EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*hb0504*
HOUSE BILL 504
F1 (5lr0455)
ENROLLED BILL
— Appropriations and Ways and Means/Budget and Taxation and Education, Energy,
and the Environment —
Introduced by The Speaker (By Request – Administration) and Delegates
Hornberger, McComas, and Tomlinson
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing local governing bodies to exceed certain tax and revenue 3
limitations for a certain purpose; altering the definitions of “target per pupil 4
foundation amount”, “collaborative time per pupil amount”, “compensatory education 5
per pupil amount”, “English learner per pupil amount”, “special education per pupil 6
amount”, “growth in the target per pupil foundation amount”, and “change in the per 7
pupil amount” for certain fiscal years; repealing certain provisions of law relating to 8
the Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel; altering the 9
definitions of target per pupil foundation amount, collaborative time per pupil 10
amount, and special education per pupil amount for certain fiscal years; altering the 11
source of funds for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund to include the interest 12
earnings of the Academic Excellence Fund; directing county boards of education to 13 2 HOUSE BILL 504
provide certain funding to local workforce development boards to support the Career 1
Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students; altering a certain 2
reporting requirement of local workforce development boards; requiring the 3
Accountability and Implementation Board to report to the Governor and the General 4
Assembly on the effectiveness of the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High 5
School Students; altering and adding methods for determining a certain limitation 6
on education funding increases under certain circumstances; freezing certain 7
increases in the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program for certain fiscal 8
years, authorizing certain county boards of education to spend Concentration of 9
Poverty School Grant Program grants on behalf of certain schools subject to certain 10
criteria, and requiring the State Department of Education to conduct a certain 11
evaluation of the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program; modifying the 12
school leadership training 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 mandated appropriations to the Coordinated Community 19
Supports Partnership Fund; providing that, for certain school years, certain 20
provisions relating to the procurement and use of certain digital tools do not apply 21
under certain circumstances; altering the definition of wraparound services to include 22
additional services provided by community schools; altering the definition of 23
wraparound services to include additional services provided by community schools; 24
authorizing a certain office in the Department to hire staff to support the Director of 25
Community Schools; altering the requirements of an implementation plan for 26
community schools; requiring local school systems to develop certain countywide 27
community school implementation plans; requiring the Governor to submit a certain 28
budget without revision; requiring local school systems to develop certain countywide 29
community school implementation plans; establishing the Academic Excellence 30
Program and the Academic Excellence Fund in the Department; altering the purpose 31
and eligibility criteria of the Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program and altering 32
the distribution and use of Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program grants and 33
altering the distribution and use of Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program 34
grants; requiring the Department to consult with a certain entity to support the 35
development and implementation of grow–your–own programs; altering certain 36
plans and requirements that a certain collaborative must develop or provide; 37
prohibiting a local school system from reducing the compensation of certain teacher 38
candidates; providing that certain provisions of law regarding the issuance of an 39
initial teaching certificate do not apply to certain teachers under certain 40
circumstances; entering into the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact for the 41
purpose of authorizing regulated teachers who hold multistate licenses to teach in 42
each member state; establishing requirements for multistate licensure; establishing 43
the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission and its powers and duties; 44
providing for the withdrawal from the Compact; requiring the Department to 45
contract with an independent entity to conduct a certain study of funding special 46
education by a certain date; requiring the Department to consult with a certain 47 HOUSE BILL 504 3
entity to evaluate a certain program and establish requirements for certain 1
implementation plans; requiring the Department to provide certain technical 2
assistance to local education agencies for a certain fiscal year; and generally relating 3
to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. 4
BY repealing 5
Chapter 36 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021, as amended by Chapter 55 of 6
the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021 7
Section 19 8
BY repealing 9
Article – Education 10
Section 6–601 through 6–604 and the subtitle “Subtitle 6. Interstate Agreement on 11
Qualifications of Educational Personnel” 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 15
Article – Education 16
Section 5–201(a), 5–201(a) and (s), 5–206(a), 5–222(a)(1), 5–224(a)(1), 6–1002(a)(1), 17
7–447.1(p)(1) and (3), 7–447.1(b)(1) and (p)(1) and (3), 7–910(a)(1) and (2), 18
8–313(a)(1), 8–3A–09(a)(1), 8–710(a)(1), and 18–27A–05 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 22
Article – Education 23
Section 5–104(d), 5–201(s), 5–201(s), 5–206(f) and (g)(2), 5–213, 5–222(a)(3), 5–223, 24
5–224(a)(3), 5–225, 6–124, 5–225, 6–124, 6–126, 6–1002(h), 7–447.1(p)(9), 25
8–313(a)(3) and (5), 8–3A–09(a)(3) and (4), 8–710(a)(2) and (4), 9.9–101 26
through 9.9–104, 18–27A–01 through 18–27A–04, and 18–27A–06 27
Annotated Code of Maryland 28
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 29
BY adding to 30
Article – Education 31
Section 5–210, 6–123.1, 6–130, and 6–131; 6–601 to be under the new subtitle 32
“Subtitle 6. Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact”; 6–130, and 6–131; and 33
9.12–101 through 9.12–104 6–1101 through 6–1106 to be under the new title 34
subtitle “Title 9.12. Subtitle 11. Academic Excellence Program”; and 35
7–910(a–1) 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 38
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 39
Article – State Finance and Procurement 40
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 41 4 HOUSE BILL 504
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 2
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3
Article – State Finance and Procurement 4
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)204. and 205. and 7–108 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 7
BY adding to 8
Article – State Finance and Procurement 9
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)206. 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Chapter 717 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 14
Section 8(85) and (86) 15
BY adding to 16
Chapter 717 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 17
Section 8(87) 18
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That Section(s) 6–601 through 6–604 and the subtitle “Subtitle 6. Interstate Agreement on 20
Qualifications of Educational Personnel” of Article – Education of the Annotated Code of 21
Maryland be repealed. 22
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 23
That Section(s) 19 of Chapter 36 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021, as amended by 24
Chapter 55 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021, be repealed. 25
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE 26
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED , That the 27
Laws of Maryland read as follows: 28
Article – Education 29
5–104. 30
(d) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of a county charter that places a limit on 31
that county’s property tax rate or revenues and subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a 32
county governing body may set a property tax rate that is higher than the rate authorized 33
under the county’s charter or collect more property tax revenues than the revenues authorized 34
under the county’s charter for the sole purpose of funding the approved budget of the county 35
board INCLUDING ANY PAYMEN TS BY THE COUNTY GOV ERNING BOD Y ON BEHALF OF 36 HOUSE BILL 504 5
THE COUNTY BOARD TO THE TEACHERS’ PENSION SYSTEM AND THE TEACHERS’ 1
RETIREMENT SYSTEM. 2
(2) If the county governing body sets a county property tax rate that is 3
greater than the rate authorized under the county’s charter or collects more property tax 4
revenues than the revenues authorized under the county’s charter, the county: 5
(i) May not reduce funding provided to the county board from any 6
other local revenue source below the funding level in the current county budget; and 7
(ii) Shall appropriate to the county board all property tax revenues 8
exceeding the amount that would have been available if the county charter limitation had 9
applied. 10
(3) On or before December 31 of any year in which a county sets a property 11
tax rate as provided in this subsection, the county shall report to the Governor and, in 12
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on the 13
property tax rate set, the additional amount of revenues generated, and the appropriation of 14
the additional revenues. 15
5–201. 16
(a) In this subtitle, except as otherwise provided, the following words have the 17
meanings indicated. 18
(s) “Target per pupil foundation amount” means: 19
(1) For fiscal year 2022, $7,991; 20
(2) For fiscal year 2023, $8,310; 21
(3) For fiscal year 2024, $8,642; 22
(4) For fiscal year 2025, $8,789; 23
(5) For fiscal year 2026, [$9,226] $9,063; 24
(6) For fiscal year 2027, [$9,732] $9,398 $9,561; 25
(7) For fiscal year 2028, [$10,138] $9,626 $9,789; 26
(8) For fiscal year 2029, [$10,564] $9,866 $10,200; 27
(9) For fiscal year 2030, [$11,004] $10,276 $10,625; 28
(10) For fiscal year 2031, [$11,442] $10,683 $11,047; 29 6 HOUSE BILL 504
(11) For fiscal year 2032, [$11,898] $11,104 $11,483; 1
(12) For fiscal year 2033, [$12,365] $11,536 $11,931; [and] 2
(13) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2034, $12,381; 3
(14) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2035, $12,843; AND 4
(13) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2034, $11,946; 5
(14) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2035, $12,369; 6
(15) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2036, $12,808; 7
(16) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2037, $13,259; AND 8
[(13) (15)] (17) For subsequent fiscal years, the target per pupil 9
foundation amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded 10
to the nearest whole dollar. 11
5–206. 12
(a) In this section, “Fund” means the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. 13
(f) The Fund consists of: 14
(1) Revenue distributed to the Fund under Title 9, Subtitles 1D and 1E of 15
the State Government Article and §§ 2–4A–02, 2–605.1, and 2–1303 of the Tax – General 16
Article; 17
(2) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund; 18
(3) INTEREST EARNED BY TH E ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND 19
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9.12–103 § 6–1105 OF THIS ARTICLE; and 20
[(3)] (4) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit 21
of the Fund. 22
(g) (2) (I) The Fund may not be used for school construction under Subtitle 23
3 of this title. 24
(II) THE FUND MAY NOT BE USED TO FUND THE ACADEMIC 25
EXCELLENCE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER TITLE 6, SUBTITLE 11 OF THIS 26
ARTICLE. 27 HOUSE BILL 504 7
5–210. 1
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 2
INDICATED. 3
(2) “BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE FUND ESTIMATE ” MEANS 4
THE ESTIMATE OF REVE NUES TO BE DISTRIBUT ED TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR 5
MARYLAND’S FUTURE FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 5–206 OF THIS SUBTITLE BY 6
THE BOARD OF REVENUE ESTIMATES AS REQUIRED BY § 6–106 OF THE STATE 7
FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 8
(3) “GENERAL FUND ESTIMATE ” MEANS THE ESTIMATE O F GENERAL 9
FUND REVENUES BY THE BOARD OF REVENUE ESTIMATES AS REQUIRED BY § 6–106 10
OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 11
(B) BEGINNING DECEMBER 1, 2024, AND EACH DECEMBER 1 THEREAFTER , 12
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , IF THERE IS A 13
CUMULATIVE REDUCTION IN THE DECEMBER GENERAL FUND ESTIMATE AND THE 14
BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE FUND ESTIMATE IN THE DECEMBER BOARD 15
OF REVENUE ESTIMATES REPORT FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR THA T IS AT LEAST 3.75% 16
BELOW THE MARCH GENERAL FUND ESTIMATE IN THE MARCH BOARD OF REVENUE 17
ESTIMATES REPORT FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR , NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER 18
PROVISION OF LAW : 19
(1) PER PUPIL FORMULA INC REASES IN MAJOR EDUCATION AI D 20
REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE SHALL BE 0%; AND 21
(2) ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDIN G INCREASES REQUIRED UNDER THIS 22
SUBTITLE SHALL BE LI MITED TO 0%. 23
(C) THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E THE LIMITATION ON INCREASES 24
REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (B) OF THIS SECTION IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BILL 25
IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION IMME DIATELY FOLLOWING TH E DECEMBER 26
BOARD OF REVENUE ESTIMATES REPORT . 27
5–213. 28
(a) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share of the foundation 29
program to each county board. 30
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, each fiscal year, 31
the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for 32
the foundation program calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle. 33 8 HOUSE BILL 504
(c) (1) Each county board shall distribute to the local workforce development 1
board for the county the following amount multiplied by the enrollment count in the county: 2
(i) For fiscal year 2024, $62; and 3
(ii) For each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026 FISCAL YEARS 2025 4
THROUGH 2028, the prior fiscal year amount increased by the inflation adjustment. 5
(2) The funds distributed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be 6
used to support the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students 7
established under § 7–126 § 7–127 of this article that is provided collaboratively by the 8
workforce development board, the school, any other relevant State or local agencies, and 9
employers. 10
(3) On or before June 30, 2024, and in each of the next 2 4 fiscal years, the 11
local workforce development board, in collaboration with the county board and any other 12
relevant State or local agencies, shall report to the Accountability and Implementation 13
Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title on the use of the funds and the impact of 14
the funds on providing career counseling. 15
(4) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND 16
IMPLEMENTATION BOARD SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE 17
WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON 18
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CAREER COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE AND 19
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, INCLUDING: 20
(I) WHETHER CAREER COUNSE LING SERVICES HAVE 21
ADEQUATELY PREPARED STUDENTS FOR POST –COLLEGE AND CAREER R EADINESS 22
PATHWAYS, INCLUDING: 23
1. PERCENTAGE OF STUDENT S WHO COMPLETED A 24
CAREER READINESS ASS ESSMENT; 25
2. STUDENT SELF –REPORTED CONFIDENCE LEVELS IN 26
CAREER READINESS ; 27
3. NUMBER OF STUDENTS PA RTICIPATING IN CAREE R 28
COUNSELING SESSIONS AND COMPLETING A 6–YEAR CAREER PLAN BY THE END OF 29
8TH GRADE; 30
4. NUMBER OF STUDENTS WH O PARTICIPATED IN 31
CAREER EXPLORATION A CTIVITIES, INCLUDING FIELD TRIP S, COLLEGE OR TRAINING 32
CENTER VISITS, CAREER FAIRS, OR REGISTERED APPREN TICESHIP PROGRAMS ; 33
HOUSE BILL 504 9
5. NUMBER OF STUDENTS WH O IDENTIFIED 1
POST–COLLEGE AND CAREER R EADINESS PATHWAY PRE FERENCES; AND 2
6. PERCENTAGE OF STUDENT S APPLYING TO 3
POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION, CAREER TRAINING PROG RAMS, OR REGISTERED 4
APPRENTICESHIPS ; 5
(II) WHETHER STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED HIGH –QUALITY 6
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A RESULT OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING: 7
1. NUMBER OF STUDENTS PA RTICIPATING IN 8
REGISTERED APPRENTIC ESHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, JOB SHADOWING , OR OTHER 9
WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIES FACILITATED BY THE PROGRAM; 10
2. EMPLOYER SATISFACTION RATINGS OF STUDENT 11
PREPAREDNESS AND PER FORMANCE; 12
3. NUMBER OF STUDENTS SE CURING A REGISTERED 13
APPRENTICESHIP OR PA RT–TIME EMPLOYMENT RELA TED TO THEIR FIELD O F 14
INTEREST AFTER ENGAGING WITH THE PROGRAM BEFORE GRADUA TION; AND 15
4. NUMBER OF NEW EMPLOYE R COLLABORATIONS EAC H 16
YEAR; AND 17
(III) IDENTIFYING LONG –TERM METRICS FOR THE PROGRAM TO 18
DETERMINE THE PROGRAM’S EFFECTIVENESS IN G UIDING HIGH SCHOOL S TUDENTS 19
TOWARD SATISFACTO RY CAREER PATHS AFTE R COMPLETING HIGH SC HOOL, 20
INCLUDING CONSIDERAT ION OF: 21
1. EMPLOYMENT RATE OF PR OGRAM GRADUATES 22
WITHIN 6 TO 12 MONTHS POST GRADUATI ON; 23
2. PERCENTAGE OF STUDENT S EMPLOYED IN THEIR 24
FIELD OF INTEREST OR RELATED INDUSTRY WIT HIN 1 YEAR OF GRADUATION ; 25
3. STUDENT–REPORTED JOB SATISFA CTION AND 26
CAREER ALIGNMENT BAS ED ON FOLLOW –UP SURVEYS; 27
4. COLLEGE PERSISTENCE A ND COMPLETION RATES FOR 28
STUDENTS WHO PARTICI PATED IN THE PROGRAM; AND 29
5. REDUCTION IN THE NUMB ER OF STUDENTS WH O ARE 30
UNEMPLOYED OR NOT PA RTICIPATING IN A POS TSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM 31
COMPARED TO PRE –PROGRAM DATA . 32 10 HOUSE BILL 504
(d) (1) In this subsection, “collaborative time per pupil amount” means: 1
(i) For fiscal year [2026] 2030, $163; 2
(ii) (I) For fiscal year [2027] 2031, $334; 3
(iii) (II) For fiscal year [2028] 2032, $512; 4
(iv) (III) For fiscal year [2029] 2033, $698; 5
(v) (IV) For fiscal year [2030] 2034, $891; 6
(vi) (V) For fiscal year [2031] 2035, $1,093; 7
(vii) (VI) For fiscal year [2032] 2036, $1,306; 8
(viii) (VII) For fiscal year [2033] 2037, $1,527; and 9
(I) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2029, $334; 10
(II) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2030, $512; 11
(III) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2031, $698; 12
(IV) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2032, $891; 13
(V) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2033, $1,093; 14
(VI) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2034, $1,306; 15
(VII) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2035, $1,527; AND 16
(ix) (VIII) For each fiscal year thereafter, the collaborative time per 17
pupil amount in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment. 18
(2) The collaborative time per pupil amount multiplied by the enrollment 19
count in each county shall be distributed to and expended by schools in each county in 20
accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article and the county’s collaborative time 21
implementation plan approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board. 22
5–222. 23
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
HOUSE BILL 504 11
(3) (I) [“Compensatory] FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022 THROUGH 2025, 1
“COMPENSATORY education per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the 2
target per pupil foundation amount: 3
[(i)] 1. For fiscal year 2022, 91%; 4
[(ii)] 2. For fiscal year 2023, 89%; 5
[(iii)] 3. For fiscal year 2024, 87%; AND 6
[(iv)] 4. For fiscal year 2025, 86%[;]. 7
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2026, “COMPENSATORY 8
EDUCATION PER PUPIL AMOUNT” MEANS: 9
[(v)] 1. For fiscal year 2026, [85%] $7,842; 10
[(vi)] 2. For fiscal year 2027, [80%] $7,786; 11
[(vii)] 3. For fiscal year 2028, [78%] $7,908; 12
[(viii)] 4. For fiscal year 2029, [76%] $8,029; 13
[(ix)] 5. For fiscal year 2030, [76%] $8,363; 14
[(x)] 6. For fiscal year 2031, [75%] $8,582; 15
[(xi)] 7. For fiscal year 2032, [71%] $8,448; [and] 16
[(xii)] 8. For fiscal year 2033 [and each fiscal year thereafter, 73%], 17
$9,026; AND 18
9. FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE 19
COMPENSATORY EDUCATI ON PER PUPIL AMOUNT FOR THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR 20
INCREASED BY THE INF LATION ADJUSTMENT RO UNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE 21
DOLLAR. 22
5–223. 23
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
(2) “Community school” means a community school under Title 9.9 of this 25
article. 26
12 HOUSE BILL 504
(3) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, 1
“concentration of poverty level” means the average percentage of eligible students of the 2
school’s enrollment for the 3 prior school years rounded to the nearest whole percent. 3
(ii) If the 3 prior school years includes the 2020–2021 school year, 4
“concentration of poverty level” means: 5
1. The sum of the percentage of eligible students of the 6
school’s enrollment for the 4 prior school years minus the 2020–2021 school year percentage 7
of eligible students; divided by 8
2. Three; and 9
