EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*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
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 26, 2025
CHAPTER ______
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 2 HOUSE BILL 504
Fund in the Department; altering the purpose and eligibility criteria of the Grow 1
Your Own Educators Grant Program and altering the distribution and use of Grow 2
Your Own Educators Grant Program grants; requiring the Department to consult 3
with a certain entity to support the development and implementation of 4
grow–your–own programs; altering certain plans and requirements that a certain 5
collaborative must develop or provide; prohibiting a local school system from 6
reducing the compensation of certain teacher candidates; providing that certain 7
provisions of law regarding the issuance of an initial teaching certificate do not apply 8
to certain teachers under certain circumstances; entering into the Interstate Teacher 9
Mobility Compact for the purpose of authorizing regulated teachers who hold 10
multistate licenses to teach in each member state; establishing requirements for 11
multistate licensure; establishing the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact 12
Commission and its powers and duties; providing for the withdrawal from the 13
Compact; requiring the Department to contract with an independent entity to 14
conduct a certain study of funding special education by a certain date; requiring the 15
Department to consult with a certain entity to evaluate a certain program and 16
establish requirements for certain implementation plans; and generally relating to 17
the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. 18
BY repealing 19
Article – Education 20
Section 6–601 through 6–604 and the subtitle “Subtitle 6. Interstate Agreement on 21
Qualifications of Educational Personnel” 22
Annotated Code of Maryland 23
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 24
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 25
Article – Education 26
Section 5–201(a), 5–201(a) and (s), 5–206(a), 6–1002(a)(1), 7–447.1(p)(1) and (3), and 27
18–27A–05 28
Annotated Code of Maryland 29
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 30
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 31
Article – Education 32
Section 5–201(s), 5–206(f), 5–213, 5–223, 5–225, 6–124, 6–126, 6–1002(h), 33
7–447.1(p)(9), 9.9–101 through 9.9–104, 18–27A–01 through 18–27A–04, and 34
18–27A–06 35
Annotated Code of Maryland 36
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 37
BY adding to 38
Article – Education 39
Section 6–123.1, 6–130, and 6–131; 6–601 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 6. 40
Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact”; 6–130 and 6–131; and 9.12–101 41
through 9.12–104 6–1101 through 6–1106 to be under the new title subtitle 42
“Title 9.12. Subtitle 11. Academic Excellence Program” 43 HOUSE BILL 504 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 2
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 3
Article – State Finance and Procurement 4
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – State Finance and Procurement 9
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)204. and 205. 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY adding to 13
Article – State Finance and Procurement 14
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)206. 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Chapter 717 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 19
Section 8(85) and (86) 20
BY adding to 21
Chapter 717 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 22
Section 8(87) 23
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 24
That Section(s) 6–601 through 6–604 and the subtitle “Subtitle 6. Interstate Agreement on 25
Qualifications of Educational Personnel” of Article – Education of the Annotated Code of 26
Maryland be repealed. 27
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE 28
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND , That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 29
Article – Education 30
5–201. 31
(a) In this subtitle, except as otherwise provided, the following words have the 32
meanings indicated. 33
(s) “Target per pupil foundation amount” means: 34
(1) For fiscal year 2022, $7,991; 35 4 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) For fiscal year 2023, $8,310; 1
(3) For fiscal year 2024, $8,642; 2
(4) For fiscal year 2025, $8,789; 3
(5) For fiscal year 2026, [$9,226] $9,063; 4
(6) For fiscal year 2027, [$9,732] $9,398; 5
(7) For fiscal year 2028, [$10,138] $9,626; 6
(8) For fiscal year 2029, [$10,564] $9,866; 7
(9) For fiscal year 2030, [$11,004] $10,276; 8
(10) For fiscal year 2031, [$11,442] $10,683; 9
(11) For fiscal year 2032, [$11,898] $11,104; 10
(12) For fiscal year 2033, [$12,365] $11,536; [and] 11
(13) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2034, $11,946; 12
(14) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2035, $12,369; 13
(15) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2036, $12,808; 14
(16) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2037, $13,259; AND 15
[(13)] (17) For subsequent fiscal years, the target per pupil foundation 16
amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded to the 17
nearest whole dollar. 18
5–206. 19
(a) In this section, “Fund” means the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. 20
(f) The Fund consists of: 21
(1) Revenue distributed to the Fund under Title 9, Subtitles 1D and 1E of 22
the State Government Article and §§ 2–4A–02, 2–605.1, and 2–1303 of the Tax – General 23
Article; 24
(2) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund; 25 HOUSE BILL 504 5
(3) INTEREST EARNED BY TH E ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND 1
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9.12–103 § 6–1105 OF THIS ARTICLE; and 2
[(3)] (4) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit 3
of the Fund. 4
5–213. 5
(a) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share of the foundation 6
program to each county board. 7
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, each fiscal year, 8
the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for 9
the foundation program calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle. 10
(c) (1) Each county board shall distribute to the local workforce development 11
board for the county the following amount multiplied by the enrollment count in the county: 12
(i) For fiscal year 2024, $62; and 13
(ii) For each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the prior fiscal year 14
amount increased by the inflation adjustment. 15
(2) The funds distributed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be 16
used to support the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students 17
established under § 7–126 of this article that is provided collaboratively by the workforce 18
development board, the school, any other relevant State or local agencies, and employers. 19
(3) On or before June 30, 2024, and in each of the next 2 fiscal years, the 20
local workforce development board, in collaboration with the county board and any other 21
relevant State or local agencies, shall report to the Accountability and Implementation 22
Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title on the use of the funds and the impact of 23
the funds on providing career counseling. 24
(d) (1) In this subsection, “collaborative time per pupil amount” means: 25
(i) For fiscal year [2026] 2030, $163; 26
(ii) (I) For fiscal year [2027] 2031, $334; 27
(iii) (II) For fiscal year [2028] 2032, $512; 28
(iv) (III) For fiscal year [2029] 2033, $698; 29
(v) (IV) For fiscal year [2030] 2034, $891; 30 6 HOUSE BILL 504
(vi) (V) For fiscal year [2031] 2035, $1,093; 1
(vii) (VI) For fiscal year [2032] 2036, $1,306; 2
(viii) (VII) For fiscal year [2033] 2037, $1,527; and 3
(ix) (VIII) For each fiscal year thereafter, the collaborative time per 4
pupil amount in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment. 5
(2) The collaborative time per pupil amount multiplied by the enrollment 6
count in each county shall be distributed to and expended by schools in each county in 7
accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article and the county’s collaborative time 8
implementation plan approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board. 9
5–223. 10
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 11
(2) “Community school” means a community school under Title 9.9 of this 12
article. 13
(3) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, 14
“concentration of poverty level” means the average percentage of eligible students of the 15
school’s enrollment for the 3 prior school years rounded to the nearest whole percent. 16
(ii) If the 3 prior school years includes the 2020–2021 school year, 17
“concentration of poverty level” means: 18
1. The sum of the percentage of eligible students of the 19
school’s enrollment for the 4 prior school years minus the 2020–2021 school year percentage 20
of eligible students; divided by 21
2. Three; and 22
3. Rounded to the nearest whole percent. 23
(4) (i) “Eligible school” means: 24
1. For the personnel grant, a public school, including a public 25
charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of: 26
A. For fiscal year 2020, at least 80%; 27
B. For fiscal year 2021, at least 75%; 28
C. For fiscal year 2022, at least 70%; 29 HOUSE BILL 504 7
D. For fiscal year 2023, at least 65%; 1
E. For fiscal year 2024, at least 60%; and 2
F. For fiscal year 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, at 3
least 55%; and 4
2. For the per pupil grant, a public school, including a public 5
charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of: 6
A. For fiscal year 2022, at least 80%; 7
B. For fiscal year 2023, at least 75%; 8
C. For fiscal year 2024, at least 70%; 9
D. For fiscal year 2025, at least 65%; 10
E. For fiscal year 2026, at least 60%; and 11
F. For fiscal year 2027, and each fiscal year thereafter, at 12
least 55%. 13
(ii) “Eligible school” includes an alternative option program in the 14
local school system if the students in the program are not included in the count of eligible 15
students for another program or school to determine eligibility for the concentration of 16
poverty grant. 17
(iii) “Eligible school” does not include a school that is eligible to 18
receive funding under this section but has closed. 19
(5) “Eligible student” means the compensatory education enrollment as 20
defined in § 5–222 of this subtitle in the second prior fiscal year rounded to the nearest 21
whole number. 22
(6) “Locally funded county” means a county board that receives a 23
compensatory education State share under § 5–221(c)(1)(ii) of this subtitle. 24
(7) “Needs assessment” means the assessment completed under § 9.9–104 25
of this article. 26
(8) “Per pupil grant amount” means, for all eligible schools in the county, 27
the per pupil amount for each eligible school calculated under subsection (d) of this section 28
multiplied by the number of eligible students in the school. 29
(9) “Per pupil maximum amount” means: 30 8 HOUSE BILL 504
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $3,374.48; and 1
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 2
increased by the inflation adjustment. 3
(10) “Program” means the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program 4
established under this section. 5
(11) “Sliding scale adjustment factor” means: 6
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $7,422.33; and 7
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 8
increased by the inflation adjustment. 9
(12) “Sliding scale upper limit” means: 10
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $13,495.15; and 11
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 12
increased by the inflation adjustment. 13
(13) “State funded county” means a county that is not a locally funded 14
county. 15
(14) “Wraparound services” includes the wraparound services defined under 16
§ 9.9–101 of this article. 17
(b) (1) There is a Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in the State. 18
(2) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to eligible schools with 19
a high concentration of eligible students. 20
(3) The Program consists of the: 21
(i) Personnel grant; and 22
(ii) Per pupil grant. 23
(c) (1) (i) [1.] For fiscal year 2022, the State shall distribute a personnel 24
grant to each county board equal to $248,833 for each eligible school in the county. 25
[2.] (II) In each subsequent fiscal year, the personnel grant 26
equals the personnel grant in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment. 27
HOUSE BILL 504 9
[(ii)] (III) Except as provided in [subparagraph (iii) of this 1
paragraph] SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION , each county board shall distribute 2
directly to each eligible school the amount provided under paragraph (1)(i) AND (II) of this 3
subsection. 4
[(iii) 1. Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this 5
subparagraph, if a local school system has at least 40 eligible schools, the county board 6
may, on behalf of eligible schools, expend no more than 50% of the funds distributed by the 7
State under this paragraph, provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the 8
eligible schools that ensures that the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (8) of this 9
subsection are met and the plan is submitted to the Accountability and Implementation 10
Board in accordance with § 5–402 of this title. 11
2. Subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph does not apply 12
to a public charter school unless the public charter school chooses to participate in the 13
plan.] 14
(2) (i) Each eligible school shall employ one community school 15
coordinator staff position in the eligible school. 16
(ii) 1. Each eligible school shall provide full–time coverage by at 17
least one professional health care practitioner during school hours, including any extended 18
learning time, who is a licensed physician, a licensed physician’s assistant, or a licensed 19
registered nurse, practicing within the scope of the health care practitioner’s license. 20
2. A health care practitioner providing coverage under this 21
subparagraph may work under a school health services program, a county health 22
department, or a school–based health center. 23
3. This subparagraph may not be construed to: 24
A. Require that an eligible school hire a full–time health care 25
practitioner staff position; or 26
B. Preclude the hiring of any other health care practitioners 27
that meet the needs of the students. 28
(3) Each eligible school shall use the personnel grant to fund the 29
requirements under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 30
(4) If the personnel grant provided to an eligible school exceeds the cost to 31
employ the positions and provide the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this 32
subsection, the eligible school may only use the excess funds to: 33
(i) Provide wraparound services to the students enrolled in the 34
eligible school; 35
10 HOUSE BILL 504
(ii) Complete the needs assessment; and 1
(iii) In fiscal years 2021 through 2025, provide the requirements 2
under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, including 13A.04.16.01. 3
(5) (i) If an eligible school, prior to receiving a personnel grant, employs 4
an individual in a position or has the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this 5
subsection, at least the same amount of funds shall be provided to the eligible school to be 6
used for those positions or coverage after receiving a personnel grant. 7
(ii) If an eligible school satisfies subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, 8
then the school shall use the personnel grant in accordance with paragraph (4) of this 9
subsection. 10
(6) The community school coordinator shall be subject to the requirements 11
under § 9.9–104 of this article. 12
(7) A county that provides a school nurse, school health services, or 13
community school services from funds outside of those made in the fiscal year 2019 local 14
appropriation to the county board shall continue to provide at least the same resources to 15
an eligible school through fiscal year 2030. 16
(8) If an eligible school becomes ineligible, the school shall remain entitled 17
to the personnel grant for two school years after the school loses eligibility but may not 18
receive the per pupil grant. 19
(9) The personnel and per pupil grant may be used through fiscal year 2027 20
to provide the programs required under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, including 21
13A.04.16.01. 22
(d) (1) (i) 1. Eligible schools with a concentration of poverty level of at 23
least 80% shall receive a per pupil grant beginning in fiscal year 2022. 24
2. All other eligible schools shall receive the per pupil grant 25
1 year after becoming eligible and on completion of the needs assessment required under § 26
9.9–104 of this article. 27
(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, each 28
eligible school shall receive a per pupil grant each fiscal year equal to the product of the 29
total number of eligible students in the school and the per pupil amount based on the sliding 30
scale under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 31
(2) (i) The sliding scale per pupil amount shall be calculated as 32
