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HB 76

Local School Systems - School Safety - Grant Allocations

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Griffith

HB 76 creates state grants for Maryland local school systems to fund safety improvements and security enhancements in public schools.

Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 76

Legislative bill overview

HB 76 establishes a grant program to allocate state funding to local school systems for school safety initiatives and improvements. The bill directs appropriated funds toward grants that schools can use for security enhancements, emergency preparedness, and related safety measures. This represents a state-level investment in school security infrastructure across Maryland's public education system.

Why is this important

School safety has become a priority concern for parents, educators, and policymakers following high-profile incidents nationally. Grant funding can help under-resourced districts implement safety upgrades they might not afford independently, potentially creating more equitable access to security measures. However, the actual impact depends entirely on grant amounts, distribution methodology, and what specific safety measures are permitted.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "school safety": The bill's effectiveness hinges on how broadly or narrowly safety measures are defined—whether funds can support armed security, mental health services, building infrastructure, threat assessment programs, or all of these
  • Equity in distribution: Questions about whether grants will be allocated based on need, population size, existing safety gaps, or equal distribution across districts, potentially favoring some communities over others
  • Cost-effectiveness debate: Disagreement over whether grant funding represents the most effective use of education dollars compared to alternative approaches like counseling, threat assessment, or addressing root causes of violence

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

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