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BILL: HB 134 TITLE: Motor Vehicles - School Buses - Seat Belts DATE: February 14, 2025 POSITION: Favorable with Amendments COMMITTEE: House Environment & Transportation Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents, supports HB 134 with amendments. This bill requires every school bus purchased on or after July 1, 2027, and registered in the State to be equipped with, for each seat on the school bus, three-point seat belts that are accessible to passengers. Local school systems must provide student instruction on school bus safety and the proper use of seat belts on school buses, as part of an existing program of safety education. The failure of a school bus operator to ensure that an occupant of a school bus was wearing a seat belt may not be the basis of a civil action for damages against the school bus operator or a school, school district, or municipality. As under current law, “seat belt” is defined as any belt, strap, harness, or like device. The bill also makes various technical changes to terminology. PSSAM appreciates the intent of House Bill 134 and the sponsors’ concern for the safety and well-being of students on school buses.  The safe transportation of our students is a top priority for all local superintendents.  PSSAM is pleased to support this bill with amendments to be presented by the sponsor that do the following:  1. Remove liability from bus drivers. 3. Make the bill prospective for purchases of new school buses startin g in fiscal year 2029. 5. Clarification on the type of seat belt.    While we still believe that school buses are almost 40 times safer than any other form of ground transportation in preventing serious injury or death**, we understand that the installation of seat belts on buses is a matter of when, not if, and, we appreciate the sponsor’s willingness to work with school systems to mitigate the financial and operational impact of changing our bus fleet.  We particularly want to thank the sponsor for taking our concerns seriously regarding student behavior on school buses. Although we implement numerous strategies and procedures to lessen the chance of inappropriate action on the part of students, this can be a difficult task in addition to ensuring each student is buckled and sitting in their seat for the entire ride.    Therefore, PSSAM supports House Bill 134 with amendments crafted by the sponsor and urges a favorable with amendments committee report.

BILL: SB 451 TITLE: Adult Education - High School Diploma by Examination - Requirements and Study DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Support COMMITTEE: Senate Education, Energy & the Environment Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, supports  Senate Bill 451. This bill requires the Maryland Department of Labor (MD Labor) to allow an individual to take all components of high school diploma by examination (e.g., GED) in the same language from the English or Spanish language examinations offered by MD Labor. MD Labor must identify other appropriate languages in which to offer the GED and study the feasibility and cost of offering the examination in additional languages.  Local superintendents strongly support this legislation’s move towards a more equitable opportunity for Spanish-language GED test takers. The current requirement that the Reasoning Through Language Arts section of the GED be taken exclusively in English creates an unnecessary and significant obstacle for individuals who are otherwise capable of passing the GED exam.  Unfortunately, while forward-focused on so many aspects of public education, Maryland is the only state that still mandates passage of this English-only portion of the GED. Distressing data in Montgomery County revealed the inequities of this policy with students repeatedly failing this portion of the tests but passing other components of the test, in their native language, with much more success.  Proponents of the English-only option argue that it is necessary for the test taker to demonstrate English proficiency, but this proficiency is not an explicit requirement for the GED. It is important to acknowledge that language development is an ongoing process that can continue effectively as these individuals join and contribute to the workforce.  For these reasons, PSSAM supports Senate Bill 451  and kindly requests a favorable   committee report.

