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Bill

SB 569

relative to the qualifications for hearings officers within the department of labor.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Birdsell

Allows Anne Arundel County to use a school schedule with no early dismissals for two years, fewer than 180 days, with reporting and protections for hourly staff.

Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 266; Effective 08/31/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 569

SB 569 — Anne Arundel County — Public Schools — School Schedule Options (2025)

Main purpose

Allow the Anne Arundel County Board of Education to adopt an alternative school schedule that eliminates early dismissal days and — while meeting required annual instructional hours — results in fewer than the standard 180 school days. The authorization is limited in time (a two‑year period) and requires reporting on outcomes.

Key provisions

  • Authorization (Article — Education §7‑103(f)):
    • The Anne Arundel County Board of Education may elect to operate its schools using a scheduling model that eliminates early dismissal days, provided the county meets the minimal annual hours of attendance defined in COMAR 13A.03.02.12 (in effect July 1, 2025).
    • If the board elects this model, it must apply the model to all schools in the county (i.e., the alternative schedule would be systemwide).
  • Employee protections:
    • If a school under this model is open for fewer than 180 days, the county board must offer hourly‑rate school employees an opportunity to make up lost wages through other duties before the start of the next school year.
  • Reporting requirements:
    • The Anne Arundel County Board must report to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly by June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
    • Reports must summarize each day a school under the alternative schedule was open and the number of hours per day that students were in attendance.
  • Duration / sunset:
    • The Act takes effect July 1, 2025, and remains in force for two years; it terminates automatically on June 30, 2027.

Who is affected

  • Anne Arundel County Board of Education (gain scheduling authority and implementation responsibility).
  • Students and families in Anne Arundel County (calendar and daily schedules may change; potential childcare/transport impacts).
  • Hourly school employees (wage implications mitigated by requirement to offer make‑up work).
  • State Board of Education and General Assembly (receive required reports).
  • State funding rules remain unchanged; the bill does not allow reduction of State/local education funding due to fewer days if other requirements are met.

Fiscal and operational notes

  • Fiscal note (Department of Legislative Services): State operations and finances are not materially affected. No direct fiscal impact on Anne Arundel County; if the county adopts an alternative schedule during 2025–26 and/or 2026–27, it may do so using existing resources.
  • The change is permissive (authorizing) — the county may choose to adopt the model but is not required to.

Timeline / procedural status

  • Effective date: July 1, 2025.
  • Reporting deadlines: June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
  • Sunset: June 30, 2027 (automatic repeal).

Related legislation

  • Crossfile: HB 226 (companion).

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

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