MD HB1447

Establishes the Maryland STEM Program within the State Department of Education beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, allowing public school teachers to receive additional compensation for teaching STEM classes at nonpublic schools

Requires nonpublic schools to partner with at least one eligible public school teacher, submit applications to the Department, and certify that participating teachers will provide only secular instruction

Grants local school systems authority to object to a teacher's participation within 10 business days if the arrangement conflicts with the teacher's public school responsibilities or would substantially impact student instruction quality

Sets teacher compensation at a minimum of hours taught multiplied by the local average hourly teacher salary multiplied by 1.25, with payments distributed through the nonpublic school and excluded from collective bargaining agreements

Mandates an annual appropriation of $250,000 to the Department for program grants and requires participating nonpublic schools to submit annual implementation reports