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SB 1014

SB 1014 - Beginning in the 2027-28 school year and continuing in subsequent school years, this act modifies the "Jason Flatt/Avery Reine Cantor Act" by adding a requirement for school districts to provide at least two hours of suicide prevention training to all licensed educators. For the 2028-29 school year and all subsequent school years, such training shall include risk and protective factors, warning signs, response procedures, and postvention support, as the term "postvention" is defined in the act. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall include such information in its guidelines for training or professional development in youth suicide awareness and prevention. The act repeals provisions requiring public schools and charter schools to print certain contact information on identification cards for pupils in grades 7-12. By July 1, 2027, pupil identification cards shall include only the three-digit dialing code for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988. Any unissued cards that include additional contact information shall continue to be issued until the supply of cards is depleted. For the 2028-29 school year and all subsequent school years, each school district shall update its policy on youth suicide awareness and prevention training for school district employees to include risk and protective factors, warning signs, response procedures, and postvention support. The corresponding model policy currently developed by DESE shall be updated accordingly. Finally, beginning in the 2027-28 school year and in each subsequent school year, the act requires each pupil in a public school to receive mental health awareness training at any time in grades 5-8. Such instruction shall be included in the school district's existing health or physical education curriculum and shall be based on a program established by DESE. This act is similar to SB 695 (2025) and provisions in HB 244 (2025) and HCS/HB 2471 (2024). OLIVIA SHANNON

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Maggie Nurrenbern

The bill prohibits holding a party office (county central committee) and an elected public office at the same time, while still allowing concurrent candidacy.

Second Read and Referred S Education Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1014

SB 1014 — Election Law — Party and Elected Public Offices — Prohibition

Status: First Reading, assigned to Rules (Introduced Feb 3, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Sen. Watson
Companion bills: HB 287 (companion)
Effective date (as introduced): October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

The bill clarifies and tightens Maryland election law regarding simultaneous candidacy for and simultaneous incumbency in political party offices and elected public offices. It narrows the opportunity for an individual to occupy a party leadership position (county central committee member) at the same time as they hold an elected public office.

Key provisions

  • Defines “party office” for the purposes of the section as: the office of a member of a county central committee of a political party.
  • Maintains existing prohibitions that:
    • An individual may not be a candidate for more than one elected public office at the same time.
    • An individual may not be a candidate for more than one party office at the same time.
  • Retains allowance (unless a political party’s internal rules prohibit it) for an individual to be a candidate simultaneously for a party office and an elected public office.
  • Adds a new, substantive prohibition: an individual may not simultaneously hold (i.e., be incumbent in) a party office (county central committee member) and an elected public office.
  • Creates a specific exception: the new prohibition does not apply to an individual who simultaneously holds an elected public office and is a delegate to the national presidential nominating convention.
  • Repeals and reenacts without amendment certain definitional and delegate-selection provisions (Article — Election Law: §1–101(a), (l–1), (hh), and §8–501(a)); §5–204 is repealed and reenacted with the amendments described above.

Who is affected

  • Current and prospective members of county central committees (party officers).
  • Elected public officeholders who may also serve on county party central committees.
  • Candidates who seek to run concurrently for party office and public office (the law still allows simultaneous candidacy in most cases, but not simultaneous incumbency).
  • Political parties, which may still regulate candidacy for party posts under their own rules.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Incumbent elected officials who currently serve on county central committees would need to vacate their party office if the bill becomes law.
  • Election administrators and party organizations may need to adjust candidate filing guidance and verify incumbency conflicts.
  • The bill distinguishes candidacy (still largely permitted) from holding office (now barred), so transitional timing (resignations, special elections for vacated party posts) may follow enactment.
  • No criminal penalties or enforcement mechanisms are specified in the bill text; enforcement would rely on election administration procedures and party implementation.
  • Effective date is October 1, 2025 (as stated in the bill).

Legislative posture

  • Introduced in the Senate (Sen. Watson) and referred to Rules (first reading Feb 3, 2025). Companion measures noted (HB 287).

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

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