Bills on the Move to the Opposite Chamber

Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act

House Bill 504 - Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act introduces several key updates to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, aimed at strengthening the state's public education system and addressing ongoing challenges in teacher recruitment and student support.

Key Provisions:

Funding Changes:

• Expands the funding sources for the Blueprint by including interest earnings from the Academic Excellence Fund.

Teacher Workforce Support:

• Creates a National Teacher Recruitment Campaign under the Maryland Teacher Relocation Incentive Grant Program within the Department of Education. This four-year initiative aims to combat the teacher shortage and decrease dependence on conditionally licensed educators.

Enhanced Per Pupil Funding:

• Accelerates the timeline for increased per pupil funding targets, with particular attention to collaborative planning time for educators.

Definition and Expansion of Wraparound Services:

• Expands a detailed definition of "wraparound services" and expands support in the following areas:
• Extended learning time (before/after school, weekends, summer)
• Safe transportation to and from school or off-site programs
• Vision, hearing, and dental care
• Expansion of school-based health centers
• Nutritional support during and outside of school hours
• Behavioral and mental health services

Family and community engagement, including:

• Language classes
• Workforce development training
• Child enrichment opportunities
• Enhanced partnerships with Judy Centers, museums, arts organizations, and cultural institutions
• A Director of Community Schools position (minimum salary of $100,000) with support staff to coordinate these efforts

Eliminated Requirements:

The bill removes several former certification requirements for teachers, including:

• Passing subject-specific examinations
• Passing a basic literacy skills test
• Holding a degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Meeting a minimum GPA of 3.0, among others

Language Accommodations:

House Bill 983 - Election Law- Local Boards of Elections - Language Assistance Program establishes the Language Assistance Program, requiring local boards of elections to participate if the State Board determines a significant need for language support in a county. This program provides assistance to voters who speak a language other than English, do not use English as their primary language, or have limited proficiency in speaking, reading, or understanding English.

Immigration: 

House Bill 1222 - Public Safety - Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act) prohibits a state, unit of local government, a county sheriff, or any agency, officer, employee, or agent of the state or a unit of local government from entering into an immigration enforcement agreement. This passed in the House and was heard in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Thursday. Law Enforcement Officers gathered in Annapolis this week to protest this bill.

Senate Bill 828 - Immigration Enforcement - Sensitive Locations - Access, Guidance, and Policies (Protecting Sensitive Locations Act) defines "sensitive locations"—such as public schools, libraries, state-funded health facilities and shelters, courthouses, and others designated by the Attorney General—and directs the Attorney General to issue guidance on immigration enforcement at these sites. Covered locations must adopt policies consistent with this guidance when interacting with federal immigration personnel.

Senate Bill 608 - Criminal Procedure - U Nonimmigrant Status Petitions eliminates the statute of limitations for when a qualifying criminal activity occurred relative to the request for certification of victim helpfulness, acknowledging the lasting impact of trauma on victims and enhances support for noncitizen victims of qualifying crimes who assist in criminal investigations. I voted against this because this is already covered under Federal law, however, the state law expands the protection further.

Senate Bill 977 - Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law - Restrictions on Access to Information (Maryland Data Privacy Act) protects immigrants from having their records purchased or given without a warrant issued by a federal court or a court of the state. This bill also requires record keeping of each request to seek access to a database, record, or information.

Consumer Protection:

Senate Bill 49 - Consumer Protection - Automatic Renewals unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. The bill enables consumers to easily and cost-effectively cancel automatic renewals while avoiding unexpected charges or price increases. It also requires businesses offering renewals with terms longer than one month to provide clear notice and obtain the consumer's consent before charging their credit card.

Vehicles:

Senate Bill 471 - Vehicle Laws - Motor Vehicle Administration - 3-Hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program - Requirements establishes the requirements of a 3 hour driver education program that includes the hazards of driving while impaired, understanding signs and signals, dangerous driving behaviors, work zone safety, and criminal penalties as well as the Maryland Driving Record and Points System. This passed in the Senate and received a favorable report from the House Environment and Transportation Committee.

Senate Bill 707 - Vehicle Laws - Medical Exemption for Enhanced Tinted Windows - Time Limitation unanimously passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Delegates for consideration. The bill removes the current two-year limit on medical exemptions for enhanced tinted windows, allowing a physician’s certification to remain valid indefinitely if the medical condition is determined to be permanent.

House Bill 744 - Motor Vehicles - Reckless, Negligent, and Aggressive Driving (Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act) passed in the House of Delegates and received a favorable report in the Senate's Judicial Proceedings. If enacted, HB744 will increase points and fines for excessive speed.

Opioids:

Senate Bill 495 - Opioid Restitution Fund - Authorized Uses expands the use of Opioid Restitution Funds to include operating expenses, personnel costs for investigations, enforcement actions and other activities conducted by the Opioid Enforcement Unit within the Office of the Attorney General.

Criminal Matters:

House Bill 236 - Peace Orders and Criminal Harassment - Intentional Visual Surveillance expands the relief in a final peace order to include visual surveillance of a person's residence.

Senate Bill 80 - Criminal Law - Animal Abuse or Neglect - Penalties enhances penalties for individuals who are convicted of animal abuse or neglect that result in death of euthanasia.

IN THE DISTRICT:

Legislative District 7: Baltimore & Harford Counties

As always, thank you for taking the time to read today's Annapolis Update and please stay tuned for future updates as we close out the 2025 Legislative Session.

Sincerely,

Senator J.B. Jennings