3. Rounded to the nearest whole percent. 10
(4) (i) “Eligible school” means: 11
1. For the personnel grant, a public school, including a public 12
charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of: 13
A. For fiscal year 2020, at least 80%; 14
B. For fiscal year 2021, at least 75%; 15
C. For fiscal year 2022, at least 70%; 16
D. For fiscal year 2023, at least 65%; 17
E. For fiscal year 2024, at least 60%; and 18
F. For fiscal year 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, at 19
least 55%; and 20
2. For the per pupil grant, a public school, including a public 21
charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of: 22
A. For fiscal year 2022, at least 80%; 23
B. For fiscal year 2023, at least 75%; 24
C. For fiscal year 2024, at least 70%; 25
D. For fiscal year 2025, at least 65%; 26
E. For fiscal year 2026, at least 60%; and 27
HOUSE BILL 504 13
F. For fiscal year 2027, and each fiscal year thereafter, at 1
least 55%. 2
(ii) “Eligible school” includes an alternative option program in the 3
local school system if the students in the program are not included in the count of eligible 4
students for another program or school to determine eligibility for the concentration of 5
poverty grant. 6
(iii) “Eligible school” does not include a school that is eligible to 7
receive funding under this section but has closed. 8
(5) “Eligible student” means the compensatory education enrollment as 9
defined in § 5–222 of this subtitle in the second prior fiscal year rounded to the nearest 10
whole number. 11
(6) “Locally funded county” means a county board that receives a 12
compensatory education State share under § 5–221(c)(1)(ii) of this subtitle. 13
(7) “Needs assessment” means the assessment completed under § 9.9–104 14
of this article. 15
(8) “Per pupil grant amount” means, for all eligible schools in the county, 16
the per pupil amount for each eligible school calculated under subsection (d) of this section 17
multiplied by the number of eligible students in the school. 18
(9) “Per pupil maximum amount” means: 19
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $3,374.48; and 20
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 21
increased by the inflation adjustment. 22
(10) “Program” means the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program 23
established under this section. 24
(11) “Sliding scale adjustment factor” means: 25
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $7,422.33; and 26
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 27
increased by the inflation adjustment. 28
(12) “Sliding scale upper limit” means: 29
(i) For fiscal year 2022, $13,495.15; and 30
14 HOUSE BILL 504
(ii) For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount 1
increased by the inflation adjustment. 2
(13) “State funded county” means a county that is not a locally funded 3
county. 4
(14) “Wraparound services” includes the wraparound services defined under 5
§ 9.9–101 of this article. 6
(b) (1) There is a Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in the State. 7
(2) The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to eligible schools with 8
a high concentration of eligible students. 9
(3) The Program consists of the: 10
(i) Personnel grant; and 11
(ii) Per pupil grant. 12
(c) (1) (i) [1.] For fiscal year 2022, the State shall distribute a personnel 13
grant to each county board equal to $248,833 for each eligible school in the county. 14
[2.] (II) In each subsequent fiscal year, the personnel grant 15
equals the personnel grant in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment. 16
[(ii)] (III) Except as provided in [subparagraph (iii) of this 17
paragraph] SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION , each county board shall distribute 18
directly to each eligible school the amount provided under paragraph (1)(i) AND (II) of this 19
subsection. 20
[(iii) 1. Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this 21
subparagraph, if a local school system has at least 40 eligible schools, the county board 22
may, on behalf of eligible schools, expend no more than 50% of the funds distributed by the 23
State under this paragraph, provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the 24
eligible schools that ensures that the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (8) of this 25
subsection are met and the plan is submitted to the Accountability and Implementation 26
Board in accordance with § 5–402 of this title. 27
2. Subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph does not apply 28
to a public charter school unless the public charter school chooses to participate in the 29
plan.] 30
(2) (i) Each eligible school shall employ one community school 31
coordinator staff position in the eligible school. 32
HOUSE BILL 504 15
(ii) 1. Each eligible school shall provide full–time coverage by at 1
least one professional health care practitioner during school hours, including any extended 2
learning time, who is a licensed physician, a licensed physician’s assistant, or a licensed 3
registered nurse, practicing within the scope of the health care practitioner’s license. 4
2. A health care practitioner providing coverage under this 5
subparagraph may work under a school health services program, a county health 6
department, or a school–based health center. 7
3. This subparagraph may not be construed to: 8
A. Require that an eligible school hire a full–time health care 9
practitioner staff position; or 10
B. Preclude the hiring of any other health care practitioners 11
that meet the needs of the students. 12
(3) Each eligible school shall use the personnel grant to fund the 13
requirements under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 14
(4) If the personnel grant provided to an eligible school exceeds the cost to 15
employ the positions and provide the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this 16
subsection, the eligible school may only use the excess funds to: 17
(i) Provide wraparound services to the students enrolled in the 18
eligible school; 19
(ii) Complete the needs assessment; and 20
(iii) In fiscal years 2021 through 2025, provide the requirements 21
under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, including 13A.04.16.01. 22
(5) (i) If an eligible school, prior to receiving a personnel grant, employs 23
an individual in a position or has the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this 24
subsection, at least the same amount of funds shall be provided to the eligible school to be 25
used for those positions or coverage after receiving a personnel grant. 26
(ii) If an eligible school satisfies subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, 27
then the school shall use the personnel grant in accordance with paragraph (4) of this 28
subsection. 29
(6) The community school coordinator shall be subject to the requirements 30
under § 9.9–104 of this article. 31
(7) A county that provides a school nurse, school health services, or 32
community school services from funds outside of those made in the fiscal year 2019 local 33 16 HOUSE BILL 504
appropriation to the county board shall continue to provide at least the same resources to 1
an eligible school through fiscal year 2030. 2
(8) If an eligible school becomes ineligible, the school shall remain entitled 3
to the personnel grant for two school years after the school loses eligibility but may not 4
receive the per pupil grant. 5
(9) The personnel and per pupil grant may be used through fiscal year 2027 6
to provide the programs required under COMAR Title 13A, S ubtitle 04, including 7
13A.04.16.01. 8
(d) (1) (i) 1. Eligible schools with a concentration of poverty level of at 9
least 80% shall receive a per pupil grant beginning in fiscal year 2022. 10
2. All other eligible schools shall receive the per pupil grant 11
1 year after becoming eligible and on completion of the needs assessment required under § 12
9.9–104 of this article. 13
(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, each 14
eligible school shall receive a per pupil grant each fiscal year equal to the product of the 15
total number of eligible students in the school and the per pupil amount based on the sliding 16
scale under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 17
(2) (i) The sliding scale per pupil amount shall be calculated as 18
provided in this paragraph. 19
(ii) For schools with a concentration of poverty level less than or 20
equal to 55%, the per pupil amount is $0. 21
(iii) For schools with a concentration of poverty level greater than 22
55% but less than 80%, the per pupil amount is equal to the product of the concentration of 23
poverty level and the sliding scale upper limit minus the sliding scale adjustment factor. 24
(iv) For schools with a concentration of poverty level equal to or 25
greater than 80% the per pupil amount is the maximum per pupil amount. 26
(3) Except as provided in paragraph [(4)] (5) of this subsection, each 27
eligible school shall receive the following proportion of the per pupil grant calculated under 28
paragraph (2) of this subsection rounded to the nearest whole dollar: 29
(i) For the 1st year of eligibility, 16%; 30
(ii) For the 2nd year of eligibility, 32%; 31
(iii) For the 3rd year of eligibility, 37%; 32
(iv) For the 4th year of eligibility, 55%; 33 HOUSE BILL 504 17
(v) For the 5th year of eligibility, 66%; 1
(vi) For the 6th year of eligibility, 75%; and 2
(vii) For the 7th year of eligibility and each year of eligibility 3
thereafter, 100%. 4
(4) (I) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2027 AND 2028, INCREASES IN THE 5
PROPORTION OF THE PE R PUPIL AMOUNT FOR E ACH ELIGIBLE SCHOOL 6
CALCULATED UNDER PAR AGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL PAUSE AT THE 7
PROPORTION ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS RECEIVED IN FISCAL YEAR 2026. 8
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2029, THE INCREASES IN THE 9
PROPORTION OF THE PE R PUPIL AMOUNT FOR E ACH ELIGIBLE SCHOOL SHALL 10
RESUME BASED ON THE AMOUNT TH E ELIGIBLE SCHOOL WO ULD HAVE RECEIVED IN 11
FISCAL YEAR 2027 AS CALCULATED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 12
[(4)] (5) Beginning in fiscal year [2030] 2032, each eligible school shall 13
receive 100% of the per pupil grant calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection 14
rounded to the nearest whole dollar. 15
(e) (1) For a locally funded county each fiscal year, the State shall distribute 16
the State share of the per pupil grant amount to each county board. 17
(2) For a State funded county: 18
(i) The State shall distribute 100% of the per pupil grant amount to 19
each county board; and 20
(ii) There is no local share of the per pupil grant amount. 21
(3) Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the 22
minimum school funding amount for the per pupil grant amount calculated under § 5–234 23
of this subtitle. 24
(f) (1) [Each] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS 25
SECTION, EACH eligible school shall use the per pupil grant to provide wraparound 26
services and other programs and services identified in the eligible school’s needs 27
assessment plan. 28
(2) [(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if a 29
local school system has at least 40 eligible schools, the county board may, on behalf of the 30
eligible schools, expend no more than 50% of the funds distributed for the per pupil grant, 31
provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the eligible schools that ensures that 32 18 HOUSE BILL 504
the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection are met and the plan is submitted to 1
the Accountability and Implementation Board under § 5–402 of this title. 2
(ii) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not apply to a public 3
charter school unless the public charter school chooses to participate in the plan. 4
(3)] A local school system may request flexibility in distributing funds 5
through [the Accountability and Implementation Board appeal process under § 5–406 of 6
this title] AN APPEALS PROCESS E STABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 7
(g) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION 8
AND SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IF A LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM 9
HAS AT LEAST 2 10 ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS OR IF AT LEAST 35% OF A LOCAL SCHOOL 10
SYSTEM’S SCHOOLS ARE ELIGIB LE SCHOOLS: 11
(I) THE COUNTY BOARD MAY , ON BEHALF OF THE ELI GIBLE 12
SCHOOLS, EXPEND NO MORE THAN 50% 40% 50% OF THE FUNDS DISTRIB UTED FOR 13
THE PROGRAM, PROVIDED THAT A PLAN IS DEVELOPED IN CONS ULTATION WITH 14
THE ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS THAT ENSURES THAT TH E REQUIREMENTS OF 15
SUBSECTIONS (C)(2) THROUGH (8) AND (F)(1) OF THIS SECTION ARE MET AND THE 16
PLAN, CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN TITLE 9.9 OF THIS ARTICLE , IS 17
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT ; AND 18
(II) THE IN EXPENDING FUNDS ON BEHALF OF AN ELIGIBL E 19
SCHOOL A COUNTY BOARD MAY NOT EXPEND A PORTION OF THE SPEND FUNDS 20
DISTRIBUTED FOR THE PROGRAM ON CENTRAL ADMINISTR ATIVE COSTS, 21
INCLUDING TO BUT MAY THAT DIRECTLY BENEFI T AN ELIGIBLE SCHOOL , INCLUDING 22
TO: 23
1. PROVIDE CENTRAL SUPPO RT TO EFFECTIVELY 24
MANAGE PROGRAM FUNDS ; PROVIDE CENTRAL SUPPO RT TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE 25
PROGRAM FUNDS ; 26
2. 2. ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH OUTSIDE SERVICE 27
PROVIDERS THAT SUPPO RT AT LEAST 2 ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS ; AND 28
3. 2. 3. COORDINATE SPENDING O N BEHALF OF 29
ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS UND ER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ; AND 30
4. ANY OTHER ADMINISTRAT IVE COST AS DEFINED BY 31
THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH RE GULATION; AND 32
4. ANY OTHER ADMINISTRAT IVE COST AS DEFINED BY 33
THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH RE GULATION. 34 HOUSE BILL 504 19
(2) PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION D OES NOT APPLY TO A 1
PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOO L UNLESS THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL CHOOS ES TO 2
PARTICIPATE IN THE P LAN. 3
(3) A COUNTY BOARD THAT EX PENDS FUNDS ON BEHAL F OF ELIGIBLE 4
SCHOOLS IN THE COUNT Y IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L PROVIDE 5
TO EACH ELIGIBLE SCH OOL: 6
(I) AN ITEMIZED LIST OF S ERVICES PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS 7
AND THEIR FAMILIES T HAT MEET THE NEEDS I DENTIFIED IN THE NEE DS 8
ASSESSMENT OF THE EL IGIBLE SCHOOL; AND 9
(II) THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING SPENT ON EACH SERVIC E; AND 10
(III) THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING SPENT ON CENT RAL 11
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPO RT FOR SERVICES PROV IDED TO THE SCHOOL . 12
(4) (I) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES AND 13
PROCEDURES TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBSECTION . 14
(II) BY JULY 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T 15
REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBSECTION . 16
(H) On or before October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department 17
shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of 18
Legislative Services the percentage and number of students at each school eligible for free 19
or reduced price meals in the prior school year and each public school’s eligibility for a grant 20
under this program in the upcoming fiscal year. 21
[(h)] (I) (1) On or before August 15, 2025, and each August 15 thereafter, 22
each community school coordinator of an eligible school shall submit to the Department 23
[and the Accountability and Implementation Board] an evaluation that provides for the 24
immediately preceding school year for the community school coordinator’s eligible school: 25
(i) How funds provided under this section were allocated at the 26
beginning of the school year compared to how the funds were actually used; 27
(ii) The numbers of: 28
1. Students identified as needing wraparound services; 29
2. Students and families provided with wraparound services, 30
categorized by the type of service as described under § 9.9–101 of this article; and 31
20 HOUSE BILL 504
3. Families, organizations, and community members who 1
volunteered at the eligible school; 2
(iii) The rates of: 3
1. Chronic absenteeism; and 4
2. Student disciplinary action; and 5
(iv) Strategies for reducing the rate of chronic absenteeism identified 6
under item (iii) of this paragraph. 7
(2) Each community school coordinator shall use the evaluation form 8
developed by the Director of Community Schools under § 9.9–103 of this article. 9
(3) The Department [and the Accountability and Implementation Board] 10
shall: 11
(i) [Make TRANSMIT THE FINAL RE PORT TO THE 12
ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD AND MAKE ] TRANSMIT THE FINAL 13
REPORT TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD AND MAKE 14
publicly available each evaluation submitted under this subsection; and 15
(ii) On or before December 1, 2024, jointly submit a report to the 16
General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on 17
possible methods for ensuring that funds provided under this section are used 18
appropriately and effectively. 19
(4) (I) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT 20
SHALL CONDUCT A STAT EWIDE EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM. 21
(II) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TRANSMIT THE FINAL R EPORT 22
SUMMARIZE THE RESULT S OF THE FINDINGS IN A REPORT THAT THE DEPARTMENT 23
SHALL: 24
1. TRANSMIT TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND 25
IMPLEMENTAT ION BOARD AND MAKE THE REPORT ; 26
2. SUBMIT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 27
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; AND 28
3. MAKE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE . 29
5–224. 30
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 31 HOUSE BILL 504 21
(3) (I) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022 THROUGH 2025, “English learner per 1
pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per pupil foundation amount: 2
[(i)] 1. For fiscal year 2022, 100%; 3
[(ii)] 2. For fiscal year 2023, 100%; 4
[(iii)] 3. For fiscal year 2024, 100%; AND 5
[(iv)] 4. For fiscal year 2025, 102%[;]. 6
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2026, “ENGLISH LEARNER PER 7
PUPIL AMOUNT ” MEANS: 8
[(v)] 1. For fiscal year 2026, [98%] $9,041; 9
[(vi)] 2. For fiscal year 2027, [94%] $9,148; 10
[(vii)] 3. For fiscal year 2028, [92%] $9,327; 11
[(viii)] 4. For fiscal year 2029, [91%] $9,613; 12
[(ix)] 5. For fiscal year 2030, [89%] $9,794; 13
[(x)] 6. For fiscal year 2031, [88%] $10,069; 14
[(xi)] 7. For fiscal year 2032, [86%] $10,232; [and] 15
[(xii)] 8. For fiscal year 2033 [and each fiscal year thereafter, 85%], 16
$10,510; AND 17
9. FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE ENGLISH 18
LEARNER PER PUPIL AM OUNT FOR THE PRIOR F ISCAL YEAR INCREASED BY THE 19
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT ROUNDED TO THE NEARE ST WHOLE DOLLAR . 20
5–225. 21
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 22
(2) (i) “Special education enrollment” means the number of students 23
enrolled in a public school in the prior fiscal year who required special education services as 24
defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 25
22 HOUSE BILL 504
(ii) “Special education enrollment” includes special education 1
students enrolled in a publicly funded prekindergarten program under Title 7, Subtitle 1A 2
of this article. 3
(iii) “Special education enrollment” does not include students who are 4
enrolled in or attend: 5
1. The Maryland School for the Blind; 6
2. The Maryland School for the Deaf; or 7
3. An educational program operated by the State. 8
(3) (I) [“Special] FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022 THROUGH 2025, 9
“SPECIAL education per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per 10
pupil foundation amount: 11
[(i)] 1. For fiscal year 2022, 86%; 12
[(ii)] 2. For fiscal year 2023, 86%; 13
[(iii)] 3. For fiscal year 2024, 92%; AND 14
[(iv)] 4. For fiscal year 2025, 99%[;]. 15
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2026, “SPECIAL EDUCATION 16
PER PUPIL AMOUNT ” MEANS: 17
[(v)] 1. For fiscal year 2026, [103%] $9,503; 18
[(vi)] 2. For fiscal year 2027, [112%] $10,900; 19
[(vii)] 3. For fiscal year 2028, [122%] $12,368; 20
[(viii)] 4. For fiscal year 2029, [136%] $14,367; 21
[(ix)] 5. For fiscal year 2030, [153%] $16,836; 22
[(x)] 6. For fiscal year 2031, [151%] $17,277; 23
[(xi)] 7. For fiscal year 2032, [148%] $17,609; [and] 24
[(xii)] 8. For fiscal year 2033 [and each fiscal year thereafter, 25
146%], $18,053; AND 26
HOUSE BILL 504 23
9. FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE SPECIAL 1
EDUCATION PER PUPIL AMOUNT FOR THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR INCREASE D BY THE 2
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT ROUNDED TO THE NEARE ST WHOLE DOLLAR . 3
(b) Each school shall use the funds provided under this section to provide the 4
services required by each student’s individualized education program or 504 plans. 5
(c) (1) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for special 6
education to each county board. 7
(2) Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school or 8
publicly funded prekindergarten program the minimum school funding amount for special 9
education calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle. 10
6–124. 11
(a) (1) The Department shall establish, in collaboration with the Accountability 12
and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of this article, a school leadership 13
training program for the State Superintendent, county superintendents, senior 14
instruction–related staff, members of the Accountability and Implementation Board, 15