provided in this paragraph. 33
(ii) For schools with a concentration of poverty level less than or 34
equal to 55%, the per pupil amount is $0. 35 HOUSE BILL 504 11
(iii) For schools with a concentration of poverty level greater than 1
55% but less than 80%, the per pupil amount is equal to the product of the concentration of 2
poverty level and the sliding scale upper limit minus the sliding scale adjustment factor. 3
(iv) For schools with a concentration of poverty level equal to or 4
greater than 80% the per pupil amount is the maximum per pupil amount. 5
(3) Except as provided in paragraph [(4)] (5) of this subsection, each 6
eligible school shall receive the following proportion of the per pupil grant calculated under 7
paragraph (2) of this subsection rounded to the nearest whole dollar: 8
(i) For the 1st year of eligibility, 16%; 9
(ii) For the 2nd year of eligibility, 32%; 10
(iii) For the 3rd year of eligibility, 37%; 11
(iv) For the 4th year of eligibility, 55%; 12
(v) For the 5th year of eligibility, 66%; 13
(vi) For the 6th year of eligibility, 75%; and 14
(vii) For the 7th year of eligibility and each year of eligibility 15
thereafter, 100%. 16
(4) (I) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2027 AND 2028, INCREASES IN THE 17
PROPORTION OF THE PE R PUPIL AMOUNT FOR E ACH ELIGIBLE SCHOOL 18
CALCULATED UNDER PAR AGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL PAUSE AT THE 19
PROPORTION ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS RECEIVED IN FISCAL YEAR 2026. 20
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2029, THE INCREASES IN THE 21
PROPORTION OF THE PE R PUPIL AMOUNT FOR E ACH ELIGIBLE SCHOOL SHALL 22
RESUME BASED ON THE AMOUNT THE ELIGIBLE SCHOOL WOULD HAVE RE CEIVED IN 23
FISCAL YEAR 2027 AS CALCULATED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 24
[(4)] (5) Beginning in fiscal year [2030] 2032, each eligible school shall 25
receive 100% of the per pupil grant calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection 26
rounded to the nearest whole dollar. 27
(e) (1) For a locally funded county each fiscal year, the State shall distribute 28
the State share of the per pupil grant amount to each county board. 29
(2) For a State funded county: 30
12 HOUSE BILL 504
(i) The State shall distribute 100% of the per pupil grant amount to 1
each county board; and 2
(ii) There is no local share of the per pupil grant amount. 3
(3) Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the 4
minimum school funding amount for the per pupil grant amount calculated under § 5–234 5
of this subtitle. 6
(f) (1) [Each] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS 7
SECTION, EACH eligible school shall use the per pupil grant to provide wraparound 8
services and other programs and services identified in the eligible school’s needs 9
assessment plan. 10
(2) [(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if a 11
local school system has at least 40 eligible schools, the county board may, on behalf of the 12
eligible schools, expend no more than 50% of the funds distributed for the per pupil grant, 13
provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the eligible schools that ensures that 14
the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection are met and the plan is submitted to 15
the Accountability and Implementation Board under § 5–402 of this title. 16
(ii) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not apply to a public 17
charter school unless the public charter school chooses to participate in the plan. 18
(3)] A local school system may request flexibility in distributing funds 19
through [the Accountability and Implementation Board appeal process under § 5–406 of 20
this title] AN APPEALS PROCESS E STABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 21
(g) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION 22
AND SUBJECT TO PARAG RAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IF A LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM 23
HAS AT LEAST 2 10 ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS : 24
(I) THE COUNTY BOARD MAY , ON BEHALF OF THE ELI GIBLE 25
SCHOOLS, EXPEND NO MORE THAN 50% 40% OF THE FUNDS DISTRIB UTED FOR THE 26
PROGRAM, PROVIDED THAT A PLAN IS DEVELOPED IN CONS ULTATION WITH THE 27
ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS THA T ENSURES THAT THE R EQUIREMENTS OF SUBSE CTIONS 28
(C)(2) THROUGH (8) AND (F)(1) OF THIS SECTION ARE MET AND THE PLAN , 29
CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN TITLE 9.9 OF THIS ARTICLE , IS 30
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT ; AND 31
(II) THE COUNTY B OARD MAY NOT EXPEND A PORTION OF THE 32
FUNDS DISTRIBUTED FO R THE PROGRAM ON CENTRAL AD MINISTRATIVE COSTS , 33
INCLUDING TO BUT MAY: 34
HOUSE BILL 504 13
1. PROVIDE CENTRAL SUPPO RT TO EFFECTIVELY 1
MANAGE PROGRAM FUNDS ; 2
2. ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH OUTSIDE SERVICE 3
PROVIDERS THAT SUPPO RT AT LEAST 2 ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS ; AND 4
3. 2. COORDINATE SPENDING O N BEHALF OF ELIGIBLE 5
SCHOOLS UNDER SUBPAR AGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ; AND 6
4. ANY OTHER ADMINISTRAT IVE COST AS DEFINED BY 7
THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH RE GULATION. 8
(2) PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION D OES NOT APPLY TO A 9
PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOO L UNLESS THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL CHOOS ES TO 10
PARTICIPATE IN THE P LAN. 11
(3) A COUNTY BOARD THAT EX PENDS FUNDS ON BEHAL F OF ELIGIBLE 12
SCHOOLS IN THE COUNT Y IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L PROVIDE 13
TO EACH ELIGIBLE SCH OOL: 14
(I) AN ITEMIZED LIST OF S ERVICES PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS 15
AND THEIR FAMILIES T HAT MEET THE NEEDS I DENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS 16
ASSESSMENT OF THE EL IGIBLE SCHOOL; AND 17
(II) THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING SPENT ON EACH SERVIC E. 18
(4) (I) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES AND 19
PROCEDURES TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBSECTION . 20
(II) BY JULY 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T 21
REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBSECTION . 22
(H) On or before October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department 23
shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of 24
Legislative Services the percentage and number of students at each school eligible for free 25
or reduced price meals in the prior school year and each public school’s eligibility for a grant 26
under this program in the upcoming fiscal year. 27
[(h)] (I) (1) On or before August 15, 2025, and each August 15 thereafter, 28
each community school coordinator of an eligible school shall submit to the Department 29
[and the Accountability and Implementation Board] an evaluation that provides for the 30
immediately preceding school year for the community school coordinator’s eligible school: 31
(i) How funds provided under this section were allocated at the 32
beginning of the school year compared to how the funds were actually used; 33 14 HOUSE BILL 504
(ii) The numbers of: 1
1. Students identified as needing wraparound services; 2
2. Students and families provided with wraparound services, 3
categorized by the type of service as described under § 9.9–101 of this article; and 4
3. Families, organizations, and community members who 5
volunteered at the eligible school; 6
(iii) The rates of: 7
1. Chronic absenteeism; and 8
2. Student disciplinary action; and 9
(iv) Strategies for reducing the rate of chronic absenteeism identified 10
under item (iii) of this paragraph. 11
(2) Each community school coordinator shall use the evaluation form 12
developed by the Director of Community Schools under § 9.9–103 of this article. 13
(3) The Department [and the Accountability and Implementation Board] 14
shall: 15
(i) [Make] TRANSMIT THE FINAL RE PORT TO THE 16
ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD AND MAKE publicly available each 17
evaluation submitted under this subsection; and 18
(ii) On or before December 1, 2024, jointly submit a report to the 19
General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on 20
possible methods for ensuring that funds provided under this section are used 21
appropriately and effectively. 22
(4) (I) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT 23
SHALL CONDUCT A STAT EWIDE EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM. 24
(II) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TRANSMIT THE FINAL R EPORT 25
SUMMARIZE THE RESULTS OF THE F INDINGS IN A REPORT THAT THE DEPARTMENT 26
SHALL: 27
1. TRANSMIT TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND 28
IMPLEMENTATION BOARD AND MAKE THE REPORT ; 29
HOUSE BILL 504 15
2. SUBMIT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; AND 2
3. MAKE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE . 3
5–225. 4
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 5
(2) (i) “Special education enrollment” means the number of students 6
enrolled in a public school in the prior fiscal year who required special education services 7
as defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 8
(ii) “Special education enrollment” includes special education 9
students enrolled in a publicly funded prekindergarten program under Title 7, Subtitle 1A 10
of this article. 11
(iii) “Special education enrollment” does not include students who are 12
enrolled in or attend: 13
1. The Maryland School for the Blind; 14
2. The Maryland School for the Deaf; or 15
3. An educational program operated by the State. 16
(3) (I) [“Special] FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022 THROUGH 2025, 17
“SPECIAL education per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per 18
pupil foundation amount: 19
[(i)] 1. For fiscal year 2022, 86%; 20
[(ii)] 2. For fiscal year 2023, 86%; 21
[(iii)] 3. For fiscal year 2024, 92%; AND 22
[(iv)] 4. For fiscal year 2025, 99%[;]. 23
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2026, “SPECIAL EDUCATION 24
PER PUPIL AMOUNT ” MEANS THE FOLLOWING : 25
[(v)] 1. For fiscal year 2026, [103%] $9,503; 26
[(vi)] 2. For fiscal year 2027, [112%] $10,900; 27
[(vii)] 3. For fiscal year 2028, [122%] $12,368; 28 16 HOUSE BILL 504
[(viii)] 4. For fiscal year 2029, [136%] $14,367; 1
[(ix)] 5. For fiscal year 2030, [153%] $16,836; 2
[(x)] 6. For fiscal year 2031, [151%] $17,277; 3
[(xi)] 7. For fiscal year 2032, [148%] $17,609; [and] 4
[(xii)] 8. For fiscal year 2033 [and each fiscal year thereafter, 5
146%], $18,424; AND 6
9. FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE SPECIAL 7
EDUCATION PER PUPIL AMOUNT FOR THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR INCREASE D BY THE 8
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT ROUNDED TO THE NEARE ST WHOLE DOLLAR . 9
(b) Each school shall use the funds provided under this section to provide the 10
services required by each student’s individualized education program or 504 plans. 11
(c) (1) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for special 12
education to each county board. 13
(2) Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school or 14
publicly funded prekindergarten program the minimum school funding amount for special 15
education calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle. 16
6–123.1. 17
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GRANT” MEANS THE COLLABORATIVE TIME 18
INNOVATION DEMONSTRATION GRANT. 19
(B) (1) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026 THROUGH 2029, THERE IS A 20
COLLABORATIVE TIME INNOVATION DEMONSTRATION GRANT. 21
(2) (I) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO PROVIDE F UNDS TO 22
ESTABLISH INNOVATIVE MODELS THAT CAN BE R EPLICATED FOR TEACHE R 23
COLLABORATION AT THE SCHOOL OR LOCAL SCHO OL SYSTEM LEVEL THAT IMPROVE 24
TEACHER RETENTION AN D STUDENT LEARNING . 25
(II) INNOVATIVE MODELS MAY INCLUD E ELEMENTS, IN WHOLE 26
OR IN PART, OF THE FOLLOWING : 27
1. A TEAM–BASED, EXPERT–LED STRUCTURE IN WHI CH 28
EDUCATORS SHARE THE WORK OF PLANNING FOR INSTRUCTION AND THE 29
PROVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORTS, EDUCATING, AND SUPPORTING STUDE NTS; 30 HOUSE BILL 504 17
2. REDUCED WORKLOADS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO 1
LEARN AND PRACTICE F OR NEW TEACHERS , TEACHERS IN LOW –PERFORMING 2
SCHOOLS, AND TEACHERS IN SCHO OLS RECEIVING THE CO NCENTRATION OF 3
POVERTY GRANT , GRADUALLY INCREASING TO FULL TEACHING RES PONSIBILITIES; 4
3. MODIFIED TEACHING SCH EDULES THAT ALLOW TI ME 5
FOR REFLECTION , COLLABORATION , AND STUDENT CONNECTI ONS; 6
4. MEANINGFUL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR 7
EFFECTIVE, EXPERIENCED TEACHERS TO GROW IN THEIR CAR EERS, EXTEND THEIR 8
IMPACT, AND INCREASE THEIR C OMPENSATI ON IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CAREER 9
LADDER; OR 10
5. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES AN D STAFFING PLANS THA T 11
ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL TIME O R SMALLER GROUP SETT INGS FOR 12
STUDENTS WHO NEED IT MOST. 13
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE GRANT. 14
(4) ALLOWABLE USES OF GRANT FUNDS INCLUDE : 15
(I) COMPENSATION FOR ADDI TIONAL STAFF TO SUPP ORT 16
TEACHER RELEASE TIME ; 17
(II) PLANNING RELATED TO A NEW MASTER SCHEDULE AND 18
TEACHER STAFFING ASS IGNMENTS; 19
(III) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPM ENT; 20
(IV) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM AN APPROVED VEN DOR; 21
(V) COSTS INVOLVED WITH I NCREASED INTERACTION S 22
BETWEEN TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONN EL TO BENEFIT STUDEN TS; AND 23
(VI) ANY OTHER USE APPROVE D BY THE DEPARTMENT . 24
(C) (1) (I) A COUNTY BOARD MAY SUB MIT A PROPOSAL TO TH E 25
DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE A GRANT TO ESTABLISH AN INNOVATIVE MODEL THAT 26
FURTHERS THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. 27
(II) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, AN APPLICATION MUST BE 28
SUBMITTED WITH A COS IGNED AGREEMENT FROM THE COUNTY BOARD ’S LOCAL 29
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIO N AS DEFINED UNDER § 6–401 OF THIS TITLE. 30 18 HOUSE BILL 504
(III) ONLY APPLICATIONS FOR NEW PROGRAMS NOT ALR EADY IN 1
PLACE AT THE SCHOOL OR SYSTEM LEVEL ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDS. 2
(2) AN APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE: 3
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE P ROPOSED INNOVATIVE M ODEL; 4
(II) A FINANCIAL PLAN THAT DETAILS THE ESTIMATE D TOTAL 5
COST, INCLUDING ANY ONE –TIME COSTS, OF IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSED 6
INNOVATIVE MODEL ; 7
(III) A DESCRIPTION OF THE G OALS AND METRICS USE D TO 8
EVALUATE THE EFFICAC Y OF THE GRANT AND I NNOVATIVE MODEL ; AND 9
(IV) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE 10
DEPARTMENT . 11
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PROCESSES AND 12
PROCEDURES FOR ACCEP TING AND EVALUATING APPLICATIONS. 13
(4) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE PLANNING GRANTS BEFO RE 14
AWARDING DEMONSTRATI ON GRANTS. 15
(5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE, TO THE EXTENT 16
PRACTICABLE , DIVERSITY AMONG THE GRANTEES FOR THE FOL LOWING 17
CATEGORIES: 18
(I) GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION I N THE STATE; 19
(II) SIZE OF THE SCHOOL AN D LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTE M; AND 20
(III) SCHOOL GRADE BAND TO INCLUDE A MIX OF ELE MENTARY, 21
MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS . 22
(6) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE 23
INITIAL GRANT AWARDS . 24
(7) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COND UCT AN EVALUATION OF EACH 25
GRANT AWARD TO DETER MINE WHETHER TO RECO MMEND THAT ONE OR MULTIPLE 26
INNOVATIVE MODELS BE CONSIDERED AS A BEST PRACTICE TO BE REPLI CATED. 27
(D) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 28
SUBMIT AN INTERIM RE PORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 29 HOUSE BILL 504 19
2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON 1
THE IMPLEMENTATION O F THE GRANT AWARDS A ND WHICH INNOVATIVE MODELS 2
HAVE DEMONSTRATED TH E MOST SIGNIFICANT S UCCESS IN ACHIEVING THE 3
PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. 4
(2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2029, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 5
SUBMIT A FINAL REPOR T TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 6
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE 7
IMPLEMENTATION OF TH E GRANT AWARDS . 8
6–124. 9
(a) (1) The Department shall establish, in collaboration with the 10
Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of this article, a school 11
leadership training program for the State Superintendent, county superintendents, senior 12
instruction–related staff, members of the Accountability and Implementation Board, 13
members of the State Board, members of county boards, and school [principals] LEADERS. 14
(2) THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM CON SISTS OF TWO 15
COMPONENTS : 16
(I) THE SCHOOL SYSTEM LEA DERSHIP TRAINING PRO GRAM; 17
AND 18
(II) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY . 19
[(2) (i)] (B) (1) The following individuals shall complete the school 20
