2023 Legislative Agenda

It is a new era for education in Maryland. The Moore/Miller administration is placing new emphasis on education, service, and other key opportunities for young people. Nearly a third of our legislature is also new, while seasoned champions continue to propose new initiatives.

MOST is engaged with the legislative process through our participation in the Maryland Education Coalition, the Blueprint Coalition and directly supporting or opposing legislation throughout the session.

Keep your eyes out for action alerts by subscribing to our email newsletter.

Our Priorities

Increased Public Investment in Youth Development

Afterschool, Summer, and Mentoring programs are critical supports, made even more important by the impact on learning from the last several years of COVID-19. Maryland remains in the bottom ten states for access to afterschool programs. This year several state funds that directly support afterschool are at threat. Last year there were two state afterschool-focused grant programs: Learning in Extended Afterschool Programs - LEAP ($4.5 Million in FY 22) and Public School Opportunity Enhancement - PSOE ($3 Million in FY 22). This year LEAP was eliminated from the budget, and a second proposal aims to increase PSOE but move it to a new agency.

MOST would like to:

Combine and streamline PSOE and LEAP into a single grant program to reduce administrative burdens
Increase investment to reach more students
- $20 Million as a start to move Maryland more in line with states that make expanded learning a priority and to help soften the funding cliff from ARP investments

Learn more HERE.

Effective Implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future

While the passage of the Blueprint for Maryland's future was undoubtedly one of the most significant achievements of last year's legislative session, there is still much work to be done in ensuring that the law is implemented effectively.

Support state and local education agencies in providing technical assistance and training for community schools' best practices.
Allow flexibility (with guidelines) for districts with fewer than 40 schools receiving Concentration of Poverty Grants.
Examine the adequacy of the current funding formula, such as the Concentration of Poverty Per Pupil grant, to make sure the goals of the Blueprint are being.

Learn more HERE.

Cannabis Legalization

With the legalization of recreational marijuana in Maryland, we have an even greater urgency to expand access to positive youth development opportunities. The same communities that have been deeply impacted by the war on drugs also frequently have an insufficient investment in programs for young people of all ages. In addition, these communities are home to smaller nonprofits that provide essential youth services but have been historically excluded from funding both government and private philanthropic funding sources. The new Cannabis Reinvestment & Repair Fund could offer a meaningful boost to targeted communities.

MOST supports making youth development programs a clearly stated allowed use of the fund, following the lead of states like Illinois and including a youth development representative on the Advisory Board on Medical and Adult Use Cannabis to provide additional perspectives on strategies and programs to mitigate juvenile cannabis usage post-legalization.

Learn more about other state strategies to support youth programs with cannabis taxation HERE.

Bills to Watch

SB281/ HB328 State Finance and Procurement – Grants – Prompt Payment Requirement - FAVORABLE

What's in the bill:

The bill will apply the same standards requiring payment in 30 days on state procurement contracts, and the regulations regarding the review of invoices) to payment on nonprofit grant agreements. Nothing in statute or regulation requires that nonprofit grantees providing services on behalf of the state be paid in a timely manner.

Why we support it:

We have heard many stories from the field that, in particular, afterschool and summer program providers have faced lengthy delays in receiving payments. In some cases, the delays have created organization-threatening challenges, including the inability to meet payroll. These delays have also disrupted programming, which is relied upon by both children and families. The impact disproportionately affects smaller, community-based organizations, often led by people of color.

Read our full testimony HERE.

SB338 - Primary and Secondary Education- Extended Year Grant - Letter of Information

What's in the bill:

Provides an appropriation of up to twenty-five million dollars in grants to local education agencies to implement innovative extended-year models with a preference for an extended year as opposed to an extended day (though both are eligible).

What information we offered:

We provided an overview of the best practices required to extend the school year, including incorporating community partners, including families and communities in the planning, and making sure accommodations for students with disabilities are continued in the extended model. We also encouraged greater consideration for investment in targeted afterschool and summer programs.

Read our full testimony HERE.

SB869 - Primary and Secondary Education – Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program – Eligibility Budget & Tax Committee - Favorable

HB556/SB516 – Cannabis Reform:Letter of Information:

What's in the bill:

Provides the framework for the the new recreational cannabis market in Maryland (including the process of procuring licenses, fees etc.). Establishes an office of Social Equity and creates a new Cannabis Reinvestment & Repair Fund to send a percentage of tax income back to impacted communities.

What information we offered:

MOST encouraged legislators to look at models from other states and make youth development programs an allowed use within the new fund. We also encouraged lawmakers to add a Youth Development professional to the Advisory Board on Medical and Adult Use.

Read our full testimony HERE.

HB901/SB844 - Consumer Protection - Online Products and Services - Children's Data

What's in the bill:

This bill requires internet content providers and app makers to take specific actions to protect minors who use their services by setting the highest privacy settings to default, among other strategies to ensure safety for young users.

Why we support it:

Young people spend considerable amounts of time on the internet, but companies often don't have their best interests in mind. We don't want for-profit companies to exploit young people's data or leave them exposed to other types of predatory behavior. This common-sense legislation has already passed in the UK and California. Maryland should be a leader and send a sign to the Federal government to provide more blanket approaches.

Read our full testimony HERE.

HB1196 - County Boards of Education – Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Implementation Coordinator – Salary Grant - Favorable

What's in the bill:

This legislation provides funding for each jurisdiction in Maryland to hire a full-time Blueprint Coordinator position dedicated to ensuring quality implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

Why we support it:

The Blueprint for Maryland's future is a complicated set of legislation. The original bill did not include dollars for the systems building necessary to ensure the Blueprint is done correctly. Local Education Agencies have been repurposing staff from a variety of divisions to serve as Blueprint Coordinators. A dedicated role will ease some of the burdens and allow for more focus to be placed on Blueprint implementation success.

Read our full testimony HERE.

Contact Your Representative

Want to demonstrate your support for these necessary youth development initiatives? Contacting your state senator or delegate is an effective way to to hold the assembly accountable to the needs of its constituents. The Maryland General Assembly has created a tool to easily find your representatives and tell them about the bills that matter most to you. Click the button below to find yours!

Find Your Representatives