members of the State Board, members of county boards, and school [principals] LEADERS. 16
(2) THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM CON SISTS OF TWO 17
COMPONENTS : 18
(I) THE SCHOOL SYSTEM LEA DERSHIP TRAINING PRO GRAM; 19
AND 20
(II) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY . 21
[(2) (i)] (B) (1) The following individuals shall complete the school 22
SYSTEM leadership training program: 23
[1.] (I) The State Superintendent; 24
[2.] (II) A county superintendent; and 25
[3.] (III) The chair and vice chair of the State Board, a county 26
board, and the Accountability and Implementation Board. 27
[(ii) The individuals described in paragraph (1) of this subsection not 28
required to complete the training under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph are, to the extent 29
practicable, encouraged to complete the school leadership training program.] 30
[(b)] (2) The school SYSTEM leadership training program shall BE: 31 24 HOUSE BILL 504
[(1) Be:] 1
(i) For a duration of 12 months; 2
(ii) Cohort–based to encourage collaboration and shared learning, 3
including through regional gatherings of education leaders and other meetings when 4
appropriate; 5
(iii) To the extent practicable, job–embedded to allow for application 6
of knowledge and techniques; 7
(iv) Tailored to program participants using self–diagnostics and 8
school–level diagnostics; 9
(v) Evidence–based in accordance with the guidelines for the federal 10
Every Student Succeeds Act; [and] 11
(vi) Provided through both in–person and virtual sessions; and 12
[(2)] (VII) Include training on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, as 13
defined in § 5–401 of this article. 14
[(c)] (3) The school SYSTEM leadership training program shall include: 15
[(1)] (I) A review of education in the United States relative to countries 16
with top performing education systems and the implications of high performance for 17
students, the economic security of the United States, and quality of life; 18
[(2)] (II) A model for strategic thinking that will assist education leaders 19
to transform districts and redesign schools under their leadership; 20
[(3)] (III) Training to provide a working knowledge of research on how 21
students learn and the implications for instructional redesign, curriculum plans, and 22
professional learning; 23
[(4)] (IV) A research–based model for coaching school leaders and 24
instructional coaches; 25
[(5)] (V) A review of research regarding: 26
[(i)] 1. The benefits to students from access to high–quality and 27
diverse teachers; 28
[(ii)] 2. Methods to attract highly qualified teachers from diverse 29
backgrounds who reflect the demographics of the students they teach; and 30 HOUSE BILL 504 25
[(iii)] 3. Best practices for teacher retention, including retention of 1
teachers from diverse backgrounds; 2
[(6)] (VI) Lessons in transformational leadership; 3
[(7)] (VII) A method for organizing schools to achieve high performance, 4
including: 5
[(i)] 1. Building instructional leadership teams; 6
[(ii)] 2. Implementing career ladders for teachers; 7
[(iii)] 3. Overseeing teacher induction and mentoring systems; and 8
[(iv)] 4. Identifying, recruiting, and retaining high–quality and 9
diverse school leaders; 10
[(8)] (VIII) Training to provide a deep understanding of standards–aligned 11
instructional systems; 12
[(9)] (IX) An overview of ethical leadership directly tied to the educational 13
leaders’ responsibility to drive equitable learning in their schools; and 14
[(10)] (X) A review of research regarding methods to attract and retain an 15
inclusive workforce. 16
(C) (1) (I) THE FOLLOWING INDIVID UALS MAY COMPLETE THE 17
MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY : 18
1. SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ; 19
2. SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRIN CIPALS; 20
3. SCHOOL–BASED OR COUNTY BOAR D LEADERS 21
INTERESTED IN DEVELO PING THE INSTRUCTION AL LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO BECOME 22
AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL; AND 23
4. OTHER INDIVIDUALS THE DEPARTMENT OR COUNTY 24
BOARD DETERMINES COU LD BENEFIT FROM THE ACADEMY. 25
(II) SCHOOL LEADERS WHO WO RK IN OR ARE INTERES TED IN 26
TRANSFERRING TO A CO MMUNITY SCHOOL OR A LOW–PERFORMING SCHOOL SH ALL 27
BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN PARTICIPATING IN THE ACADEMY. 28
26 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY : 1
(I) SHALL BE: 2
1. FOR A DURATION OF 12 MONTHS; 3
2. COHORT–BASED TO ENCOURAGE C OLLABORATION 4
AND SHARED LEARNING ; 5
3. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, JOB–EMBEDDED TO 6
ALLOW FOR APPLICATIO N OF KNOWLEDGE AND T ECHNIQUES; 7
4. TAILORED TO PARTICIPA NTS USING 8
SELF–DIAGNOSTICS AND SCHO OL–LEVEL DIAGNOSTICS ; 9
5. EVIDENCE–BASED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 10
GUIDELINES FOR THE F EDERAL EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT; AND 11
6. PROVIDED THROUGH BOTH IN–PERSON AND VIRTUAL 12
SESSIONS; AND 13
(II) SHALL INCLUDE TRAININ G ON BEST PRACTICES AND 14
STRATEGIES USED BY H IGHLY EFFECTIVE SCHO OL LEADERS THAT WILL ENABLE 15
SCHOOL LEADERS TO IM PLEMENT COMPONENTS O F THE BLUEPRINT FOR 16
MARYLAND’S FUTURE, AS DEFINED IN § 5–401 OF THIS ARTICLE. 17
(3) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY SHALL INCLUDE: 18
(I) STRATEGIC PLANNING AN D CHANGE MANAGEMENT TO 19
TRANSFORM AND REDESI GN SCHOOLS; 20
(II) INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS HIP, INCLUDING: 21
1. ALIGNMENT BETWEEN STA NDARDS, ASSESSMENTS , 22
AND INTERNALIZING CU RRICULUM; 23
2. LESSON OBSERVATIONS , PROVIDING FEEDBACK , AND 24
TEACHER COACHING ; AND 25
3. DATA–INFORMED INSTRUCTION AND DRIVING 26
EQUITABLE LEARNING O UTCOMES ACROSS STUDE NT GROUPS; 27
(III) BEST PRACTICES FOR FA CILITATING PROFESSIO NAL 28
LEARNING AMONG TEACH ERS; 29 HOUSE BILL 504 27
(IV) METHODS FOR RECRUITIN G AND RETAINING HIGH LY 1
QUALIFIED TEACHERS A ND TEACHERS FROM DIV ERSE BACKGROUNDS WHO REFLECT 2
THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE STUDENTS THEY TE ACH; 3
(V) A METHOD FOR ORGANIZING SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE H IGH 4
PERFORMANCE , INCLUDING: 5
1. BUILDING INSTRUCTIONA L LEADERSHIP TEAMS ; 6
2. UTILIZING TEACHERS ON THE CAREER LADDER ; AND 7
3. MASTER SCHEDULING ; AND 8
(VI) STRATEGIES FOR EFFECT IVE PEER MENTORSHIP . 9
(4) (I) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY MAY 10
INCLUDE A MENTORSHIP COMPONENT FOR PARTIC IPANTS. 11
(II) EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LEAD ERS SHALL BE SELECTE D TO 12
SERVE AS MENTORS . 13
(III) MENTORS MAY BE PAID A STIPEND TO PARTICIPA TE IN THE 14
ACADEMY. 15
5–225. 16
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 17
(2) (i) “Special education enrollment” means the number of students 18
enrolled in a public school in the prior fiscal year who required special education services 19
as defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 20
(ii) “Special education enrollment” includes special education 21
students enrolled in a publicly funded prekindergarten program under Title 7, Subtitle 1A 22
of this article. 23
(iii) “Special education enrollment” does not include students who are 24
enrolled in or attend: 25
1. The Maryland School for the Blind; 26
2. The Maryland School for the Deaf; or 27
3. An educational program operated by the State. 28 28 HOUSE BILL 504
(3) (I) [“Special] FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022 THROUGH 2025, 1
“SPECIAL education per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per 2
pupil foundation amount: 3
[(i)] 1. For fiscal year 2022, 86%; 4
[(ii)] 2. For fiscal year 2023, 86%; 5
[(iii)] 3. For fiscal year 2024, 92%; AND 6
[(iv)] 4. For fiscal year 2025, 99%[;]. 7
(II) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2026, “SPECIAL EDUCATION 8
PER PUPIL AMOUNT ” MEANS THE FOLLOWING : 9
[(v)] 1. For fiscal year 2026, [103%] $9,503; 10
[(vi)] 2. For fiscal year 2027, [112%] $10,900; 11
[(vii)] 3. For fiscal year 2028, [122%] $12,368; 12
[(viii)] 4. For fiscal year 2029, [136%] $14,367; 13
[(ix)] 5. For fiscal year 2030, [153%] $16,836; 14
[(x)] 6. For fiscal year 2031, [151%] $17,277; 15
[(xi)] 7. For fiscal year 2032, [148%] $17,609; [AND] 16
[(xii)] 8. For fiscal year 2033 [and each fiscal year thereafter, 17
146%], $18,424; AND 18
9. FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE SPECIAL 19
EDUCATION PER PUPIL AMOUNT FOR THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR INCREASE D BY THE 20
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT ROUNDED TO THE NEARE ST WHOLE DOLLAR . 21
(b) Each school shall use the funds provided under this section to provide the 22
services required by each student’s individualized education program or 504 plans. 23
(c) (1) Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for special 24
education to each county board. 25
HOUSE BILL 504 29
(2) Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school or 1
publicly funded prekindergarten program the minimum school funding amount for special 2
education calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle. 3
6–123.1. 4
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GRANT” MEANS THE COLLABORATIVE TIME 5
INNOVATION DEMONSTRATION GRANT. 6
(B) (1) FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026 THROUGH 2029, THERE IS A 7
COLLABORATIVE TIME INNOVATION DEMONSTRATION GRANT. 8
(2) (I) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO PROVIDE F UNDS TO 9
ESTABLISH INNOVATIVE MODELS THAT CAN BE R EPLICATED FOR TEACHE R 10
COLLABORATION AT THE SCHOOL OR LOCAL SCHO OL SYSTEM LEVEL THAT IMPROVE 11
TEACHER RETENTION AN D STUDENT LEARNING . 12
(II) INNOVATIVE MODELS MAY INCLUDE ELEMENTS , IN WHOLE 13
OR IN PART, OF THE FOLLOWING : 14
1. A TEAM–BASED, EXPERT–LED STRUCTURE IN WHI CH 15
EDUCATORS SHARE THE WORK OF PLANNING FOR INSTRUCTION AND THE 16
PROVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORTS, EDUCATING, AND SUPPORTING STUDE NTS; 17
2. REDUCED WORKLOADS AND OPPORTU NITIES TO 18
LEARN AND PRACTICE F OR NEW TEACHERS , TEACHERS IN LOW –PERFORMING 19
SCHOOLS, AND TEACHERS IN SCHO OLS RECEIVING THE CO NCENTRATION OF 20
POVERTY GRANT , GRADUALLY INCREASING TO FULL TEACHING RES PONSIBILITIES; 21
3. MODIFIED TEACHING SCH EDULES THAT ALLOW TIME 22
FOR REFLECTION , COLLABORATION , AND STUDENT CONNECTI ONS; 23
4. MEANINGFUL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR 24
EFFECTIVE, EXPERIENCED TEACHERS TO GROW IN THEIR CAR EERS, EXTEND THEIR 25
IMPACT, AND INCREASE THEIR C OMPENSATION IN ALIGN MENT WITH THE CAREER 26
LADDER; OR 27
5. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES AN D STAFFING PLANS THA T 28
ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL TIME O R SMALLER GROUP SETT INGS FOR 29
STUDENTS WHO NEED IT MOST. 30
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE GRANT. 31
30 HOUSE BILL 504
(4) ALLOWABLE USES OF GRANT FUNDS INCLUDE : 1
(I) COMPENSATION FOR ADDI TIONAL STAFF TO SUPP ORT 2
TEACHER RELEASE TIME ; 3
(II) PLANNING RELATED TO A NEW MASTER SCHEDULE AND 4
TEACHER STAFFING ASS IGNMENTS; 5
(III) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPM ENT; 6
(IV) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM AN APPROVED VEN DOR; 7
(V) COSTS INVOLVED WITH INCREA SED INTERACTIONS 8
BETWEEN TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONN EL TO BENEFIT STUDEN TS; AND 9
(VI) ANY OTHER USE APPROVE D BY THE DEPARTMENT . 10
(C) (1) (I) A COUNTY BOARD MAY SUB MIT A PROPOSAL TO TH E 11
DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE A GRANT TO ESTABLISH AN INNOVAT IVE MODEL THAT 12
FURTHERS THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. 13
(II) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, AN APPLICATION MUST BE 14
SUBMITTED WITH A COS IGNED AGREEMENT FROM THE COUNTY BOARD ’S LOCAL 15
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIO N AS DEFINED UNDER § 6–401 OF THIS TITLE. 16
(III) ONLY APPLICATIONS FOR NEW PROGRAMS NOT ALR EADY IN 17
PLACE AT THE SCHOOL OR SYSTEM LEVEL ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDS. 18
(2) AN APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE: 19
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE P ROPOSED INNOVATIVE M ODEL; 20
(II) A FINANCIAL PLAN THAT DETAILS THE ESTIMATED T OTAL 21
COST, INCLUDING ANY ONE –TIME COSTS, OF IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSED 22
INNOVATIVE MODEL ; 23
(III) A DESCRIPTION OF THE G OALS AND METRICS USE D TO 24
EVALUATE THE EFFICAC Y OF THE GRANT AND I NNOVATIVE MODEL ; AND 25
(IV) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE 26
DEPARTMENT . 27
HOUSE BILL 504 31
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PROCESSES AND 1
PROCEDURES FOR ACCEP TING AND EVALUATING APPLICATIONS. 2
(4) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE PLANNING GRANTS BEFO RE 3
AWARDING DEMONSTRATI ON GRANTS. 4
(5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE, TO THE EXTENT 5
PRACTICABLE , DIVERSITY AMONG THE GRANTEES FOR THE FOL LOWING 6
CATEGORIES: 7
(I) GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION I N THE STATE; 8
(II) SIZE OF THE SCHOOL AN D LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTE M; AND 9
(III) SCHOOL GRADE BAND TO INCLUDE A MIX OF ELE MENTARY, 10
MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS . 11
(6) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE 12
INITIAL GRANT AWARDS . 13
(7) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COND UCT AN EVALUATION OF EACH 14
GRANT AWARD TO DETER MINE WHETHER TO RECO MMEND THAT ONE OR MU LTIPLE 15
INNOVATIVE MODELS BE CONSIDERE D AS A BEST PRACTICE TO BE REPLICATED . 16
(D) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 17
SUBMIT AN INTERIM RE PORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 18
2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON 19
THE IMPLEMENTATION O F THE GRANT AWARDS A ND WHICH INNOVATIVE MODELS 20
HAVE DEMONSTRATED TH E MOST SIGNIFICANT S UCCESS IN ACHIEVING THE 21
PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. 22
(2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2029, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 23
SUBMIT A FINAL REPOR T TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 24
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE 25
IMPLEMENTATION OF TH E GRANT AWARDS . 26
6–124. 27
(a) (1) The Department shall establish, in collaboration with the 28
Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of this article, a school 29
leadership training program for the State Superintendent, county superintendents, senior 30
instruction–related staff, members of the Accountability and Implementation Board, 31
members of the State Board, members of county boards, and school [principals] LEADERS. 32
32 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM CON SISTS OF TWO 1
COMPONENTS : 2
(I) THE SCHOOL SYSTEM LEA DERSHIP TRAINING PRO GRAM; 3
AND 4
(II) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY . 5
[(2) (i)] (B) (1) The following individuals shall complete the school 6
system leadership training program: 7
[1.] (I) The State Superintendent; 8
[2.] (II) A county superintendent; and 9
[3.] (III) The chair and vice chair of the State Board, a county 10
board, and the Accountability and Implementation Board. 11
[(ii) The individuals described in paragraph (1) of this subsection not 12
required to complete the training under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph are, to the 13
extent practicable, encouraged to complete the school leadership training program.] 14
[(b)] (2) The school system leadership training program shall be: 15
[(1) Be:] 16
(i) For a duration of 12 months; 17
(ii) Cohort–based to encourage collaboration and shared learning, 18
including through regional gatherings of education leaders and other meetings when 19
appropriate; 20
(iii) To the extent practicable, job–embedded to allow for application 21
of knowledge and techniques; 22
(iv) Tailored to program participants using self–diagnostics and 23
school–level diagnostics; 24
(v) Evidence–based in accordance with the guidelines for the federal 25
Every Student Succeeds Act; [and] 26
(vi) Provided through both in–person and virtual sessions; and 27
[(2)] (VII) Include training on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, as 28
defined in § 5–401 of this article. 29 HOUSE BILL 504 33
[(c)] (3) The school system leadership training program shall include: 1
[(1)] (I) A review of education in the United States relative to countries 2
with top performing education systems and the implications of high performance for 3
students, the economic security of the United States, and quality of life; 4
[(2)] (II) A model for strategic thinking that will assist education leaders 5
to transform districts and redesign schools under their leadership; 6
[(3)] (III) Training to provide a working knowledge of research on how 7
students learn and the implications for instructional redesign, curriculum plans, and 8
professional learning; 9
[(4)] (IV) A research–based model for coaching school leaders and 10
instructional coaches; 11
[(5)] (V) A review of research regarding: 12
[(i)] 1. The benefits to students from access to high–quality and 13
diverse teachers; 14
[(ii)] 2. Methods to attract highly qualified teachers from diverse 15
backgrounds who reflect the demographics of the students they teach; and 16
[(iii)] 3. Best practices for teacher retention, including retention of 17
teachers from diverse backgrounds; 18
[(6)] (VI) Lessons in transformational leadership; 19
[(7)] (VII) A method for organizing schools to achieve high performance, 20
including: 21
[(i)] 1. Building instructional leadership teams; 22
[(ii)] 2. Implementing career ladders for teachers; 23
[(iii)] 3. Overseeing teacher induction and mentoring systems; and 24
[(iv)] 4. Identifying, recruiting, and retaining high–quality and 25
diverse school leaders; 26
[(8)] (VIII) Training to provide a deep understanding of standards–aligned 27
instructional systems; 28 34 HOUSE BILL 504
[(9)] (IX) An overview of ethical leadership directly tied to the educational 1
leaders’ responsibility to drive equitable learning in their schools; and 2
[(10)] (X) A review of research regarding methods to attract and retain an 3
inclusive workforce. 4
(C) (1) (I) THE FOLLOWING INDIVID UALS MAY COMPLETE TH E 5
MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY : 6
1. SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ; 7
2. SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRIN CIPALS; 8
3. SCHOOL–BASED OR COUNTY BOAR D LEADERS 9
INTERESTED IN DEVELO PING THE INSTRUCTION AL LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO BECOME 10
AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR ASSISTA NT PRINCIPAL; AND 11
4. OTHER INDIVIDUALS THE DEPARTMENT OR COUNTY 12
BOARD DETERMINES COU LD BENEFIT FROM THE ACADEMY. 13
(II) SCHOOL LEADERS WHO WO RK IN OR ARE INTERES TED IN 14
TRANSFERRING TO A CO MMUNITY SCHOOL OR A LOW –PERFORMING SCHOOL SH ALL 15
BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN PARTICIPATING IN THE ACADEMY. 16
(2) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY SHALL BE: 17
(I) FOR A DURATION OF 12 MONTHS; 18
(II) COHORT–BASED TO ENCOURAGE C OLLABORATION AND 19
SHARED LEARNING ; 20
(III) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, JOB–EMBEDDED TO ALLOW 21
FOR APPLICATION OF K NOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQ UES; 22
(IV) TAILORED TO PARTICIPA NTS USING SELF –DIAGNOSTICS 23
AND SCHOOL–LEVEL DIAGNOSTICS ; 24
(V) EVIDENCE–BASED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES 25
FOR THE FEDERAL EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT; 26
(VI) PROVIDED THROUGH BOTH IN–PERSON AND VIRTUAL 27
SESSIONS; AND 28 HOUSE BILL 504 35
(VII) INCLUDE TRAINING ON B EST PRACTICES AND ST RATEGIES 1
USED BY HIGHLY EFFEC TIVE SCHOOL LEADERS THAT WILL ENABLE SCH OOL 2
LEADERS TO IMPLEMENT COMPONENTS OF THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S 3
FUTURE, AS DEFINED IN § 5–401 OF THIS ARTICLE. 4
(3) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY SHALL 5
INCLUDE: 6
(I) STRATEGIC PLANNING AN D CHANGE MANAGEMENT TO 7
TRANSFORM AND REDESI GN SCHOOLS; 8
(II) INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS HIP, INCLUDING: 9
1. ALIGNMENT BETWEEN STA NDARDS, ASSESSMENTS , 10
AND INTERNALIZING CU RRICULUM; 11
2. LESSON OBSERVATIONS , PROVIDING FEEDBACK , AND 12
TEACHER COACHING ; AND 13
3. DATA–INFORMED INSTRUCTION AND DRIVING 14
EQUITABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES ACROSS STUD ENT GROUPS; 15
(III) BEST PRACTICES FOR FA CILITATING PROFESSIO NAL 16
LEARNING AMONG TEACH ERS; 17
(IV) METHODS FOR RECRUITIN G AND RETAINING HIGH LY 18
QUALIFIED TEACHERS A ND TEACHERS FROM DIV ERSE BACKGROUNDS WHO 19
REFLECT THE DEMOGRAP HICS OF THE STUDENTS THEY TEA CH; 20
(V) A METHOD FOR ORGANIZIN G SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE HIGH 21
PERFORMANCE , INCLUDING: 22
1. BUILDING INSTRUCTIONA L LEADERSHIP TEAMS ; 23
2. UTILIZING TEACHERS ON THE CAREER LADDER ; AND 24
3. MASTER SCHEDULING ; AND 25
(VI) STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE PEER M ENTORSHIP. 26
(4) (I) THE MARYLAND SCHOOL LEADE RSHIP ACADEMY MAY 27
INCLUDE A MENTORSHIP COMPONENT FOR PARTIC IPANTS. 28 36 HOUSE BILL 504
(II) EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LEAD ERS SHALL BE SELECTE D TO 1
SERVE AS MENTORS . 2
(III) MENTORS MAY BE PAID A STIPEND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 3
ACADEMY. 4
6–130. 5
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORI ZED TO ESTABLISH A N ATIONAL 6
TEACHER RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN TO BRING LI CENSED AND PROSPECTI VE 7
TEACHERS TO THE STATE. 8
(2) THE CAMPAIGN SHALL EN D ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2029. 9
(3) THE PURPOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO BRING LICENSED AND 10
PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS TO THE STATE TO REDUCE THE N UMBER OF 11