SYSTEM leadership training program: 21
[1.] (I) The State Superintendent; 22
[2.] (II) A county superintendent; and 23
[3.] (III) The chair and vice chair of the State Board, a county 24
board, and the Accountability and Implementation Board. 25
[(ii) The individuals described in paragraph (1) of this subsection not 26
required to complete the training under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph are, to the 27
extent practicable, encouraged to complete the school leadership training program.] 28
[(b)] (2) The school SYSTEM leadership training program shall BE: 29
[(1) Be:] 30
(i) For a duration of 12 months; 31 20 HOUSE BILL 504
(ii) Cohort–based to encourage collaboration and shared learning, 1
including through regional gatherings of education leaders and other meetings when 2
appropriate; 3
(iii) To the extent practicable, job–embedded to allow for application 4
of knowledge and techniques; 5
(iv) Tailored to program participants using self–diagnostics and 6
school–level diagnostics; 7
(v) Evidence–based in accordance with the guidelines for the federal 8
Every Student Succeeds Act; [and] 9
(vi) Provided through both in–person and virtual sessions; and 10
[(2)] (VII) Include training on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, as 11
defined in § 5–401 of this article. 12
[(c)] (3) The school SYSTEM leadership training program shall include: 13
[(1)] (I) A review of education in the United States relative to countries 14
with top performing education systems and the implications of high performance for 15
students, the economic security of the United States, and quality of life; 16
[(2)] (II) A model for strategic thinking that will assist education leaders 17
to transform districts and redesign schools under their leadership; 18
[(3)] (III) Training to provide a working knowledge of research on how 19
students learn and the implications for instructional redesign, curriculum plans, and 20
professional learning; 21
[(4)] (IV) A research–based model for coaching school leaders and 22
instructional coaches; 23
[(5)] (V) A review of research regarding: 24
[(i)] 1. The benefits to students from access to high–quality and 25
diverse teachers; 26
[(ii)] 2. Methods to attract highly qualified teachers from diverse 27
backgrounds who reflect the demographics of the students they teach; and 28
[(iii)] 3. Best practices for teacher retention, including retention of 29
teachers from diverse backgrounds; 30
HOUSE BILL 504 21
[(6)] (VI) Lessons in transformational leadership; 1
[(7)] (VII) A method for organizing schools to achieve high performance, 2
including: 3
[(i)] 1. Building instructional leadership teams; 4
[(ii)] 2. Implementing career ladders for teachers; 5
[(iii)] 3. Overseeing teacher induction and mentoring systems; and 6
[(iv)] 4. Identifying, recruiting, and retaining high–quality and 7
diverse school leaders; 8
[(8)] (VIII) Training to provide a deep understanding of standards–aligned 9
instructional systems; 10
[(9)] (IX) An overview of ethical leadership directly tied to the educational 11
leaders’ responsibility to drive equitable learning in their schools; and 12
[(10)] (X) A review of research regarding methods to attract and retain an 13
inclusive workforce. 14
(C) (1) (I) THE FOLLOWING INDIVID UALS MAY COMPLETE TH E 15
MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY : 16
1. SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ; 17
2. SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRIN CIPALS; 18
3. SCHOOL–BASED OR COUNTY BOAR D LEADERS 19
INTERESTED IN DEVELO PING THE INSTRUCTION AL LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO BECOME 20
AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR ASSISTA NT PRINCIPAL; AND 21
4. OTHER INDIVIDUALS THE DEPARTMENT OR COUNTY 22
BOARD DETERMINES COU LD BENEFIT FROM THE ACADEMY. 23
(II) SCHOOL LEADERS WHO WO RK IN OR ARE INTERES TED IN 24
TRANSFERRING TO A CO MMUNITY SCHOOL OR A LOW –PERFORMING SCHOOL SH ALL 25
BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN PARTICIPATING IN THE ACADEMY. 26
(2) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY SHALL BE: 27
(I) FOR A DURATION OF 12 MONTHS; 28
22 HOUSE BILL 504
(II) COHORT–BASED TO ENCOURAGE C OLLABORATION AND 1
SHARED LEARNING ; 2
(III) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, JOB–EMBEDDED TO ALLOW 3
FOR APPLICATION OF K NOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQ UES; 4
(IV) TAILORED TO PARTICIPA NTS USING SELF –DIAGNOSTICS 5
AND SCHOOL–LEVEL DIAGNOSTICS ; 6
(V) EVIDENCE–BASED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES 7
FOR THE FEDERAL EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT; 8
(VI) PROVIDED THROUGH BOTH IN–PERSON AND VIRTUAL 9
SESSIONS; AND 10
(VII) INCLUDE TRAINING ON B EST PRACTICES AND ST RATEGIES 11
USED BY HIGHLY EFFEC TIVE SCHOOL LEADERS THAT WILL ENABLE SCH OOL 12
LEADERS TO IMPLEMENT COMPONENTS OF THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S 13
FUTURE, AS DEFINED IN § 5–401 OF THIS ARTICLE. 14
(3) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY SHALL 15
INCLUDE: 16
(I) STRATEGIC PLANNING AN D CHANGE MANAGEMENT TO 17
TRANSFORM AND REDESI GN SCHOOLS; 18
(II) INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS HIP, INCLUDING: 19
1. ALIGNMENT BETWEEN STA NDARDS, ASSESSMENTS , 20
AND INTERNALIZING CU RRICULUM; 21
2. LESSON OBSERVATIONS , PROVIDING FEEDBACK , AND 22
TEACHER COACHING ; AND 23
3. DATA–INFORMED INSTRUCTION AND DRIVING 24
EQUITABLE LEARNING O UTCOMES ACROSS STUDE NT GROUPS; 25
(III) BEST PRACTICES FOR FA CILITATING PROFESSIO NAL 26
LEARNING AMONG TEACH ERS; 27
(IV) METHODS FOR RECRUITIN G AND RETAINING HIGH LY 28
QUALIFIED TEACHERS A ND TEACHERS FROM DIV ERSE BACKGROUNDS WHO 29
REFLECT THE DEMOGRAP HICS OF THE STUDENTS THEY TEACH; 30
HOUSE BILL 504 23
(V) A METHOD FOR ORGANIZIN G SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE HIGH 1
PERFORMANCE , INCLUDING: 2
1. BUILDING INSTRUCTIONA L LEADERSHIP TEAMS ; 3
2. UTILIZING TEACHERS ON THE CAREER LADDER ; AND 4
3. MASTER SCHEDULING ; AND 5
(VI) STRATEGIES FOR EFFECT IVE PEER MENTORSHIP . 6
(4) (I) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY MAY 7
INCLUDE A MENTORSHIP COMPONENT FOR PARTIC IPANTS. 8
(II) EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LEAD ERS SHALL BE SELECTE D TO 9
SERVE AS MENTORS . 10
(III) MENTORS MAY BE PAID A STIPEND TO PARTICIPA TE IN THE 11
ACADEMY. 12
6–130. 13
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORI ZED TO ESTABLISH A N ATIONAL 14
TEACHER RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN TO BRING LI CENSED AND PROSPECTI VE 15
TEACHERS TO THE STATE. 16
(2) THE CAMPAIGN SHALL EN D ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2029. 17
(3) THE PURPOSE OF THE CA MPAIGN IS TO BRING LICENS ED AND 18
PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS TO THE STATE TO REDUCE THE N UMBER OF 19
CONDITIONALLY LICENS ED TEACHERS AND MEET THE STATE’S TEACHER 20
WORKFORCE NEEDS TO I MPLEMENT COLLABORATI VE TIME. 21
(B) (1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT 22
WITH A NATIONAL EDUC ATION NONPROFIT THAT HAS EXPERIENCE IN GU IDING 23
OTHER STATE EDUCATIO N AGENCIES IN TARGET ED, STATE–BASED RECRUITMENT 24
CAMPAIGNS. 25
(2) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 26
SUBSECTION SHALL SUP PORT THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DES IGN, 27
IMPLEMENTATION , AND EVALUATION OF TH E CAMPAIGN , INCLUDING THE 28
DEVELOPMENT OF MARKE TING MATERIALS AND P ROCESSES TO HELP INT ERESTED 29
TEACHER CANDIDATES T O BECOME A TEACHER I N THE STATE. 30
24 HOUSE BILL 504
(3) THE ENTITY SHALL PROV IDE ONE–TO–ONE MENTORING AND 1
SUPPORT SERVIC ES TO PROSPECTIVE CA NDIDATES AT NO COST TO THE CANDIDATE . 2
(4) THE CAMPAIGN SHALL IN CLUDE PUBLIC SERVICE 3
ANNOUNCEMENT ADVERTI SING, DIGITAL MARKETING , AND DIRECT OUTREACH TO 4
ENCOURAGE CANDIDATES TO TEACH IN THE STATE. 5
6–131. 6
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GRANT” MEANS THE MARYLAND TEACHER 7
RELOCATION INCENTIVE GRANT. 8
(B) (1) THERE IS A MARYLAND TEACHER RELOCATION INCENTIVE 9
GRANT. 10
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO PROVIDE U P TO $2,000 IN 11
REIMBURSEMENT TO PAR TIALLY OFFSET THE CO ST FOR TO INCENTIVIZE AN 12
OUT–OF–STATE LICENSED TEACH ER TO MOVE TO THE STATE TO ADDRESS IN ORDER 13
TO: 14
(I) ADDRESS THE STATE’S TEACHER WORKFORCE SHORTAGE 15
AND REDUCE ; AND 16
(II) REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CONDIT IONALLY LICENSED 17
TEACHERS IN CLASSROO MS. 18
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT. 19
(4) GRANTS MAY NOT BE AWA RDED AFTER JUNE 30, 2029. 20
(C) (1) (I) A COUNTY BOARD MAY SUB MIT A PROPOSAL TO TH E 21
DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR A CANDID ATE. 22
(II) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, A CANDIDATE SHALL : 23
1. HAVE A SIGNED CONTRACT TO TEACH IN A PUBLIC 24
SCHOOL IN THE STATE; 25
2. BE RECOGNIZED AS A LI CENSED TEACHER IN A 26
PUBLIC KINDERGARTEN , ELEMENTARY , MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL IN AN OTHER 27
STATE TO PROVIDE INS TRUCTION IN A SPECIF IC SUBJECT AREA , GRADE LEVEL , OR 28
FOR A SPECIFIC STUDENT POPULATION ; 29
HOUSE BILL 504 25
3. HOLD AN UNENCUMBERED LICENSE THAT IS NOT 1
RESTRICTED, PROBATIONARY , PROVISIONAL, TEMPORARY , OR IN ANY WAY SERVES 2
AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR FULLY LICENSED TEACH ERS IN ANOTHER STATE ; AND 3
4. AGREE TO TEACH IN A S CHOOL THAT HAS RECE IVED 4
FUNDING UNDER § 5–223 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS AFTER RECEIVIN G 5
THE GRANT. 6
(2) AN APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE: 7
(I) ITEMIZED RECORDS OF E XPENSES THE CANDIDAT E 8
INCURRED DURING THE MOVE; 9
(II) (I) A COPY OF THE TEACHER ’S LICENSE HELD BY THE 10
CANDIDATE; 11
(III) (II) A COPY OF THE SIGNED C ONTRACT BETWEEN THE 12
CANDIDATE AND THE CO UNTY BOARD; AND 13
(IV) (III) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE 14
DEPARTMENT . 15
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PROCESSES AND 16
PROCEDURES FOR ACCEP TING AND EVALUATING APPLICATI ONS. 17
(4) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 18
MAKE INITIAL GRANT A WARDS. 19
(D) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2029, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT 20
A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 21
GOVERNME NT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE IMPLE MENTATION OF 22
THE GRANT AWARDS , INCLUDING THE FOLLOW ING INFORMATION : 23
(1) THE NUMBER OF GRANT A PPLICATIONS RECEIVED ; 24
(2) THE NUMBER OF GRANTS AWARDED; AND 25
(3) THE NUMBER OF OUT –OF–STATE TEACHERS RECRU ITED TO THE 26
STATE AFTER THE IMPLE MENTATION OF THE GRANT. 27
6–1002. 28
(a) (1) On or before July 1, 2024, each county board shall implement a career 29
ladder that meets the requirements of this subtitle. 30
26 HOUSE BILL 504
(h) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, teachers at each level or tier 1
of the career ladder shall teach in the classroom for a minimum percentage of their total 2
working time, as specified in this subtitle. 3
(2) The percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 4
become effective in phases over an 8–year period beginning July 1, [2025] 2029 2026, as 5
specified by a county board on approval of the State Board. 6
(3) The following teachers shall be given priority for working time outside 7
the classroom as the percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection are phased 8
in: 9
(i) Newly licensed teachers, particularly new teachers in 10
low–performing schools or schools that have a high concentration of students living in 11
poverty; and 12
(ii) Teachers in schools that: 13
1. Are low–performing; 14
2. Have a high concentration of students living in poverty; or 15
3. Have large achievement gaps between subpopulations of 16
students. 17
SUBTITLE 11. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 18
6–1101. 19
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 20
INDICATED. 21
(B) “COORDINATOR OF PROFES SIONAL LEARNING ” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE 22
OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO : 23
(1) IS A LICENSED EDUCATO R; 24
(2) DEVELOPS AND FACILITA TES PROFESSIONAL LEA RNING 25
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ED UCATORS AND ADMINIST RATORS IN THE STATE; AND 26
(3) AIMS TO IMPLEMENT EVI DENCE–BASED INSTRUCTIONAL 27
PRACTICES IN THOSE A SSISTED. 28
(C) “FUND” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 29
HOUSE BILL 504 27
(D) “INSTRUCTIONAL COACH ” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE OF A LOCAL SCHOOL 1
SYSTEM WHO : 2
(1) IS A LICENSED EDUCATO R; 3
(2) PROVIDES COACHING TO TEACHERS AND OTHER E DUCATION 4
PROFESSIONALS TO IMP ROVE INSTRUCTION ; AND 5
(3) HELPS EDUCATORS INTEG RATE EVIDENCE –BASED PRACTICES 6
INTO THEIR PEDAGOGY . 7
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 8
(F) “REGIONAL PROJECT MANAGER” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE 9
DEPARTMENT WHO OVERSE ES INSTRUCTIONAL COA CHES AND COORDINATOR S OF 10
PROFESSIONAL LEARNIN G IN A PARTICULAR RE GION. 11
6–1102. 12
(A) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 13
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ACADEMIC 14
NEEDS IN PUBLIC SCHO OLS AND ENSURE THAT MARYLAND STUDENTS HAV E 15
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HIGH–QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND TARGETED ACADEMI C 16
SUPPORT BY: 17
(1) PROVIDING DIRECT COAC HING SUPPORT TO TEAC HERS AND 18
ADMINISTRATORS ; 19
(2) GUARANTEEING THAT THE COA CHING SUPPORT IS 20
CONSISTENTLY CONDUCT ED IN A MANNER THAT RESEARCH HAS DETERMI NED IS 21
LIKELY TO RESULT IN POSITIVE STUDENT OUT COMES; AND 22
(3) DELIVERING PROFESSION AL LEARNING OPPORTUN ITIES FOR 23
EDUCATORS AND ADMINI STRATORS TO IMPLEMEN T EVIDENCE–BASED 24
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTI CES. 25
(C) (1) UNDER THE PROGRAM, INSTRUCTIONAL COACHE S AND 26
COORDINATORS OF PROF ESSIONAL LEARNING SH ALL PROVIDE EDUCATOR S IN 27
SELECTED SCHOOLS WIT H: 28
(I) COACHING TO IMPROVE I NSTRUCTION AND THE 29
INTEGRATION OF EVIDENCE–BASED PRACTICES INTO THE CLASSROOM ; AND 30
28 HOUSE BILL 504
(II) ACCESS TO HIGH –QUALITY, JOB–EMBEDDED , AND 1
SUSTAINED PROFESSION AL LEARNING OPPORTUN ITIES. 2
(2) UNDER THE PROGRAM, REGIONAL PROJECT MAN AGERS SHALL 3
OVERSEE AND COORDINA TE THE ACTIVITY OF I NSTRUCTIONA L COACHES AND 4
COORDINATORS OF PROF ESSIONAL LEARNING . 5
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENTE R INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT 6
WITH A COUNTY BOARD THAT ELECTS TO PARTI CIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. 7
(E) (1) USING ACCOUNTABILITY DATA, THE DEPARTMENT , IN 8
COLLABORATION WITH P ARTICIPATING LOCAL SCH OOL SYSTEMS, SHALL IDENTIFY 9
THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE MOST IN NEED OF SUPP ORT FROM THE PROGRAM. 10
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRIO RITIZE SCHOOLS WITH LOW 11
PROFICIENCY RATES AN D SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SEEN DECLINING ACHIE VEMENT 12
RESULTS IN RECENT YE ARS WHEN SELECTING SCH OOLS FOR THE PROGRAM. 13
(3) WITHIN A SELECTED SCH OOL, ADMINISTRATORS SHALL WORK 14
WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIF Y THE TEACHERS AND O THER EDUCATORS WHO 15
WILL BENEFIT MOST FR OM THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUN ITIES 16
PROVIDED BY INSTRUCT IONAL COACHES . 17
(F) (1) DURING FISCAL YEARS 2026 AND 2027, THE PROGRAM SHALL 18
FOCUS ON EARLY LITER ACY INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT OF ELEMENTAR Y SCHOOL 19
EDUCATORS . 20
(2) IN SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE PROGRAM SHALL EXPAND 21
ITS FOCUS TO INCORPO RATE OTHER EDUCATIONAL TOPICS A ND OTHER GRADE 22
LEVELS, WITH PARTICULAR ATTE NTION PAID TO FOUNDA TIONAL MATHEMATICS 23
INSTRUCTION. 24
6–1103. 25
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP CRITERIA FOR THE 26
SELECTION OF INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES . 27
(2) AT A MINIMUM THE SELE CTION CRITERIA SHALL INCLUDE : 28
(I) METHODS TO IDENTIFY H IGHLY QUALIFIED EDUC ATORS 29
WITH EXPERTISE IN TH E INSTRUCTIONAL TOPI C AND GRADE LEVEL FO R WHICH THE 30
EDUCATOR WILL BE PRO VIDING COACHING ; AND 31
HOUSE BILL 504 29
(II) A MEANS TO ASSESS THE CAPACITY OF AN EDUCA TOR FOR 1
LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEV ELOPMENT THROUGH COA CHING. 2
(3) A REGIONAL PROJECT MAN AGER, IN COORDINATION WITH A 3
PARTICIPATING COUNTY BOARD, SHALL USE THE DEPARTMENT ’S CRITERIA TO 4
SELECT INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES. 5
(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A TRAINING P LAN FOR 6
INSTRUCTIONAL COACHE S THAT PROVIDES EACH INSTRUCTIONAL COACH WITH THE 7
TOOLS TO SUPPORT EDU CATORS USING RESEARC H–BASED STRATEGIES TAI LORED 8
TO THE NEEDS OF EACH EDUCATOR AND THE EDU CATOR’S STUDENTS. 9
(2) EACH INSTRUCTIONAL CO ACH SHALL BE TRAINED USING THE 10
DEPARTMENT ’S TRAINING PLAN. 11
(C) AN INSTRUCTIONAL COAC H SHALL OVERSEE EDUC ATORS AT TWO TO 12
FOUR DIFFERENT PUBLI C SCHOOLS IN THE LOC AL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN WHICH THE 13
COACH WORKS . 14
(D) AN INSTRUCTIONAL COAC H SHALL SUPPORT EDUC ATORS BY 15
PROVIDING JOB –EMBEDDED FEEDBACK DESIGN ED TO: 16
(1) LEAD TO LONG–TERM INSTRUCTIONAL I MPROVEMENT ; 17
(2) CREATE A PEDAGOGY THA T IS INDIVIDUALLY TA ILORED TO MEET 18
THE NEEDS OF EACH ST UDENT, REGARDLESS OF THE ST UDENT’S LINGUISTIC 19
