Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1059: State Department of Education - Asian American History - Accurate Instruction
Status: In committee, March 26, 2026
Requiring the State Department of Education to establish a program designed to assist with the accurate teaching of Asian American history; requiring the Department to identify certain courses and materials and make available a certain professional development course; requiring in the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years, the Department to identify age-appropriate materials for use during Asian American history month; requiring the Department to report on its activities to the General Assembly by December 1, 2028; etc.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Education - Asian American History - Professional Development and Library Materials FOR the purpose of requiring the State Board of Education to evaluate certain Asian American history training programs for inclusion in the State Department of Education's continuing professional development program and requiring the Department to publicize these programs…
From the introduced text, February 10, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Education - Asian American History - Professional Development and Library Materials FOR the purpose of requiring the State Board of Education to evaluate certain Asian American history training programs for inclusion in the State Department of Education's continuing professional development program and requiring the Department to publicize these programs; establishing the Asian American History Grant Program to provide expanded access to professional development in Asian American history to educators and to provide funding to school libraries to purchase certain materials; and generally relating to continuing professional development for educators and library materials on Asian American history. BY adding to Article - Education Section 6-132 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 6-132. (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (2) "CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM" MEANS CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCES OR PROGRAMS EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1059* HOUSE BILL 1059 APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT. (3) "PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINT" MEANS A UNIT USED TO RENEW TEACHER LICENSES EARNED THROUGH COMPLETION OF SPECIFIC PROFESSIONALLY ALIGNED TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS. (B) THE STATE DEPARTMENT …
Sponsors
- Kriselda Valderrama (D, 26) · primary sponsor
- Harry Bhandari (D, 8)
- Mark Chang (D, HD-032)
- Sarah Wolek (D, 16)
- Chao Wu (D, 9A)
Latest actions
- : Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
- : Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
- : Third Reading Passed (131-7)
- : Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- : Favorable with Amendments {753525/1 Adopted
- : Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
- : Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
- : First Reading Ways and Means
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (131-7) (March 23, 2026): 131 yea, 7 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1059?
- HB1059 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): State Department of Education - Asian American History - Accurate Instruction.
- What does HB1059 do?
- In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Education - Asian American History - Professional Development and Library Materials FOR the purpose of requiring the State Board of Education to evaluate certain Asian American history training programs for inclusion in the State Department of Education's continuing professional development program and requiring the Department to publicize these programs…
- What is the status of HB1059?
- In committee as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m. (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1059?
- Kriselda Valderrama (D, 26), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1059?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1059?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.