CONDITIONALLY LICENS ED TEACHERS AND MEET THE STATE’S TEACHER 12
WORKFORCE NEEDS TO I MPLEMENT COLLABORATI VE TIME. 13
(B) (1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT 14
WITH A NATIONAL EDUC ATION NONPROFIT THAT HAS EXPERIENCE IN GU IDING 15
OTHER STATE EDUCATIO N AGENCIES IN TARGET ED, STATE–BASED RECRUITMENT 16
CAMPAIGNS. 17
(2) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 18
SUBSECTION SHALL SUP PORT THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DESIGN , 19
IMPLEMENTATION , AND EVALUATION OF TH E CAMPAIGN , INCLUDING THE 20
DEVELOPMENT OF MARKE TING MATERIALS AND P ROCESSES TO HELP INT ERESTED 21
TEACHER CANDIDATES T O BECOME A TEACHER I N THE STATE. 22
(3) THE ENTITY SHALL PROV IDE ONE–TO–ONE MENTORING AND 23
SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROSPECTIVE CANDIDAT ES AT NO COST TO THE CANDIDATE. 24
(4) THE CAMPAIGN SHALL IN CLUDE PUBLIC SERVICE 25
ANNOUNCEMENT ADVERTI SING, DIGITAL MARKETING , AND DIRECT OUTREACH TO 26
ENCOURAGE CANDIDATES TO TEACH IN THE STATE. 27
6–131. 28
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “GRANT” MEANS THE MARYLAND TEACHER 29
RELOCATION INCENTIVE GRANT. 30
HOUSE BILL 504 37
(B) (1) THERE IS A MARYLAND TEACHER RELOCATION INCENTIVE 1
GRANT. 2
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO PROVIDE U P TO $2,000 IN 3
REIMBURSEMENT TO PAR TIALLY OFFSET THE CO ST FOR TO INCENTIVIZE AN 4
OUT–OF–STATE LICENSED TEACH ER TO MOVE TO THE STATE TO ADDRESS IN ORDER 5
TO: 6
(I) ADDRESS THE STATE’S TEACHER WORKFORCE SHORTAGE 7
AND REDUCE ; AND 8
(II) REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CONDIT IONALLY LICENSED 9
TEACHERS IN CLASSROO MS. 10
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT. 11
(4) GRANTS MAY NOT BE AWA RDED AFTER JUNE 30, 2029. 12
(C) (1) (I) A COUNTY BOARD MAY SUB MIT A PROPOSAL TO TH E 13
DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR A CANDID ATE. 14
(II) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, A CANDIDATE SHALL : 15
1. HAVE A SIGNED CONTRAC T TO TEACH IN A PUBL IC 16
SCHOOL IN THE STATE; 17
2. BE RECOGNIZED AS A LI CENSED TEACHER IN A 18
PUBLIC KINDERGARTEN , ELEMENTARY , MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL IN AN OTHER 19
STATE TO PROVIDE INS TRUCTION IN A SPECIF IC SUBJECT AREA , GRADE LEVEL , OR 20
FOR A SPECIFIC STUDENT P OPULATION; 21
3. HOLD AN UNENCUMBERED LICENSE THAT IS NOT 22
RESTRICTED, PROBATIONARY , PROVISIONAL, TEMPORARY , OR IN ANY WAY SERVES 23
AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR FULLY LICENSED TEACH ERS IN ANOTHER STATE ; AND 24
4. AGREE TO TEACH IN A S CHOOL THA T HAS RECEIVED 25
FUNDING UNDER § 5–223 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS AFTER RECEIVIN G 26
THE GRANT. 27
(2) AN APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE: 28
(I) ITEMIZED RECORDS OF E XPENSES THE CANDIDAT E 29
INCURRED DURING THE MOVE; 30 38 HOUSE BILL 504
(II) (I) A COPY OF THE TEACHER ’S LICENSE HELD BY THE 1
CANDIDATE; 2
(III) (II) A COPY OF THE SIGNED C ONTRACT BETWEEN THE 3
CANDIDATE AND THE CO UNTY BOARD; AND 4
(IV) (III) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE 5
DEPARTMENT . 6
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH PROCESSES AND 7
PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING AND EVALUA TING APPLICATIONS . 8
(4) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 9
MAKE INITIAL GRANT A WARDS. 10
(D) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 2029, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT 11
A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 12
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE IMPLE MENTATION OF 13
THE GRANT AWARDS , INCLUDING THE FOLLOW ING INFORMATION : 14
(1) THE NUMBER OF GRANT A PPLICATIONS RECEIVED ; 15
(2) THE NUMBER OF GRANTS AWARDED; AND 16
(3) THE NUMBER OF OUT –OF–STATE TEACH ERS RECRUITED TO THE 17
STATE AFTER THE IMPLE MENTATION OF THE GRANT. 18
6–1002. 19
(a) (1) On or before July 1, 2024, each county board shall implement a career 20
ladder that meets the requirements of this subtitle. 21
(h) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, teachers at each level or tier 22
of the career ladder shall teach in the classroom for a minimum percentage of their total 23
working time, as specified in this subtitle. 24
(2) The percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 25
become effective in phases over an 8–year A 7–YEAR period beginning July 1, [2025] 2029 26
2026 2028, as specified by a county board on approval of the State Board. 27
(3) The following teachers shall be given priority for working time outside 28
the classroom as the percentages referenced in paragraph (1) of this subsection are phased 29
in: 30 HOUSE BILL 504 39
(i) Newly licensed teachers, particularly new teachers in 1
low–performing schools or schools that have a high concentration of students living in 2
poverty; and 3
(ii) Teachers in schools that: 4
1. Are low–performing; 5
2. Have a high concentration of students living in poverty; or 6
3. Have large achievement gaps between subpopulations of 7
students. 8
SUBTITLE 11. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 9
6–1101. 10
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 11
INDICATED. 12
(B) “COORDINATOR OF PROFES SIONAL LEARNING ” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE 13
OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO : 14
(1) IS A LICENSED EDUCATO R; 15
(2) DEVELOPS AND FACILITA TES PROFESSIONAL LEA RNING 16
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ED UCATORS AND ADMINIST RATORS IN THE STATE; AND 17
(3) AIMS TO IMPLEMENT EVI DENCE–BASED INSTRUCTIONAL 18
PRACTICES IN THOSE A SSISTED ASSISTS ADMINISTRATOR S IN IMPLEMENTING 19
EVIDENCE–BASED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTI CES. 20
(C) “FUND” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 21
(D) “INSTRUCTIONAL COACH ” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE OF A LOCAL SCHOOL 22
SYSTEM WHO : 23
(1) IS A LICENSED EDUCATO R; 24
(2) PROVIDES COACHING TO TEACHERS AND OTHER E DUCATION 25
PROFESSIONALS TO IMP ROVE INSTRUCTION ; AND 26
40 HOUSE BILL 504
(3) HELPS EDUCATORS INTEG RATE EVIDENCE –BASED PRACTICES 1
INTO THEIR PEDAGOGY . 2
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 3
(F) “REGIONAL PROJECT MANA GER” MEANS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE 4
DEPARTMENT WHO OVERSE ES INSTRUCTIONAL COA CHES AND COORDINATOR S OF 5
PROFESSIONAL LEARNIN G IN A PARTICULAR DESIGNATED REGION. 6
6–1102. 7
(A) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 8
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ADDRESS CRI TICAL ACADEMIC 9
NEEDS IN PUBLIC SCHO OLS AND ENSURE THAT MARYLAND STUDENTS HAV E 10
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HIGH–QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND TARGETED ACADEMI C 11
SUPPORT BY: 12
(1) PROVIDING DIRECT COAC HING SUPPORT TO TEAC HERS AND 13
ADMINISTRATORS ; 14
(2) GUARANTEEING ENSURING THAT THE COACHING SU PPORT IS 15
CONSISTENTLY CONDUCT ED IN A MANNER THAT RESEARCH HAS DETERMINED 16
SHOWN IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN POSITIVE STUDENT OUTCOMES; AND 17
(3) DELIVERING TARGETED PROFESSIONAL LEARNIN G 18
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ED UCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO IM PLEMENT 19
EVIDENCE–BASED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES. 20
(C) (1) UNDER THE PROGRAM, INSTRUCTIONAL COACHE S AND 21
COORDINATORS OF PROF ESSIONAL LEARNING SH ALL PROVIDE EDUCATOR S IN 22
SELECTED SCHOOLS WIT H: 23
(I) COACHING TO IMPROVE I NSTRUCTION AND THE 24
INTEGRATION OF EVIDE NCE–BASED PRACTICES INTO THE CLASSROOM ; AND 25
(II) ACCESS TO HIGH –QUALITY, JOB–EMBEDDED , AND 26
SUSTAINED TARGETED PROFESSIONAL LEARNIN G OPPORTUNITIES . 27
(2) UNDER THE PROGRAM, REGIONAL PROJECT PROGRAM 28
MANAGERS SHALL OVERS EE AND COORDINATE THE ACTIV ITY OF INSTRUCTIONAL 29
COACHES AND COORDINA TORS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IN A DESIGNATED 30
REGION TO ENSURE THA T LOCAL NEEDS ARE CO NSIDERED AND MET . 31 HOUSE BILL 504 41
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENTE R INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT 1
WITH A COUNTY BOARD THAT ELECTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. 2
(E) (1) USING ACCOUNTABILITY DATA, THE DEPARTMENT , IN 3
COLLABORATION WITH P ARTICIPATING LOCAL S CHOOL SYSTEMS , SHALL IDENTIFY 4
THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE MOST IN NEED OF SUPP ORT FROM THE PROGRAM. 5
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PRIO RITIZE SELECTING SCHOOLS 6
WITH: 7
(I) LOW LOW PROFICIENCY RATES ; AND 8
(II) SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SE EN DECLINING DECLINING 9
ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS IN RECENT YEARS WHEN SELECTING SCHOO LS FOR THE 10
PROGRAM. 11
(3) WITHIN A SELECTED SCH OOL, ADMINISTRATORS SHALL WORK 12
WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIF Y THE TEACHERS AND O THER EDUCATORS WHO 13
WILL BENEFIT MOST FR OM THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUN ITIES 14
PROVIDED BY INSTRUCT IONAL COACHES . 15
(F) (1) DURING FISCAL YEARS 2026 AND 2027, THE PROGRAM SHALL 16
FOCUS ON EARLY LITER ACY INSTRUCTION AND SU PPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 17
EDUCATORS . 18
(2) IN SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, THE PROGRAM SHALL EXPAND 19
ITS FOCUS TO INCORPO RATE OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACADEMIC TOPICS AND OTHER 20
GRADE LEVELS , WITH PARTICULAR ATTE NTION PAID TO FOUNDA TIONAL 21
MATHEMATICS INSTRUCT ION. 22
6–1103. 23
(A) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP CRITERIA FOR THE 24
SELECTION OF INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES . 25
(2) AT A MINIMUM THE SELE CTION CRITERIA SHALL INCLUDE: 26
(I) METHODS TO IDENTIFY H IGHLY QUALIFIED EDUC ATORS 27
WITH EXPERTISE IN TH E INSTRUCTIONAL TOPI C AND GRADE LEVEL FO R WHICH THE 28
EDUCATOR WILL BE PRO VIDING COACHING ; AND 29
42 HOUSE BILL 504
(II) A MEANS TO ASSESS THE CAPACITY POTENTIAL OF AN 1
EDUCATOR FOR LEADERS HIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH 2
COACHING. 3
(3) A REGIONAL PROJECT PROGRAM MANAGER, IN COORDINATION 4
WITH A PARTICIPATING COUNTY BOARD , SHALL USE THE DEPARTMENT ’S CRITERIA 5
TO SELECT INSTRUCTIO NAL COACHES . 6
(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A TRAINING PLA N FOR 7
INSTRUCTIONAL COACHE S THAT PROVIDES EACH INSTRUCTIONAL COACH WITH THE 8
TOOLS TO SUPPORT EDU CATORS USING RESEARC H–BASED STRATEGIES TAI LORED 9
TO THE NEEDS OF EACH EDUCATOR AND THE EDU CATOR’S STUDENTS. 10
(2) EACH INSTRUCTIONAL CO ACH SHALL BE TRAINED USING THE 11
DEPARTMENT ’S TRAINING PLAN. 12
(C) AN INSTRUCTIONAL COAC H SHALL OVERSEE EDUC ATORS AT TWO TO 13
FOUR DIFFERENT PUBLI C SCHOOLS IN THE LOC AL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN WHICH THE 14
COACH WORKS . 15
(D) AN INSTRUCTIONAL COAC H SHALL SUPPORT EDUC ATORS BY 16
PROVIDING JOB –EMBEDDED FEE DBACK DESIGNED TO : 17
(1) LEAD TO LONG–TERM INSTRUCTIONAL I MPROVEMENT ; 18
(2) CREATE ASSIST AN EDUCATOR IN CREATING A PEDAGOGY THAT IS 19
INDIVIDUALLY TAILORE D TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT , REGARDLESS OF 20
THE STUDENT ’S LINGUISTIC STATUS , DISABILITY STATU S, OR BACKGROUND ; AND 21
(3) HELP CLOSE CLOSE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GAPS. 22
6–1104. 23
(A) (1) THE UNDER THE PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EMPL OY 24
REGIONAL PROJECT PROGRAM MANAGERS THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO OVERSEE 25
THE WORK OF INSTRUCT IONAL COACHES . 26
(2) EACH REGIONAL PROJECT PROGRAM MANAGER SHALL ENSURE 27
THAT INSTRUCTIONAL C OACHES ARE MEETING L OCAL EDUCATOR AND ST UDENT 28
NEEDS AND WORKING IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATE PRIORITIES , INCLUDING THE 29
PRINCIPLES FOR THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE. 30
HOUSE BILL 504 43
(3) REGIONAL PROGRAM MANAGERS SHALL SUPPO RT 1
INSTRUCTIONAL COACHE S BY PROVIDING: 2
(I) EVIDENCE–BASED TOOLS AND STRATEGIES AND 3
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT MATERIALS ; 4
(II) AN ANALYSIS OF EDUCAT OR PRACTICES AND STU DENT 5
OUTCOMES TO ENSURE T HAT INSTRUCTIONAL CO ACHES PROVIDE SUPPORT IN A 6
TARGETED MANNER ; 7
(III) ASSISTANCE WITH FAMIL Y AND COMMUNITY ENGA GEMENT; 8
AND 9
(IV) GUIDANCE TO ENSURE PR OFESSIONAL DEVELOPME NT IS 10
RESEARCH–BASED AND DESIGNED T O REFLECT THE DIVERS E LINGUISTIC AND 11
CULTURAL NEEDS OF ST UDENTS IN THE STATE. 12
(B) (1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2028, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 13
EMPLOY COORDINATORS OF PROFESSIONAL LEAR NING THROUGH THE PROGRAM. 14
(2) A COORDINATOR OF PROFE SSIONAL LEARNING SHA LL: 15
(I) PROVIDE PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT TO 16
EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN A LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM BY ESTABLISHING 17
LEARNING MODULES AND THROUGH THE USE OF A PPROPRIATE TOOLS AND 18
PLATFORMS; AND 19
(II) AND COLLABORATE COLLABORATE WITH ADMINISTRATORS 20
TO COLLECT DATA IN ORDER TO CREATE A PROFESSI ONAL LEARNING PLAN T HAT 21
FITS ALIGNS WITH THE NEEDS OF A SCHOO L. 22
(3) A COORDINATOR OF PROFE SSIONAL LEARNING SHA LL ESTABLISH 23
LEARNING MODULES AND OTHER TOOLS AND PLAT FORMS TO PROVIDE 24
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT OPPORTUNITIES T O ALL EDUCA TORS IN A LOCAL 25
SCHOOL SYSTEM . 26
6–1105. 27
(A) (1) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 28
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE GR ANTS TO ADDRESS 29
CRITICAL ACADEMIC NE EDS IN SCHOOLS , PARTICULARLY THOSE I DENTIFIED AS 30
LOW–PERFORMING . 31 44 HOUSE BILL 504
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 1
(4) (I) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 2
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 3
(II) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND 4
SEPARATELY, AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 5
(5) (I) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 6
(I) 1. MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO 7
THE FUND; AND 8
(II) 2. ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE 9
ACCEPTED FOR THE BEN EFIT OF THE FUND. 10
(II) MONEY FROM THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE 11
FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 5–206 OF THIS ARTICLE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED 12
INTO 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 PURPOS ES: 16
(I) CONTRACTS WITH VENDOR S TO PROVIDE SERVICE S; 17
(II) TRAINING AND WORKSHOP S; 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 HOUSE BILL 504 45
(8) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN 1
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 2
(B) EACH YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ECT THE FOLLOWING DA TA: 3
(1) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF M ONEY DISBURSED FROM THE FUND, 4
DISAGGREGATED BY COU NTY; AND 5
(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF S CHOOLS SERVED BY THE FUND. 6
6–1106. 7
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES, PROCEDURES , AND REGULATIONS 8
TO CARRY OUT THIS TI TLE. 9
7–447.1. 10
(b) (1) There is a Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports 11
in the Commission. 12
(p) (1) In this subsection, “Fund” means the Coordinated Community Supports 13
Partnership Fund. 14
(3) The purpose of the Fund is to support the delivery of services and 15
supports provided to students to meet their holistic behavioral health needs and address 16
other related challenges. 17
(9) The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill the following 18
appropriations for the Fund: 19
(i) $25,000,000 in fiscal year 2022; 20
(ii) $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2023; 21
(iii) $85,000,000 in fiscal year 2024; AND 22
(iv) [$110,000,000 $40,000,000 in fiscal year 2025; and 23
(v) $130,000,000] $40,000,000 $70,000,000 in fiscal year [2026] 24
2025; AND 25
(VI) $100,000,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2027 and each fiscal year 26
thereafter. 27
46 HOUSE BILL 504
8–313. 1
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 2
(3) “Growth in the target per pupil foundation amount” means: 3
(I) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, 4.97%; 4
(II) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027, 5.48%; 5
(III) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2028, 4.17%; 6
(IV) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2029, 4.20%; 7
(V) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2030, 4.17%; 8
(VI) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2031, 3.98%; 9
(VII) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2032, 3.99%; 10
(VIII) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2033, 3.93%; AND 11
(IX) FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, the change in the per pupil 12
amount from the prior fiscal year to the current fiscal year divided by the per pupil amount 13
from the prior fiscal year. 14
(5) “Target per pupil foundation amount” means the figure calculated for 15
each fiscal year by the Department in accordance with [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article. 16
8–3A–09. 17
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 18
(3) “Growth in the target per pupil foundation amount” means: 19
(I) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, 4.97%; 20
(II) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027, 5.48%; 21
(III) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2028, 4.17%; 22
(IV) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2029, 4.20%; 23
(V) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2030, 4.17%; 24 HOUSE BILL 504 47
(VI) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2031, 3.98%; 1
(VII) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2032, 3.99%; 2
(VIII) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2033, 3.93%; AND 3
(IX) FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, the change in the per pupil 4
amount from the prior fiscal year to the current fiscal year divided by the per pupil amount 5
from the prior fiscal year. 6
(4) “Target per pupil foundation amount” means the figure calculated for 7
each fiscal year by the Department in accordance with [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article. 8
8–710. 9
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 10
(2) “Change in the per pupil amount” means: 11
(I) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, 4.97%; 12
(II) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027, 5.48%; 13
(III) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2028, 4.17%; 14
(IV) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2029, 4.20%; 15
(V) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2030, 4.17%; 16
(VI) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2031, 3.98%; 17
(VII) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2032, 3.99%; 18
(VIII) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2033, 3.93%; AND 19
(IX) FOR SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, the change in the per pupil 20
foundation amount from the prior fiscal year to the current fiscal year divided by the per 21
pupil foundation amount from the prior fiscal year. 22
(4) “Per pupil foundation amount” means the figure calculated for each 23
fiscal year by the Department in accordance with [§ 5–202] § 5–201 of this article. 24
9.9–101. 25 48 HOUSE BILL 504
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(b) “Community school” means a public school that establishes a set of strategic 2
partnerships between the school and other community resources that leverage shared 3
accountability, collaborative leadership, capacity building, and authentic family and 4
community engagement, using a student–centered framework to promote inclusive student 5
achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well–being of students, families, 6
educators, and the community through a variety of engaging practices including the 7
provision of wraparound services. 8
(c) “School–community partnership” means a partnership between a local school 9
system or an existing public school and a community–based organization or agency for the 10
purpose of planning and implementing a community school. 11
(d) “Trauma–informed intervention” means a method for understanding and 12
responding to an individual with symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma or traumatic 13
stress. 14
(e) “Wraparound services” [means] INCLUDES: 15
(1) Extended learning time, including before and after school, weekends, 16
summer school, and an extended school year; 17
(2) Safe transportation to and from school and off –site learning 18
opportunities, including apprenticeship programs; 19
(3) Vision, hearing, and dental care services; 20
(4) Establishing or expanding school–based health center services; 21
(5) Additional social workers, mentors, counselors, therapists, 22
psychologists, and restorative practice coaches; 23
(6) Enhancing physical wellness, including providing healthy food for 24
in–school and out–of–school time and linkages to community providers; 25
(7) Enhancing behavioral health services, including access to mental 26
health practitioners and providing professional development to school staff to provide 27
trauma–informed interventions; 28
(8) Providing family and community engagement and supports, including 29
informing parents of academic course offerings, language classes, workforce development 30
training, opportunities for children, and available social services as well as educating 31
families on how to monitor a child’s learning; 32
HOUSE BILL 504 49
(9) Establishing and enhancing linkages to Judy Centers and other early 1
education programs that feed into the school; 2
(10) Enhancing student enrichment experiences, including educational field 3
