MSDE staff update board on bills; board opposes several curricular-mandate bills and supports childcare workforce funding

MSDE legislative staff provided the Education Policy Committee with an update on the department's activity during the legislative session and the State Board's positions on several bills.

Mr. Hans told the committee staff are tracking roughly 212 bills with an education focus and have prepared about 158 fiscal notes so far. He said the board has opposed House Bill 558 (the comprehensive health framework curriculum bill), consistent with the board's platform against curricular mandates. The board and MSDE staff have supported House Bill 600 (childcare career and professional development fund), which would increase work-hour expectations for program participants to help grow the childcare workforce, and House Bill 694 (the Governor's Office for Children Enough Act) to provide resources for communities with concentrated poverty.

Hans said board leadership and MSDE staff plan to oppose additional curricular-mandate bills (HB620, HB730, HB795) consistent with the board's platform. He also highlighted bills on the 'watch' list, including Senate Bill 1102 (requested changes to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future) and Senate Bill 598 (which would add a principal member to the State Board). Hans noted that President Crawford and Vice President Michael had recently testified in Annapolis on departmental bills, including a departmental bill related to immediate vesting of the superintendent, and staff will continue to follow developments and bring recommendations back to the full board.

The committee thanked legislative staff for their work during the session.