STATUS, DISABILITY STATUS , OR BACKGROUND ; AND 20
(3) HELP CLOSE STUDENT AC HIEVEMENT GAPS . 21
6–1104. 22
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EMPL OY REGIONAL PROJECT 23
MANAGERS THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO OVERSEE TH E WORK OF INSTRUCTIO NAL 24
COACHES. 25
(2) EACH REGIONAL PROJECT MANAGER SHALL ENSURE THAT 26
INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES ARE MEETING LOCAL EDUCATOR AND S TUDENT NEEDS 27
AND WORKING IN ALIGN MENT WITH STATE PRIORITIES , INCLUDING THE 28
PRINCIPLES FOR THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE. 29
(3) REGIONAL MANAGERS SHA LL SUPPORT INSTRUCTI ONAL 30
COACHES BY PROVIDING : 31
30 HOUSE BILL 504
(I) EVIDENCE–BASED TOOLS AND PROF ESSIONAL 1
DEVELOPMENT MATERIAL S; 2
(II) AN ANALYSIS OF EDUCAT OR PRACTICES AND STU DENT 3
OUTCOMES TO ENSURE T HAT INSTRUCTIONAL CO ACHES PROVIDE SUPPOR T IN A 4
TARGETED MANNER ; 5
(III) ASSISTANCE WITH FAMIL Y AND COMMUNITY ENGA GEMENT; 6
AND 7
(IV) GUIDANCE TO ENSURE PR OFESSIONAL DEVELOPME NT IS 8
RESEARCH–BASED AND DESIGNED T O REFLECT THE DIVERS E LINGUISTIC AND 9
CULTURAL NEEDS OF ST UDENTS IN THE STATE. 10
(B) (1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2028, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 11
EMPLOY COORDINATORS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THROUGH THE PROGRAM. 12
(2) A COORDINATOR OF PROFE SSIONAL LEARNING SHA LL PROVIDE 13
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT TO ADMINISTRATO RS AND COLLABORATE W ITH 14
ADMINISTRATORS TO CO LLECT DATA IN ORDER TO CREATE A PROFESSI ONAL 15
LEARNING PLAN THAT F ITS THE NEEDS OF A SCHOOL . 16
(3) A COORDINATOR OF PROFE SSIONAL LEARNING SHA LL ESTABLISH 17
LEARNING MODULES AND OTHER TOOLS AND PLAT FORMS TO PROVIDE 18
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT OPPORTUNITIES T O ALL EDUCATORS IN A LOCAL 19
SCHOOL SYSTEM . 20
6–1105. 21
(A) (1) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 22
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE GR ANTS TO ADDRESS 23
CRITICAL ACADEMIC NE EDS IN SCHOOLS , PARTICULARLY THOSE I DENTIFIED AS 24
LOW–PERFORMING . 25
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 26
(4) (I) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 27
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 28
(II) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND 29
SEPARATELY, AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 30
(5) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 31 HOUSE BILL 504 31
(I) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 1
FUND; AND 2
(II) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 3
FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND. 4
(6) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR GRANTS TO COUNTY BOARDS, 5
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH ER EDUCATION , NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ONS, OR OTHER 6
ENTITIES FOR THE FOL LOWING PURPOSES : 7
(I) CONTRACTS WITH VENDOR S TO PROVIDE SERVICE S; 8
(II) TRAINING AND WORKSHOP S; 9
(III) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATIO N; 10
(IV) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM; 11
(V) PROGRAM EVALUATION AN D REPORTING; AND 12
(VI) ANY OTHER COSTS APPRO VED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 13
(7) (I) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE 14
FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 15
(II) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE 16
CREDITED TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE FUND UNDER § 5–206 OF 17
THIS ARTICLE. 18
(8) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN 19
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 20
(B) EACH YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ECT THE FOLLOWING DA TA: 21
(1) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF M ONEY DISBURSED FROM THE FUND, 22
DISAGGREGATED BY COU NTY; AND 23
(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF S CHOOLS SERVED BY THE FUND. 24
6–1106. 25
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES, PROCEDURES , AND REGULATIONS 26
TO CARRY OUT THIS TI TLE. 27
32 HOUSE BILL 504
7–447.1. 1
(p) (1) In this subsection, “Fund” means the Coordinated Community Supports 2
Partnership Fund. 3
(3) The purpose of the Fund is to support the delivery of services and 4
supports provided to students to meet their holistic behavioral health needs and address 5
other related challenges. 6
(9) The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill the following 7
appropriations for the Fund: 8
(i) $25,000,000 in fiscal year 2022; 9
(ii) $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2023; 10
(iii) $85,000,000 in fiscal year 2024; AND 11
(iv) [$110,000,000 in fiscal year 2025; and 12
(v) $130,000,000] $40,000,000 in fiscal year [2026] 2025 and each 13
fiscal year thereafter. 14
9.9–101. 15
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 16
(b) “Community school” means a public school that establishes a set of strategic 17
partnerships between the school and other community resources that leverage shared 18
accountability, collaborative leadership, capacity building, and authentic family and 19
community engagement, using a student–centered framework to promote inclusive student 20
achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well–being of students, families, 21
educators, and the community through a variety of engaging practices including the 22
provision of wraparound services. 23
(c) “School–community partnership” means a partnership between a local school 24
system or an existing public school and a community–based organization or agency for the 25
purpose of planning and implementing a community school. 26
(d) “Trauma–informed intervention” means a method for understanding and 27
responding to an individual with symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma or traumatic 28
stress. 29
(e) “Wraparound services” [means] INCLUDES: 30
(1) Extended learning time, including before and after school, weekends, 31
summer school, and an extended school year; 32 HOUSE BILL 504 33
(2) Safe transportation to and from school and off –site learning 1
opportunities, including apprenticeship programs; 2
(3) Vision, hearing, and dental care services; 3
(4) Establishing or expanding school–based health center services; 4
(5) Additional social workers, mentors, counselors, therapists, 5
psychologists, and restorative practice coaches; 6
(6) Enhancing physical wellness, including providing healthy food for 7
in–school and out–of–school time and linkages to community providers; 8
(7) Enhancing behavioral health services, including access to mental 9
health practitioners and providing professional development to school staff to provide 10
trauma–informed interventions; 11
(8) Providing family and community engagement and supports, including 12
informing parents of academic course offerings, language classes, workforce development 13
training, opportunities for children, and available social services as well as educating 14
families on how to monitor a child’s learning; 15
(9) Establishing and enhancing linkages to Judy Centers and other early 16
education programs that feed into the school; 17
(10) Enhancing student enrichment experiences, including educational field 18
trips, partnerships, and programs with museums, arts organizations, and cultural 19
institutions; 20
(11) OFFERING EVIDENCE –BASED IN–SCHOOL AND IN –PERSON 21
TUTORING, PROVIDED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY; 22
(12) Improving student attendance AND CHRONIC ABSENTEE ISM; 23
(12) (13) Improving the learning environment AND NUMBER OF HIGHLY 24
QUALIFIED TEA CHERS at the school; [and] 25
(13) (14) Any professional development for teachers and school staff to 26
quickly identify students who are in need of these resources; AND 27
(14) OTHER SERVICES AS DEF INED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 28
GUIDANCE OR REGULATI ON. 29
9.9–102. 30
34 HOUSE BILL 504
The purpose of a community school is to help students and families overcome the 1
in–school and out–of–school barriers that prevent [children] STUDENTS from learning and 2
succeeding over the course of their lives by having an integrated focus on academics, health 3
and social services, youth and community development, and authentic family and 4
community engagement. 5
9.9–103. 6
(a) There are community schools in the State. 7
(b) A community school shall: 8
(1) Promote active family and community engagement, i ncluding 9
educational opportunities for adults and family members of students at the school who live 10
in the neighborhood of the school; 11
(2) Have at least one community school coordinator, as described under § 12
9.9–104 of this title; 13
(3) Implement, in a manner responsive to the needs assessment required 14
under § 9.9–104 of this title, expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities 15
provided after school, during weekends, and in the summer that emphasize mastering 16
21st–century skills through practical learning opportunities and community 17
problem–solving; 18
(4) Implement collaborative leadership and accountability practices that 19
empower parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners to build a culture 20
of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility using strategies such as 21
site–based leadership teams and teacher learning communities; 22
(5) Have a parent teacher organization or a school family council; and 23
(6) Have a community school leadership team, including members who 24
represent students, families, and educators. 25
(c) (1) There shall be a Director of Community Schools WITHIN THE OFFICE 26
OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND EXPANDED LEARNING TIME in the Department. 27
(2) The Director of Community Schools in the Department shall coordinate 28
professional development for community school coordinators at each community school. 29
(3) The Director of Community Schools shall support the outreach and 30
implementation of State programs for children in community schools. 31
(4) (i) The Director of Community Schools shall create a common needs 32
assessment tool that each community school coordinator shall use in order to complete the 33
needs assessment required under § 9.9–104 of this title. 34 HOUSE BILL 504 35
(ii) The Director of Community Schools shall consult with local 1
school systems and members of the community schools’ leadership teams in order to 2
determine the correct content to include in the common needs assessment tool. 3
(5) The Director of Community Schools shall develop an evaluation form to 4
be used by [community school coordinators] LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS to complete the 5
evaluation required under § 5–223 of this article. 6
(6) In addition to the funding provided for the Director of Community 7
Schools position in the Department, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an 8
appropriation [of at least $100,000] to the Department for the Director of Community 9
Schools to provide training and technical assistance to community schools and for 10
additional staff. 11
(7) THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND EXPANDED 12
LEARNING TIME MAY HIRE STAFF T O SUPPORT THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY 13
SCHOOLS IN PROVIDING DIRECT GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION TO LOCAL S CHOOL 14
SYSTEMS AND COMMUNIT Y SCHOOL COORDINATOR S. 15
9.9–104. 16
(a) (1) A community school shall have an experienced and qualified 17
community school coordinator who: 18
(i) Is hired at the appropriate administrative level; 19
(ii) Understands, respects, and demonstrates a high degree of 20
cultural awareness of and competency in the diversity in the community and in 21
cross–cultural practice with stakeholders; and 22
(iii) May be employed by the school district. 23
(2) A community school coordinator may be a social worker. 24
(b) (1) A community school coordinator shall be responsible for: 25
(i) Establishing a community school; 26
(ii) Completing an assessment of the needs of the students in the 27
school for appropriate wraparound services to enhance the success of all students in the 28
school; 29
(iii) Developing an implementation plan based on the assessment of 30
needs for the community school, in cooperation with other interested stakeholders; and 31
36 HOUSE BILL 504
(iv) Coordinating support programs that address out–of–school 1
learning barriers for students and families, including: 2
1. Wraparound services; and 3
2. As appropriate: 4
A. Tutoring; 5
B. [English language] MULTILINGUAL learner courses; 6
C. Early childhood development and parenting classes; 7
D. College and career advising; 8
E. Employment opportunities; 9
F. Citizenship education; 10
G. Food pantries; 11
H. Rental assistance, in accordance with § 9.9–104.1 of this 12
subtitle; and 13
I. School–based behavioral and physical health services. 14
(2) The needs assessment completed under this subsection shall: 15
(i) Be completed in collaboration with: 16
1. The principal; 17
2. A school health care practitioner; 18
3. A parent teacher organization or a school council; and 19
4. Members of the community schools’ leadership teams; 20
(ii) Include an assessment of the physical, behavioral, mental, social, 21
and emotional health needs and wraparound service needs of students, their families, and 22
their communities; 23
(iii) Be completed using the common needs assessment tool developed 24
by the Director of Community Schools under § 9.9–103 of this title, when the tool is 25
available; 26
HOUSE BILL 504 37
(iv) Be submitted to the Department and the local school system 1
within 1 year of receiving a personnel grant under § 5–223 of this article or within 1 year 2
of becoming a community school; and 3
(v) Be published online. 4
(3) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ESTABL ISH REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL 5
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS AND COUNTYWIDE COMMU NITY SCHOOL 6
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS . 7
[(3)] (4) The implementation plan completed under this subsection shall 8
include: 9
(i) A strategy for providing wraparound services to address the 10
needs of the students, their families, and their communities, building on and strengthening 11
community resources near the school; 12
(II) A SET OF MEASURABLE GO ALS TIED TO THE PRIO RITIES 13
IDENTIFIED IN THE NE EDS ASSESSMENT THAT W ILL BE MEASURED ANNUALLY AT 14
LEAST ONCE EVERY 2 YEARS BY THE COMMUNITY SCH OOL COORDINATOR AND 15
PRINCIPAL TO DETERMI NE PROGRESS TOWARD M EETING THE GOALS ; 16
[(ii)] (III) Inclusion, if possible and practicable, of community 17
partners in geographic proximity to the school that can assist in meeting the needs 18
identified in the assessment; 19
[(iii)] (IV) Ensure that time is made available to train staff on the 20
supports available, the need for the supports, and how to engage with the community 21
schools coordinator to access these supports; and 22
[(iv)] (V) Develop strategies to maximize external non–State or 23
non–local education funding. 24
[(4) (i)] (5) The implementation plan shall be submitted to the local 25
school system for approval within 1 year of completion of the needs assessment. 26
[(ii) After the implementation plan is approved by the local school 27
system it shall be submitted to the Department for review. 28
(iii) The Department may provide comments to the community school 29
coordinator on the implementation plan.] 30
[(5)] (6) (i) A community school coordinator shall review the 31
implementation plan [at least once every 3 2 years] ANNUALLY to determine whether the 32
community school is meeting students’ needs AND MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD THE 33 38 HOUSE BILL 504
MEASURABLE GOALS EST ABLISHED UNDER PARAG RAPH (4)(II) OF THIS 1
SUBSECTION . 2
(ii) A community school coordinator shall alter the implementation 3
plan, using the common needs assessment tool, and the provision of wraparound services 4
to address changes in students’ needs. 5
(iii) An updated implementation plan shall be submitted to the local 6
school system for approval. 7
[(iv) After an updated implementation plan is approved, it shall be 8
submitted to the Department for review. 9
(v) The Department may provide comments to the community school 10
coordinator on the updated implementation plan.] 11
(7) (I) LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS SHALL DEVELOP COUNTY WIDE 12
COMMUNITY SCHOOL IMP LEMENTATION PLANS TH AT INCORPORATE 13
SCHOOL–LEVEL IMPLEMENTAT ION PLANS. 14
(II) THE COUNTYWIDE IMPLEM ENTATION PLAN SHALL INCLUDE 15
A SET OF MEASURABLE GOALS TIED TO THE PR IORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS 16
ASSESSMENT THAT WILL BE MEASURED ANNUALLY BY THE COMMUNITY SCH OOL 17
COORDINATOR TO DETER MINE PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE GOALS. 18
(III) IF THE LOCAL SCHOOL S YSTEM FAILS TO PROVI DE THE 19
DEPARTMENT WITH A COU NTYWIDE COMMUNITY SC HOOL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 20
THAT MEETS THE REQUI REMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT ’S GUIDANCE AND 21
REGULATIONS , THE DEPARTMENT MAY WITHHO LD FUNDS OR TAKE OTH ER 22
COMPLIANCE ACTIONS A S NECESSARY. 23
TITLE 9.12. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 24
9.12–101. 25
