MD HB1325

Establishes a Substitute Child Care Provider Pool Pilot Program within the State Department of Education, running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028

Requires the Department to select a nonprofit organization to administer the program, awarding grants of $50,000 for fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Creates a pool of qualified substitute child care providers with required credentials, training, and criminal background checks to fill short-term staffing needs at licensed child care centers and registered family child care homes

Requires the administering nonprofit to organize a substitute provider pool in at least one region of the state, recruit credentialed providers, and may create a statewide digital matching platform

Mandates the Department report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2027 on program evaluation and whether goals were met; the program automatically sunsets on June 30, 2028