BILL: HB 630 TITLE: County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Phone Use Policy -  Establishment (Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act) DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents  opposes House Bill 630.  This bill requires each local board of education to develop and implement, by the 2026-2027 school year, a policy to prohibit the use of cellular phones by students during instructional time, which includes any time during the school day, except a student’s lunch period. The policy must also require students to store their phones in a secure place during instructional time and prohibit a student from using social media applications and websites as determined by the local school board during school hours. The policy may not prohibit a student from using a phone (1) for any purpose documented in the student’s individualized education program or Section 504 Plan; (2) to monitor or address a student’s documented health issue; (3) during an emergency event; or (4) when directed by an education or administrator for educational purposes. The policy must also establish administrator-enforced disciplinary measures for violations, beginning with a warning for a first offense. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025. Maryland superintendents appreciate the good intentions of this bill; however, PSSAM steadfastly opposes any legislation that imposes statewide mandates on local school systems or local boards of education, especially on policies that have previously been deliberated at the local level with all affected stakeholders, such as the case regarding student uses of cellphones.  In the past several years, superintendents, school boards and advisory groups in 19 out of the 24 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have taken proactive action to establish, update, or study district-wide cell phone policies. These efforts include establishing new policies specific to the use of cell phones, updating board policies, revising the district’s code of conduct or student handbook regarding the use of technology to include cellphones or “smart” technology, and/or introducing pilot programs. Currently, 5 LEAs also have pilot programs underway to study the impact of varying levels of cell phone restrictions during the school day. Much of the local work was done through surveys to parents, teachers, and students, as well as extensive public meetings.  In addition, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), under the State Superintendent’s leadership, has recently convened a broad workgroup of stakeholders, including superintendents, to study the use of cell phones in schools with the goal of recommending guidance for State Board adoption in the next several months. We support the workgroup and its on-the-ground membership to study this complex issue. The workgroup will be reviewing the newly released guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as reflecting on the experiences of the local school districts who have already reached deep into their communities to determine the appropriateness of cell phone use and “smart technology” in the classroom and in schools.  PSSAM remains committed to focusing on empowering local decision-making to ensure that education policies are relevant, flexible, and reflective of the unique needs of each community. Again, we appreciate the bill’s good intentions, but we ask the Legislature to continue to allow the education experts at the local level, as well as the MSDE-convened workgroup, to continue to examine this issue to determine the most effective public policies.  For these reasons, PSSAM opposes House Bill 630 and kindly requests an unfavorable  report.

BILL: HB 627 TITLE: Education - Prohibited Behavior on School Grounds and Property - Application DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Support with Amendments COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, supports House Bill 627 with amendments . House Bill 627 would specify that provisions of law prohibiting and criminally penalizing certain disruptive and threatening behavior on certain school grounds and property do not apply to students who commit offenses at the institution they attend. Additionally, these provisions of law would not apply to students who commit offenses at another institution while participating in or attending a sporting event or other extracurricular program sponsored at that institution. This application would only apply to the following codified provisions: “a person may not willfully disturb or otherwise willfully prevent the orderly conduct of the activities, administration, or classes of any institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education”;   “a person may not molest or threaten with bodily harm any student, employee, administrator, agent, or any other individual who is (1) lawfully on the grounds or in the immediate vicinity of any educational institution; (2) on a school vehicle; (3) at an activity sponsored by a school that is held off of school property; or (4) on property that is owned by a local school system and is used for administrative or other purposes”; and  “a person may not threaten with bodily harm any employee of an educational institution at home by any means, including in person, by telephone, or by electronic mail. This prohibition relates only to the employee’s employment.” Simply put, this bill requires local systems to implement school-based discipline and consequences for students who disrupt the learning environment under these provisions, rather than criminally charge them. This alteration only applies to students, and only applies to the provisions listed above. This bill would not  prohibit students from being charged for other crimes while on school grounds. Maryland’s superintendents place the highest priority on providing a safe workplace and learning environment for all students and staff in local school systems. Furthermore, PSSAM supports a progressive student discipline system that emphasizes in-school responses to student behaviors that provide professional, educational, and behavioral health support to affected members of the school community. Additionally, PSSAM supports this bill in its retention of the prohibition against non-student conduct contained in the Education Article, which states that “a person may not willfully disturb or otherwise willfully prevent the orderly conduct of the activities, administration, or classes of any institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education.”  House Bill 627 would ensure that any person other than a student who enters a school and willfully disturbs the ongoing education being conducted would continue to be subject to a charge and penalty under the law, in addition to any other applicable crimes contained in Maryland’s criminal law statutes. Under current law, any person who violates any of the provisions listed above is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine up to $2,500, imprisonment up to six months, or both. Superintendents are committed to the personal development of all students, a goal furthered by appropriate use of restorative school discipline rather than these criminal penalties. PSSAM strongly believes that this bill furthers this approach. While PSSAM generally supports the application of this bill, we do raise one concern that can be clarified through amendments. As written, this bill would waive criminal penalties for students of a higher education institution who commit the specified offenses on elementary, middle, or high school grounds. For example, an adult who is enrolled in a local college who commits one of these offenses while attending a sporting event at a local high school could not be criminally charged if this bill were to go into effect.  For the safety of all students, PSSAM requests that amendments be added to clarify that students of higher education who commit an offense on K-12 grounds are still subject to criminal penalties . PSSAM believes that the spirit of this bill is not impacted by this amendment, and ultimately, this amendment would serve to ensure that adults could be charged under these provisions of law, regardless of their enrollment in any higher education institution. For these reasons, PSSAM   supports House Bill 627 with the amendments outlined above, and requests a favorable  committee report.