(A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOL LOWING WORDS HAVE TH E MEANINGS 26
INDICATED. 27
(B) “COORDINATOR OF PROFES SIONAL LEARNING ” MEANS A CERTIFIED 28
EDUCATOR WHO DEVELOP S AND FACILITATE S PROFESSIONAL LEARN ING 29
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ED UCATORS AND ADMINIST RATORS IN THE STATE TO 30
IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE –BASED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES IN EARLY C HILDHOOD 31
EDUCATION, LITERACY, MATHEMATICS , SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES , AND SPECIAL 32
EDUCATION. 33
HOUSE BILL 504 39
(C) “FUND” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 1
(D) “INSTRUCTIONAL COACH ” MEANS A CERTIFIED ED UCATOR WHO 2
PROVIDES COACHING TO EDUCATORS , ADMINISTRATORS , AND OTHER EDUCATION 3
PROFESSIONALS TO IMP ROVE INSTRUCTION AND INTEGRATE EVIDENCE –BASED 4
PRACTICES. 5
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 6
9.12–102. 7
(A) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 8
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ACADEMIC 9
NEEDS IN SCHOOLS TO ENSURE MARYLAND STUDENTS HAV E EQUITABLE ACCESS T O 10
HIGH–QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND TARG ETED ACADEMIC SUPPOR T. 11
(C) (1) THE PROGRAM SHALL ESTABLI SH SYSTEMS THAT ENSU RE 12
EDUCATORS HAVE CONSI STENT ACCESS TO HIGH –QUALITY, JOB–EMBEDDED , AND 13
SUSTAINED PROFESSION AL LEARNING OPPORTUN ITIES. 14
(2) THE PROGRAM SHALL USE COO RDINATORS OF PROFESSIONAL 15
LEARNING AND INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES TO EN HANCE INSTRUCTIONAL 16
PRACTICES AND COLLAB ORATE WITH SCHOOLS A ND COUNTY BOARDS TO 17
STRENGTHEN SYSTEMS O F PROFESSIONAL DEVEL OPMENT. 18
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 19
(1) PROMOTE THE PROGRAM TO COUNTY BOARDS; 20
(2) ESTABLISH CRITERIA FO R HIRING QUALIFIED E DUCATORS AND 21
ADMINISTRATORS INTER ESTED IN BECOMING CO ORDINATORS OF PROFES SIONAL 22
LEARNING OR INSTRUCT IONAL COACHES ; 23
(3) IDENTIFY SCHOOLS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM BASED 24
ON THE SCHOOL ’S ACCOUNTABILITY DATA; AND 25
(4) DEVELOP TRAINING FOR ALL COORDINATORS OF PROFESSIONAL 26
LEARNING AND INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES . 27
9.12–103. 28
(A) (1) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 29
40 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE GR ANTS TO ADDRESS 1
CRITICAL ACADEMIC NEEDS IN SCHOOLS , PARTICULARLY THOSE I DENTIFIED AS 2
LOW–PERFORMING . 3
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 4
(4) (I) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 5
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 6
(II) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND 7
SEPARATELY, AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 8
(5) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 9
(I) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 10
FUND; AND 11
(II) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 12
FOR THE BEN EFIT OF THE FUND. 13
(6) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR GRANTS TO COUNTY BOARDS, 14
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH ER EDUCATION , NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ONS, OR OTHER 15
ENTITIES FOR THE FOL LOWING PURPOSES : 16
(I) CONTRACTS WITH VENDOR S TO PROVIDE SERVICE S; 17
(II) TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS ; 18
(III) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATIO N; 19
(IV) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM; 20
(V) PROGRAM EVALUATION AN D REPORTING; AND 21
(VI) ANY OTHER COSTS APPRO VED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 22
(7) (I) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE 23
FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 24
(II) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE 25
CREDITED TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE FUND UNDER § 5–206 OF 26
THIS ARTICLE. 27
(8) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN 28
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 29 HOUSE BILL 504 41
(B) EACH YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ECT THE FOLLOWING DA TA: 1
(1) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF M ONEY DISBURSED FROM THE FUND, 2
DISAGGREGATED BY COU NTY; AND 3
(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF S CHOOLS SERVED BY THE FUND. 4
9.12–104. 5
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES, PROCEDURES , AND REGULATIONS 6
TO CARRY OUT THIS TI TLE. 7
18–27A–01. 8
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 9
(b) “Collaborative” means an agreement outlining commitments of a partnership 10
among: 11
(1) At least one local school system; 12
(2) At least one employee organization representing employees of a local 13
school system in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 4 or Subtitle 5 of this article; and 14
(3) At least one institution of higher education [with a teacher preparation 15
program approved by the Department] IN THE STATE. 16
(c) [“Noncertified education support professional” means a noncertified public 17
school employee designated as part of a bargaining unit under Title 6, Subtitle 5 of this 18
article PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOY EE WHO IS NOT: 19
(1) A CERTIFICATED EMPLOYE E DESIGNATED AS PART OF A 20
BARGAINING UNIT UNDE R TITLE 6, SUBTITLE 4 OF THIS ARTICLE; 21
(2) A MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEE ; OR 22
(3) A CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYE E. 23
(d)] “Program” means the Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program established 24
under this subtitle. 25
(D) “TEACHER CANDIDATE ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATING IN THE 26
PROGRAM. 27
42 HOUSE BILL 504
[(e) “Provisional teacher” means an individual employed by a local school system 1
through a provisional contract as a conditional teacher.] 2
18–27A–02. 3
(a) There is a Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program. 4
(b) (1) The purpose of the Program is to provide support to COLLABORATIVES 5
THAT PRIORITIZE OFFER TEACHER LICENSURE PR OGRAMS THAT EMPHASIZE WITH 6
ON–THE–JOB EXPERIENTIAL LEA RNING FOR eligible individuals who: 7
(i) Are interested in pursuing a career in the teaching profession; 8
[and] 9
(ii) ARE HIRED EMPLOYED BY A LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM IN THE 10
STATE AS A SCHOOL –BASED PART–TIME OR FULL–TIME EMPLOYEE ; AND 11
(III) Ultimately pledge to fulfill a 3–YEAR service obligation as a 12
teacher employed full–time in a high–needs school, grade level, or content area in the [State 13
in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department] LOCAL SCHOOL 14
SYSTEM IN WHICH THEY ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOY ED. 15
(2) The Department shall administer the Program. 16
(c) [(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, to] TO be eligible for the 17
Program, a teacher candidate applicant shall: 18
(1) MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING REQ UIREMENTS: 19
(i) Be employed [as a noncertified education support professional or 20
provisional teacher] by a participating local school system [on the effective date of the 21
Program] IN A SCHOOL–BASED POSITION ; [and] OR 22
(ii) (2) [Meet the educational requirements determined by a 23
collaborative] HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DI PLOMA OR ITS EQUIVAL ENT; AND 24
(2) (3) PURSUE A TEACHER LICE NSURE PATHWAY APPROV ED BY 25
THE DEPARTMENT . 26
[(2) Not more than one quarter of the funds used to support teaching 27
candidate applicants may be used to support teaching candidate applicants who are 28
provisional teachers.] 29
18–27A–03. 30
HOUSE BILL 504 43
(a) A collaborative shall negotiate an agreement that meets the requirements of 1
subsection (b) of this section. 2
(b) A collaborative shall develop and submit to the Department: 3
(1) A plan [to] THAT INCLUDES : 4
(i) [Select] IDENTIFICATION OF THE COLLABORATIVE 5
MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH MEMBER ; 6
(II) SCHOOL–BASED PART –TIME OR FULL –TIME POSITIONS 7
THAT ALLOW THE A TEACHER CANDIDATE TO SYSTEMATICALLY DEVELOP THE 8
SKILLS OF A TEACH–THROUGH–EXPERIENTIAL –LEARNING AND DEMONST RATION 9
OF DEVELOP TEACHING SKI LLS THROUGH EXPERIEN TIAL LEARNING AND 10
ULTIMATELY DEMONSTRATE TEACHING COMPETENCIES ; 11
(III) IDENTIFICATION OF at least one content area in the local school 12
system in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department; 13
[(ii) Select at least one teacher preparation program at an institution 14
of higher education that satisfies the training requirements for teacher candidates; and 15
(iii) Designate an individual from a collaborative to assist teacher 16
candidates and provide Program guidance;] 17
(IV) A MINIMUM RATIO OF ONE MENTOR WH O IS A REGULARLY 18
EMPLOYED PER ONE TEACHER IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM ASSIGN ED FOR THE 19
ENTIRETY OF THE PROGRAM TO A TEACHER CANDIDATE , CONSISTENT WITH 20
PROPER SUPERVISION , TRAINING, AND CONTINUITY OF EM PLOYMENT AND 21
APPLICABLE PROVISION S IN COLLECTIVE BARG AINING AGREEMENTS ; 22
(V) A SYSTEMIC PROGRAM OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNIN G THAT 23
RESULTS IN CREDITS F ROM THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IF CREDITS 24
ARE REQUIRED FOR COM PLETION, INCLUDING CREDITS TO WARD THE PRACTICUM ; 25
AND 26
(VI) THE DESIGNATION OF A PROGRAM A DMINISTRATOR FROM 27
THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYS TEM TO ASSIST TEACHE R CANDIDATES , EVALUATE THE 28
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM, AND MANAGE THE ADMIN ISTRATION 29
ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM; 30
(2) An estimate, BASED ON APPROPRIATE DATA, of the [numbers of: 31
(i) Teacher applicants likely to complete the Program who are 32
noncertificated education support professionals; 33 44 HOUSE BILL 504
(ii) Teacher applicants likely to complete the Program who are 1
provisional teachers; and 2
(iii) Mentor teachers necessary to support teacher candidates in the 3
Program] NUMBER OF PROJECTED PARTICIPANTS TO INCL UDE IN THE PROGRAM; 4
and 5
(3) Evidence of a written billing agreement with an institution of higher 6
education that includes: 7
(i) The total cost to the collaborative for the cohort of teacher 8
candidates; 9
(ii) Prorated tuition cost the collaborative shall pay the institution of 10
higher education if a candidate does not complete the Program; and 11
(iii) A provision that no teacher candidate shall be required to pay 12
tuition, books, or fees as part of the teacher candidate’s course of study. 13
(c) A collaborative shall develop and submit to the Department: 14
(1) An outreach plan to recruit teacher candidates and mentor teachers 15
that: 16
(i) Prioritizes candidates and mentor teachers with linguistic 17
diversity and from racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in the teaching 18
profession; AND 19
(ii) [Estimates Program expenses by category, keeping program 20
expenses related to provisional teachers at or below one quarter of total expenses; and 21
(iii) Identifies at least one source of long–term funding for the 22
Program, including the process and timeline for obtaining long–term funding] INCLUDES 23
RECRUITMENT INITIATI VES THAT TARGET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES , ASSOCIATE 24
OF ARTS AND T EACHING DEGREE CANDI DATES, CAREER CHANGERS , AND 25
COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN TERESTED IN THE TEAC HING PROFESSION ; AND 26
(III) IDENTIFIES A SUSTAINA BILITY PLAN TO CONTI NUE 27
RECRUITING, PREPARING, AND MENTORING TEACHE R CANDIDATES AFTER 28
COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM; and 29
(2) Any other materials required by the Department. 30
18–27A–04. 31
HOUSE BILL 504 45
(A) (1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT 1
WITH A NATIONAL NONP ROFIT ENTITY THAT HA S SUCCESSFULLY GUIDE D OTHER 2
STATE EDUCATION AGEN CIES OR LOCAL EDUCAT ION AGENCIES THAT HAVE 3
INCREASED THE NUMBER OF LICENSED TEACHERS BY: 4
(I) LAUNCHING SUSTAINABLE , COST–EFFECTIVE 5
GROW–YOUR–OWN TEACHER PREPARAT ION PROGRAMS ; 6
(II) IMPLEMENTING REGISTER ED TEACHER APPRENTIC ESHIPS; 7
AND 8
(III) IMPLEMENTING TEACHER RESIDENCIES. 9
(2) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 10
SUBSECTION SHALL SUP PORT THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DES IGN, 11
IMPLEMENTATION , AND EVALUATION OF TH E PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE 12
DEVELOPMENT OF METRI CS FOR ESTABLISHING HIGH–QUALITY TEACHER 13
PREPARATION AND LICE NSURE PROGR AMS THAT HAVE THE HI GHEST LIKELIHOOD 14
OF INCREASING AIDING THE STATE BY: 15
(I) INCREASING THE TEACHER WORKFORC E IN THE STATE; 16
AND 17
(II) IMPROVING TEACHER RET ENTION AND DIVERSITY . 18
(3) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 19
SUBSECTION MAY WORK DIRECTLY WITH C OLLABORATIVES TO SUP PORT THE 20
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPL EMENTATION OF GROW –YOUR–OWN TEACHER 21
PREPARATION PROGRAMS . 22
[(a) (1)] (B) [The] BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, THE Department shall 23
award a grant to a local school system OR INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION that is 24
part of a collaborative for employees of the local school system to complete a [teacher 25
preparation program at an institution of higher education] PATHWAY TO TEACHER 26
LICENSURE under the agreement described in § 18–27A–03 of this subtitle. 27
[(2)] (C) The Department shall award a grant TO A LOCAL SCHOOL 28
SYSTEM for: 29
[(i)] (1) Tuition, books, and fees for teacher candidates; 30
[(ii)] (2) Stipends for mentor teachers; and 31
[(iii)] (3) Costs associated with the administration of the Program. 32 46 HOUSE BILL 504
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL AWAR D A GRANT TO AN INST ITUTION OF 1
HIGHER EDUCATION FOR : 2
(1) CURRICULAR DEVELOPMEN T; 3
(2) DEVELOPMENT OF COMPET ENCY–BASED COURSEWORK AND 4
ASSESSMENTS ; AND 5
(3) COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DELIVERY AND EVA LUATION OF 6
ON–THE–JOB EXPERIENTIAL LEA RNING. 7
(E) (1) GRANTS SHALL BE AWARD ED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS. 8
[(3)] (F) (2) In awarding a grant, the Department shall [take necessary steps 9
to ensure that not more than one quarter of expenses awarded in the grant go to supporting 10
provisional teacher participants in the Program] PRIORITIZE COLLABORA TIVES THAT 11
PARTNER WITH INSTITU TIONS OF HIGHER EDUC ATION OFFERING TO NE GOTIATE A 12
LOWER TUITION COST F OR TEACHER CANDIDATE S. 13
[(4) The Department, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of 14
Labor, shall, on request, provide technical assistance to a collaborative in obtaining State, 15
federal, or other funding for the operation of the Program. 16
(b) (E) (1) A teacher candidate shall be paid a rate of pay and offered 17
benefits that are at least equal to the rate of pay received by and benefits offered to a 18
noncertified education support professional or provisional teacher of the equivalent 19
classification and tenure in the local school system provided in the collective bargaining 20
agreement. 21
(c) (1) A collaborative shall provide each teacher candidate a mentor teacher 22
for the entirety of the Program. 23
(2) (I) THIS PARAGRAPH DOES N OT APPLY TO A PROVIS IONAL 24
TEACHER. 25
(II) A EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS 26
PARAGRAPH, A teacher candidate may not serve as a teacher of record or a substitute 27
teacher for any teacher other than the mentor teacher assigned to the teacher candidate.] 28
(III) A TEACHER CANDIDATE MA Y SERVE AS A DAILY SUBSTITUTE 29
TEACHER IF: 30
1. THE TEACHER CANDIDATE DOES SO IN ACCORDANC E 31
WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM; 32 HOUSE BILL 504 47
2. THE TEACHER CANDIDATE AGREES TO THE 1
ASSIGNMENT ; 2
3. THE TEACHER CANDIDATE ’S MENTOR APPROVES OF 3
THE ASSIGNMENT ; AND 4
4. THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL IN WHICH THE 5
TEACHER CANDIDATE IS EMPLOYED APPROVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT . 6
(G) (F) A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM MAY NOT REDUCE THE C OMPENSATION 7
OR BENEFITS OF A TEA CHER CANDIDATE . 8
[(d)] (H) (G) A local school system and an employee organization that represents the 9
teacher candidates shall negotiate a gradual release model that allows teacher candidates 10
to focus primarily on internship and practicum requirements, IF APPLICABLE. 11
[(e)] (I) (H) A teacher candidate shall perform a service obligation to teach full–time 12
in the State in a public school or a public prekindergarten program in a [high–needs school, 13
as identified by the Department, or in a grade level or] content area in which there is a 14
shortage of qualified educators, as identified by the Department for a minimum of 2 years. 15
18–27A–05. 16
The Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation for the 17
Program. 18
18–27A–06. 19
(a) Each year, the Department shall collect [and publish on its website]: 20
(1) Data on teacher candidate race, gender, and linguistic status; 21
(2) Data on teacher candidate status and retention; 22
(3) Spending by category; 23
(4) A summary of teacher candidate recruitment methods; and 24
(5) If applicable, the hiring status and retention data of Program 25
graduates. 26