trips, partnerships, and programs with museums, arts organizations, and cultural 4
institutions; 5
(11) OFFERING EVIDENCE –BASED IN–SCHOOL AND IN –PERSON 6
TUTORING, PROVIDED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY; 7
(12) Improving student attendance AND CHRONIC ABSENTEE ISM; 8
(12) (13) Improving the learning environment AND NUMBER OF HIGHLY 9
QUALIFIED TEACHERS at the school; [and] 10
(13) (14) Any professional development for teachers and school staff to 11
quickly identify students who are in need of these resources; AND 12
(14) OTHER SERVICES AS DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 13
GUIDANCE OR REGULATI ON. 14
9.9–102. 15
The purpose of a community school is to help students and families overcome the 16
in–school and out–of–school barriers that prevent [children] STUDENTS from learning and 17
succeeding over the course of their lives by having an integrated focus on academics, health 18
and social services, youth and community development, and authentic family and 19
community engagement. 20
9.9–103. 21
(a) There are community schools in the State. 22
(b) A community school shall: 23
(1) Promote active family and community engagement, including 24
educational opportunities for adults and family members of students at the school who live 25
in the neighborhood of the school; 26
(2) Have at least one community school coordinator, as described under § 27
9.9–104 of this title; 28
(3) Implement, in a manner responsive to the needs assessment required 29
under § 9.9–104 of this title, expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities 30
provided after school, during weekends, and in the summer that emphasize mastering 31 50 HOUSE BILL 504
21st–century skills through practical learning opportunities and community 1
problem–solving; 2
(4) Implement collaborative leadership and accountability practices that 3
empower parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners to build a culture 4
of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility using strategies such as 5
site–based leadership teams and teacher learning communities; 6
(5) Have a parent teacher organization or a school family council; and 7
(6) Have a community school leadership team, including members who 8
represent students, families, and educators. 9
(c) (1) There shall be a Director of Community Schools WITHIN THE OFFICE 10
OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND EXPANDED LEARNING Time in the Department. 11
(2) The Director of Community Schools in the Department shall coordinate 12
professional development for community school coordinators at each community school. 13
(3) The Director of Community Schools shall support the outreach and 14
implementation of State programs for children in community schools. 15
(4) (i) The Director of Community Schools shall create a common needs 16
assessment tool that each community school coordinator shall use in order to complete the 17
needs assessment required under § 9.9–104 of this title. 18
(ii) The Director of Community Schools shall consult with local 19
school systems and members of the community schools’ leadership teams in order to 20
determine the correct content to include in the common needs assessment tool. 21
(5) The Director of Community Schools shall develop an evaluation form to 22
be used by [community school coordinators] LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS to complete the 23
evaluation required under § 5–223 of this article. 24
(6) In addition to the funding provided for the Director of Community 25
Schools position in the Department, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an 26
appropriation [of at least $100,000] to the Department for the Director of Community 27
Schools to provide training and technical assistance to community schools and for 28
additional staff. 29
(7) THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND EXPANDED 30
LEARNING TIME MAY HIRE STAFF T O SUPPORT THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY 31
SCHOOLS IN PROVIDING DIRECT GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION TO LOCAL S CHOOL 32
SYSTEMS AND COMMUNIT Y SCHOOL COORDINATOR S. 33
9.9–104. 34 HOUSE BILL 504 51
(a) (1) A community school shall have an experienced and qualified 1
community school coordinator who: 2
(i) Is hired at the appropriate administrative level; 3
(ii) Understands, respects, and demonstrates a high degree of 4
cultural awareness of and competency in the diversity in the community and in 5
cross–cultural practice with stakeholders; and 6
(iii) May be employed by the school district. 7
(2) A community school coordinator may be a social worker. 8
(b) (1) A community school coordinator shall be responsible for: 9
(i) Establishing a community school; 10
(ii) Completing an assessment of the needs of the students in the 11
school for appropriate wraparound services to enhance the success of all students in the 12
school; 13
(iii) Developing an implementation plan based on the assessment of 14
needs for the community school, in cooperation with other interested stakeholders; and 15
(iv) Coordinating support programs that address out–of–school 16
learning barriers for students and families, including: 17
1. Wraparound services; and 18
2. As appropriate: 19
A. Tutoring; 20
B. [English language] MULTILINGUAL learner courses; 21
C. Early childhood development and parenting classes; 22
D. College and career advising; 23
E. Employment opportunities; 24
F. Citizenship education; 25
G. Food pantries; 26
52 HOUSE BILL 504
H. Rental assistance, in accordance with § 9.9–104.1 of this 1
subtitle; and 2
I. School–based behavioral and physical health services. 3
(2) The needs assessment completed under this subsection shall: 4
(i) Be completed in collaboration with: 5
1. The principal; 6
2. A school health care practitioner; 7
3. A parent teacher organization or a school council; and 8
4. Members of the community schools’ leadership teams; 9
(ii) Include an assessment of the physical, behavioral, mental, social, 10
and emotional health needs and wraparound service needs of students, their families, and 11
their communities; 12
(iii) Be completed using the common needs assessment tool developed 13
by the Director of Community Schools under § 9.9–103 of this title, when the tool is 14
available; 15
(iv) Be submitted to the Department and the local school system 16
within 1 year of receiving a personnel grant under § 5–223 of this article or within 1 year 17
of becoming a community school; and 18
(v) Be published online. 19
(3) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ESTABL ISH REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL 20
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS AND COUNTYWIDE COMMU NITY SCHOOL 21
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS AND COUNTYWIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL 22
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS . 23
[(3)] (4) The implementation plan completed under this subsection shall 24
include: 25
(i) A strategy for providing wraparound services to address the 26
needs of the students, their families, and their communities, building on and strengthening 27
community resources near the school; 28
(II) A SET OF MEASURABLE GO ALS TIED TO THE PRIO RITIES 29
IDENTIFIED IN THE NE EDS ASSESSMENT THAT WILL BE MEASURED ANNUALLY AT 30 HOUSE BILL 504 53
LEAST ONCE EVERY 2 YEARS BY THE COMMUNITY SCH OOL COORDINATOR AND 1
PRINCIPAL TO DETERMI NE PROGRESS TOWARD M EETING THE GOALS ; 2
[(ii)] (III) Inclusion, if possible and practicable, of community 3
partners in geographic proximity to the school that can assist in meeting the needs 4
identified in the assessment; 5
[(iii)] (IV) Ensure that time is made available to train staff on the 6
supports available, the need for the supports, and how to engage with the community 7
schools coordinator to access these supports; and 8
[(iv)] (V) Develop strategies to maximize external non–State or 9
non–local education funding. 10
[(4) (i)] (5) The implementation plan shall be submitted to the local 11
school system for approval within 1 year of completion of the needs assessment. 12
[(ii) After the implementation plan is approved by the local school 13
system it shall be submitted to the Department for review. 14
(iii) The Department may provide comments to the community school 15
coordinator on the implementation plan.] 16
[(5)] (6) (i) A community school coordinator shall review the 17
implementation plan [at least once every 3 2 years] ANNUALLY to determine whether the 18
community school is meeting students’ needs AND MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD THE 19
MEASURABLE GOALS EST ABLISHED UNDER PARAG RAPH (4)(II) OF THIS 20
SUBSECTION . 21
(ii) A community school coordinator shall alter the implementation 22
plan, using the common needs assessment tool, and the provision of wraparound services 23
to address changes in students’ needs. 24
(iii) An updated implementation plan shall be submitted to the local 25
school system for approval. 26
[(iv) After an updated implementation plan is approved, it shall be 27
submitted to the Department for review. 28
(v) The Department may provide comments to the community school 29
coordinator on the updated implementation plan.] 30
(7) IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT A COMMUNITY SCH OOL 31
HAS NOT EXPENDED FUN DS IN ACCORDANCE WIT H AN APPROVED IMPLEM ENTATION 32 54 HOUSE BILL 504
PLAN SUBMITTED UNDER § 5–223(H) OF THIS ARTICLE , THE DEPARTMENT MAY 1
DIRECT A COUNTY BOAR D TO EXPEND A REASONABLE PERCENT AGE OF THE FUNDS 2
DUE TO THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL UNDER § 5–223(E) OF THIS ARTICLE ON B EHALF 3
OF THE COMMUNITY SCH OOL IN ACCORDANCE WI TH THE APPROVED 4
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN . 5
(8) (I) A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT I S AUTHORIZED TO EXPE ND FUNDS 6
ON BEHALF OF A COMMUNITY SCHOO L UNDER § 5–223(G) OF THIS ARTICLE SHAL L 7
DEVELOP COUNTYWIDE C OMMUNITY SCHOOL IMPL EMENTATION PLANS THA T 8
INCORPORATE SCHOOL –LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. 9
(II) THE COUNTYWIDE IMPLEM ENTATION PLAN SHALL INCLUDE 10
A SET OF MEASURABLE GOALS TIED TO THE PRIORITI ES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS 11
ASSESSMENT THAT WILL BE MEASURED AT LEAST EVERY 2 YEARS BY THE 12
COMMUNITY SCHOOL COO RDINATOR TO DETERMIN E PROGRESS TOWARD ME ETING 13
THE GOALS. 14
(7) (I) LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS SHALL DEVELOP COUNTY WIDE 15
COMMUNITY S CHOOL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS THAT INCORPORA TE 16
SCHOOL–LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. 17
(II) THE COUNTYWIDE IMPLEM ENTATION PLAN SHALL INCLUDE 18
A SET OF MEASURABLE GOALS TIED TO THE PR IORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS 19
ASSESSMENT THAT WILL BE MEASURED ANNUALLY BY THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL 20
COORDINATOR TO DETER MINE PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE GOALS . 21
(III) IF THE LOCAL SCHOOL S YSTEM FAILS TO PROVI DE THE 22
DEPARTMENT WITH A COU NTYWIDE COMMUNITY SC HOOL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 23
THAT MEETS THE REQUI REMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT ’S GUIDANCE AND 24
REGULATIONS , THE DEPARTMENT MAY WITHHO LD FUNDS OR TAKE OTH ER 25
COMPLIANCE ACTIONS A S NECESSARY. 26
TITLE 9.12. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 27
9.12–101. 28
(A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOL LOWING WORDS HAVE TH E MEANINGS 29
INDICATED. 30
(B) “COORDINATOR OF PROFE SSIONAL LEARNING ” MEANS A CERTIFIED 31
EDUCATOR WHO DEVELOP S AND FACILITATES PR OFESSIONAL LEARNING 32
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ED UCATORS AND ADMINIST RATORS IN THE STATE TO 33
IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE –BASED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES IN EARLY C HILDHOOD 34 HOUSE BILL 504 55
EDUCATION, LITERACY, MATHEMAT ICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES , AND SPECIAL 1
EDUCATION. 2
(C) “FUND” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 3
(D) “INSTRUCTIONAL COACH ” MEANS A CERTIFIED ED UCATOR WHO 4
PROVIDES COACHING TO EDUCATORS , ADMINISTRATORS , AND OTHER EDUCATION 5
PROFESSIONALS TO IMP ROVE INSTRUCTION AND INTEGR ATE EVIDENCE –BASED 6
PRACTICES. 7
(E) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM. 8
9.12–102. 9
(A) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 10
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ACADEMIC 11
NEEDS IN SCHOOLS TO ENSURE MARYLAND STUDENTS HAV E EQUITABLE ACCESS T O 12
HIGH–QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND TARGETED ACADEMI C SUPPORT. 13
(C) (1) THE PROGRAM SHALL ESTABLI SH SYSTEMS THAT ENSU RE 14
EDUCATORS HAVE CONSI STENT ACCESS TO HIGH –QUALITY, JOB–EMBEDDED , AND 15
SUSTAINED PRO FESSIONAL LEARNING O PPORTUNITIES . 16
(2) THE PROGRAM SHALL USE COO RDINATORS OF PROFESS IONAL 17
LEARNING AND INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES TO EN HANCE INSTRUCTIONAL 18
PRACTICES AND COLLAB ORATE WITH SCHOOLS A ND COUNTY BOARDS TO 19
STRENGTHEN SYSTEMS O F PROFESSIONAL DEVEL OPMENT. 20
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 21
(1) PROMOTE THE PROGRAM TO COUNTY BOA RDS; 22
(2) ESTABLISH CRITERIA FO R HIRING QUALIFIED E DUCATORS AND 23
ADMINISTRATORS INTER ESTED IN BECOMING CO ORDINATORS OF PROFES SIONAL 24
LEARNING OR INSTRUCT IONAL COACHES ; 25
(3) IDENTIFY SCHOOLS FOR PARTICIP ATION IN THE PROGRAM BASED 26
ON THE SCHOOL ’S ACCOUNTABILITY DAT A; AND 27
(4) DEVELOP TRAINING FOR ALL COORDINATORS OF PROFESSIONAL 28
LEARNING AND INSTRUC TIONAL COACHES . 29
56 HOUSE BILL 504
9.12–103. 1
(A) (1) THERE IS AN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 2
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE GR ANTS TO ADDRESS 3
CRITICAL ACADEMIC NE EDS IN SCHOOLS , PARTICULARLY THOSE I DENTIFIED AS 4
LOW–PERFORMING . 5
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 6
(4) (I) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 7
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 8
(II) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND 9
SEPARATELY, AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 10
(5) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 11
(I) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 12
FUND; AND 13
(II) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 14
FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND. 15
(6) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR GRANTS TO COUNTY BOARDS, 16
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH ER EDUCATION , NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ONS, OR OTHER 17
ENTITIES FOR THE FOL LOWING PURPOSES : 18
(I) CONTRACTS WITH VENDOR S TO PROVIDE SERVICE S; 19
(II) TRAINING AND WORKSHOP S; 20
(III) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATIO N; 21
(IV) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM; 22
(V) PROGRAM EVALUATION AN D REPORTING; AND 23
(VI) ANY OTHER COSTS APPRO VED BY THE DEPARTMENT. 24
(7) (I) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE 25
FUND IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 26
HOUSE BILL 504 57
(II) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE 1
CREDITED TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND’S FUTURE FUND UNDER § 5–206 OF 2
THIS ARTICLE. 3
(8) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN 4
ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 5
(B) EACH YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ECT THE FOLLOWING DA TA: 6
(1) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF M ONEY DISBURSED FROM THE FUND, 7
DISAGGREGATED BY COU NTY; AND 8
(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF S CHOOLS SERVED BY THE FUND. 9
9.12–104. 10
THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT POLICIES, PROCEDURES , AND REGULATIONS 11
TO CARRY OUT THIS TI TLE. 12
18–27A–01. 13
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
(b) “Collaborative” means an agreement outlining commitments of a partnership 15
among: 16
(1) At least one local school system; 17
(2) At least one employee organization representing employees of a local 18
school system in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 4 or Subtitle 5 of this article; and 19
(3) (I) At least one institution of higher education [with a teacher 20
preparation program approved by the Department] IN THE STATE; OR 21
(II) AN ALTERNATIVE PARTNE RSHIP MODEL FORMED I N 22
ACCORDANCE WITH § 18–27A–04(E) OR (F) OF THIS SUBTITLE . 23
(c) [“Noncertified education support professional” means a noncertified public 24
school employee designated as part of a bargaining unit under Title 6, Subtitle 5 of this 25
article PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOY EE WHO IS NOT: 26
(1) A CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEE DESIGNATED AS PART OF A 27
BARGAINING UNIT UNDE R TITLE 6, SUBTITLE 4 OF THIS ARTICLE; 28
58 HOUSE BILL 504
(2) A MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEE ; OR 1
(3) A CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYE E. 2
(d)] “Program” means the Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program established 3
under this subtitle. 4
(D) “TEACHER CANDIDATE ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATING IN THE 5
PROGRAM. 6
[(e) “Provisional teacher” means an individual employed by a local school system 7
through a provisional contract as a conditional teacher.] 8
18–27A–02. 9
(a) There is a Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program. 10
(b) (1) The purpose of the Program is to provide support to COLLABORATIVES 11
THAT PRIORITIZE OFFER TEACHER LICENSURE PR OGRAMS THAT EMPHASIZE WITH 12
ON–THE–JOB EXPERIENTIAL LEA RNING FOR eligible individuals who: 13
(i) Are interested in pursuing a career in the teaching profession; 14
[and] 15
(ii) ARE HIRED EMPLOYED BY A LOCAL SCHOOL SY STEM IN THE 16
STATE AS A SCHOOL –BASED PART–TIME OR FULL–TIME EMPLOYEE ; AND 17
(III) Ultimately pledge to fulfill a 3–YEAR service obligation as a 18
teacher employed full–time in a high–needs school, grade level, or content area in the [State 19
in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department] LOCAL SCHOOL 20
SYSTEM IN WHICH THEY ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOY ED. 21
(2) The Department shall administer the Program. 22
(c) [(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, to] TO be eligible for the 23
Program, a teacher candidate applicant shall: 24
(1) MEET ONE OF THE FOLLO WING REQUIREMENTS : 25
(i) Be employed [as a noncertified education support professional or 26
provisional teacher] by a participating local school system [on the effective date of the 27
Program] IN A SCHOOL–BASED POSITION ; [and] OR 28
HOUSE BILL 504 59
(ii) (2) [Meet the educational requirements determined by a 1
collaborative] HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DI PLOMA OR ITS EQUIVAL ENT; AND 2
(2) (3) PURSUE COMMITS TO PURSUE A TEACHER LICENSURE 3
PATHWAY APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 4
[(2) Not more than one quarter of the funds used to support teaching 5
candidate applicants may be used to support teaching candidate applicants who are 6
provisional teachers.] 7
18–27A–03. 8
(a) A collaborative shall negotiate an agreement that meets the requirements of 9
subsection (b) of this section. 10
(b) A collaborative shall develop and submit to the Department: 11
(1) A plan [to] THAT INCLUDES : 12
(i) [Select] IDENTIFICATION OF THE COLLABORATIVE 13
MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH MEMBER ; 14
(II) SCHOOL–BASED PART –TIME OR FULL –TIME POSITIONS 15
THAT ALLOW THE A TEACHER CANDIDATE TO SYSTEMATICALLY DEVELOP THE 16
SKILLS OF A TEACH –THROUGH–EXPERIENTIAL –LEARNING AND DEMONST RATION 17
OF DEVELOP TEACHING SKI LLS THROUGH EXPERIEN TIAL LEARNING AND 18
ULTIMATELY DEMONSTRA TE TEACHING COMPETENCIES ; 19
(III) IDENTIFICATION OF at least one content area in the local school 20
system in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department; 21
[(ii) Select at least one teacher preparation program at an institution 22
of higher education that satisfies the training requirements for teacher candidates; and 23
(iii) Designate an individual from a collaborative to assist teacher 24
candidates and provide Program guidance;] 25
(IV) A MINIMUM RATIO OF ONE MENTOR WHO IS A REGULARLY 26
EMPLOYED PER ONE TEACHER IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM ASSIGNED FOR THE 27
ENTIRETY OF THE PROGRAM TO A TEACHER CANDIDATE , CONSISTENT WITH 28
PROPER SUPERVISION , TRAINING, AND CONTINUITY OF EM PLOYMENT AND 29
APPLICABLE PROVISION S IN COLLECTIVE BARG AINING AGREEMENTS ; 30
60 HOUSE BILL 504
(V) A SYSTEMIC PROGRAM OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNIN G THAT 1
RESULTS IN CREDITS F ROM THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IF CREDITS 2
ARE REQUIRED FOR COM PLETION, INCLUDING CREDITS TO WARD THE PRACTICUM ; 3
AND 4
(VI) THE DESIGNATION OF A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR FROM 5
THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYS TEM TO ASSIST TEACHE R CANDIDATE S, EVALUATE THE 6
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM, AND MANAGE THE ADMIN ISTRATION 7
ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM; 8
(2) An estimate, BASED ON APPROPRIATE DATA, of the [numbers of: 9
(i) Teacher applicants likely to complete the Program who are 10
noncertificated education support professionals; 11
(ii) Teacher applicants likely to complete the Program who are 12
provisional teachers; and 13
(iii) Mentor teachers necessary to support teacher candidates in the 14
Program] NUMBER OF PROJECTED PARTICIPANTS TO INCL UDE IN THE PROGRAM; 15
and 16
(3) Evidence of a written billing agreement with an institution of higher 17
education that includes: 18
(i) The total cost to the collaborative for the cohort of teacher 19
candidates; 20
(ii) Prorated tuition cost the collaborative shall pay the institution of 21