BILL: HB 608 TITLE: Primary and Secondary Education - Student Immunization Temporary Admission Period DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Favorable COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, supports  House Bill 608. This bill requires each county board of education to grant students temporary school admission if their parent or guardian provides proof of an immunization appointment scheduled within 60 calendar days of enrollment. Currently, regulations allow temporary admission only if the appointment is scheduled within 20 days of enrollment. Local superintendents recognize the importance of immunization policies in protecting the health and safety of all students and staff. However, PSSAM also acknowledges that some students—particularly newcomers and those in areas with limited medical facilities —face challenges meeting the required timeframes. There are also circumstances outside of the control of students and families, or the public at large. For instance, this year there was a shortage in some vaccines that caused delays in public health clinics in Maryland, affecting some of our most vulnerable students. Regardless of the reason for a delay in obtaining the required immunization or presenting the official paperwork, these students are excluded from official enrollment counts, leading to significant losses in education funding each year.  More importantly than districts losing funding, the current regulations prevent students from receiving instructional services until immunization requirements are met, creating barriers to timely school attendance. Ensuring that students can begin school on time is essential for their academic success. Again, while PSSAM recognizes the importance of widespread immunization for public health, the existing timeline does not account for the unique challenges faced by some students and their families.  For these reasons, PSSAM supports House Bill 608  and kindly requests a favorable   committee report.

BILL: HB 583 TITLE: Primary and Secondary Education - Virtual Schools - Alterations DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, opposes  House Bill 583. This bill requires each county board of education to establish a virtual school and provide a certain standard for the criteria for enrollment in a virtual school established by the State Department of Education or a county board, providing that a certain outreach campaign can be conducted equitably. A county board that determines that it is unable to offer a virtual school on its own is encouraged to collaborate with one or more other county boards to jointly establish a virtual school. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. PSSAM recognizes that since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual schools have become a more relevant part of public education, providing, in some cases, an appropriate alternative to in-person schooling. PSSAM’s opposition to this bill is not a judgment of the merits of virtual schooling, but rather opposition to statutorily mandating each county board of education to establish a virtual school.  On behalf of local superintendents, PSSAM has a longstanding policy of opposing efforts by the General Assembly to impose statewide fiscal, curricular, or programming mandates. We strongly believe that this role belongs solely to local boards of education in conjunction with MSDE. PSSAM remains committed to focusing on empowering local decision-making to ensure that education policies are relevant, flexible, and reflective of the unique needs of each community.  For these reasons, PSSAM opposes House Bill 583  and kindly requests an unfavorable   committee report.

BILL: HB 540 TITLE: Maryland Green Schools – Website, Outreach, and Designations (Green  Schools Stewardship Act) DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Favorable with Amendments COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents, supports  House Bill 540 with amendments.  This legislation directs the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education to update and maintain, by a certain date, maintain a certain website and directs the Association to conduct specific outreach efforts. It requires the Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the State Department of Education to establish criteria for designating green schools in the State as green schools mentor schools and requires county boards of education to prominently display a link to a certain website on their website and circulate certain information generally relating to green schools.  The Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) plays a crucial role in promoting environmental literacy and outdoor education throughout Maryland. PSSAM particularly applauds the resources and training it provides to educators to integrate environmental topics into school curricula, and its management of the Maryland Green Schools Program. This comprehensive legislation touches on many aspects of MAEOE’s operations, most of which we do not have any comment or recommendations. However, the bill is very prescriptive in its requirements for local schools systems to regularly post updates to our websites, as well as mandating certain information to be shared with students and staff.  We respectfully request an amendment that strikes p. 6, lines 19-30 in their entirety to be replaced with language that reflects the following: “local boards may, upon receipt of information from MAEOE, update links on their websites and distribute information to teachers and staff as appropriate.”   PSSAM remains committed to focusing on empowering local decision-making to ensure that education policies are relevant, flexible, and reflective of the unique needs of each community. The requested amendments reflect the longstanding acknowledgement that the dissemination of information to school personnel and website content are within the prerogative of the local superintendent and boards of education.  For these reasons, PSSAM supports HB 540 with amendments .

