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MD HB189

MD HB189
Public Middle, High, and Charter Schools - Start Time for Instruction


summary

Introduced
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Requiring, beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, each public middle school and each public high school to begin instruction not earlier than 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively, unless granted a waiver by the State Board of Education under certain circumstances; and requiring each county board of education and each public charter school to implement a certain public service campaign to raise awareness of sleep deprivation and later school start times.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, public middle schools in Maryland must start instruction no earlier than 8:00 AM, and public high schools and charter schools must start no earlier than 8:30 AM, though waivers may be granted by the State Board for compelling reasons unrelated to funding. The bill also requires county boards of education and public charter schools to conduct a public information campaign starting in the 2027-2028 school year to educate their communities about the impacts of sleep deprivation and the benefits of later start times, with the State Department of Education offering assistance if requested, and the entire act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

House Ways and Means Hearing (13:00:00 2/5/2026 ) (on 02/05/2026)

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