Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB856: Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
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.
What the bill says
An act concerning Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act) FOR the purpose of 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…
From the enrolled text, May 18, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act) FOR the purpose of 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; requiring each local school system in the State to utilize the Educator Identification Clearinghouse to screen individuals who receive an offer of employment for an educator position that requires a license and ensure that each individual who receives an offer applies for and obtains the appropriate license before certain occurrences; and generally relating to the hiring and screening process for educators employed within local school systems in the State. BY adding to Article - Education Section 6-103.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Education 6-103.1. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION" MEANS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS A NATIONAL COLLECTION POINT FOR PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE ACTIONS TAKEN BY ALL 50 STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS, AND GUAM THAT PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH NOTIFICATION OF AN ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE CREDENTIAL OF AN EDUCATOR BY OTHER MEMBER STATES OR JURISDICTIONS. …
Sponsors
- Eric Ebersole (D, 44A) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 362
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (43-0)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
- : Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
- : Third Reading Passed (131-1)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {763523/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (43-0) (April 8, 2026): 43 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (131-1) (March 13, 2026): 131 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB856?
- HB856 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act).
- What does HB856 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Local School Systems - Educator Screening - Educator Identification Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act) FOR the purpose of 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…
- What is the status of HB856?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 362 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB856?
- Eric Ebersole (D, 44A).
- Where is the official record for HB856?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0856?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.