higher education if a candidate does not complete the Program; and 22
(iii) A provision that no teacher candidate shall be required to pay 23
tuition, books, or fees as part of the teacher candidate’s course of study. 24
(c) A collaborative shall develop and submit to the Department: 25
(1) An outreach plan to recruit teacher candidates and mentor teachers 26
that: 27
(i) Prioritizes candidates and mentor teachers with linguistic 28
diversity and from racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in the teaching 29
profession; AND 30
(ii) [Estimates Program expenses by category, keeping program 31
expenses related to provisional teachers at or below one quarter of total expenses; and 32 HOUSE BILL 504 61
(iii) Identifies at least one source of long–term funding for the 1
Program, including the process and timeline for obtaining long–term funding] INCLUDES 2
RECRUITMENT INITIATI VES THAT TARGET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES , ASSOCIATE 3
OF ARTS AND TEACHING DEGREE CANDIDATES , CAREER CHANGERS , AND 4
COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN TERESTED IN THE TEACHIN G PROFESSION; AND 5
(III) IDENTIFIES A SUSTAINA BILITY PLAN TO CONTI NUE 6
RECRUITING, PREPARING, AND MENTORING TEACHE R CANDIDATES AFTER 7
COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM; and 8
(2) Any other materials required by the Department. 9
18–27A–04. 10
(A) (1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS ULT 11
WITH A NATIONAL NONP ROFIT ENTITY THAT HA S SUCCESSFULLY GUIDE D OTHER 12
STATE EDUCATION AGEN CIES OR LOCAL EDUCAT ION AGENCIES THAT HA VE 13
INCREASED THE NUMBER OF LICENSED TEACHERS BY: 14
(I) LAUNCHING S USTAINABLE, COST–EFFECTIVE 15
GROW–YOUR–OWN TEACHER PREPARAT ION PROGRAMS ; 16
(II) IMPLEMENTING REGISTER ED TEACHER APPRENTIC ESHIPS; 17
AND 18
(III) IMPLEMENTING TEACHER RESIDENCIES. 19
(2) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 20
SUBSECTION SHALL SUP PORT THE DEPARTMENT IN THE DES IGN, 21
IMPLEMENTATION , AND EVALUATION OF TH E PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE 22
DEVELOPMENT OF METRI CS FOR ESTABLISHING HIGH–QUALITY TEACHER 23
PREPARATION AND LICE NSURE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST LIK ELIHOOD 24
OF INCREASING AIDING THE STATE BY: 25
(I) INCREASING THE TEACHER WORKFORC E IN THE STATE; 26
AND 27
(II) IMPROVING TEACHER RET ENTION AND DIVERSITY . 28
(3) THE ENTITY SELECTED U NDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 29
SUBSECTION MAY WORK DIRECTLY WITH COLLAB ORATIVES TO SUPPORT THE 30 62 HOUSE BILL 504
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GR OW–YOUR–OWN TEACHER 1
PREPARATION PROGRAMS . 2
[(a) (1)] (B) [The] BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, THE Department shall 3
award a grant to a local school system OR INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION that is 4
part of a collaborative for employees of the local school system to complete a [teacher 5
preparation program at an institution of higher education] PATHWAY TO TEACHER 6
LICENSURE under the agreement described in § 18–27A–03 of this subtitle. 7
[(2)] (C) The Department shall award a grant TO A LOCAL SCHOOL 8
SYSTEM for: 9
[(i)] (1) Tuition, books, and fees for teacher candidates; 10
[(ii)] (2) Stipends for mentor teachers; and 11
[(iii)] (3) Costs associated with the administration of the Program. 12
(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL AWAR D A GRANT TO AN INST ITUTION OF 13
HIGHER EDUCATION FOR : 14
(1) CURRICULAR DEVELOPMEN T; 15
(2) DEVELOPMENT OF COMPET ENCY–BASED COURSEWORK AND 16
ASSESSMENTS ; AND 17
(3) COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DELIVERY AND EVA LUATION OF 18
ON–THE–JOB EXPERIENTIAL LEA RNING. 19
(E) (1) GRANTS SHALL BE AWARDED ON A COMPETI TIVE BASIS. 20
[(3)] (F) (2) In awarding a grant, the Department shall [take necessary steps 21
to ensure that not more than one quarter of expenses awarded in the grant go to supporting 22
provisional teacher participants in the Program] PRIORITIZE COLLABORATIV ES THAT 23
PARTNER WITH INSTITU TIONS OF HIGHER EDUC ATION OFFERING TO NE GOTIATE A 24
LOWER TUITION COST F OR TEACHER CANDIDATE S. 25
(E) THE DEPARTMENT MAY AWARD A GRANT TO A COLLABO RATIVE FORMED 26
BETWEEN AT LEAST ONE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ONE EMPLOYEE 27
ORGANIZATION REPRESE NTING EMPLOYEES OF A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN 28
ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 6, SUBTITLE 4 OR SUBTITLE 5 OF THIS ARTICLE, IF THE 29
COLLABORATIVE USES A PROGRAM MODEL THAT A LLOWS CANDIDATES TO COMPLETE 30 HOUSE BILL 504 63
COURSEWORK THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE ENROLLME NT IN AN INSTITUTION OF 1
HIGHER EDUCATION . 2
(F) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES ONLY TO COLLABORA TIVES THAT 3
IMPLEMENT A REGISTER ED TEACHER APPRENTIC ESHIP PROGRAM MODEL UN DER 4
THE PROGRAM. 5
(2) IN AWARDING A GRANT U NDER THIS SUBSECTION , THE 6
DEPARTMENT SHALL PRIO RITIZE COLLABORATIVE S THAT: 7
(I) ARE COMPOSED OF A GRO UP OF MORE THAN ONE LOCAL 8
SCHOOL SYSTEM AND MO RE THAN ONE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING 9
EMPLOYEES OF A LOCAL SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 6, SUBTITLE 4 OR 10
SUBTITLE 5 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 11
(II) IMPLEMENT A REGISTERE D TEACHER APPRENTICE SHIP 12
PROGRAM TO BE ADMINI STERED BY THE DEPARTMENT WITH A STA NDARDIZED 13
CURRICULUM THAT PROM OTES ON–THE–JOB EXPERIENTIAL LEA RNING TO BE 14
LEVERAGED ACROSS THE STATE. 15
(3) AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION IN THE STATE MAY 16
PROVIDE RELATED INST RUCTION FOR A REGIST ERED TEACHER APPRENT ICESHIP 17
PROGRAM UNDER THIS S UBSECTION THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BIDDIN G PROCESS. 18
[(4) The Department, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of 19
Labor, shall, on request, provide technical assistance to a collaborative in obtaining State, 20
federal, or other funding for the operation of the Program. 21
(b) (E) (G) (1) A teacher candidate shall be paid a rate of pay and offered 22
benefits that are at least equal to the rate of pay received by and benefits offered to a 23
noncertified education support professional or provisional teacher of the equivalent 24
classification and tenure in the local school system provided in the collective bargaining 25
agreement. 26
(c) (1) A collaborative shall provide each teacher candidate a mentor teacher 27
for the entirety of the Program. 28
(2) (I) THIS PARAGRAPH DOES N OT APPLY TO A PROVIS IONAL 29
TEACHER. 30
(II) A EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS 31
PARAGRAPH , A teacher candidate may not serve as a teacher of record or a substitute 32
teacher for any teacher other than the mentor teacher assigned to the teacher candidate.] 33
64 HOUSE BILL 504
(III) A TEACHER CANDIDATE MAY SERVE AS A DAILY SUB STITUTE 1
TEACHER IF: 2
1. THE TEACHER CANDIDATE DOES SO IN ACCORDANC E 3
WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM; 4
2. THE TEACHER CANDIDATE AGREES TO THE 5
ASSIGNMENT ; 6
3. THE TEACHE R CANDIDATE’S MENTOR APPROVES OF 7
THE ASSIGNMENT ; AND 8
4. THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL IN WHICH THE 9
TEACHER CANDIDATE IS EMPLOYED APPROVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT . 10
(G) (F) (H) A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM MAY NOT REDUCE THE C OMPENSATION 11
OR BENEFITS OF A TEA CHER CANDIDATE. 12
[(d)] (H) (G) (I) A local school system and an employee organization that 13
represents the teacher candidates shall negotiate a gradual release model that allows 14
teacher candidates to focus primarily on internship and practicum requirements, IF 15
APPLICABLE. 16
[(e)] (I) (H) (J) A teacher candidate shall perform a service obligation to teach 17
full–time in the State in a public school or a public prekindergarten program in a 18
[high–needs school, as identified by the Department, or in a grade level or] content area in 19
which there is a shortage of qualified educators, as identified by the Department for a 20
minimum of 2 years. 21
18–27A–05. 22
The Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation for the 23
Program. 24
18–27A–06. 25
(a) Each year, the Department shall collect [and publish on its website]: 26
(1) Data on teacher candidate race, gender, and linguistic status; 27
(2) Data on teacher candidate status and retention; 28
(3) Spending by category; 29
(4) A summary of teacher candidate recruitment methods; and 30 HOUSE BILL 504 65
(5) If applicable, the hiring status and retention data of Program 1
graduates. 2
(b) (1) [In reporting] WHEN COLLECTING ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, 3
AND EACH JULY 1 THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT ON the data 4
COLLECTED under subsection (a) of this section TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 5
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6
(2) IN ISSUING REPORTS UN DER THIS SECTION , the Department shall 7
make reasonable efforts to anonymize the data to protect the privacy of teacher candidates. 8
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 9
as follows: 10
Article – Education 11
6–126. 12
(a) (1) This subsection applies to individuals who have graduated from a 13
teacher preparation program or an alternative teacher preparation program. 14
(2) Beginning on July 1, 2025, to qualify for an initial certificate an 15
individual shall: 16
(i) Pass the subject–specific examinations under § 6–125 of this 17
subtitle; 18
(ii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 19
1. Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, pass a 20
nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability; or 21
2. Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, complete a 22
rigorous local school system teacher induction program that lasts for the lesser of: 23
A. 3 years; or 24
B. The amount of time a teacher may hold a conditional 25
teacher certificate; 26
(iii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 27
1. Pass a basic literacy skills assessment approved by the 28
Department under § 6–125 of this subtitle; 29
66 HOUSE BILL 504
2. Hold a degree from a regionally accredited educational 1
institution and have earned a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 2
4.0 scale or its equivalent on the most recently earned degree; or 3
3. Submit documentation to the Department of having 4
received effective evaluations from a local school system for 3 years; 5
(iv) Pass a rigorous State–specific examination of mastery of reading 6
instruction and content for the grade level the individual will be teaching; and 7
(v) Satisfactorily complete any other requirements established by 8
the State Board. 9
(3) An individual who graduates from a teacher preparation program in 10
the State who passed a nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment may not be 11
required to take the assessment more than one time. 12
(4) (i) In order to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (2)(ii)2 of this 13
subsection, a candidate for an initial teacher certificate shall submit documentation to the 14
Department that the candidate has completed a rigorous comprehensive induction 15
program, established in accordance with § 6–117 of this subtitle, that meets the 16
requirements of this paragraph. 17
(ii) The comprehensive induction program shall be developed by a 18
local school system, either independently or collaboratively with other local school systems. 19
(iii) Before establishing a comprehensive induction program, one or 20
more local school systems shall submit a plan for the program to the Department and the 21
Accountability and Implementation Board. 22
(iv) The comprehensive induction program shall include a locally 23
developed portfolio component that is aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and 24
Support Consortium Standards. 25
(v) A teacher preparation program or an alternative teacher 26
preparation program may use the locally developed portfolio component under 27
subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph as meeting a portion of the coursework requirements 28
of the program. 29
(vi) A candidate who satisfactorily completes a comprehensive 30
induction program established in accordance with this paragraph may not be required to 31
pass a nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability. 32
(b) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A TEACH ER WHO HOLDS A 33
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE OR CE RTIFICATE FROM A STA TE FOR WHICH THE LIC ENSE 34 HOUSE BILL 504 67
OR CERTIFICATE IS AC CEPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 1
MOBILITY COMPACT UNDER SUBTITLE 6 OF THIS TITLE. 2
(2) In addition to any other requirements established by the State Board, 3
to qualify for a certificate in the State, a teacher who graduated from an institution of 4
higher education in another state or holds a professional license or certificate from another 5
state shall: 6
[(1)] (I) Pass an examination of teaching ability within 18 months of 7
being hired by a local school system; 8
[(2)] (II) Hold an active National Board Certification from the National 9
Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or 10
[(3)] (III) Complete a comprehensive induction program in accordance with 11
subsection (a)(4) of this section. 12
(c) (1) The Department, after a reasonable period of review and assessment, 13
shall determine whether one of the assessments of teaching skill approved for initial 14
teacher certification under this section more adequately measures the skills and knowledge 15
required of a highly qualified teacher. 16
(2) If the Department makes a determination under paragraph (1) of this 17
subsection that requires a revision to the statutory requirements for initial teacher 18
certification, the Department shall, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government 19
Article, submit a report to the General Assembly on or before the next September 1 on its 20
recommendations for revising the qualifications for initial teacher certification. 21
(d) (1) The Department shall actively monitor and assess, during their 22
implementation and development, new teacher standards and assessments produced under 23
this section for any negative impact on the diversity of teacher candidates passing the 24
initial teacher certification assessments. 25
(2) The Department shall report the results of its monitoring and 26
assessment to the Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of 27
this article. 28
SUBTITLE 6. INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT. 29
6–601. 30
THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT IS HEREBY ENA CTED AND 31
ENTERED INTO WITH AL L OTHER JURISDICTION S THAT LEGALLY JOIN IN THIS 32
COMPACT IN THE FORM S UBSTANTIALLY AS THE COMPACT APPEARS IN TH IS 33
SECTION AS FOLLOWS : 34 68 HOUSE BILL 504
ARTICLE I. PURPOSE. 1
THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPACT IS TO FACILIT ATE THE MOBILITY OF 2
TEACHERS ACROSS THE MEMBER STATES, WITH THE GOAL OF SUP PORTING 3
TEACHERS THROUGH A NE W PATHWAY TO LICENSU RE. THROUGH THIS COMPACT, 4
THE MEMBER STATES SEEK TO ESTABL ISH A COLLECTIVE REG ULATORY 5
FRAMEWORK THAT EXPED ITES AND ENHANCES TH E ABILITY OF TEACHERS TO MOVE 6
ACROSS STATE LINES. 7
THIS COMPACT IS INTENDED T O ACHIEVE THE FOLLOW ING OBJECTIVES AND 8
SHOULD BE INTERPRETE D ACCORDINGLY . THE MEMBER STATES HEREBY RATIFY 9
THE SAME INTENTIONS BY SUBSCRIBING HERET O. 10
A. CREATE A STREAMLINED PATHWAY TO LICENSURE MOBILITY FOR 11
TEACHERS; 12
B. SUPPORT THE RELOCATIO N OF ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES; 13
C. FACILITATE AND ENHANC E THE EXCHANGE OF LI CENSURE, 14
INVESTIGATIVE, AND DISCIPLINARY INF ORMATION BETWEEN THE MEMBER 15
STATES; 16
D. ENHANCE THE POWER OF STATE AND DISTRICT LE VEL EDUCATION 17
OFFICIALS TO HIRE QU ALIFIED, COMPETENT TEACHERS BY REMOVING BARRIERS 18
TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF OUT–OF–STATE TEACHERS; 19
E. SUPPORT THE RETENTION OF TEACHERS IN THE PROFE SSION BY 20
REMOVING BARRIERS TO RE–LICENSURE IN A NEW STATE; AND 21
F. MAINTAIN STATE SOVEREIGNTY IN THE REGULATION OF TH E TEACHING 22
PROFESSION. 23
ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS. 24
AS USED IN THIS COMPACT, AND EXCEPT AS OTHERW ISE PROVIDED, THE 25
FOLLOWING DEFINITION S SHALL GOVERN THE T ERMS HEREIN: 26
A. “ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBER” MEANS ANY PERSON WIT H FULL–TIME 27
DUTY STATUS IN THE A RMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING 28
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE. 29
HOUSE BILL 504 69
B. “ADVERSE ACTION” MEANS ANY LIMITATION OR RESTRICTION IMPOS ED 1
BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY, SUCH AS REVOCATION , 2
SUSPENSION, REPRIMAND , PROBATION, OR LIMITATION ON THE LICENSEE’S 3
ABILITY TO WORK AS A TEACHER. 4
C. “BYLAWS” MEANS THOSE BYLAWS E STABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION. 5
D. “CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSE” MEANS A CURRENT , 6
VALID AUTHORIZATION IS SUED BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY 7
ALLOWING AN INDIVIDU AL TO SERVE AS A TEACHER IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL 8
SETTINGS IN A SPECIF IC CAREER AND TECHNI CAL EDUCATION AREA . 9
E. “CHARTER MEMBER STATE” MEANS A MEMBER STATE THAT HAS 10
ENACTED LEGISLATION TO ADOPT THIS COMPACT WHERE SUCH LE GISLATION 11
PREDATES THE INITIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE 12
OF THE COMPACT. 13
F. “COMMISSION” MEANS THE INTERSTATE ADMINISTRATIVE BODY 14
WHOSE MEMBERSHIP CON SISTS OF DELEGATES O F ALL STATES THAT HAVE 15
ENACTED THIS COMPACT, AND WHICH IS KNOWN A S THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 16
MOBILITY COMPACT COMMISSION. 17
G. “COMMISSIONER ” MEANS THE DELEGATE O F A MEMBER STATE. 18
H. “ELIGIBLE LICENSE” MEANS A LICENSE TO E NGAGE IN THE TEACHIN G 19
PROFESSION THAT REQUIRES AT LEAST A BACHELOR’S DEGREE AND THE 20
COMPLETION OF A STAT E APPROVED PROGRAM F OR TEACHER LICENSURE . 21
I. “ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSE” MEANS THE SPOUSE OF ANY INDIVIDUAL 22
IN FULL–TIME DUTY STATUS IN THE ACTIVE ARMED FOR CES OF THE UNITED STATES 23
INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MOVING AS A 24
RESULT OF A MILITARY MISSION OR MILITARY CAREER PROGRESSION 25
REQUIREMENTS OR ON M EMBER’S TERMINAL MOVE AS A RESULT OF SEPARATION 26
OR RETIREMENT (TO INCLUDE SURVIVING SPOUSES OF DECEASED MILITARY 27
MEMBER S). 28
J. “EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE” MEANS A GROUP OF COMMISSIONERS 29
ELECTED OR APPOINTED TO ACT ON BEHALF OF , AND WITHIN THE POWER S 30
GRANTED TO THEM BY , THE COMMISSION AS PROVIDE D FOR HEREIN. 31
K. “LICENSING AUTHORITY” MEANS AN OFFICIAL , AGENCY, BOARD, OR 32
OTHER ENTITY OF A STATE THAT IS RESPONS IBLE FOR THE LICENSI NG AND 33 70 HOUSE BILL 504
REGULATION OF TEACHERS AUTHORIZED T O TEACH IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL 1
SETTINGS. 2
L. “MEMBER STATE” MEANS ANY STATE THAT HAS ADOPTE D THIS 3
COMPACT, INCLUDING ALL AGENCI ES AND OFFICIALS OF SUCH A STATE. 4
M. “RECEIVING STATE” MEANS ANY STATE WHERE A TEACHER HAS 5
APPLIED FOR LICENSUR E UNDER THIS COMPACT. 6
N. “RULE” MEANS ANY REGULATION PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSION 7
UNDER THIS COMPACT, WHICH SHALL HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW IN EACH MEMBER 8
STATE. 9
O. “STATE” MEANS A STATE , TERRITORY, OR POSSESSION OF THE UNITED 10
STATES, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 11
P. “STATE PRACTICE LAWS” MEANS A MEMBER STATE’S LAWS, RULES, 12
AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE TEACHING PROFESSION, DEFINE THE SCOPE 13
OF SUCH PROFESSION , AND CREATE THE METHODS AND GROU NDS FOR IMPOSING 14
DISCIPLINE. 15
Q. “STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT ” MEANS A REQUIREMENT FOR 16
LICENSURE COVERED IN COURSEWORK OR EXAMIN ATION THAT INCLUDES CONTENT 17
OF UNIQUE INTEREST T O THE STATE. 18
R. “TEACHER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CURRENT LY HOLDS AN 19
AUTHORIZATION FROM A MEMBER STATE THAT FORMS THE BASIS FOR 20
EMPLOYMENT IN THE P–12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF TH E STATE TO PROVIDE 21
INSTRUCTION IN A SPE CIFIC SUBJECT AREA , GRADE LEVEL , OR STUDENT 22
POPULATION . 23
S. “UNENCUMBERED LICENSE” MEANS A CURRENT , VALID 24
AUTHORIZATION ISSUED BY A MEMBER STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY ALLOWING 25
AN INDIVIDUAL TO SER VE AS A TEACHER IN P–12 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL S ETTINGS. 26
AN UNENCUMBERED LICENSE IS NOT A REST RICTED, PROBATIONARY , 27
PROVISIONAL, SUBSTITUTE, OR TEMPORARY CREDENT IAL. 28
ARTICLE III. LICENSURE UNDER THE COMPACT. 29
A. LICENSURE UNDER THIS COMPACT PERTAINS ONLY TO THE INITIAL 30
GRANT OF A LICENSE B Y THE RECEIVING STATE. NOTHING HEREIN APPLIE S TO ANY 31
SUBSEQUENT OR ONGOIN G COMPLIANCE REQUIRE MENTS THAT A RECEIVING STATE 32
MIGHT REQUIRE FOR TEACHERS. 33 HOUSE BILL 504 71
B. EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE RULES OF 1
THE COMMISSION, DEFINE, COMPILE, AND UPDATE AS NECESS ARY A LIST OF 2
ELIGIBLE LICENSES AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSES THAT 3
THE MEMBER STATE IS WILLING TO C ONSIDER FOR EQUIVALENCY UN DER THIS 4
COMPACT AND PROVIDE T HE LIST TO THE COMMISSION. THE LIST SHALL INCLUD E 5
THOSE LICENSES THAT A RECEIVING STATE IS WILLING TO G RANT TO TEACHERS 6
FROM OTHER MEMBER STATES, PENDING A DETERMINAT ION OF EQUIVALENCY B Y 7
THE RECEIVING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY. 8
C. UPON THE RECEIPT OF A N APPLICATION FOR LI CENSURE BY A 9
TEACHER HOLDING AN UNENCUMBERED ELIGIBLE LICENSE, THE RECEIVING 10
STATE SHALL DETERMINE WHICH OF THE RECEIVING STATE’S ELIGIBLE LICENSES 11
THE TEACHER IS QUALIFIED TO HOLD AND SHALL GRANT SUCH A L ICENSE OR 12
LICENSES TO THE APPL ICANT. SUCH A DETERMINATION SHALL BE MADE IN THE 13
