR AMENDMENTS T O THE RULES SHALL BE ADOPTE D OR 27
RATIFIED AT A REGULA R OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION IN 28
ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION RULES AND BYLAWS. 29
E. UPON D ETERMINATION THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS , THE 30
COMMISSION MAY CONSID ER AND ADOPT AN EMER GENCY RULE WITH 48 HOURS’ 31
NOTICE, WITH OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT, PROVIDED THAT THE US UAL 32
RULEMAKING PROCEDURES SHALL BE RETROACTIVE LY APPLIED TO THE RULE AS 33
SOON AS REASONABL Y POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT LATER TH AN NINETY (90) DAYS 34
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RULE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF T HIS 35
PROVISION, AN EMERGENCY RULE IS ONE THAT MUST BE ADOPTED IMMEDIATE LY 36
IN ORDER TO: 37 HOUSE BILL 504 57
1. MEET AN IMMINENT THRE AT TO PUBLIC HEALTH , SAFETY, OR 1
WELFARE; 2
2. PREVENT A LOSS OF COMMISSION OR MEMBER STATE FUNDS; 3
3. MEET A DEADLINE FOR T HE PROMULGATION OF A N 4
ADMINISTRATIVE RULE THAT IS ESTABLIS HED BY FEDERAL LAW O R RULE; OR 5
4. PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. 6
ARTICLE IX. FACILITATING INFORMATION EXCHANGE. 7
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE FOR FACILITATING THE EXCHANGE 8
OF INFORMATION TO AD MINISTER AND IMPLEME NT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS 9
COMPACT IN ACCORDANC E WITH THE RULES OF THE COMMISSION, CONSISTENT 10
WITH GENERALLY ACCEP TED DATA PROTECTI ON PRINCIPLES. 11
B. NOTHING IN THIS COMPA CT SHALL BE DEEMED O R CONSTRUED TO 12
ALTER, LIMIT, OR INHIBIT THE POWER OF A MEMBER STATE TO CONTROL AND 13
MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP O F ITS LICENSEE INFOR MATION OR ALTER , LIMIT, OR 14
INHIBIT THE LAWS OR REGULATIONS GOVERNIN G LICENSEE INFORMATION IN THE 15
MEMBER STATE. 16
ARTICLE X. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT . 17
A. OVERSIGHT. 18
1. THE EXECUTIVE AND JUD ICIAL BRANCHES OF STATE 19
GOVERNMENT IN EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL ENFORCE T HIS COMPACT AND TAKE 20
ALL ACTIONS NECESSAR Y AND APPROPRIATE TO E FFECTUATE THE COMPACT’S 21
PURPOSES AND INTENT . THE PROVISIONS OF THI S COMPACT SHALL HAVE 22
STANDING AS STATUTOR Y LAW. 23
2. VENUE IS PROPER AND J UDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BY OR AGAINST 24
THE COMMISSION SHALL BE B ROUGHT SOLELY AND EX CLUSIVELY IN A C OURT OF 25
COMPETENT JURISDICTI ON WHERE THE PRINCIP AL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION IS 26
LOCATED. THE COMMISSION MAY WAIVE VENUE AND JURISDICTI ONAL DEFENSES 27
TO THE EXTENT IT ADO PTS OR CONSENTS TO P ARTICIPATE IN ALTERN ATIVE 28
DISPUTE RESOLUTION P ROCEEDINGS . NOTHING HER EIN SHALL AFFECT OR LIMIT 29
THE SELECTION OR PRO PRIETY OF VENUE IN A NY ACTION AGAINST A LICENSEE FOR 30
PROFESSIONAL MALPRAC TICE, MISCONDUCT OR ANY SU CH SIMILAR MATTER . 31
58 HOUSE BILL 504
3. ALL COURTS AND ALL AD MINISTRATIVE AGENCIE S SHALL TAKE 1
JUDICIAL NOTICE OF T HE COMPACT, THE RULES OF THE COMMISSION, AND ANY 2
INFORMATION PROVIDED TO A MEMBER STATE PURSUANT THERET O IN ANY 3
JUDICIAL OR QUASI –JUDICIAL PROCEEDING IN A MEMBER STATE PERTAINING TO 4
THE SUBJECT MATTER O F THIS COMPACT, OR WHICH MAY AFFECT THE POWERS , 5
RESPONSIBILITIES , OR ACTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. 6
4. THE COMMISSION SHALL BE E NTITLED TO RECEIVE S ERVICE OF 7
PROCESS IN ANY PROCE EDING REGARDING THE ENFORCEMENT OR 8
INTERPRETATION OF TH E COMPACT AND SHALL HAV E STANDING TO INTERV ENE IN 9
SUCH A PROCEEDING FO R ALL PURPOSES . FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION 10
SERVICE OF PROCESS S HALL RENDER A JUDGME NT OR ORDER VOID AS TO THE 11
COMMISSION, THIS COMPACT, OR PROMULGATED RULES. 12
B. DEFAULT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND TERMINATION. 13
1. IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT A MEMBER STATE HAS 14
