MD HB1461

Repeals the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students and eliminates the associated per-pupil funding distribution to local workforce development boards after fiscal year 2025

Provides a waiver from minimum per-school funding requirements for schools with 350 or fewer total students, and requires county boards to report on per-school funding compliance annually by July 1

Removes principals and assistant principals from the teacher career ladder structure and eliminates the administrator track (Licensed Principal and Distinguished Principal tiers), while limiting the Accountability and Implementation Board's authority over collective bargaining matters not specifically enumerated in the career ladder

Expands the definition of "Tier I child" for publicly funded prekindergarten to include children with disabilities and children from homes where English is not the primary spoken language, regardless of income

Reduces the State share caps for National Board Certification maintenance salary increases from $8,000/$7,000/$6,000 to $4,000/$4,000/$3,000 for first, second, and third renewals, and requires studies on NBC's effect on teachers and on special education funding adequacy (due January 2026 and December 2027 respectively)