SOLE DISCRETION OF T HE RECEIVING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY AND MAY 14
INCLUDE A DETERMINAT ION THAT THE APPLICA NT IS NOT ELIGIBLE F OR ANY OF 15
THE RECEIVING STATE’S ELIGIBLE LICENSES. FOR ALL TEACHERS WHO HOLD AN 16
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE, THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL GRANT ONE OR MORE 17
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE(S) THAT, IN THE RECEIVING STATE’S SOLE DISCRETION , 18
ARE EQUIVALENT TO TH E LICENSE(S) HELD BY THE TEACHER IN ANY OTHER 19
MEMBER STATE. 20
D. FOR ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES 21
WHO HOLD A LICENSE T HAT IS NOT UNENCUMBERED , THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL 22
GRANT AN EQUIVALENT LICENSE OR LICENSES THAT, IN THE RECEIVING STATE’S 23
SOLE DISCRETION , IS EQUIVALENT TO THE LICENSE OR LICENSES HELD BY THE 24
TEACHER IN ANY OTHER MEMBER STATE, EXCEPT WHERE THE RECEIVING STATE 25
DOES NOT HAVE AN EQU IVALENT LICENSE . 26
E. FOR A TEACHER HOLDING AN UNENCUMBERED CAREER AND 27
TECHNICAL EDUCATION LICENSE, THE RECEIVING STATE SHALL GRANT AN 28
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE EQUIVALENT TO THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL 29
EDUCATION LICENSE HELD BY THE A PPLYING TEACHER AND ISSUED BY ANOTHER 30
MEMBER STATE, AS DETERMINED BY THE RECEIVING STATE IN ITS SOLE 31
DISCRETION, EXCEPT WHERE A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHER 32
DOES NOT HOLD A BACH ELOR’S DEGREE AND THE RECEIVING STATE REQUIRES A 33
BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR LICENSE S TO TEACH CAREER AND TECHNICAL 34
EDUCATION. A RECEIVING STATE MAY REQUIRE CAREER AND TECHNICAL 35
EDUCATION TEACHERS TO MEET STATE INDUSTRY RECOGN IZED REQUIREME NTS, 36
IF REQUIRED BY LAW I N THE RECEIVING STATE. 37
ARTICLE IV. LICENSURE NOT UNDER T HE COMPACT. 38 72 HOUSE BILL 504
A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE III ABOVE, NOTHING IN THIS 1
COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO LIMIT OR IN HIBIT THE POWER OF A MEMBER 2
STATE TO REGULATE LIC ENSURE OR ENDORSEMENTS OVERSEE N BY THE MEMBER 3
STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY. 4
B. WHEN A TEACHER IS REQUIRED T O RENEW A LICENSE RE CEIVED 5
PURSUANT TO THIS COMPACT, THE STATE GRANTING SUCH A LICENSE MAY 6
REQUIRE THE TEACHER TO COMPLETE STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AS A 7
CONDITION OF LICENSURE RENEWAL OR ADVANCEME NT IN THAT STATE. 8
C. FOR THE PURPOSES OF D ETERMINING COMPENSAT ION, A RECEIVING 9
STATE MAY REQUIRE ADD ITIONAL INFORMATION FROM TEACHERS RECEIVING A 10
LICENSE UNDER THE PR OVISIONS OF THIS COMPACT. 11
D. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO LIMIT THE 12
POWER OF A MEMBER STATE TO CONTROL AND MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP O F ITS 13
INFORMATION PERTAINI NG TO TEACHERS, OR LIMIT THE APPLICA TION OF A 14
MEMBER STATE’S LAWS OR REGULATION S GOVERNING THE OWNE RSHIP, USE, OR 15
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION PERTAINI NG TO TEACHERS. 16
E. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONS TRUED TO INVALIDATE OR 17
ALTER ANY EXISTING A GREEMENT OR OTHER CO OPERATIVE ARRANGEMEN T THAT A 18
MEMBER STATE MAY ALREADY BE A PARTY TO, OR LIMIT THE ABILITY OF A MEMBER 19
STATE TO PART ICIPATE IN ANY FUTUR E AGREEMENT OR OTHER COOPERATIVE 20
ARRANGEMENT TO : 21
1. AWARD TEACHING LICENS ES OR OTHER BENEFITS BASED ON 22
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIO NAL CREDENTIALS INCL UDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO , 23
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION; 24
2. PARTICIPATE IN THE EX CHANGE OF NAMES OF TEACHERS WHOSE 25
LICENSE HAS BEEN SUB JECT TO AN ADVERSE ACTION BY A MEMBER STATE; OR 26
3. PARTICIPATE IN ANY AG REEMENT OR COOPERATI VE 27
ARRANGEMENT WITH A N ON–MEMBER STATE. 28
ARTICLE V. TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE 29
UNDER THE COMPACT. 30
A. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FO R ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS OR ELIGIBLE 31
MILITARY SPOUSES IN ARTICLE III.D ABOVE, A TEACHER MAY ONLY BE E LIGIBLE 32 HOUSE BILL 504 73
TO RECEIVE A LICENSE UNDER THIS COMPACT WHERE THAT TEACHER HOLDS AN 1
UNENCUMBERED LICENSE IN A MEMBER STATE. 2
B. A TEACHER ELIGIBLE TO R ECEIVE A LICENSE UND ER THIS COMPACT 3
SHALL, UNLESS OTHERWISE PRO VIDED FOR HEREIN : 4
1. UPON THE TEACHER’S APPLICATION TO REC EIVE A LICENSE 5
UNDER THIS COMPACT, UNDERGO A CRIMINAL H ISTORY BACKGROUND CH ECK IN 6
THE RECEIVING STATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE 7
RECEIVING STATE; AND 8
2. PROVIDE THE RECEIVING STATE WITH INFORMATIO N IN 9
ADDITION TO THE INFO RMATION REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE FOR THE PU RPOSES OF 10
DETERMINING COMPENSA TION, IF APPLICABLE. 11
ARTICLE VI. DISCIPLINE AND ADVERSE ACTIONS. 12
A. NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE DEEM ED OR CONSTRUED TO 13
LIMIT THE AUTHORITY OF A MEMBER STATE TO INVESTIGATE OR IMPOSE 14
DISCIPLINARY MEASURE S ON TEACHERS ACCORDING TO THE STATE PRACTICE 15
LAWS THEREOF . 16
B. MEMBER STATES SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO RECEIV E, AND SHALL 17
PROVIDE, FILES AND INFORMATIO N REGARDING THE INVE STIGATION AND 18
DISCIPLINE, IF ANY, OF TEACHERS IN OTHER MEMBER STATES UPON REQUEST . ANY 19
MEMBER STATE RECEIVING SUCH INFORMATION OR FILES SHALL PROTECT AND 20
MAINTAIN THE SECURI TY AND CONFIDENTIALI TY THEREOF, IN AT LEAST THE SAME 21
MANNER THAT IT MAINT AINS ITS OWN INVESTI GATORY OR DISCIPLINA RY FILES AND 22
INFORMATION . PRIOR TO DISCLOSING A NY DISCIPLINARY OR I NVESTIGATORY 23
INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM ANOTHER MEMBER STATE, THE DISCLOSING STATE 24
SHALL COMMUNICATE IT S INTENTION AND PURP OSE FOR SUCH DISCLOS URE TO THE 25
MEMBER STATE THAT ORIGINALLY PROVIDED THAT INFORM ATION. 26
ARTICLE VII. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY 27
COMPACT COMMISSION. 28
A. THE INTERSTATE COMPAC T MEMBER STATES HEREBY CREATE AND 29
ESTABLISH A JOINT PU BLIC AGENCY KNOWN AS THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 30
MOBILITY COMPACT COMMISSION: 31
1. THE COMMISSION IS A JOINT INTERSTATE GOVERNMEN TAL 32
AGENCY COMPRISED OF STATES THAT HAVE ENAC TED THE INTERSTATE TEACHER 33
MOBILITY COMPACT. 34 74 HOUSE BILL 504
2. NOTHING IN THIS INTER STATE COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED 1
TO BE A WAIVER OF SO VEREIGN IMMUNITY . 2
B. MEMBERSHIP, VOTING, AND MEETINGS. 3
1. EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL HAVE AND BE LIMITED TO ONE (1) 4
DELEGATE TO THE COMMISSION, WHO SHALL BE GIVEN T HE TITLE OF 5
COMMISSIONER . 6
2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL BE THE PRIMARY ADMINIST RATIVE 7
OFFICER OF THE STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY OR THEIR DE SIGNEE. 8
3. ANY COMMISSIONER MAY BE R EMOVED OR SUSPENDED FROM 9
OFFICE AS PROVIDED B Y THE LAW OF THE STA TE FROM WHICH THE COMMISSIONER 10
IS APPOINTED. 11
4. THE MEMBER STATE SHALL FILL ANY VACANCY OCCURRING IN 12
THE COMMISSION WITHIN 90 DAYS. 13
5. EACH COMMISSIONER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ONE (1) VOTE 14
ABOUT THE PROMULGATI ON OF RULES AND CREATION OF BYLAWS AND SHALL 15
OTHERWISE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTI CIPATE IN THE BUSINE SS AND 16
AFFAIRS OF THE COMMISSION. A COMMISSIONER SHALL VO TE IN PERSON OR BY 17
SUCH OTHER MEANS AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS. THE BYLAWS MAY PROVIDE FO R 18
COMMISSIONERS ’ PARTICIPATION IN MEE TINGS BY TELEPHONE O R OTHER MEANS 19
OF COMMUNICATION . 20
6. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH 21
CALENDAR YEAR . ADDITIONAL MEETINGS S HALL BE HELD AS SET FORTH IN THE 22
BYLAWS. 23
7. THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH BY RULE A TERM OF OFFICE 24
FOR COMMISSIONERS . 25
C. THE COMMISSION SH ALL HAVE THE FOLLOWI NG POWERS AND DUTIES . 26
1. ESTABLISH A CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE COMMISSION. 27
2. ESTABLISH THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE COMMISSION. 28
3. ESTABLISH BYLAWS FOR THE COMMISSION. 29
HOUSE BILL 504 75
4. MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIA L RECORDS IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THE 1
BYLAWS OF THE COMMISSION. 2
5. MEET AND TAKE SUCH AC TIONS AS ARE CONSIST ENT WITH THE 3
PROVISIONS OF THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT , THE BYLAWS, AND RULES OF THE 4
COMMISSION. 5
6. PROMULGATE UNIFORM RULES TO IMPLEMENT AN D ADMINISTER 6
THIS INTERSTATE COMP ACT. THE RULES SHALL HAVE THE FORCE AN D EFFECT OF 7
LAW AND SHALL BE BIN DING IN ALL MEMBER STATES. IN THE EVENT THE 8
COMMISSION EXERCISES ITS RULEMAKING AUTHORITY IN A MANNER THAT IS 9
BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE COMPACT, OR THE POWERS 10
GRANTED HEREUNDER , THEN SUCH AN ACTION BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE 11
INVALID AND HAVE NO FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW. 12
7. BRING AND PROSECUTE L EGAL PROCEEDINGS OR ACTIONS IN 13
THE NAME OF THE COMMISSION, PROVIDED THAT THE ST ANDING OF ANY MEMBER 14
STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY TO SUE OR B E SUED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW MAY 15
NOT BE AFFECTED . 16
8. PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN INSURANCE AND BONDS . 17
9. BORROW, ACCEPT, OR CONTRACT FOR SERV ICES OF PERSONNEL , 18
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO , EMPLOYEES OF A MEMBER STATE, OR AN 19
ASSOCIATED NONGOVERN MENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS OPEN TO MEMBERS HIP 20
BY ALL STATES. 21
10. HIRE EMPLOYEES , ELECT OR APPOINT OFF ICERS, FIX 22
COMPENSATION , DEFINE DUTIES , GRANT SUCH INDIVIDUA LS APPROPRIATE 23
AUTHORITY TO CARRY O UT THE PURPOSES OF T HE COMPACT , AND ESTABLISH THE 24
COMMISSION’S PERSONNEL POLICI ES AND PROGRAMS RELA TING TO CONFLICTS OF 25
INTEREST, QUALIFICATIONS OF PE RSONNEL, AND OTHER RELATED PE RSONNEL 26
MATTERS. 27
11. LEASE, PURCHASE, ACCEPT APPROPRIATE G IFTS OR DONATIONS 28
OF, OR OTHERWISE OWN , HOLD, IMPROVE, OR USE, ANY PROPERTY , REAL, 29
PERSONAL OR MIXED, PROVIDED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL 30
AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY . 31
12. SELL, CONVEY, MORTGAGE , PLEDGE, LEASE, EXCHANGE, 32
ABANDON, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY REAL , PERSONAL, OR MIXED. 33
13. ESTABLISH A BUDGET AN D MAKE EXPENDITURES . 34 76 HOUSE BILL 504
14. BORROW MONEY . 1
15. APPOINT COMMITTEES , INCLUDING STANDING C OMMITTEES 2
COMPOSED OF MEMBERS AND SUCH OTHER INTER ESTED PERSONS AS MAY BE 3
DESIGNATED IN THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT , RULES, OR BYLAWS. 4
16. PROVIDE AND RECEIVE I NFORMATION FROM , AND COOPERATE 5
WITH, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGEN CIES. 6
17. ESTABLISH AND ELECT A N EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 7
18. ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP A CHARTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE 8
INFORMATION GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE TO ADVISE O N FACILITATING EXCHA NGE 9
OF INFORMATION , USE OF INFORMATION , DATA PRIVACY, AND TECHNICAL SUPPOR T 10
NEEDS, AND PROVIDE REPORTS AS NEEDED. 11
19. PERFORM SUCH OTHER FU NCTIONS AS MAY BE NE CESSARY OR 12
APPROPRIATE TO ACHIE VE THE PURPOSES OF T HIS INTERSTATE COMPA CT 13
CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE REGULATION OF TEACHER LICENSURE. 14
20. DETERMINE WHETHER A STATE’S ADOPTED LANGUAGE I S 15
MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE MODEL COMPA CT LANGUAGE SUCH THA T THE 16
STATE WOULD NOT QUALI FY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT. 17
D. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY 18
COMPACT COMMISSION. 19
1. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ACT ON 20
BEHALF OF THE COMMISSION ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THIS INTERSTATE 21
COMPACT. 22
2. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE CO MPOSED OF EIGHT 23
VOTING MEMBERS : 24
A. THE COMMISSION CHAI R, VICE CHAIR, AND TREASURER ; 25
AND 26
B. FIVE MEMBERS WHO ARE ELECTED BY THE COMMISSION 27
FROM THE CURRENT MEM BERSHIP: 28
I. FOUR VOTING MEMBERS R EPRESENTING 29
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS I N ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION RULES; AND 30 HOUSE BILL 504 77
II. ONE AT LARGE VOTING M EMBER IN ACCORDANCE 1
WITH COMMISSION RULES. 2
3. THE COMMISSION MAY ADD OR REMOVE MEMBERS OF TH E 3
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS PROVIDED IN COMMISSION RULES. 4
4. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE 5
ANNUALLY. 6
5. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING 7
DUTIES AND RESPONSIB ILITIES: 8
A. RECOMMEND TO THE ENTI RE COMMISSION CHANGES TO 9
THE RULES OR BYLAWS, CHANGES TO THE COMPA CT LEGISLATION , FEES PAID BY 10
INTERSTATE COMPACT MEMBER STATES SUCH AS ANNUAL DUES, AND ANY 11
COMPACT FEE CHARGED BY THE MEMBER STATES ON BEHALF OF T HE COMMISSION. 12
B. ENSURE COMMISSION ADMINISTRA TION SERVICES ARE 13
APPROPRIATELY PROVID ED, CONTRACTUAL OR OTHER WISE. 14
C. PREPARE AND RECOMMEND THE BUDGET. 15
D. MAINTAIN FINANCIAL RE CORDS ON BEHALF OF T HE 16
COMMISSION. 17
E. MONITOR COMPLIANCE OF MEMBER STATES AND PROVIDE 18
REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION. 19
F. PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS PROVIDED IN RULES OR 20
BYLAWS. 21
6. MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION. 22
A. ALL MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC , AND 23
PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEE TINGS SHALL BE GIV EN IN ACCORDANCE WIT H COMMISSION 24
BYLAWS. 25
B. THE COMMISSION OR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR 26
OTHER COMMITTEES OF THE COMMISSION MAY CONVEN E IN A CLOSED , 27
NON–PUBLIC MEETING IF TH E COMMISSION OR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR OTHER 28
COMMITTEES OF THE COMMISSION MUST DISCUSS: 29
78 HOUSE BILL 504
I. NONCOMPLIANCE OF A MEMBER STATE WITH ITS 1
OBLIGATIONS UNDER TH E COMPACT. 2
II. THE EMPLOYMENT , COMPENSATION , DISCIPLINE OR 3
OTHER MATTERS , PRACTICES OR PROCEDU RES RELATED TO SPECI FIC EMPLOYEES 4
OR OTHER MATTERS REL ATED TO THE COMMISSION’S INTERNAL PERSONNEL 5
PRACTICES AND PROCED URES. 6
III. CURRENT, THREATENED , OR REASONABLY 7
ANTICIPATED LITIGATI ON. 8
IV. NEGOTIATION OF CONTRA CTS FOR THE PURCHASE , 9
LEASE, OR SALE OF GOODS , SERVICES, OR REAL ESTATE . 10
V. ACCUSING ANY PERSON O F A CRIME OR FORMALLY 11
CENSURING ANY PERSON . 12
VI. DISCLOSURE OF TRADE S ECRETS OR COMMERCIAL 13
OR FINANCIAL INFORMA TION THAT IS PRIVILE GED OR CONFIDENTIAL . 14
VII. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMA TION OF A PERSONAL 15
NATURE WHERE DISCLOS URE WOULD CONSTITUTE A CLEARLY UNWARRAN TED 16
INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY. 17
VIII. DISCLOSURE OF INVESTI GATIVE RECORDS COMPI LED 18
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. 19
IX. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMA TION RELATED TO ANY 20
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT S PREPARED BY OR ON BEHALF OF OR FOR USE OF THE 21
COMMISSION OR OTHE R COMMITTEE CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY OF 22
INVESTIGATION OR DET ERMINATION OF COMPLI ANCE ISSUES PURSUANT TO THE 23
COMPACT. 24
X. MATTERS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED FROM 25
DISCLOSURE BY FEDERA L OR MEMBER STATE STATUTE. 26
XI. OTHER MATTERS AS SET FORTH BY COMMISSION 27
BYLAWS AND RULES. 28
C. IF A MEETING , OR PORTION OF A MEET ING, IS CLOSED 29
PURSUANT TO THIS PRO VISION, THE COMMISSION’S LEGAL COUNSEL OR D ESIGNEE 30
SHALL CERTIFY THAT T HE MEETING MAY BE CL OSED AND SHALL REFER ENCE EACH 31
RELEVANT EXEMPTING P ROVISION. 32 HOUSE BILL 504 79
D. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP MINUTES OF COMMISSION 1
MEETINGS AND SHALL P ROVIDE A FULL AND AC CURATE SUMMARY OF AC TIONS 2
TAKEN, AND THE REASONS THER EFOR, INCLUDING A DESCRIPT ION OF THE VIEWS 3
EXPRESSED. ALL DOCUMENTS CONSIDE RED IN CONNECTION WI TH AN ACTION 4
SHALL BE IDENTIFIED IN SUCH MINUTES. ALL MINUTES AND DOCUM ENTS OF A 5
CLOSED MEETING SHALL REMAIN UNDER SEAL , SUBJECT TO RELEASE B Y A 6
MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COMMISSION OR ORDER O F A COURT OF COMPETE NT 7
JURISDICTION. 8
7. FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION. 9
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PAY , OR PROVIDE FOR THE 10
PAYMENT OF, THE REASONABLE EXPEN SES OF ITS ESTABLISH MENT, ORGANIZATION , 11
AND ONGOING ACTIVITI ES. 12
B. THE COMMISSION MAY ACCEPT ALL APPROPRIATE 13
DONATIONS AND GRANTS OF MONEY, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, AND 14
SERVICES, AND RECEIVE, UTILIZE, AND DISPOSE OF THE S AME, PROVIDED THAT AT 15
ALL TIMES THE COMMISSION SHALL AVOI D ANY APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY OR 16
CONFLICT OF INTEREST . 17
C. THE COMMISSION MAY LEVY O N AND COLLECT AN ANN UAL 18
ASSESSMENT FROM EACH MEMBER STATE OR IMPOSE FEES ON OTHER PARTIE S TO 19
COVER THE COST OF TH E OPERATIONS AND ACT IVITIES OF THE COMMISSION, IN 20
ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSION RULES. 21
D. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IN CUR OBLIGATIONS OF A NY 22
KIND PRIOR TO SECURI NG THE FUNDS ADEQUAT E TO MEET THE SAME ; NOR SHALL 23
THE COMMISSION PLEDGE THE CREDIT OF ANY OF THE MEMBER STATES, EXCEPT 24
BY AND WITH THE AUTH ORITY OF THE MEMBER STATE. 25
E. THE COMMISSION SHALL KEEP ACCURATE ACCOUNTS OF 26
ALL RECEIPTS AND DIS BURSEMENTS . THE RECEIPTS AND DISB URSEMENTS OF THE 27
COMMISSION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ACCOUNTING PROCEDURE S ESTABLISHED 28
UNDER COMMISSION BYLAWS. ALL RECEIPTS AND DISB URSEMENTS OF FUNDS O F 29
THE COMMISSION SHALL BE R EVIEWED ANNUALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 30
COMMISSION BYLAWS, AND A REPORT OF THE REVIEW SHALL BE INCL UDED IN AND 31
BECOME PART OF THE AN NUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. 32
8. QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, DEFENSE, AND INDEMNIFICATION . 33
80 HOUSE BILL 504
A. THE MEMBERS , OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , 1
EMPLOYEES AND REPRES ENTATIVES OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE I MMUNE FROM 2
SUIT AND LIABILITY , EITHER PER SONALLY OR IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY , FOR 3
ANY CLAIM FOR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROPER TY OR PERSONAL INJUR Y OR 4
OTHER CIVIL LIABILIT Y CAUSED BY OR ARISI NG OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED 5
ACT, ERROR OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED , OR THAT THE PERSON A GAINST WHOM 6
THE CLAIM IS MADE HAD A R EASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED W ITHIN 7
THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES OR RESPONSIBI LITIES; 8
PROVIDED THAT NOTHIN G IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED T O PROTECT 9
ANY SUCH PERSON FROM SUIT OR LIABILITY FO R ANY DAMAGE , LOSS, INJURY, OR 10
LIABILITY CAUSED BY THE INTENTIONAL OR W ILLFUL OR WANTON MIS CONDUCT OF 11
THAT PERSON . 12
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL DEFE ND ANY MEMBER , OFFICER, 13
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , EMPLOYEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMISSION IN 14
ANY CIVIL ACTION SEE KING TO IMPOSE LIABILITY ARISIN G OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR 15
ALLEGED ACT , ERROR, OR OMISSION THAT OCC URRED WITHIN THE SCO PE OF 16
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , OR THAT THE PERSON 17
AGAINST WHOM THE CLA IM IS MADE HAD A REA SONABLE BASIS FOR BE LIEVING 18
OCCURRED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR 19
RESPONSIBILITIES ; PROVIDED THAT NOTHIN G HEREIN SHALL BE CO NSTRUED TO 20
PROHIBIT THAT PERSON FROM RETAINING HIS O R HER OWN COUNSEL ; AND 21
PROVIDED FURTHER , THAT THE ACTUAL OR A LLEGED ACT, ERROR, OR OMISSION 22
DID NOT RESULT FROM THAT PERSON ’S INTENTIONAL OR WIL LFUL OR WANTON 23
MISCONDUCT . 24
C. THE COMMISSION SHALL INDE MNIFY AND HOLD HARML ESS 25
ANY MEMBER , OFFICER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , EMPLOYEE, OR REPRESENTATIVE 26
OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE AM OUNT OF ANY SETTLEME NT OR JUDGMENT 27
OBTAINED AGAINST THA T PERSON ARISING OUT OF ANY ACTUAL OR ALL EGED ACT, 28
ERROR OR OMISSION TH AT OCCURRED WITHIN T HE SCOPE OF COMMISSION 29
EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , OR THAT SUCH PERSON HAD A 30
REASONABLE BASIS FOR BELIEVING OCCURRED W ITHIN THE SCOPE OF 31
COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT , DUTIES, OR RESPONSIBILITIES , PROVIDED THAT THE 32
ACTUAL OR ALLEGED AC T, ERROR, OR OMISSION DID NOT RESULT FROM THE 33
INTENTIONAL OR WILLF UL OR WANTON MISCOND UCT OF THAT PERSON . 34
ARTICLE VIII. RULEMAKING . 35
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL EXERCISE I TS RULEMAKING POWERS 36
PURSUANT TO THE CRIT ERIA SET FORTH IN TH IS INTERSTATE COMPAC T AND THE 37
RULES ADOPTED THEREUN DER. RULES AND AMENDMENTS SHALL BECOME 38
BINDING AS OF THE DA TE SPECIFIED IN EACH RULE OR AMENDMENT . 39 HOUSE BILL 504 81
B. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE REASONABL E RULES TO 1
ACHIEVE THE INTENT A ND PURPOSE OF THIS I NTERSTATE COMPACT . IN THE EVENT 2
THE COMMISSION EXERCISES ITS RULEMAKING AUTHORITY IN A MANNER THAT IS 3
BEYOND PURPOSE AND I NTENT OF THIS INTERS TATE COMPACT , OR THE POWERS 4
GRANTED HEREUN DER, THEN SUCH AN ACTION BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE 5
INVALID AND HAVE NO FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW IN THE MEMBER STATES. 6
C. IF A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATURES OF THE MEMBER STATES 7
REJECTS A RULE, BY ENACTMENT OF A ST ATUTE OR RESOLUTION IN THE SAME 8