DEFAULTED IN THE PER FORMANCE OF ITS OBLI GATIONS OR RESPONSIB ILITIES 15
UNDER THIS COMPACT OR THE PROMUL GATED RULES, THE COMMISSION SHALL : 16
A. PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIC E TO THE DEFAULTING STATE 17
AND OTHER MEMBER STATES OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFAULT , THE PROPOSE D 18
MEANS OF CURING THE DEFAULT OR ANY OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN B Y THE 19
COMMISSION; AND 20
B. PROVIDE REMEDIAL TRAI NING AND SPECIFIC TE CHNICAL 21
ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE DEFAULT . 22
C. IF A STATE IN DEFAULT FAIL S TO CURE THE DEFAUL T, THE DEFAULTING 23
STATE MAY BE TERMINATED FROM THE COMPACT UPON AN AFFIR MATIVE VOTE OF 24
A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MEMBER STATES, AND ALL RIGHTS , 25
PRIVILEGES AND BENEF ITS CONFERRED ON THA T STATE BY THIS COMPACT MAY BE 26
TERMINATED ON THE EF FECTIVE DATE OF TERM INATION. A CURE OF THE DEFAULT 27
DOES NOT RELIEVE THE OFFENDING STATE OF OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES 28
INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD OF DEFAULT . 29
D. TERMINATION OF MEMBER SHIP IN THE COMPACT SHALL BE IMPO SED 30
ONLY AFTER ALL OTHER MEANS OF SECURING CO MPLIANCE HAVE BEEN 31
EXHAUSTED. NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUS PEND OR TERMINATE SH ALL BE GIVEN BY 32
THE COMMISSION TO THE GOV ERNOR, THE MAJORITY AND MIN ORITY LEADERS OF 33
THE DEFAULTING STATE’S LEGISLATURE , THE STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY AND 34
EACH OF THE MEMBER STATES. 35
HOUSE BILL 504 59
E. A STATE THAT HAS BEEN T ERMINATED IS RESPONSIBLE F OR ALL 1
ASSESSMENTS , OBLIGATIONS, AND LIABILITIES INCU RRED THROUGH THE 2
EFFECTIVE DATE OF TE RMINATION, INCLUDING OBLIGATION S THAT EXTEND 3
BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION . 4
F. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT BE AR ANY COSTS RELATED TO A STATE 5
THAT IS FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT OR THAT H AS BEEN TERMINATED F ROM THE 6
COMPACT, UNLESS AGREED UPON I N WRITING BETWEEN TH E COMMISSION AND THE 7
DEFAULTING STATE. 8
G. THE DEFAULTING STATE MAY APPEAL THE ACTION OF THE 9
COMMISSION BY PETITIO NING THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF 10
COLUMBIA OR THE FEDER AL DISTRICT WHERE TH E COMMISSION HAS ITS 11
PRINCIPAL OFFICES . THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL COSTS OF 12
SUCH LITIGATION , INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. 13
H. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. 14
1. UPON REQUE ST BY A MEMBER STATE, THE COMMISSION SHALL 15
ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE D ISPUTES RELATED TO T HE COMPACT THAT ARISE AM ONG 16
MEMBER STATES AND BETWEEN MEMBER AND NON –MEMBER STATES. 17
2. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROM ULGATE A RULE PROVIDING FOR 18
BOTH BINDING AND NON –BINDING A LTERNATIVE DISPUTE R ESOLUTION FOR 19
DISPUTES AS APPROPRI ATE. 20
I. ENFORCEMENT . 21
1. THE COMMISSION, IN THE REASONABLE EX ERCISE OF ITS 22
DISCRETION, SHALL ENFORCE THE PR OVISIONS AND RULES OF THIS COMPACT. 23
2. BY MAJORITY VOTE , THE COMMISSION MAY INITIA TE LEGAL 24
ACTION IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 25
OR THE FEDERAL DISTR ICT WHERE THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PR INCIPAL OFFICES 26
AGAINST A MEMBER STATE IN DEFAULT TO E NFORCE COMPLIANCE WI TH THE 27
PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT AND ITS PROMU LGATED RULES AND BYLAWS. THE 28
RELIEF SOUGHT MAY IN CLUDE BOTH INJUNCTIV E RELIEF AND DAMAGES . IN THE 29
EVENT JUDICIAL ENFOR CEMENT IS NECESSARY , THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE 30
AWARDED ALL COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION , INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S 31
FEES. THE REMEDIES HERE IN MAY NOT BE THE EX CLUSIVE REMEDIES OF THE 32
COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION MAY PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDIES A VAILABLE 33
UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE LAW. 34
60 HOUSE BILL 504
ARTICLE XI. EFFECTUATION , WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT . 1
A. THE COMPACT SHALL COME IN TO EFFECT ON THE DAT E ON WHICH THE 2
COMPACT STATUTE IS EN ACTED INTO LAW IN TH E TENTH MEMBER STATE. 3
1. ON OR AFTER THE EFFEC TIVE DATE OF THE COMPACT, THE 4
COMMISSION SHALL CONV ENE AND REVIEW THE E NACTMENT OF EACH OF THE 5
CHARTER MEMBER STATES TO DETERMINE I F THE STATUTE ENACTE D BY EACH 6
SUCH CHARTER MEMBER STATE IS MATERIALLY D IFFERENT FROM THE MO DEL 7
COMPACT STATUTE . 8
2. A CHARTER MEMBER STATE WHOSE ENACTMENT IS FOUND TO BE 9
MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE MODEL COMPACT STATUTE SHALL BE 10
ENTITLED TO THE DEFA ULT PROCESS SET FORT H IN ARTICLE X. 11
3. MEMBER STATES ENACTING THE COMPACT SUBSEQUENT TO THE 12
CHARTER MEMBER STATES SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE PROCESS SE T FORTH IN 13
ARTICLE VII.C.20 TO DETERMINE IF THEI R ENACTMENTS ARE MAT ERIALLY 14
DIFFERENT FROM THE M ODEL COMPACT STATUTE AND W HETHER THEY QUALIFY 15
FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT. 16
B. IF ANY MEMBER STATE IS LATER FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT , OR IS 17
TERMINATED OR WITHDR AWS FROM THE COMPACT, THE COMMISSION SHALL 18
REMAIN IN EXISTENCE AND THE COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT EVEN IF TH E 19
NUMBER OF MEMBER STATES SHOULD BE LESS THAN TEN. 20
C. ANY STATE THAT JOINS THE COMPACT AFTER THE COMMISSION’S 21
INITIAL ADOPTION OF THE RULES AND BYLAWS SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE RULES 22
AND BYLAWS AS THEY EXIST ON THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPACT BECOMES LAW 23
IN THAT STATE. ANY RULE THAT HAS BEEN PRE VIOUSLY ADOPTED BY T HE 24
COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FULL FORCE AND E FFECT OF LAW ON THE DAY THE 25
COMPACT BECOMES LAW I N THAT STATE, AS THE RULES AND BYLAWS MAY BE 26
AMENDED AS PROVIDED IN THIS COMPACT. 27
D. ANY MEMBER STATE MAY WITHDRAW FR OM THIS COMPACT BY 28
ENACTING A STATUTE R EPEALING THE SAME . 29
1. A MEMBER STATE’S WITHDRAWAL MAY NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL 30
SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER ENACTME NT OF THE REPEALING STATUTE. 31
2. WITHDRAWAL MAY NOT AF FECT THE CONTINUING REQUIREMENT 32
OF THE WITHDRAWING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY TO COMPLY W ITH THE 33 HOUSE BILL 504 61
INVESTIGATIVE AND ADVERSE ACTION REPORTING REQU IREMENTS OF THIS ACT 1
PRIOR TO THE EFFECTI VE DATE OF WITHDRAWA L. 2
E. THIS COMPACT MAY BE AMENDE D BY THE MEMBER STATES. NO 3
AMENDMENT TO THIS COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDING UPON 4
ANY MEMBER STATE UNTIL IT IS ENACTED INTO THE LAWS O F ALL MEMBER STATES. 5
ARTICLE XII. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY. 6
THIS COMPACT SHALL BE LIBE RALLY CONSTRUED TO E FFECTUATE THE 7
PURPOSES THEREOF . THE PROVISIONS OF THI S COMPACT SHALL B E SEVERABLE 8
AND IF ANY PHRASE , CLAUSE, SENTENCE, OR PROVISION OF THIS COMPACT IS 9
DECLARED TO BE CONTR ARY TO THE CONSTITUT ION OF ANY MEMBER STATE OR A 10
STATE SEEKING MEMBERS HIP IN THE COMPACT , OR OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE 11
APPLICABILITY THEREO F TO ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT , AGENCY, PERSON OR 12
CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD INVALID, THE VALIDITY OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS 13
COMPACT AND THE APPLI CABILITY THEREOF TO ANY GOVERNMENT , AGENCY, 14
PERSON, OR CIRCUMSTANCE MAY NOT BE AFFECTED THER EBY. IF THIS COMPACT 15
SHALL BE HELD CONTRA RY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY MEMBER STATE, THE 16
COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EF FECT AS TO THE REMAI NING 17
MEMBER STATES AND IN FULL FO RCE AND EFFECT AS TO THE MEMBER STATE 18
AFFECTED AS TO ALL S EVERABLE MATTERS . 19
ARTICLE XIII. CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE LAWS. 20
A. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PREVENT OR INHIBIT T HE ENFORCEMENT OF 21
ANY OTHER LAW OF A MEMBER STATE THAT IS NOT INC ONSISTENT WITH THE 22
COMPACT. 23
B. ANY LAWS , STATUTES, REGULATIONS , OR OTHER LEGAL 24
REQUIREMENTS IN A MEMBER STATE IN CONFLICT WITH THE COMPACT ARE 25
SUPERSEDED TO THE EX TENT OF THE CONFLICT . 26
C. ALL PERMISSIBLE AGREE MENTS BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE 27
MEMBER STATES ARE BINDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEI R TERMS. 28
Article – State Finance and Procurement 29
6–226. 30
(a) (2) (i) 1. This subparagraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 31
through 2028. 32
62 HOUSE BILL 504
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 1
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 2
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 3
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 4
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 5
Fund of the State. 6
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 7
to the following funds: 8
204. the Victims of Domestic Violence Program Grant Fund; 9
[and] 10
205. the Proposed Programs Collaborative Grant Fund; AND 11
206. THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 12
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 13
(a) (1) On or before January 1, 2026, the State Department of Education, in 14
consultation with the Accountability and Implementation Board, shall contract with an 15
independent public or private entity to conduct a study of funding for special education in 16
the State. 17
(2) At a minimum, the study shall review and make recommendations on 18
the following: 19
(i) the costs of special education in the State; 20
(ii) the rising costs of special education for prekindergarten students 21
and the appropriate funding formula for those students assumed to be covered in the 22
prekindergarten per pupil funding allocation under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future; 23
(iii) the implications of the design assumptions in the existing special 24
education funding structure related to long–term spending and costs; 25
(iv) the establishment of a system of multiple weights for special 26
education funding based on disability and level of services and support needed; and 27
(v) the feasibility of complying with the minimum school funding 28
requirement under § 5–234 of the Education Article as it relates to special education 29
funding. 30
(b) The entity conducting the study shall seek input from county boards of 31
education, nonpublic special education schools, special education advocates, and special 32
education organizations. 33
HOUSE BILL 504 63
(c) The Governor shall include sufficient funds in the State budget for the 1
appropriate fiscal years for the State Department of Education to cover the costs of the 2
study. 3
(d) On or before December 15, 2026, the State Department of Education shall 4
report the findings and recommendations of the study to the General Assembly in 5
accordance with § § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 6
SECTION 5. AND BE I T FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 3 of this Act is 7
contingent on the enactment of substantially similar legislation in 10 other states. The 8
State Department of Education shall notify the Department of Legislative Services within 9
10 days after 10 states have enacted legislation that is substantially similar to Section 3 of 10
this Act. 11
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, except as provided in Section 12
5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 13