Bill
SB 845
Maryland LEAs must screen all current educators and new applicants via the NASDTEC Educator Identification Clearinghouse starting July 1, 2025, to review prior disciplinary actions.
(School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)
Status snapshot
- Introduced: 2025 (effective date in bill: July 1, 2025)
- Hearing noted: March 26, 2025, 2:15 p.m.
- Key cross-files/companions: HB 1025 (and other companion HB bills cited)
- Code section added (Maryland): Article — Education §6‑103.1
Purpose
- Require Maryland public school systems to use a national educator-discipline database (the NASDTEC Educator Identification Clearinghouse) to screen current educators and all applicants, with the aim of improving hiring vetting and notifying jurisdictions about prior disciplinary actions against educator credentials.
Key provisions
- Definitions: Identifies NASDTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification) and describes a “national membership organization” that provides access to the Educator Identification Clearinghouse.
- State Department of Education duties:
- Register each local education agency (LEA) in the State as an associate member of the national membership organization that provides clearinghouse access.
- Pay any associated membership and subscription fees/dues for those associate memberships.
- Local education agency duties:
- Each LEA must (via NASDTEC membership) use the Educator Identification Clearinghouse to screen:
- Every educator employed within the local school system as of July 1, 2025; and
- Every individual who applies for an educator position on or after July 1, 2025.
- Effective date: July 1, 2025.
What the clearinghouse contains / how it’s used
- The NASDTEC clearinghouse is a national repository of final, reportable professional discipline actions (states, DC, DoD schools, territories). Records include adverse actions such as license revocations, suspensions, public reprimands, and denials once cases are final and public.
- Presence in the clearinghouse does not automatically bar licensure or hiring but provides hiring authorities with notice and context to review prior disciplinary actions.
Who is affected
- Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE): required to register LEAs and pay fees.
- Local education agencies (all LEAs in the State, ~24 systems referenced in fiscal analysis): required to join and use the clearinghouse for screening.
- Current educators employed as of July 1, 2025 and all applicants on/after that date.
- Students and parents indirectly affected by enhanced vetting.
Fiscal impact (from Department of Legislative Services fiscal note)
- State general fund cost: estimated increase of approximately $22,300 annually beginning in FY 2026 to cover NASDTEC associate membership and subscription fees for all LEAs (based on current NASDTEC fee schedule and number of LEAs).
- Local impact: minimal net savings for LEAs already subscribing (they would no longer pay their own subscription/membership fees); other LEAs can use the clearinghouse using existing staffing/resources. No direct revenue effects.
Implementation / timeline
- Screening requirement applies to current staff and applicants starting July 1, 2025.
- MSDE must complete registrations and payments so LEAs can access the clearinghouse by that date.
Notes and context
- The measure centralizes the administrative cost of clearinghouse access at the State level while mandating use of a national discipline-reporting tool at the LEA level. It emphasizes notification and review of prior disciplinary actions rather than automatic disqualification.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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