Bill > HB490

This bill makes several changes to Maryland's education laws, primarily related to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future initiative. Key provisions include repealing the annual requirement for county boards of education to submit a technology report, extending the method for calculating compensatory education enrollment (which refers to students eligible for free or reduced-price meals) through fiscal year 2029, and removing the termination date for using funds from the Concentration of Poverty Grant Program for specific programs. The bill also modifies the qualifications for an initial teacher certificate, allowing for a broader range of assessments and experiences to demonstrate teaching ability, and adjusts the timeline for requiring teachers to be National Board Certified (NBC) to become licensed principals. Additionally, it suspends the operation of the Expert Review Team Program for the 2026-2027 school year, reallocating its funding, and mandates a study to develop a new methodology for counting low-income students for funding purposes, involving a transparent process with stakeholder consultation.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0490?ys=2026RS