STATE BILLMD HB 856PASSED

Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)

Requiring the State Department of Education to register each local school system in the State as an associate member of a certain national membership organization; and requiring each local school system in the State to utilize the Educator Identification Clearinghouse to screen individuals who receive an offer of employment on or after August 1, 2026, for an educator position that requires a license and ensure that each individual who receives an offer applies for and obtains the appropriate license.

Status: Passed; Signed or otherwise enacted
Status date: May 12, 2026; 184 days ago
Current chamber: House of Delegates
Session: 2026 Regular Session

MD HB 856 · PassedMay 12

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Bill details

Last action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 362 · May 12, 2026

Sponsor

EEEric EbersoleRepresentative · Democrat · HD-044Primary sponsor

Bill history

Newest first.

May 12, 2026Approved by the Governor - Chapter 362House

Apr 8, 2026Returned PassedHouse

Apr 8, 2026Third Reading Passed (43-0)Senate

Apr 3, 2026Favorable Adopted Second Reading PassedSenate

Apr 2, 2026Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentSenate

Mar 16, 2026Referred Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentSenate

Mar 13, 2026Third Reading Passed (131-1)House

Mar 12, 2026Second Reading Passed with AmendmentsHouse

Show 4 earlier actions

Mar 12, 2026Favorable with Amendments {763523/1 AdoptedHouse

Mar 11, 2026Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and MeansHouse

Feb 11, 2026Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.House

Feb 4, 2026First Reading Ways and MeansHouse

Recorded votes

Third Reading PassedMar 13, 2026 · House · 131 yea · 1 nayPassed

Third Reading PassedApr 8, 2026 · Senate · 43 yea · 0 nayPassed

Subjects

Primary and Secondary Education
Criminal Background Investigations
Education
Education, State Department of
Fees
Identification
Intergovernmental Cooperation
Interstate Affairs
Licenses
Public Schools
Records
Recruitment and Hiring
Registration
Safety
Teachers
Work, Labor, and Employment

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