MANNER USE D TO ADOPT THE COMPA CT WITHIN FOUR (4) YEARS OF THE DATE OF 9
ADOPTION OF THE RULE, THEN SUCH RULE SHALL HAVE NO FU RTHER FORCE AND 10
EFFECT IN ANY MEMBER STATE. 11
D. RULES OR AMENDMENTS T O THE RULES SHALL BE ADOPTE D OR 12
RATIFIED AT A REGULA R OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION IN 13
ACCORDANCE WITH COMMISSION RULES AND BYLAWS. 14
E. UPON DETERMINATION TH AT AN EMERGENCY EXIS TS, THE 15
COMMISSION MAY CONSID ER AND ADOPT AN EMER GENCY RULE WITH 48 HOURS’ 16
NOTICE, WITH OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT, PROVIDED THAT THE US UAL 17
RULEMAKING PROCEDURES SHALL BE RETROACTIVELY APP LIED TO THE RULE AS 18
SOON AS REASONABLY P OSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT LATER TH AN NINETY (90) DAYS 19
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RULE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF T HIS 20
PROVISION, AN EMERGENCY RULE IS ONE THAT MUST BE ADOPTED IMMEDIA TELY 21
IN ORDER TO: 22
1. MEET AN IMMINENT THRE AT TO PUBLIC HEALTH , SAFETY, OR 23
WELFARE; 24
2. PREVENT A LOSS OF COMMISSION OR MEMBER STATE FUNDS; 25
3. MEET A DEADLINE FOR T HE PROMULGATION OF A N 26
ADMINISTRATIVE RULE THAT IS ESTABLIS HED BY FEDERAL LAW O R RULE; OR 27
4. PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. 28
ARTICLE IX. FACILITATING INFORMATION EXCHANGE. 29
A. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE FOR FACILITATING THE EXCHANGE 30
OF INFORMATION TO AD MINISTER AND IMPLEME NT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS 31
COMPACT IN ACCORDANC E WITH THE RULES OF THE COMMISSION, CONSISTENT 32
WITH GENERALLY ACCEP TED DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES. 33 82 HOUSE BILL 504
B. NOTHING IN THIS COMPA CT SHALL BE DEEMED O R CONSTRUED TO 1
ALTER, LIMIT, OR INHIBIT THE POWER OF A MEMBER STATE TO CONTROL AND 2
MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP O F ITS LICENSEE INFOR MATION OR ALTER , LIMIT, OR 3
INHIBIT THE LAWS OR REGULATIONS GOVERNIN G LICENSEE INFORMATI ON IN THE 4
MEMBER STATE. 5
ARTICLE X. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT . 6
A. OVERSIGHT. 7
1. THE EXECUTIVE AND JUD ICIAL BRANCHES OF STATE 8
GOVERNMENT IN EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL ENFORCE T HIS COMPACT AND TAKE 9
ALL ACTIONS NECESSAR Y AND APPROPRIATE TO EFFECTUATE THE COMPACT’S 10
PURPOSES AND INTENT . THE PROVISIONS OF THI S COMPACT SHALL HAVE 11
STANDING AS STATUTOR Y LAW. 12
2. VENUE IS PROPER AND J UDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BY OR AGAINST 13
THE COMMISSION SHALL BE B ROUGHT SOLELY AND EX CLUSIVELY IN A COURT OF 14
COMPETENT JURISDICTI ON WHERE THE PRINCIP AL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION IS 15
LOCATED. THE COMMISSION MAY WAIVE VENUE AND JURISDICTI ONAL DEFENSES 16
TO THE EXTENT IT ADO PTS OR CONSENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ALTER NATIVE 17
DISPUTE RESOLUTION P ROCEEDINGS . NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT OR LIMIT 18
THE SELECTION OR PRO PRIETY OF VENUE IN A NY ACTION AGAINST A LICENSEE FOR 19
PROFESSIONAL MALPRAC TICE, MISCONDUCT OR ANY SU CH SIMILAR MATTER . 20
3. ALL COURTS AND A LL ADMINISTRATIVE AG ENCIES SHALL TAKE 21
JUDICIAL NOTICE OF T HE COMPACT, THE RULES OF THE COMMISSION, AND ANY 22
INFORMATION PROVIDED TO A MEMBER STATE PURSUANT THERET O IN ANY 23
JUDICIAL OR QUASI –JUDICIAL PROCEEDING IN A MEMBER STATE PERTAINING TO 24
THE SUBJECT MATT ER OF THIS COMPACT, OR WHICH MAY AFFECT THE POWERS , 25
RESPONSIBILITIES , OR ACTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. 26
4. THE COMMISSION SHALL BE E NTITLED TO RECEIVE S ERVICE OF 27
PROCESS IN ANY PROCE EDING REGARDING THE ENFORCEMENT OR 28
INTERPRETATION OF TH E COMPACT AND SHALL HAVE STANDING TO INT ERVENE IN 29
SUCH A PROCEEDING FO R ALL PURPOSES . FAILURE TO PROVIDE TH E COMMISSION 30
SERVICE OF PROCESS S HALL RENDER A JUDGME NT OR ORDER VOID AS TO THE 31
COMMISSION, THIS COMPACT, OR PROMULGATED RULES. 32
B. DEFAULT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND TERMINATION. 33
HOUSE BILL 504 83
1. IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT A MEMBER STATE HAS 1
DEFAULTED IN THE PER FORMANCE OF ITS OBLI GATIONS OR RESPONSIB ILITIES 2
UNDER THIS COMPACT OR THE PROMUL GATED RULES, THE COMMISSION SHALL : 3
A. PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIC E TO THE DEFAULTING STATE 4
AND OTHER MEMBER STATES OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFAULT , THE PROPOSED 5
MEANS OF CURING THE DEFAULT OR ANY OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN B Y THE 6
COMMISSION; AND 7
B. PROVIDE REMEDIAL TRAI NING AND SPECIFIC TE CHNICAL 8
ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE DEFAULT . 9
C. IF A STATE IN DEFAULT FAIL S TO CURE THE DEFAUL T, THE DEFAULTING 10
STATE MAY BE TERMINAT ED FROM THE COMPACT UPON AN AFFIR MATIVE VOTE OF 11
A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MEMBER STATES, AND ALL RIGHTS , 12
PRIVILEGES AND BENEF ITS CONFERRED ON THA T STATE BY THIS COMPACT MAY BE 13
TERMINATED ON THE EF FECTIVE DATE OF TERM INATION. A CURE OF THE DEFAULT 14
DOES NOT RELIEVE THE OFFENDING STATE OF OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES 15
INCURRED DURING THE PERIOD OF DEFAULT . 16
D. TERMINATION OF MEMBER SHIP IN THE COMPACT SHALL BE IMPO SED 17
ONLY AFTER ALL OTHER ME ANS OF SECURING COMP LIANCE HAVE BEEN 18
EXHAUSTED. NOTICE OF INTENT TO S USPEND OR TERMINATE SHALL BE GIVEN BY 19
THE COMMISSION TO THE GOV ERNOR, THE MAJORITY AND MIN ORITY LEADERS OF 20
THE DEFAULTING STATE’S LEGISLATURE , THE STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY AND 21
EACH OF THE MEMBER STATES. 22
E. A STATE THAT HAS BEEN T ERMINATED IS RESPONS IBLE FOR ALL 23
ASSESSMENTS , OBLIGATIONS, AND LIABILITIES INCU RRED THROUGH THE 24
EFFECTIVE DATE OF TE RMINATION, INCLUDING OBLIGATION S THAT EXTEND 25
BEYOND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION. 26
F. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT BE AR ANY COSTS RELATED TO A STATE 27
THAT IS FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT OR THAT H AS BEEN TERMINATED F ROM THE 28
COMPACT, UNLESS AGREED UPON I N WRITING BETWEEN TH E COMMISSION AND THE 29
DEFAULTING STATE. 30
G. THE DEFAULTING STATE MAY APPEAL THE ACTIO N OF THE 31
COMMISSION BY PETITIO NING THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF 32
COLUMBIA OR THE FEDER AL DISTRICT WHERE TH E COMMISSION HAS ITS 33
PRINCIPAL OFFICES . THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED ALL COSTS OF 34
SUCH LITIGATION , INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNE Y’S FEES. 35
84 HOUSE BILL 504
H. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. 1
1. UPON REQUEST BY A MEMBER STATE, THE COMMISSION SHALL 2
ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE D ISPUTES RELATED TO T HE COMPACT THAT ARISE AM ONG 3
MEMBER STATES AND BETWEEN MEMBER AND NON –MEMBER STATES. 4
2. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE A RULE PROVIDING FOR 5
BOTH BINDING AND NON –BINDING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION F OR 6
DISPUTES AS APPROPRI ATE. 7
I. ENFORCEMENT . 8
1. THE COMMISSION, IN THE REASONABLE EX ERCISE OF ITS 9
DISCRETION, SHALL ENFORCE THE PR OVISIONS AND RULES OF THIS COMPACT. 10
2. BY MAJORITY VOTE , THE COMMISSION MAY INITIA TE LEGAL 11
ACTION IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12
OR THE FEDERAL DISTR ICT WHERE THE COMMISSION HAS ITS PR INCIPAL OFFICES 13
AGAINST A MEMBER STATE IN DEFAULT TO E NFORCE COMPLIANCE WIT H THE 14
PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT AND ITS PROMU LGATED RULES AND BYLAWS. THE 15
RELIEF SOUGHT MAY IN CLUDE BOTH INJUNCTIV E RELIEF AND DAMAGES . IN THE 16
EVENT JUDICIAL ENFOR CEMENT IS NECESSARY , THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE 17
AWARDED ALL COSTS OF SUCH LITIGATION , INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S 18
FEES. THE REMEDIES HEREIN M AY NOT BE THE EXCLUS IVE REMEDIES OF THE 19
COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION MAY PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDIES A VAILABLE 20
UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE LAW. 21
ARTICLE XI. EFFECTUATION , WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT . 22
A. THE COMPACT SHALL COME IN TO EFFECT ON THE DAT E ON WHICH THE 23
COMPACT STATUTE IS EN ACTED INTO LAW IN TH E TENTH MEMBER STATE. 24
1. ON OR AFTER THE EFFEC TIVE DATE OF THE COMPACT, THE 25
COMMISSION SHALL CONV ENE AND REVIEW THE E NACTMENT OF EACH OF THE 26
CHARTER MEMBER STATES TO DETERMINE I F THE STATUTE ENACTE D BY EACH 27
SUCH CHARTER MEMBER STATE IS MATERIALLY D IFFERENT FROM THE MO DEL 28
COMPACT STATUTE . 29
2. A CHARTER MEMBER STATE WHOSE ENACTMENT IS FOUND TO BE 30
MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE MODEL COMPACT STATUTE SHALL BE 31
ENTITLED TO THE DEFA ULT PROCESS SET FORT H IN ARTICLE X. 32
HOUSE BILL 504 85
3. MEMBER STATES ENACTING THE COMPACT SUBSEQUENT TO THE 1
CHARTER MEMBER STATES SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE PROCESS SE T FORTH IN 2
ARTICLE VII.C.20 TO DETERMINE IF THEI R ENACTMENTS ARE MA TERIALLY 3
DIFFERENT FROM THE M ODEL COMPACT STATUTE AND W HETHER THEY QUALIFY 4
FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT. 5
B. IF ANY MEMBER STATE IS LATER FOUND TO BE IN DEFAULT , OR IS 6
TERMINATED OR WITHDR AWS FROM THE COMPACT, THE COMMISSION SHALL 7
REMAIN IN EXISTENCE AND THE COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT EVEN IF TH E 8
NUMBER OF MEMBER STATES SHOULD BE LESS THAN TEN. 9
C. ANY STATE THAT JOINS THE COMPACT AFTER THE COMMISSION’S 10
INITIAL ADOPTION OF THE RULES AND BYLAWS SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE RULES 11
AND BYLAWS AS THEY EXIST ON THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPACT BECOMES LAW 12
IN THAT STATE. ANY RULE THAT HAS BEEN PR EVIOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE 13
COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE FULL FORCE AND E FFECT OF LAW ON THE DAY THE 14
COMPACT BECOMES LAW I N THAT STATE, AS THE RULES AND BYLAWS MAY BE 15
AMENDED AS PROVIDED IN THIS COMPACT. 16
D. ANY MEMBER STATE MAY WITHDRAW FR OM THIS COMPACT BY 17
ENACTING A STATUTE R EPEALING THE SAME . 18
1. A MEMBER STATE’S WITHDRAWAL MAY NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL 19
SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER ENACTME NT OF THE REPEALING STATUTE. 20
2. WITHDRAWAL MAY NOT AFFECT THE C ONTINUING REQUIREMEN T 21
OF THE WITHDRAWING STATE’S LICENSING AUTHORITY TO COMPLY W ITH THE 22
INVESTIGATIVE AND ADVERSE ACTION REPORTING REQU IREMENTS OF THIS ACT 23
PRIOR TO THE EFFECTI VE DATE OF WITHDRAWA L. 24
E. THIS COMPACT MAY BE AMENDE D BY THE MEMBER STATES. NO 25
AMENDMENT TO THIS COMPACT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND BINDIN G UPON 26
ANY MEMBER STATE UNTIL IT IS ENACTED INTO THE LAWS O F ALL MEMBER STATES. 27
ARTICLE XII. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY. 28
THIS COMPACT SHALL BE LIBE RALLY CONSTRUED TO E FFECTUATE THE 29
PURPOSES THEREOF . THE PROVISIONS OF THI S COMPACT SHALL BE SEVE RABLE 30
AND IF ANY PHRASE , CLAUSE, SENTENCE, OR PROVISION OF THIS COMPACT IS 31
DECLARED TO BE CONTR ARY TO THE CONSTITUT ION OF ANY MEMBER STATE OR A 32
STATE SEEKING MEMBERS HIP IN THE COMPACT , OR OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE 33
APPLICABILITY THEREO F TO ANY OTHER GOVER NMENT, AGENCY, PERSON OR 34
CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD INVALID, THE VALIDITY OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS 35 86 HOUSE BILL 504
COMPACT AND THE APPLI CABILITY THEREOF TO ANY GOVERNMENT , AGENCY, 1
PERSON, OR CIRCUMSTANCE M AY NOT BE AFFECTED T HEREBY. IF THIS COMPACT 2
SHALL BE HELD CONTRA RY TO THE CONSTITUTI ON OF ANY MEMBER STATE, THE 3
COMPACT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EF FECT AS TO THE REMAI NING 4
MEMBER STATES AND IN FULL FO RCE AND EFFECT AS TO THE MEMBER STATE 5
AFFECTED AS TO ALL SEVERABLE MAT TERS. 6
ARTICLE XIII. CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE LAWS. 7
A. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PREVENT OR INHIBIT T HE ENFORCEMENT OF 8
ANY OTHER LAW OF A MEMBER STATE THAT IS NOT INC ONSISTENT WITH THE 9
COMPACT. 10
B. ANY LAWS , STATUTES, REGULATIONS , OR OTHER LEGAL 11
REQUIREMENTS IN A MEMBER STATE IN CONFLICT WIT H THE COMPACT ARE 12
SUPERSEDED TO THE EX TENT OF THE CONFLICT . 13
C. ALL PERMISSIBLE AGREE MENTS BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE 14
MEMBER STATES ARE BINDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEI R TERMS. 15
Article – State Finance and Procurement 16
6–226. 17
(a) (2) (i) 1. This subparagraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 18
through 2028. 19
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 20
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 21
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 22
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 23
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 24
Fund of the State. 25
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 26
to the following funds: 27
204. the Victims of Domestic Violence Program Grant Fund; 28
[and] 29
205. the Proposed Programs Collaborative Grant Fund; AND 30
206. THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 31
HOUSE BILL 504 87
SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 1
as follows: 2
Article – State Finance and Procurement 3
6–226. 4
(a) (2) (i) 1. This subparagraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 5
through 2028. 6
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 7
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 8
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the State 9
Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to receive 10
interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General Fund of 11
the State. 12
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 13
to the following funds: 14
204. the Victims of Domestic Violence Program Grant Fund; 15
[and] 16
205. the Proposed Programs Collaborative Grant Fund; AND 17
206. THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 18
7–108. 19
(a) In accordance with the Maryland Constitution and other law, the Governor 20
shall include in each budget bill: 21
(1) an appropriation to pay the principal of and interest on the State debt; 22
(2) without revision, the appropriations requested for public schools, as 23
certified by the State Superintendent of Schools; 24
(3) without revision, the appropriations requested for the Legislative 25
Branch of the State government, as certified by the presiding officers of the General 26
Assembly; 27
(4) without revision, the appropriations requested for the Judicial Branch 28
of the State government, as certified by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland; 29
(5) the appropriations requested by the Governor for the Executive Branch 30
of the State government; 31 88 HOUSE BILL 504
(6) the appropriations required by law to be included with the 1
appropriations for the Executive Branch; 2
(7) appropriations for the salaries required by law to be paid by the State; 3
[and] 4
(8) WITHOUT REVISION , APPROPRIATIONS FOR T HE ACCOUNTABILITY 5
AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD, AS JOINTLY CERTIFIED BY THE PRESIDING 6
OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR; AND 7
(9) any other appropriations required by the Maryland Constitution or other 8
law to be included in the budget bill. 9
(b) The Governor shall use the current salary plan of the Secretary of Budget and 10
Management as the basis for the appropriations to pay those salaries to which the plan 11
applies. 12
Chapter 717 of the Acts of 2024 13
SECTION 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any other 14
provision of law, and unless inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other 15
federal requirement, or with the terms of a gift or settlement agreement, for fiscal years 16
2024 through 2028, net interest on all State money allocated by the State Treasurer under 17
§ 6–226 of the State Finance and Procurement Article to special funds or accounts, and 18
otherwise entitled to receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall 19
accrue to the General Fund of the State, with the exception of the following funds: 20
(85) the Bus Rapid Transit Fund; [and] 21
(86) the Transit–Oriented Development Capital Grant and Revolving Loan 22
Fund; AND 23
(87) THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND. 24
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 25
as follows: 26
Article – Education 27
7–910. 28
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 29
(2) “Digital tool” means: 30 HOUSE BILL 504 89
(i) An online platform; 1
(ii) An online course; 2
(iii) Information and communication technology services, including 3
software and operating systems, that are directly connected to student instruction; 4
(iv) Digital content; or 5
(v) Other digital technologies not requiring sight in an equally 6
effective and integrated manner. 7
(A–1) BEGINNING WITH THE 2025–2026 SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH THE 8
2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR , THIS SECTION DOES NO T APPLY TO THE PROCU REMENT 9
AND USE OF A DIGITAL TOOL THAT UTILIZES A RTIFICIAL INTELLIGEN CE, AS DEFINED 10
IN § 3.5–801 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, TO SUPPORT 11
STUDENT LEARNING . 12
SECTION 4. 3. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 13
(a) (1) On or before January 1, 2026, the State Department of Education, in 14
consultation with the Accountability and Implementation Board, shall contract with an 15
independent public or private entity to conduct a study of funding for special education in 16
the State. 17
(2) At a minimum, the study shall review and make recommendations on 18
the following: 19
(i) the costs of special education in the State; 20
(ii) the rising costs of special education for prekindergarten students 21
and the appropriate funding formula for those students assumed to be covered in the 22
prekindergarten per pupil funding allocation under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future; 23
(iii) the implications of the design assumptions in the existing special 24
education funding structure related to long–term spending and costs; 25
(iv) the establishment of a system of multiple weights for special 26
education funding based on disability and level of services and support needed; and 27
(v) the feasibility of complying with the minimum school funding 28
requirement under § 5–234 of the Education Article as it relates to special education 29
funding. 30
90 HOUSE BILL 504
(b) The entity conducting the study shall seek input from county boards of 1
education, nonpublic special education schools, special education advocates, and special 2
education organizations. 3
(c) The Governor shall include sufficient funds in the State budget for the 4
appropriate fiscal years for the State Department of Education to cover the costs of the 5
study. 6
(d) On or before December 15, 2026, the State Department of Education shall 7
report the findings and recommendations of the study to the General Assembly in 8
accordance with § § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 9
SECTION 5. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 3 of this Act is 10
contingent on the enactment of substantially similar legislation in 10 other states. The 11
State Department of Education shall notify the Department of Legislative Services within 12
10 days after 10 states have enacted legislation that is substantially similar to Section 3 of 13
this Act it is the intent of the General Assembly that the State Department of Education 14
shall consult with the Maryland Center for Community Schools within Towson University 15
to: 16
(1) evaluate the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in 17
accordance with § 5–223(i)(4) of the Education Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act; 18
and 19
(2) establish requirements for community school implementation plans in 20
accordance with § 9.9–104(b)(3) of the Education Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act. 21
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That it is the intent of the General 22
Assembly that the State Department of Education, after consulting with institutions of 23
higher education in the State with programs that conduct research regarding community 24
schools, shall: 25
(1) evaluate the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in 26
accordance with § 5–223(i)(4) of the Education Article, as enacted by Section 2 of this Act; 27
and 28
(2) establish requirements for community school implementation plans in 29
accordance with § 9.9–104(b)(3) of the Education Article, as enacted by Section 2 of this Act. 30
SECTION 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 31
(a) For fiscal year 2026 only, the State Department of Education shall provide 32
technical assistance to local education agencies to develop innovative models that can be 33
replicated for teacher collaboration at the school or local school system level that improve 34
teacher retention and student learning. 35
HOUSE BILL 504 91
(b) (1) The Department is authorized to contract with an external partner that 1
has experience in innovative teacher collaboration models. 2
(2) The entity selected under this subsection shall support the Department 3
and may work directly with local school systems to develop their innovative models of teach 4
collaboration. 5
SECTION 6. 5. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in 6
Section 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1, 2025. Section 4 of this Act shall remain 7
effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2028, Section 4 of this Act, with 8
no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further 9
force and effect. 10
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.