BILL: HB 523 TITLE: County Boards of Education - Root Causes of Chronic Absenteeism and Expulsion - Investigation and Reporting DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents  opposes House Bill 523.  This bill requires each local board of education to investigate, identify, and report on root causes of absenteeism and expulsion.  Since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism has plagued school districts, exacerbating the learning losses suffered by students. Trends in chronic absenteeism are moving in more positive directions, but not quickly enough. Superintendents recognize the devastating impact of chronic absenteeism on academic success, including an increased risk for dropping out of school. Additionally, the impacts of missing school and learning valuable social skills and personal growth opportunities create even more risks for long-term emotion and financial security.  Superintendents and their student support services staff use a number of strategies to combat chronic absenteeism, including repeated communication and outreach to parents and students, and extensive support services to alleviate individual reasons for absences, such as health issues and family challenges. While chronic absenteeism is a widespread problem, the root causes are often very specific to students and their families, and teachers and principals use all their resources to address individual needs.  While we support the well-meaning intentions of this bill, we respectfully ask that the Legislature refrain from imposing such a prescriptive approach to solving this problem. In addition to the varied local school systems’ efforts to battle chronic absenteeism, the State Department of Education (MSDE), under the State Superintendent’s leadership, has established a task force made up from a wide-ranging group of professionals to help guide a statewide comprehensive approach. The task force includes local superintendents, as well as mental health specialists, teachers, principals, school, parents, higher education, and community schools’ personnel.  We strongly support this task force’s work that will:  “Bring together experts to identify and share successful strategies for reducing chronic absences.  Create a comprehensive attendance guidance document that will provide actionable strategies for schools at all levels. Offer resources for both students and schools, from early interventions to intensive supports, to address the root causes of absences.”  ( https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0128/AM/Chronic-Absenteeism-A.pdf ) Again, we appreciate the bill’s good intentions but ask the Legislature to allow the education experts at the local level, as well as the MSDE-convened task force, to continue to examine this issue to determine the most effective public policies.  For these reasons, PSSAM opposes House Bill 523 and kindly requests an unfavorable  report.

BILL: HB 493 TITLE: Public Schools - Commemorative Day - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day DATE: February 12, 2025 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, opposes  House Bill 493. This bill designates November 14th each year as “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day” to commemorate Ruby Bridges, who, on November 14th, 1960, became the first African American student to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana. In accordance with the bill, each county board of education shall develop and implement a program of education for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day as well as model content for a program of education for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. PSSAM supports the intent of this bill to commemorate Ruby Bridges and her historic role in desegregating public education. However, Maryland superintendents have concerns regarding legislative mandates, including policies, programs, and curricula for local school systems. Each  community and school system face unique challenges and opportunities, and we believe that decisions about programs like this are best made at the local level.  Local superintendents strongly value the inclusion of information regarding the civil rights movement in the educational experiences of our students. In fact, more than half of the school systems offer an elective course in African American History at the high school level. While we do not support this curricular mandate, it certainly does not diminish the importance of teaching Ruby Bridges’ story or exploring the broader historical context of school desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, many aspects of African American history are integrated into the broader Social Studies curriculum, including courses in World History, World Cultures and Geography, United States History, and American Government, as well as Social Studies instruction at the elementary level. We ask the Legislature to uphold the longstanding process of allowing local superintendents, along with their local boards of education, to make programmatic and curriculum choices.  For these reasons, PSSAM opposes House Bill 493  and kindly requests an unfavorable  committee report.

BILL: SB 355 TITLE: Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Delay of Implementation DATE: February 05, 2025 POSITION: Support COMMITTEE: Senate Finance Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents  supports Senate Bill 355.  This bill alters the dates from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027, and from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, on which the payment of contributions and the submission of claims for benefits, respectively, are to begin under the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. The Time to Care Act of 2022 established the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program and Fund to provide up to 12 weeks of benefits to a covered individual taking leave from employment due to personal and family circumstances. The FAMLI Fund consists of contributions from employees and employers, including Maryland’s 24 local school systems and municipal and county governments. As intended, employers and employees are to begin making payroll contributions to the Department of Labor to generate the FAMLI fund and to support benefits payments beginning in 2026.   The Time to Care Act provided an exemption for employers who satisfy the requirements of law through their employer plan. This exemption provides the opportunity for employers, including public sector employers such as boards of education, counties, and municipal governments, to receive departmental approval to establish employer provider benefits plans.  PSSAM supports the efforts of the bill to adjust the timeline of the FAMLI Program to ensure that State and employers are granted more time and are better equipped to implement and manage the benefit. For these reasons, PSSAM supports Senate Bill 355 and kindly requests a favorable  report.

