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Bill

HB 109

Institutions of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Schools - Title VI Coordinators

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Vogel

Maryland requires all public schools and higher education institutions to appoint Title VI Coordinators to ensure federal civil rights compliance and handle discrimination complaints.

Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m. (Appropriations)
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Bill Summary · HB 109

Legislative bill overview

HB 109 requires Maryland institutions of higher education and elementary/secondary schools to designate Title VI Coordinators—staff responsible for ensuring compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. The bill establishes reporting requirements and accountability mechanisms for these coordinators within educational institutions.

Why is this important

Title VI coordinators serve as institutional points of contact for discrimination complaints and compliance monitoring. This bill creates a statewide framework ensuring consistent implementation of federal civil rights protections across Maryland's schools and colleges, potentially improving reporting of and response to discrimination claims that might otherwise go unaddressed.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden and costs: Schools and institutions may argue the requirement creates unfunded mandates, requiring new hiring or reassignment of existing staff with associated salary and training expenses
  • Definition and scope ambiguity: The bill's specific powers, responsibilities, and reporting relationships for Title VI Coordinators are unclear from this summary, creating uncertainty about compliance expectations
  • Oversight mechanism: Questions about whether state-level oversight adequately balances institutional autonomy with accountability for civil rights compliance

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

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