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SB 906

Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Task Force

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Katie Hester

Maryland requires MSDE and districts to guide, approve AI tools, report usage, train staff, and run a time-limited Task Force to ensure safe, ethical AI in K–12.

Hearing 3/07 at 9:00 a.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 906

SB 906 — Education: Artificial Intelligence — Guidelines, Professional Development, and Task Force

Status: Hearing scheduled 3/07 at 9:00 a.m.
Introduced: Jan 24–28, 2025 (various filings)
Primary purpose: Require the State Department of Education (MSDE) and local school systems to develop guidance, reporting, workforce development, and oversight mechanisms for the safe, ethical, and educational use of artificial intelligence (AI) in K–12 schools; establish a time‑limited Task Force on AI in K–12 Education to study and recommend implementation approaches.

Main elements / key provisions

  • Guidance and tools (MSDE)

    • By Aug 1, 2026, MSDE, in consultation with the State Board of Education and the Task Force, must develop or update K–12 guidance on classroom use and implementation of AI that: promotes safe, responsible, ethical AI use; centers students and teachers; and uses evidence‑based approaches.
    • MSDE must publish separate guidance tailored for students, teachers, and administrators.
    • MSDE (with DoIT) must develop and annually update a list of commonly available AI tools approved for school use, ensuring approved tools safeguard privacy and security.

  • Local system responsibilities

    • Each county board must designate an employee to facilitate productive and ethical use of AI in the local school system.
    • Each county board must conduct an annual inventory of systems that employ AI and, by July 1, 2026 and each July 1 thereafter, report purchases/uses of AI, uses to assist teachers and students, student performance results tied to AI use, and data‑privacy compliance to MSDE.

  • Professional development and workforce

    • The Career & Technical Education (CTE) Committee must ensure AI literacy is part of workforce preparation by Oct 1, 2025.
    • MSDE must promote AI training for teachers and administrators. Required PD elements include AI courses, train‑the‑trainer sessions, and monthly webinars. Funding is subject to the State budget.

  • Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in K–12 Education

    • Established to study AI uses across local systems and provide findings/recommendations (guidance updates, PD, needs assessment, procurement/use policies).
    • MSDE staffs the Task Force; members include state education leaders, representatives of education associations, local teacher/student/parent appointees, and county AI designees.
    • Deliverables: a document with curriculum examples by Jan 1, 2026; final report of findings/recommendations to Governor & General Assembly by Dec 1, 2026.
    • Task Force provisions terminate Jan 31, 2027.

Definitions and safeguards

  • “Artificial Intelligence” follows the statutory definition used elsewhere in State law (machine‑based systems that make predictions/recommendations/decisions, etc.).
  • MSDE/DoIT collaboration is required to ensure approved tools meet privacy/security standards; counties must report compliance.

Fiscal and operational impacts

  • State: Fiscal note estimates MSDE general fund expenditures increase by $1.3M in FY2026 to establish an AI unit; ~$1.0–1.2M annually thereafter (includes one‑time and ongoing costs).
  • Local: Potentially significant increased expenditures for local boards to hire staff with AI expertise and to implement guidance and reporting; exact costs indeterminate.
  • Implementation timeline: Bill effective June 1, 2025 (per fiscal note); staged deliverables through 2026; Task Force ends Jan 31, 2027.

Who is affected

  • MSDE and State Board of Education (policy development, staffing)
  • Department of Information Technology (consultation on tool approvals, security)
  • Local boards of education, county superintendents, and designated local AI coordinators (reporting, inventories, implementation)
  • Teachers, administrators, students (training, classroom use)
  • AI vendors and educational technology providers (tool evaluation and approval)
  • Career & Technical Education system (curriculum integration)

Procedural notes

  • MSDE may partner or contract with external organizations to staff/support the Task Force.
  • Professional development funding is subject to the annual State budget process.
  • Annual county reporting and MSDE needs assessment are required inputs to the General Assembly report due Aug 1, 2026.

For legislative text details (definitions, exact reporting categories, Task Force membership and duties, and deadlines), see the bill language and the fiscal note prepared for the 2025 session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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