(b) [In reporting] WHEN COLLECTING (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, 27
AND EACH JULY 1 THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT ON the data 28 48 HOUSE BILL 504
COLLECTED under subsection (a) of this section TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 1
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
(2) IN ISSUING REPORTS UN DER THIS SECTION , the Department shall 3
make reasonable efforts to anonymize the data to protect the privacy of teacher candidates. 4
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 5
as follows: 6
Article – Education 7
6–126. 8
(a) (1) This subsection applies to individuals who have graduated from a 9
teacher preparation program or an alternative teacher preparation program. 10
(2) Beginning on July 1, 2025, to qualify for an initial certificate an 11
individual shall: 12
(i) Pass the subject–specific examinations under § 6–125 of this 13
subtitle; 14
(ii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 15
1. Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, pass a 16
nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability; or 17
2. Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, complete a 18
rigorous local school system teacher induction program that lasts for the lesser of: 19
A. 3 years; or 20
B. The amount of time a teacher may hold a conditional 21
teacher certificate; 22
(iii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 23
1. Pass a basic literacy skills assessment approved by the 24
Department under § 6–125 of this subtitle; 25
2. Hold a degree from a regionally accredited educational 26
institution and have earned a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 27
4.0 scale or its equivalent on the most recently earned degree; or 28
3. Submit documentation to the Department of having 29
received effective evaluations from a local school system for 3 years; 30
HOUSE BILL 504 49
(iv) Pass a rigorous State–specific examination of mastery of reading 1
instruction and content for the grade level the individual will be teaching; and 2
(v) Satisfactorily complete any other requirements established by 3
the State Board. 4
(3) An individual who graduates from a teacher preparation program in 5
the State who passed a nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment may not be 6
required to take the assessment more than one time. 7
(4) (i) In order to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (2)(ii)2 of this 8
subsection, a candidate for an initial teacher certificate shall submit documentation to the 9
Department that the candidate has completed a rigorous comprehen sive induction 10
program, established in accordance with § 6–117 of this subtitle, that meets the 11
requirements of this paragraph. 12
(ii) The comprehensive induction program shall be developed by a 13
local school system, either independently or collaboratively with other local school systems. 14
(iii) Before establishing a comprehensive induction program, one or 15
more local school systems shall submit a plan for the program to the Department and the 16
Accountability and Implementation Board. 17
(iv) The comprehensive induction program shall include a locally 18
developed portfolio component that is aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and 19
Support Consortium Standards. 20
(v) A teacher preparation program or an alternative teacher 21
preparation program may use the locally developed portfolio component under 22
subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph as meeting a portion of the coursework requirements 23
of the program. 24
(vi) A candidate who satisfactorily completes a comprehensive 25
induction program established in accordance with this paragraph may not be required to 26
pass a nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability. 27
(b) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A TEACH ER WHO HOLDS A 28
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE FROM A STATE FOR WHICH THE LI CENSE 29
OR CERTIFICATE IS AC CEPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 30
MOBILITY COMPACT UNDER SUBTITLE 6 OF THIS TITLE. 31
(2) In addition to any other requirements established by the State Board, 32
to qualify for a certificate in the State, a teacher who graduated from an institution of 33
higher education in another state or holds a professional license or certificate from another 34
state shall: 35
50 HOUSE BILL 504
[(1)] (I) Pass an examination of teaching ability within 18 months of 1
being hired by a local school system; 2
[(2)] (II) Hold an active National Board Certification from the National 3
Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or 4
[(3)] (III) Complete a comprehensive induction program in accordance with 5
subsection (a)(4) of this section. 6
(c) (1) The Department, after a reasonable period of review and assessment, 7
shall determine whether one of the assessments of teaching skill approved for initial 8
teacher certification under this section more adequately measures the skills and knowledge 9
required of a highly qualified teacher. 10
(2) If the Department makes a determination under paragraph (1) of this 11
subsection that requires a revision to the statutory requirements for initial teacher 12
certification, the Department shall, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government 13
Article, submit a report to the General Assembly on or before the next September 1 on its 14
recommendations for revising the qualifications for initial teacher certification. 15
(d) (1) The Department shall actively monitor and assess, during their 16
implementation and development, new teacher standards and assessments produced under 17
this section for any negative impact on the diversity of teacher candidates passing the 18
initial teacher certification assessments. 19
(2) The Department shall report the results of its monitoring and 20
assessment to the Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of 21
this article. 22
SUBTITLE 6. INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT. 23
6–601. 24
THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT IS HEREBY ENACTED AND 25
ENTERED INTO WITH AL L OTHER JURISDICTION S THAT LEGALLY JOIN IN THIS 26
COMPACT IN THE FORM S UBSTANTIALLY AS THE COMPACT APPEARS IN TH IS 27
SECTION AS FOLLOWS : 28
ARTICLE I. PURPOSE. 29
THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPACT IS TO FACILIT ATE THE MOBILITY OF 30
TEACHERS ACROSS THE MEMBER STATES, WITH THE GOAL OF SUP PORTING 31
TEACHERS THROUGH A NE W PATHWAY TO LICENSU RE. THROUGH THIS COMPACT, 32
THE MEMBER STATES SEEK TO ESTABL ISH A COLLECTIVE REG ULATORY 33
FRAMEWORK THAT EXPED ITES AND ENHANCES TH E ABILITY OF TEACHERS TO M OVE 34
ACROSS STATE LINES. 35 HOUSE BILL 504 51
THIS COMPACT IS INTENDED T O ACHIEVE THE FOLLOW ING OBJECTIVES AND 1
SHOULD BE INTERPRETE D ACCORDINGLY . THE MEMBER STATES HEREBY RATIFY 2
THE SAME INTENTIONS BY SUBSCRIBING HERET O. 3
A. CREATE A STREAMLINED PATHWAY TO LICENSURE MOBILITY FOR 4
TEACHERS; 5
B. SUPPORT THE RELOCATIO N OF ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES; 6
C. FACILITATE AND ENHANC E THE EXCHANGE OF LI CENSURE, 7
INVESTIGATIVE, AND DISCIPLINARY INF ORMATION BETWEEN THE MEMBER 8
STATES; 9
D. ENHANCE THE POWER OF STATE AND DISTRICT LE VEL EDUCATION 10
OFFICIALS TO HIRE QU ALIFIED, COMPETENT TEACHERS BY REMOVING BARRIERS 11
TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF OUT–OF–STATE TEACHERS; 12
E. SUPPORT THE RETENTION OF TEACHERS IN THE PROFE SSION BY 13
REMOVING BARRIERS TO RE–LICENSURE IN A NEW STATE; AND 14
F. MAINTAIN STATE SOVEREIGNTY IN THE R EGULATION OF THE TEA CHING 15
PROFESSION. 16
ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS. 17
AS USED IN THIS COMPACT, AND EXCEPT AS OTHERW ISE PROVIDED, THE 18
FOLLOWING DEFINITION S SHALL GOVERN THE T ERMS HEREIN: 19
A. “ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBER” MEANS ANY PERSON WIT H FULL–TIME 20
DUTY STATUS IN THE A RMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING 21
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE. 22
B. “ADVERSE ACTION” MEANS ANY LIMITATION OR RESTRICTION IMPOS ED 23
BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY, SUCH AS REVOCATION , 24
SUSPENSION, REPRIMAND, PROBATION, OR LIMITATION ON THE LICENSEE’S 25
ABILITY TO WORK AS A TEACHER. 26
C. “BYLAWS” MEANS THOSE BYLAWS E STABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION. 27
D. “CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSE” MEANS A CURRENT , 28
VALID AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY 29
ALLOWING AN INDIVIDU AL TO SERVE AS A TEACHER IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL 30
SETTINGS IN A SPECIF IC CAREER AND TECHNI CAL EDUCATION AREA . 31 52 HOUSE BILL 504
E. “CHARTER MEMBER STATE” MEANS A MEMBER STATE THAT HAS 1
ENACTED LEGISLATION TO ADOPT THIS COMPACT WHE RE SUCH LEGISLATION 2
PREDATES THE INITIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE 3
OF THE COMPACT. 4
F. “COMMISSION” MEANS THE INTERSTATE ADMINISTRATIVE BODY 5
WHOSE MEMBERSHIP CON SISTS OF DELEGATES O F ALL STATES THAT HAVE 6
ENACTED THIS COMPACT, AND WHICH IS KNOWN AS TH E INTERSTATE TEACHER 7
MOBILITY COMPACT COMMISSION. 8
G. “COMMISSIONER ” MEANS THE DELEGATE O F A MEMBER STATE. 9
H. “ELIGIBLE LICENSE” MEANS A LICENSE TO E NGAGE IN THE TEACHIN G 10
PROFESSION THAT REQU IRES AT LEAST A BACH ELOR’S DEGREE AND THE 11
COMPLETION OF A STAT E APPROVED PROGRAM F OR TEACHER LICENSURE . 12
I. “ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSE” MEANS THE SPOUSE OF ANY INDIVIDUAL 13
IN FULL–TIME DUTY STATUS IN THE ACTIVE ARMED FOR CES OF THE UNITED STATES 14
INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MOVING AS A 15
RESULT OF A MILITARY MISSION OR MILITARY CAREER PROGRESSION 16
REQUIREMENTS OR ON M EMBER’S TERMINAL MOVE AS A RESULT OF SEPARATION 17
OR RETIREMENT (TO INCLUDE SURVIVING SPOUSES OF DECEASED MILITARY 18
MEMBERS). 19
J. “EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE” MEANS A GROUP OF COMMISSIONERS 20
ELECTED OR APPOINTED TO ACT ON BEHALF OF , AND WITHIN THE POWER S 21
GRANTED TO THEM BY , THE COMMISSION AS PROVIDE D FOR HEREIN. 22
K. “LICENSING AUTHORITY” MEANS AN OFFICIAL , AGENCY, BOARD, OR 23
OTHER ENTITY OF A STATE THAT IS RESPONS IBLE FOR THE LICENSING AND 24
REGULATION OF TEACHERS AUTHORIZED T O TEACH IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL 25
SETTINGS. 26
L. “MEMBER STATE” MEANS ANY STATE THAT HAS ADOPTE D THIS 27
COMPACT, INCLUDING ALL AGENCI ES AND OFFICIALS OF SUCH A STATE. 28
M. “RECEIVING STATE” MEANS ANY STATE WH ERE A TEACHER HAS 29
APPLIED FOR LICENSUR E UNDER THIS COMPACT. 30
N. “RULE” MEANS ANY REGULATION PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSION 31
UNDER THIS COMPACT, WHICH SHALL HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW IN EACH MEMBER 32
STATE. 33
HOUSE BILL 504 53
O. “STATE” MEANS A STATE , TERRITORY, OR POSSESSION OF THE UNITED 1
STATES, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 2
P. “STATE PRACTICE LAWS” MEANS A MEMBER STATE’S LAWS, RULES, 3
AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE TEACHING PROFESSION, DEFINE THE SCOPE 4
OF SUCH PROFESSION , AND CREATE THE METHO DS AND GROUNDS FOR I MPOSING 5
DISCIPLINE. 6
Q. “STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT ” MEANS A REQUIREMENT FOR 7
LICENSURE COVERED IN COURSEWORK OR EXAMIN ATION THAT INCLUDES CONTENT 8
OF UNIQUE INTEREST T O THE STATE. 9
R. “TEACHER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CURRENTLY HOLDS AN 10
AUTHORIZATION FROM A MEMBER STATE THAT FORMS THE BAS IS FOR 11
EMPLOYMENT IN THE P–12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF TH E STATE TO PROVIDE 12
INSTRUCTION IN A SPE CIFIC SUBJECT AREA , GRADE LEVEL , OR STUDENT 13
POPULATION . 14
S. “UNENCUMBERED LICENSE” MEANS A CURRENT , VALID 15
AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY ALLOWING 16
AN INDIVIDUAL TO SER VE AS A TEACHER IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL S ETTINGS. 17
AN UNENCUMBERED LICENSE IS NOT A REST RICTED, PROBATIONARY , 18
PROVISIONAL, SUBSTITUTE, OR TEMPORARY CREDENT IAL. 19
ARTICLE III. LICENSURE UNDER THE COMPACT. 20
A. LICENSURE UNDER THIS COMPACT PERTAINS ONLY TO THE INITIAL 21
GRANT OF A LICENSE B Y THE RECEIVING STATE. NOTHING HEREIN APPLIE S TO ANY 22
SUBSEQUENT OR ONGOIN G COMPLIANCE REQUIRE MENTS THAT A RECEIVING STATE 23
MIGHT REQUIRE FOR TEACHERS. 24
B. EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE RULES OF 25
THE COMMISSION, DEFINE, COMPILE, AND UPDATE AS NECESS ARY A LIST OF 26
ELIGIBLE LICENSES AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSES THAT 27
THE MEMBER STATE IS WILLING TO C ONSIDER FOR EQUIVALE NCY UNDER THIS 28
COMPACT AND PROV IDE THE LIST TO THE COMMISSION. THE LIST SHALL INCLUD E 29
THOSE LICENSES THAT A RECEIVING STATE IS WILLING TO G RANT TO TEACHERS 30
FROM OTHER MEMBER STATES, PENDING A DETERMINAT ION OF EQUIVALENCY B Y 31
THE RECEIVING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY. 32
C. UPON THE RECEIP T OF AN APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE BY A 33
TEACHER HOLDING AN UNENCUMBERED ELIGIBLE LICENSE, THE RECEIVING 34
STATE SHALL DETERMINE WHICH OF THE RECEIVING STATE’S ELIGIBLE LICENSES 35
THE TEACHER IS QUALIFIED TO HOLD AND SHALL GR ANT SUCH A LICENSE O R 36 54 HOUSE BILL 504
LICENSES TO THE APPLICANT. SUCH A DETERMINATION SHALL BE MADE IN THE 1
SOLE DISCRETION OF T HE RECEIVING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY AND MAY 2
INCLUDE A DETERMINAT ION THAT THE APPLICA NT IS NOT ELIGIBLE F OR ANY OF 3
THE RECEIVING STATE’S ELIGIBLE LICENSES. FOR ALL TEACHERS WHO H OLD AN 4
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE, THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL GRANT ONE OR MORE 5
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE(S) THAT, IN THE RECEIVING STATE’S SOLE DISCRETION , 6
ARE EQUIVALENT TO TH E LICENSE(S) HELD BY THE TEACHER IN ANY OTHER 7
MEMBER STATE. 8
D. FOR ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES 9
WHO HOLD A LICENSE T HAT IS NOT UNENCUMBERED , THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL 10
GRANT AN EQUIVALENT LICENSE OR LICENSES THAT, IN THE RECEIVING STATE’S 11
SOLE DISCRETION , IS EQUIVALENT TO THE LICENSE OR LICENSES HELD BY THE 12
TEACHER IN ANY OTHER MEMBER STATE, EXCEPT WHERE THE RECEIVING STATE 13
DOES NOT HAVE AN EQU IVALENT LICENSE . 14
E. FOR A TEACHER HOLDING AN UNENCUMBERED CAREER AND 15
TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSE, THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL GRANT AN 16
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE EQUIVALENT TO THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL 17
EDUCATION LICENSE HELD BY THE A PPLYING TEACHER AND ISSUED BY ANOTHER 18
MEMBER STATE, AS DETERMINED BY THE RECEIVING STATE IN ITS SOLE 19
DISCRETION, EXCEPT WHERE A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHER 20
DOES NOT HOLD A BACH ELOR’S DEGREE AND THE RECEIVING STATE REQUIRES A 21
BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR LICENSE S TO TEACH CAREER AND TECHNICAL 22
EDUCATION. A RECEIVING STATE MAY REQUIRE CAREER AND TECHNICAL 23
EDUCATION TEACHERS TO MEET STATE INDUSTRY RECOGN IZED REQUIREMENTS , 24
IF REQUIRED BY LAW I N THE RECEIVING STATE. 25
ARTICLE IV. LICENSURE NOT UNDER T HE COMPACT. 26
A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE III ABOVE, NOTHING IN THIS 27
COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO LIMIT OR IN HIBIT THE POWER OF A MEMBER 28
STATE TO REGULATE LIC ENSURE OR ENDORSEMEN TS OVERSEEN BY THE MEMBER 29
STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY. 30
B. WHEN A TEACHER IS REQUIRED T O RENEW A LICENSE RE CEIVED 31
PURSUANT TO THIS COMPACT, THE STATE GRANTING SUCH A LICENSE MAY 32
REQUIRE THE TEACHER TO COMPLETE STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AS A 33
CONDITION OF LICENSU RE RENEWAL OR ADVANC EMENT IN THAT STATE. 34
C. FOR THE PURPOSES OF D ETERMINING COMPENSAT ION, A RECEIVING 35
STATE MAY REQUIRE ADD ITIONAL INFORMATION FROM TEACHERS RECEIVING A 36
LICENSE UNDER THE PR OVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT. 37
HOUSE BILL 504 55
D. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO LIMIT THE 1
POWER OF A MEMBER STATE TO CONTROL AND MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP O F ITS 2
INFORMATION PERTAINI NG TO TEACHERS, OR LIMIT THE APPLICA TION OF A 3
MEMBER STATE’S LAWS OR REGULATION S GOVERNING THE OWNE RSHIP, USE, OR 4
DISSEMINATION OF INF ORMATION PERTAINING TO TEACHERS. 5
E. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO INVALIDATE OR 6
ALTER ANY EXISTING A GREEMENT OR OTHER CO OPERATIVE ARRANGEMEN T THAT A 7
MEMBER STATE MAY ALREADY BE A PARTY TO, OR LIMIT THE ABILITY OF A MEMBER 8
STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY FUTURE AGREEM ENT OR OTHER COOPERATIVE 9
ARRANGEMENT TO : 10
1. AWARD TEACHING LICENS ES OR OTHER BENEFITS BASED ON 11
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIO NAL CREDENTIALS INCL UDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO , 12
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION; 13
2. PARTICIPATE IN THE EX CHANGE OF NAMES OF TEACHERS WHOSE 14
LICENSE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO AN ADVERSE ACTION BY A MEMBER STATE; OR 15
3. PARTICIPATE IN ANY AG REEMENT OR COOPERATI VE 16
ARRANGEMENT WITH A N ON–MEMBER STATE. 17
ARTICLE V. TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE 18
UNDER THE COMPACT. 19
