Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB646: Public School System Contracts - Prohibited Provisions
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Prohibiting certain provisions from being included in certain public school system contracts; specifying that certain provisions are void if included in a public school system contract; specifying the applicable law and interpretation of public school system contracts; and applying the Act prospectively.
What the bill says
An act concerning Public School System Contracts - Prohibited Provisions FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain provisions from being included in certain public school system contracts; specifying that certain provisions are void if included in a public school system contract; specifying the applicable law and interpretation of public school system contracts; and generally relating to prohibited provisions in public school system contracts. BY adding to Article - Education Section 4-148 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Public School System Contracts - Prohibited Provisions FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain provisions from being included in certain public school system contracts; specifying that certain provisions are void if included in a public school system contract; specifying the applicable law and interpretation of public school system contracts; and generally relating to prohibited provisions in public school system contracts. BY adding to Article - Education Section 4-148 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 4-148. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CONTRACT" MEANS ANY AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. (B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO (2) TITLE 9.5, SUBTITLE 7 OF THIS ARTICLE; OR (3) TITLE 22 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. (B) (C) EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, A PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CONTRACT MAY NOT INCLUDE A PROVISION THAT: (1) REQUIRES THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, OR HOLD HARMLESS ANOTHER PERSON WITHOUT AN APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE; Ch. 701 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (2) REQUIRES THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TO AGREE TO BINDING ARBITRATION OR ANY OTHER BINDING EXTRAJUDICIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS; (3) NAMES …