BILL: HB 129 TITLE: State Board of Education - Membership - School Principal DATE: February 05, 2025 POSITION: Support COMMITTEE: House Ways & Means Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four public school superintendents, supports House Bill 129. House Bill 129 would add an active, certified principal to the Maryland State Board of Education (MSDE). This bill would require a state-wide election to be held for all active and certified principals in the State, as well as require that the principal member who receives the highest number of votes be appointed to the vacancy by the Governor. Additionally, House Bill 129 provides parameters for the voting capacity and term length of the principal member. Maryland’s superintendents have found value in the distinct voices on the State Board through elections, such as the teacher and student members. PSSAM sees this legislation as a natural extension of the diverse membership goals of the Board, as well as a vehicle for adequate representation of school leadership, which is essential for equitable outcomes in education. PSSAM understands amendments may be under discussion between the sponsor and the State Board, and we certainly yield to the wisdom and direction of those discussions and decisions by this Committee.  For these reasons, PSSAM supports House Bill 129 and urges a favorable committee report.

BILL: SB 368 TITLE: County Boards of Education - Student Cellular Phone Use Policy - Establishment (Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act) DATE: January 29, 2025 POSITION: Oppose COMMITTEE: Senate Education, Energy & the Environment Committee CONTACT: Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, PSSAM The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM), on behalf of all twenty-four local school superintendents opposes Senate Bill 368. This bill requires each local board of education to develop and adopt a policy that (1) prohibits the use of cellular devices by students during instructional time; (2) requires students to store their cellular phone in a secure storage container during instructional time; and (3) includes appropriate disciplinary measures for violations of the policy. Under the bill, instructional time includes any time during the school day, except a student’s lunch period and cellular device includes any portable wireless communication device, smartphones, tablets, or wearable devices. A policy developed in accordance with the bill may not prohibit a student from using a cellular phone (1) for any purpose documented in the student’s individualized education program or Section 504 plan; (2) to monitor or address a student’s health issue that has been documented by an educator or administrator; or (3) when directed by an educator or administrator for educational purposes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025. Maryland superintendents appreciate the good intentions of this bill; however, PSSAM steadfastly opposes any legislation that imposes statewide mandates on local school systems or local boards of education, especially on policies that have previously been deliberated at the local level with all affected stakeholders, such as the case regarding student uses of cellphones. In the past several years, superintendents, school boards and advisory groups in 19 out of the 24 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have taken proactive action to establish, update, or study district-wide cell phone policies. These efforts include establishing new policies specific to the use of cell phones, updating board policies, revising the district’s code of conduct or student handbook regarding the use of technology to include cellphones or “smart” technology, and/or introducing pilot programs. Currently, 5 LEAs also have pilot programs underway to study the impact of varying levels of cell phone restrictions during the school day. Much of the local work was done through surveys to parents, teachers, and students, as well as extensive public meetings. In addition, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), under the State Superintendent’s leadership, has recently convened a broad workgroup of stakeholders, including superintendents, to study the use of cellphones in schools with the goal of recommending guidance for State Board adoption in the next several months. We support this workgroup and its on-the-ground membership to study this complex issue utilizing the newly released guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as reflecting on the experiences of the local school districts who have already reached deep into their communities to determine the appropriateness of the use of cell phones and “smart technology” in the classroom and in schools. PSSAM remains committed to focusing on empowering local decision-making to ensure that education policies are relevant, flexible, and reflective of the unique needs of each community. Again, we appreciate the bill’s good intentions, but we ask the Legislature to continue to allow the education experts at the local level, as well as the MSDE-convened workgroup, to continue to examine this issue to determine the most effective public policies. For these reasons, PSSAM opposes Senate Bill 368 and kindly requests an unfavorable report.