A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FO R ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS OR ELIGIBLE 20
MILITARY SPOUSES IN ARTICLE III.D ABOVE, A TEACHER MAY ONLY BE E LIGIBLE 21
TO RECEIVE A LICENSE UNDER THIS COMPACT WHERE THAT TEACHER HOLDS AN 22
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE IN A MEMBER STATE. 23
B. A TEACHER ELIGIBLE TO R ECEIVE A LICENSE UNDER THIS COMPACT 24
SHALL, UNLESS OTHERWISE PRO VIDED FOR HEREIN : 25
1. UPON THE TEACHER’S APPLICATION TO REC EIVE A LICENSE 26
UNDER THIS COMPACT, UNDERGO A CRIMINAL H ISTORY BACKGROUND CH ECK IN 27
THE RECEIVING STATE IN ACCORDANCE W ITH THE LAWS AND REG ULATIONS OF THE 28
RECEIVING STATE; AND 29
2. PROVIDE THE RECEIVING STATE WITH INFORMATIO N IN 30
ADDITION TO THE INFO RMATION REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE FOR THE PU RPOSES OF 31
DETERMINING COMPENSA TION, IF APPLICABLE. 32
ARTICLE VI. DISCIPLINE AND ADVERSE ACTIONS. 33
56 HOUSE BILL 504
A. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE DEEM ED OR CONSTRUED TO 1
LIMIT THE AUTHORITY OF A MEMBER STATE TO INVESTIGATE OR IMPOSE 2
DISCIPLINARY MEASURE S ON TEACHERS ACCORDING TO THE STATE PRACTICE 3
LAWS THEREOF . 4
B. MEMBER STATES SHALL BE AUTHO RIZED TO RECEIVE , AND SHALL 5
PROVIDE, FILES AND INFORMATIO N REGARDING THE INVE STIGATION AND 6
DISCIPLINE, IF ANY, OF TEACHERS IN OTHER MEMBER STATES UPON REQUEST . ANY 7
MEMBER STATE RECEIVING SUCH INFORMATION OR FILES SHALL PROTECT AND 8
MAINTAIN THE SECURIT Y AND CONFIDENTIALIT Y THEREOF, IN AT LEAST THE SAME 9
MANNER THAT IT MAINT AINS ITS OWN INVESTI GATORY OR DISCIPLINA RY FILES AND 10
INFORMATION . PRIOR TO DISCLOSING A NY DISCIPLINARY OR I NVESTIGATORY 11
INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM ANOTHER MEMBER STATE, THE DISCLOSING STATE 12
SHALL COMMUNICATE IT S INTENTION AND PURPOSE FOR SUCH DISCLOSURE TO T HE 13
MEMBER STATE THAT ORIGINALLY PROVIDED THAT INFORM ATION. 14
ARTICLE VII. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY 15
COMPACT COMMISSION. 16
A. THE INTERSTATE COMPAC T MEMBER STATES HEREBY CREATE AND 17
ESTABLISH A JO INT PUBLIC AGENCY KN OWN AS THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 18
MOBILITY COMPACT COMMISSION: 19
1. THE COMMISSION IS A JOINT INTERSTATE GOVERNMEN TAL 20
AGENCY COMPRISED OF STATES THAT HAVE ENAC TED THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 21
MOBILITY COMPACT. 22
2. NOTHING IN THIS INTER STATE COMPACT SHALL BE CONST RUED 23
TO BE A WAIVER OF SO VEREIGN IMMUNITY . 24
B. MEMBERSHIP, VOTING, AND MEETINGS. 25
1. EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL HAVE AND BE LIMITED TO ONE (1) 26
DELEGATE TO THE COMMISSION, WHO SHALL BE GIVEN T HE TITLE OF 27
COMMISSIONER . 28
2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE THE PRIMARY ADMINIST RATIVE 29
OFFICER OF THE STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY OR THEIR DE SIGNEE. 30
3. ANY COMMISSIONER MAY BE R EMOVED OR SUSPENDED FROM 31
OFFICE AS PROVIDED B Y THE LAW OF THE STA TE FROM WHICH THE COMMISSIONER 32
IS APPOINTED. 33
HOUSE BILL 504 57
4. THE MEMBER STATE SHALL FILL ANY VACANCY OCCURRING IN 1
THE COMMISSION WITHIN 90 DAYS. 2
5. EACH COMMISSIONER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE (1) VOTE 3
ABOUT THE PROMULGATI ON OF RULES AND CREATION OF BYLAWS AND SHALL 4
OTHERWISE HAVE AN OP PORTUNITY TO PARTICI PATE IN THE BUSINESS AND 5
AFFAIRS OF THE COMMISSION. A COMMISSIONER SHALL VO TE IN PERSON OR BY 6
SUCH OTHER MEANS AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS. THE BYLAWS MAY PROVIDE FO R 7
COMMISSIONERS ’ PARTICIPATION IN MEE TINGS BY TELEPHONE O R OTHER MEANS 8
OF COMMUNICATION . 9
6. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET A T LEAST ONCE DURING EACH 10
CALENDAR YEAR . ADDITIONAL MEETINGS S HALL BE HELD AS SET FORTH IN THE 11
BYLAWS. 12
7. THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH BY RULE A TERM OF OFFICE 13
FOR COMMISSIONERS . 14
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES. 15
1. ESTABLISH A CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE COMMISSION. 16
2. ESTABLISH THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE COMMISSION. 17
3. ESTABLISH BYLAWS FOR THE COMMISSION. 18
4. MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIA L RECORDS IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THE 19
BYLAWS OF THE COMMISSION. 20
5. MEET AND TAKE SUCH ACTION S AS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE 21
PROVISIONS OF THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT , THE BYLAWS, AND RULES OF THE 22
COMMISSION. 23
6. PROMULGATE UNIFORM RULES TO IMPLEMENT AN D ADMINISTER 24
THIS INTERSTATE COMP ACT. THE RULES SHALL HAVE THE FORCE AND EFFECT O F 25
LAW AND SHALL BE BIN DING IN ALL MEMBER STATES. IN THE EVENT THE 26
COMMISSION EXERCISES ITS RULEMAKING AUTHORITY IN A MANNER THAT IS 27
BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE COMPACT, OR THE POWERS 28
GRANTED HEREUNDER , THEN SUCH AN ACTION BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE 29
INVALID AND HAVE NO FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW. 30
7. BRING AND PROSECUTE L EGAL PROCEEDINGS OR ACTIONS IN 31
THE NAME OF THE COMMISSION, PROVIDED THAT THE ST ANDING OF ANY MEMBER 32 58 HOUSE BILL 504
STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO SUE OR B E SUED UNDER APPLICA BLE LAW MAY 1
NOT BE AFFECTED. 2
8. PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE AND BONDS . 3
9. BORROW, ACCEPT, OR CONTRACT FOR SERV ICES OF PERSONNEL , 4
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO , EMPLOYEES OF A MEMBER STATE, OR AN 5
ASSOCIATED NONGOVERN MENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS OPEN TO MEMB ERSHIP 6
BY ALL STATES. 7
10. HIRE EMPLOYEES , ELECT OR APPOINT OFF ICERS, FIX 8
COMPENSATION , DEFINE DUTIES , GRANT SUCH INDIVIDUA LS APPROPRIATE 9
AUTHORITY TO CARRY O UT THE PURPOSES OF T HE COMPACT , AND ESTABLISH THE 10
COMMISSION’S PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATIN G TO CONFLICTS OF 11
INTEREST, QUALIFICATIONS OF PE RSONNEL, AND OTHER RELATED PE RSONNEL 12
MATTERS. 13
11. LEASE, PURCHASE, ACCEPT APPROPRIATE G IFTS OR DONATIONS 14
OF, OR OTHERWISE OWN , HOLD, IMPROVE, OR USE, ANY PROPERTY , REAL, 15
PERSONAL OR MIXED , PROVIDED THAT AT AL L TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL 16
AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY . 17
12. SELL, CONVEY, MORTGAGE , PLEDGE, LEASE, EXCHANGE, 18
ABANDON, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY REAL , PERSONAL, OR MIXED. 19
13. ESTABLISH A BUDGET AN D MAKE EXPENDITURES . 20
14. BORROW MONEY. 21
15. APPOINT COMMITTEES , INCLUDING STANDING C OMMITTEES 22
COMPOSED OF MEMBERS AND SUCH OTHER INTER ESTED PERSONS AS MAY BE 23
DESIGNATED IN THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT , RULES, OR BYLAWS. 24
16. PROVIDE AND RECEIVE I NFORMATION FROM , AND COOPERATE 25
WITH, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES . 26
17. ESTABLISH AND ELECT A N EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 27
18. ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP A CHARTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE 28
INFORMATION GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE TO ADVISE O N FACILITATING EXCHA NGE 29
OF INFORMATION , USE OF INFORMATION , DATA PRIVACY, AND TECHNI CAL SUPPORT 30
NEEDS, AND PROVIDE REPORTS AS NEEDED. 31
HOUSE BILL 504 59
19. PERFORM SUCH OTHER FU NCTIONS AS MAY BE NE CESSARY OR 1
APPROPRIATE TO ACHIE VE THE PURPOSES OF T HIS INTERSTATE COMPA CT 2
CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE REGULATION OF TEACHER LICENSURE . 3
20. DETERMINE WHETHER A STATE’S ADOPTED LANGUAGE I S 4
MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE MODEL COMPA CT LANGUAGE SUCH THA T THE 5
STATE WOULD NOT QUALI FY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT. 6
D. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY 7
COMPACT COMMISSION. 8
1. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ACT ON 9
BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THIS INTERSTATE 10
COMPACT. 11
2. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE CO MPOSED OF EIGHT 12
VOTING MEMBERS : 13
A. THE COMMISSION CHAIR , VICE CHAIR, AND TREASURER ; 14
AND 15
B. FIVE MEMBERS WHO ARE ELECTED BY THE COMMISSION 16
FROM THE CURRENT MEM BERSHIP: 17
I. FOUR VOTING MEMBERS R EPRESENTING 18
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS I N ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION RULES; AND 19
II. ONE AT LARGE VOTING M EMBER IN ACCORDANCE 20
WITH COMMISSION RULES. 21
3. THE COMMISSION MAY ADD OR REMOVE MEMBERS OF TH E 22
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS PROVIDED IN COMMISSION RULES. 23
4. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE 24
ANNUALLY. 25
5. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING 26
DUTIES AND RESPONSIB ILITIES: 27
A. RECOMMEND TO THE ENTI RE COMMISSION CHANGES TO 28
THE RULES OR BYLAWS, CHANGES TO THE COMPA CT LEGISLATION , FEES PAID BY 29
INTERSTATE COMPACT MEMBER STATES SUCH AS ANNUAL DUES, AND ANY 30
COMPACT FEE CHARGED BY THE MEMBER STATES ON BEHALF OF T HE COMMISSION. 31
60 HOUSE BILL 504
B. ENSURE COMMISSION ADMINISTRA TION SERVICES ARE 1
APPROPRIATELY PROVID ED, CONTRACTUAL OR OTHER WISE. 2
C. PREPARE AND RECOMMEND THE BUDGET. 3
D. MAINTAIN FINANCIAL RE CORDS ON BEHALF OF T HE 4
COMMISSION. 5
E. MONITOR COMPLIANCE OF MEMBER STATES AND PROVIDE 6
REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION. 7
F. PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS PROVIDED IN RULES OR 8
BYLAWS. 9
6. MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION. 10
A. ALL MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC , AND 11
PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEE TINGS SHALL BE GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION 12
BYLAWS. 13
B. THE COMMISSION OR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR 14
OTHER COMMITTEES OF THE COMMISSION MAY CONVEN E IN A CLOSED , 15
NON–PUBLIC MEETING IF TH E COMMISSION OR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR OTHER 16
COMMITTEES OF THE COMMISSION MUST DISCU SS: 17
I. NONCOMPLIANCE OF A MEMBER STATE WITH ITS 18
OBLIGATIONS UNDER TH E COMPACT. 19
II. THE EMPLOYMENT , COMPENSATION , DISCIPLINE OR 20
OTHER MATTERS , PRACTICES OR PROCEDU RES RELATED TO SPECI FIC EMPLOYEES 21
OR OTHER MATTERS REL ATED TO THE COMMISSION’S INTERNAL PERSONNEL 22
PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES . 23
III. CURRENT, THREATENED , OR REASONABLY 24
ANTICIPATED LITIGATI ON. 25
IV. NEGOTIATION OF CONTRA CTS FOR THE PURCHASE , 26
LEASE, OR SALE OF GOODS , SERVICES, OR REAL ESTATE . 27
V. ACCUSING ANY PERSON O F A CRIME OR FORMALL Y 28
CENSURING ANY PERSON . 29
VI. DISCLOSURE OF TRADE S ECRETS OR COMMERCIAL 30
OR FINANCIAL INFORMA TION THAT IS PRIVILE GED OR CONFIDENTIAL . 31 HOUSE BILL 504 61
VII. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMA TION OF A PERSONAL 1
NATURE WHERE DISCLOS URE WOULD CONSTITUTE A CLEARLY UNWARRANTE D 2
INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY. 3
VIII. DISCLOSURE OF INVESTI GATIVE RECORDS COMPI LED 4
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. 5
IX. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMA TION RELATED TO ANY 6
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT S PREPARED BY OR ON BEHALF OF OR FOR USE OF THE 7
COMMISSION OR OTHER C OMMITTEE CHARGED WIT H RESPONSIBILITY OF 8
INVESTIGATION OR DET ERMINATION OF COMPLI ANCE ISSUES PURSUANT TO THE 9
COMPACT. 10
X. MATTERS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM 11
DISCLOSURE BY FEDERA L OR MEMBER STATE STATUTE. 12
XI. OTHER MATTERS AS SET FORTH BY COMMISSION 13
BYLAWS AND RULES. 14
C. IF A MEETING , OR PORTION OF A MEET ING, IS CLOSED 15
PURSUANT TO THIS PRO VISION, THE COMMISSION’S LEGAL COUNSEL OR D ESIGNEE 16
SHALL CERTIFY THAT T HE MEETING MAY BE CL OSED AND SHALL REFER ENCE EACH 17
RELEVANT EXEMPTING P ROVISION. 18
D. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP MINUTES OF COMMISSION 19
MEETINGS AND SHALL P ROVIDE A FULL AND AC CURATE SUMMARY OF AC TIONS 20
TAKEN, AND THE REASONS THER EFOR, INCLUDING A DESCRIPT ION OF THE VIEWS 21
EXPRESSED. ALL DOCUMENTS CONSIDE RED IN CONNECTION WI TH AN ACTION 22
SHALL BE IDENTIFIED IN SUCH MINU TES. ALL MINUTES AND DOCUM ENTS OF A 23
CLOSED MEETING SHALL REMAIN UNDER SEAL , SUBJECT TO RELEASE B Y A 24
MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COMMISSION OR ORDER O F A COURT OF COMPETE NT 25
JURISDICTION. 26
7. FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION. 27
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PAY , OR PROVIDE FOR THE 28
PAYMENT OF, THE REASONABLE EXPEN SES OF ITS ESTABLISH MENT, ORGANIZATION , 29
AND ONGOING ACTIVITI ES. 30
B. THE COMMISSION MAY ACCEPT ALL APPROPRIATE 31
DONATIONS AND GRANTS OF MONEY, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, AND 32
SERVICES, AND RECEIVE, UTILIZE, AND DISPOSE OF THE S AME, PROVIDED THAT AT 33 62 HOUSE BILL 504
ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL AVOI D ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY OR 1
CONFLICT OF INTEREST . 2
C. THE COMMISSION MAY LEVY O N AND COLLECT AN ANN UAL 3
ASSESSMENT FROM EACH MEMBER STATE OR IMPOSE FEES ON OTHER PART IES TO 4
COVER THE COST OF TH E OPERATIONS AND ACT IVITIES OF THE COMMISSION, IN 5
ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSION RULES. 6
D. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IN CUR OBLIGATIONS OF A NY 7
KIND PRIOR TO SECURI NG THE FUNDS ADEQUAT E TO MEET THE SAME ; NOR SHALL 8
THE COMMISSION P LEDGE THE CREDIT OF ANY OF THE MEMBER STATES, EXCEPT 9
BY AND WITH THE AUTH ORITY OF THE MEMBER STATE. 10
E. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP ACCURATE ACCOUNTS OF 11
ALL RECEIPTS AND DIS BURSEMENTS . THE RECEIPTS AND DISB URSEMENTS OF THE 12
COMMISSION SHALL BE S UBJECT TO A CCOUNTING PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED 13
UNDER COMMISSION BYLAWS. ALL RECEIPTS AND DISB URSEMENTS OF FUNDS O F 14
THE COMMISSION SHALL BE R EVIEWED ANNUALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 15
COMMISSION BYLAWS, AND A REPORT OF THE REVIEW SHALL BE INCL UDED IN AND 16
BECOME PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. 17
8. QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, DEFENSE, AND INDEMNIFICATION . 18
A. THE MEMBERS , OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , 19
EMPLOYEES AND REPRES ENTATIVES OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE I MMUNE FROM 20
SUIT AND LIABILITY , EITHER PERSONALLY OR IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPAC ITY, FOR 21
ANY CLAIM FOR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROPER TY OR PERSONAL INJUR Y OR 22
OTHER CIVIL LIABILIT Y CAUSED BY OR ARISI NG OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED 23
ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED , OR THAT THE PERSON A GAINST WHOM 24
THE CLAIM IS MADE H AD A REASONABLE BASI S FOR BELIEVING OCCU RRED WITHIN 25
THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES OR RESPONSIBI LITIES; 26
PROVIDED THAT NOTHIN G IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED T O PROTECT 27
ANY SUCH PERSON FROM SUIT OR LIABILITY FO R ANY DAMAGE , LOSS, INJURY, OR 28
LIABILITY CAUSED BY THE INTENTIONAL OR W ILLFUL OR WANTON MIS CONDUCT OF 29
THAT PERSON . 30
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL DEFE ND ANY MEMBER , OFFICER, 31
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , EMPLOYEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMISSION IN 32
ANY CIVIL ACTION SEE KING TO IMPOSE LIABI LITY ARISING OUT OF ANY A CTUAL OR 33
ALLEGED ACT , ERROR, OR OMISSION THAT OCC URRED WITHIN THE SCO PE OF 34
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , OR THAT THE PERSON 35
AGAINST WHOM THE CLA IM IS MADE HAD A REA SONABLE BASIS FOR BE LIEVING 36
OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR 37
RESPONSIBILITIES ; PROVIDED THAT NOTHIN G HEREIN SHALL BE CO NSTRUED TO 38 HOUSE BILL 504 63
PROHIBIT THAT PERSON FROM RETAINING HIS O R HER OWN COUNSEL ; AND 1
PROVIDED FURTHER , THAT THE ACTUAL OR A LLEGED ACT, ERROR, OR OMISSION 2
DID NOT RESULT FROM THAT PER SON’S INTENTIONAL OR WIL LFUL OR WANTON 3
MISCONDUCT . 4
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL INDE MNIFY AND HOLD HARML ESS 5
ANY MEMBER , OFFICER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , EMPLOYEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE 6
OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE AM OUNT OF ANY SETTLEME NT OR JUDGME NT 7
OBTAINED AGAINST THA T PERSON ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALL EGED ACT, 8
ERROR OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED WITHIN T HE SCOPE OF COMMISSION 9
EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , OR THAT SUCH PERSON HAD A 10
REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED W ITHIN THE S COPE OF 11
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , PROVIDED THAT THE 12
ACTUAL OR ALLEGED AC T, ERROR, OR OMISSION DID NOT RESULT FROM THE 13
INTENTIONAL OR WILLF UL OR WANTON MISCOND UCT OF THAT PERSON . 14
ARTICLE VIII. RULEMAKING . 15
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL EXERCISE ITS RULEMAKING POWERS 16
PURSUANT TO THE CRIT ERIA SET FORTH IN TH IS INTERSTATE COMPAC T AND THE 17
RULES ADOPTED THEREUN DER. RULES AND AMENDMENTS SHALL BECOME 18
BINDING AS OF THE DA TE SPECIFIED IN EACH RULE OR AMENDMENT . 19
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROM ULGATE REASONABLE RULES TO 20
