MD SB923

County boards of education must ensure equal pay for high school sports officials performing similar officiating roles in boys' and girls' sports that are categorized as similar by the State Department of Education

The State Department of Education, in consultation with the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association, must develop a list of similar boys' and girls' high school sports by September 1, 2025, and update it every 3 years

Similar sports are determined by factors including same season, comparable rules, similar number of officials required, similar officiating services, and comparable competition length

County boards must reject bids or proposals for officiating services contracts that would result in different pay or fees between officials for similar boys' and girls' sports

Pay parity requirements apply only within each county and do not require equal pay between different counties; bonuses paid outside procurement contracts are permitted