ACHIEVE THE INTENT A ND PURPOSE OF THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT . IN THE EVENT 21
THE COMMISSION EXERCISES ITS RULEMAKING AUTHORITY IN A MANNER THAT IS 22
BEYOND PURPOSE AND I NTENT OF THIS INTERS TATE COMPACT , OR THE POWERS 23
GRANTED HEREUNDER , THEN SUCH AN ACTION BY TH E COMMISSION SHALL BE 24
INVALID AND HAVE NO FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW IN THE MEMBER STATES. 25
C. IF A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATURES OF THE MEMBER STATES 26
REJECTS A RULE, BY ENACTMENT OF A ST ATUTE OR RESOLUTION IN THE SAME 27
MANNER USED TO ADOPT THE COMPACT WI THIN FOUR (4) YEARS OF THE DATE OF 28
ADOPTION OF THE RULE, THEN SUCH RULE SHALL HAVE NO FU RTHER FORCE AND 29
EFFECT IN ANY MEMBER STATE. 30
D. RULES OR AMENDMENTS T O THE RULES SHALL BE ADOPTE D OR 31
RATIFIED AT A REGULA R OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION IN 32
ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION RULES AND BYLAWS. 33
E. UPON DETERMINATION TH AT AN EMERGENCY EXIS TS, THE 34
COMMISSION MAY CONSID ER AND ADOPT AN EMER GENCY RULE WITH 48 HOURS’ 35
NOTICE, WITH OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT, PROVIDED THAT THE US UAL 36
RULEMAKING PR OCEDURES SHALL BE RE TROACTIVELY APPLIED TO THE RULE AS 37 64 HOUSE BILL 504
SOON AS REASONABLY P OSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT LATER TH AN NINETY (90) DAYS 1
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RULE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF T HIS 2
PROVISION, AN EMERGENCY RULE IS ONE THAT MUST BE ADOPTED IMMEDIATE LY 3
IN ORDER TO: 4
1. MEET AN IMMINENT THRE AT TO PUBLIC HEALTH , SAFETY, OR 5
WELFARE; 6
2. PREVENT A LOSS OF COMMISSION OR MEMBER STATE FUNDS; 7
3. MEET A DEADLINE FOR T HE PROMULGATION OF A N 8
ADMINISTRATIVE RULE THAT IS ESTABLIS HED BY FEDERAL LAW O R RULE; OR 9
4. PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. 10
ARTICLE IX. FACILITATING INFORMATION EXCHANGE. 11
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE FOR FACILITATING THE EXCHANGE 12
OF INFORMATION TO AD MINISTER AND IMPLEME NT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS 13
COMPACT IN ACCORDANC E WITH THE RULES OF THE COMMISSION, CONSISTENT 14
WITH GENERALLY ACCEP TED DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES. 15
B. NOTHING IN THIS COMPA CT SHALL BE DEEMED O R CONSTRUED TO 16
ALTER, LIMIT, OR INHIBIT THE POWER OF A MEMBER STATE TO CONTROL AND 17
MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP O F ITS LICENSEE INFOR MATION OR ALTER, LIMIT, OR 18
INHIBIT THE LAWS OR REGULATIONS GOVERNIN G LICENSEE INFORMATI ON IN THE 19
MEMBER STATE. 20
ARTICLE X. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT . 21
A. OVERSIGHT. 22
1. THE EXECUTIVE AND JUD ICIAL BRANCHES OF STATE 23
GOVERNMENT IN EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL ENFORCE T HIS COMPACT AND TAKE 24
ALL ACTIONS NECESSAR Y AND APPROPRIATE TO EFFECTUATE THE COMPACT’S 25
PURPOSES AND INTENT . THE PROVISIONS OF THI S COMPACT SHALL HAVE 26
STANDING AS STATUTOR Y LAW. 27
2. VENUE IS PROPER AND J UDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BY OR AGAINST 28
THE COMMISSION SHALL BE B ROUGHT SOLELY AND EX CLUSIVELY IN A COURT OF 29
COMPETENT JURISDICTI ON WHERE THE PRINCIP AL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION IS 30
LOCATED. THE COMMISSION MAY WAIVE VENUE AND JURISDICTI ONAL DEFENSES 31
TO THE EXTENT IT ADO PTS OR CONSENTS TO P ARTICIPATE IN ALTERN ATIVE 32
DISPUTE RESOLUTION P ROCEEDINGS . NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT OR LIMIT 33 HOUSE BILL 504 65
THE SELECTION OR PRO PRIETY OF VENUE IN A NY ACTION AGAINST A LICENSEE FOR 1
PROFESSIONAL MALPRAC TICE, MISCONDUCT OR ANY SU CH SIMILAR MATTER . 2
3. ALL COURTS AND AL L ADMINISTRATIVE AGE NCIES SHALL TAKE 3
JUDICIAL NOTICE OF T HE COMPACT, THE RULES OF THE COMMISSION, AND ANY 4
INFORMATION PROVIDED TO A MEMBER STATE PURSUANT THERET O IN ANY 5
JUDICIAL OR QUASI –JUDICIAL PROCEEDING IN A MEMBER STATE PERTAINING TO 6
THE SUBJECT MATTE R OF THIS COMPACT, OR WHICH MAY AFFECT THE POWERS , 7
RESPONSIBILITIES , OR ACTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. 8
4. THE COMMISSION SHALL BE E NTITLED TO RECEIVE S ERVICE OF 9
PROCESS IN ANY PROCE EDING REGARDING THE ENFORCEMENT OR 10
INTERPRETATION OF TH E COMPACT AND SHALL H AVE STANDING TO INTE RVENE IN 11
SUCH A PROCEEDING FO R ALL PURPOSES . FAILURE TO PROVIDE TH E COMMISSION 12
SERVICE OF PROCESS S HALL RENDER A JUDGME NT OR ORDER VOID AS TO THE 13
COMMISSION, THIS COMPACT, OR PROMULGATED RULES. 14
B. DEFAULT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND TERMINATION. 15
1. IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT A MEMBER STATE HAS 16
DEFAULTED IN THE PER FORMANCE OF ITS OBLI GATIONS OR RESPONSIB ILITIES 17
UNDER THIS COMPACT OR THE PROMUL GATED RULES, THE COMMISSION SHALL : 18
A. PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIC E TO THE DEFAULTING STATE 19
AND OTHER MEMBER STATES OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFAULT , THE PROPOSED 20
MEANS OF CURING THE DEFAULT OR ANY OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN B Y THE 21
COMMISSION; AND 22
B. PROVIDE REMEDIAL TRAI NING AND SPECIFIC TE CHNICAL 23
ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE DEFAULT . 24
C. IF A STATE IN DEFAULT FAIL S TO CURE THE DEFAUL T, THE DEFAULTING 25
STATE MAY BE TERMINAT ED FROM THE COMPACT UPON AN AFFIR MATIVE VOTE OF 26
A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MEMBER STATES, AND ALL RIGHTS , 27
PRIVILEGES AND BENEF ITS CONFERRED ON THA T STATE BY THIS COMPACT MAY BE 28
TERMINATED ON THE EF FECTIVE DATE OF TERM INATION. A CURE OF THE DEFAULT 29
DOES NOT RELIEVE THE OFFENDING STATE OF OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES 30
INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD OF DEFAULT . 31
D. TERMINATION OF MEMBER SHIP IN THE COMPACT SHALL BE IMPO SED 32
ONLY AFTER ALL OTHER ME ANS OF SECURING COMP LIANCE HAVE BEEN 33
EXHAUSTED. NOTICE OF INTENT TO S USPEND OR TERMINATE SHALL BE GIVEN BY 34
THE COMMISSION TO THE GOV ERNOR, THE MAJORITY AND MIN ORITY LEADERS OF 35 66 HOUSE BILL 504
THE DEFAULTING STATE’S LEGISLATURE , THE STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY AND 1
EACH OF THE MEMBER STATES. 2
E. A STATE THAT HAS BEEN T ERMINATED IS RESPONS IBLE FOR ALL 3
ASSESSMENTS , OBLIGATIONS, AND LIABILITIES INCU RRED THROUGH THE 4
EFFECTIVE DATE OF TE RMINATION, INCLUDING OBLIGATION S THAT EXTEND 5
BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION . 6
F. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT BE AR ANY COSTS RELATED TO A STATE 7
THAT IS FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT OR THAT H AS BEEN TERMINATED F ROM THE 8
COMPACT, UNLESS AGREED UPON I N WRITING BETWEEN TH E COMMISSION AND THE 9
DEFAULTING STATE. 10
G. THE DEFAULTING STATE MAY APPEAL THE ACTIO N OF THE 11
COMMISSION BY PETITIO NING THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF 12
COLUMBIA OR THE FEDER AL DISTRICT WHERE TH E COMMISSION HAS ITS 13
PRINCIPAL OFFICES . THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL COSTS OF 14
SUCH LITIGATION , INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORN EY’S FEES. 15
H. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. 16
1. UPON REQUEST BY A MEMBER STATE, THE COMMISSION SHALL 17
ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE D ISPUTES RELATED TO T HE COMPACT THAT ARISE AM ONG 18
MEMBER STATES AND BETWEEN MEMBER AND NON –MEMBER STATES. 19
2. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE A RULE PROVIDING FOR 20
BOTH BINDING AND NON –BINDING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION F OR 21
DISPUTES AS APPROPRI ATE. 22
I. ENFORCEMENT . 23
1. THE COMMISSION, IN THE REASONABLE EX ERCISE OF ITS 24
DISCRETION, SHALL ENFORCE THE PR OVISIONS AND RULES OF THIS COMPACT. 25
2. BY MAJORITY VOTE , THE COMMISSION MAY INITIA TE LEGAL 26
ACTION IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 27
OR THE FEDERAL DISTR ICT WHERE THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PR INCIPAL OFFICES 28
AGAINST A MEMBER STATE IN DEFAULT TO E NFORCE COMPLIANCE WI TH THE 29
PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT AND ITS PROMU LGATED RULES AND BYLAWS. THE 30
RELIEF SOUGHT MAY IN CLUDE BOTH INJUNCTIV E RELIEF AND DAMAGES . IN THE 31
EVENT JUDICIAL ENFOR CEMENT IS NECESSARY , THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE 32
AWARDED ALL COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION , INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S 33
FEES. THE REMEDIES HEREIN M AY NOT BE THE EXCLUS IVE REMEDIES OF THE 34 HOUSE BILL 504 67
COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION MAY PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDIES A VAILABLE 1
UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE LAW. 2
ARTICLE XI. EFFECTUATION , WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT. 3
A. THE COMPACT SHALL COME IN TO EFFECT ON THE DAT E ON WHICH THE 4
COMPACT STATUTE IS EN ACTED INTO LAW IN TH E TENTH MEMBER STATE. 5
1. ON OR AFTER THE EFFEC TIVE DATE OF THE COMPACT, THE 6
COMMISSION SHALL CONV ENE AND REVIEW THE E NACTMENT OF EACH OF THE 7
CHARTER MEMBER STATES TO DETERMINE I F THE STATUTE ENACTE D BY EACH 8
SUCH CHARTER MEMBER STATE IS MATERIALLY D IFFERENT FROM THE MO DEL 9
COMPACT STATUTE . 10
2. A CHARTER MEMBER STATE WHOSE ENACTMENT IS FOUND TO BE 11
MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE MODEL COMPACT STATUTE SHALL BE 12
ENTITLED TO THE DEFA ULT PROCESS SET FORT H IN ARTICLE X. 13
3. MEMBER STATES ENACTING THE COMPACT SUBSEQUENT TO THE 14
CHARTER MEMBER STATES SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE PROCESS SE T FORTH IN 15
ARTICLE VII.C.20 TO DETERMINE IF THEI R ENACTMENTS ARE MAT ERIALLY 16
DIFFERENT FROM THE M ODEL COMPACT STATUTE AND W HETHER THEY QUALIFY 17
FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT. 18
B. IF ANY MEMBER STATE IS LATER FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT , OR IS 19
TERMINATED OR WITHDR AWS FROM THE COMPACT, THE COMMISSION SHALL 20
REMAIN IN EXISTENCE AND THE COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT EVEN IF TH E 21
NUMBER OF MEMBER STATES SHOULD BE LESS THAN TEN. 22
C. ANY STATE THAT JOINS THE COMPACT AFTER THE COMMISSION’S 23
INITIAL ADOPTION OF THE RULES AND BYLAWS SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE RULES 24
AND BYLAWS AS THEY EXIST ON THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPACT BECOMES LAW 25
IN THAT STATE. ANY RULE THAT HAS BEEN PR EVIOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE 26
COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FULL FORCE AND E FFECT OF LAW ON THE DAY THE 27
COMPACT BECOMES LAW I N THAT STATE, AS THE RULES AND BYLAWS MAY BE 28
AMENDED AS PROVIDED IN THIS COMPACT. 29
D. ANY MEMBER STATE MAY WITHDRAW FR OM THIS COMPACT BY 30
ENACTING A STATUTE R EPEALING THE SAME . 31
1. A MEMBER STATE’S WITHDRAWAL MAY NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL 32
SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER ENACTME NT OF THE REPEALING STATUTE. 33
68 HOUSE BILL 504
2. WITHDRAWAL MAY NOT AFFECT THE C ONTINUING REQUIREMEN T 1
OF THE WITHDRAWING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY TO COMPLY W ITH THE 2
INVESTIGATIVE AND ADVERSE ACTION REPORTING REQU IREMENTS OF THIS ACT 3
PRIOR TO THE EFFECTI VE DATE OF WITHDRAWA L. 4
E. THIS COMPACT MAY BE AMENDE D BY THE MEMBER STATES. NO 5
AMENDMENT TO THIS COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDIN G UPON 6
ANY MEMBER STATE UNTIL IT IS ENACTED INTO THE LAWS O F ALL MEMBER STATES. 7
ARTICLE XII. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY. 8
THIS COMPACT SHALL BE LIBE RALLY CONSTRUED TO E FFECTUATE THE 9
PURPOSES THEREOF . THE PROVISIONS OF THI S COMPACT SHALL BE SEVE RABLE 10
AND IF ANY PHRASE , CLAUSE, SENTENCE, OR PROVISION OF THIS COMPACT IS 11
DECLARED TO BE CONTR ARY TO THE CONSTITUT ION OF ANY MEMBER STATE OR A 12
STATE SEEKING MEMBERS HIP IN THE COMPACT , OR OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE 13
APPLICABILITY THEREO F TO ANY OTHER GOVER NMENT, AGENCY, PERSON OR 14
CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD INVALID, THE VALIDITY OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS 15
COMPACT AND THE APPLI CABILITY THEREOF TO ANY GOVERNMENT , AGENCY, 16
PERSON, OR CIRCUMSTANCE M AY NOT BE AFFECTED T HEREBY. IF THIS COMPACT 17
SHALL BE HELD CONTRA RY TO THE CONSTITUTI ON OF ANY MEMBER STATE, THE 18
COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EF FECT AS TO THE REMAI NING 19
MEMBER STATES AND IN FULL FO RCE AND EFFECT AS TO THE MEMBER STATE 20
AFFECTED AS TO ALL SEVERABLE MAT TERS. 21
ARTICLE XIII. CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE LAWS. 22
A. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PREVENT OR INHIBIT T HE ENFORCEMENT OF 23
ANY OTHER LAW OF A MEMBER STATE THAT IS NOT INC ONSISTENT WITH THE 24
COMPACT. 25
B. ANY LAWS , STATUTES, REGULATIONS , OR OTHER LEGAL 26
REQUIREMENTS IN A MEMBER STATE IN CONFLICT WIT H THE COMPACT ARE 27
SUPERSEDED TO THE EX TENT OF THE CONFLICT . 28
C. ALL PERMISSIBLE AGREE MENTS BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE 29
MEMBER STATES ARE BINDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEI R TERMS. 30
Article – State Finance and Procurement 31
6–226. 32
(a) (2) (i) 1. This subparagraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 33
through 2028. 34 HOUSE BILL 504 69
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 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 13
as follows: 14
Chapter 717 of the Acts of 2024 15
SECTION 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any other 16
provision of law, and unless inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other 17
federal requirement, or with the terms of a gift or settlement agreement, for fiscal years 18
2024 through 2028, net interest on all State money allocated by the State Treasurer under 19
§ 6–226 of the State Finance and Procurement Article to special funds or accounts, and 20
otherwise entitled to receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall 21
accrue to the General Fund of the State, with the exception of the following funds: 22
(85) the Bus Rapid Transit Fund; [and] 23
(86) the Transit–Oriented Development Capital Grant and Revolving Loan 24
Fund; AND 25
(87) THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 26
SECTION 4. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 27
(a) (1) On or before January 1, 2026, the State Department of Education, in 28
consultation with the Accountability and Implementation Board, shall contract with an 29
independent public or private entity to conduct a study of funding for special education in 30
the State. 31
70 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) At a minimum, the study shall review and make recommendations on 1
the following: 2
(i) the costs of special education in the State; 3
(ii) the rising costs of special education for prekindergarten students 4
and the appropriate funding formula for those students assumed to be covered in the 5
prekindergarten per pupil funding allocation under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future; 6
(iii) the implications of the design assumptions in the existing special 7
education funding structure related to long–term spending and costs; 8
(iv) the establishment of a system of multiple weights for special 9
education funding based on disability and level of services and support needed; and 10
(v) the feasibility of complying with the minimum school funding 11
requirement under § 5–234 of the Education Article as it relates to special education 12
funding. 13
(b) The entity conducting the study shall seek input from county boards of 14
education, nonpublic special education schools, special education advocates, and special 15
education organizations. 16
(c) The Governor shall include sufficient funds in the State budget for the 17
appropriate fiscal years for the State Department of Education to cover the costs of the 18
study. 19
(d) On or before December 15, 2026, the State Department of Education shall 20
report the findings and recommendations of the study to the General Assembly in 21
accordance with § § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 22
SECTION 5. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACT ED, That Section 3 of this Act is 23
contingent on the enactment of substantially similar legislation in 10 other states. The 24
State Department of Education shall notify the Department of Legislative Services within 25
10 days after 10 states have enacted legislation that is substantially similar to Section 3 of 26
this Act it is the intent of the General Assembly that the State Department of Education 27
shall consult with the Maryland Center for Community Schools within Towson University 28
to: 29
(1) evaluate the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in 30
accordance with § 5–223(i)(4) of the Education Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act; 31
and 32
(2) establish requirements for community school implementation plans in 33
accordance with § 9.9–104(b)(3) of the Education Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act. 34
HOUSE BILL 504 71
SECTION 6. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in 1
Section 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 2
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.