Maryland2026Enacted
HB0057
Maryland Civic Excellence Program
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 4:24 AM
In one sentence
This law creates a program in public high schools to recognize students who show civic readiness and engagement by completing a special project.
What it does
- The State Department of Education will run the Maryland Civic Excellence Program for public high school students.
- To earn an award, a student must finish a capstone project focused on civic service in state, county, or local government as part of an extracurricular activity.
- Local school systems can choose to join the program and set their own rules within state guidelines.
- Schools may work with nonprofit groups, civic organizations, or colleges to help run parts of this program.
- Participating schools must send a report about the program to the State Department by July 1 each year.
Who it affects
- Public high school students in Maryland who want recognition for their civic work.
- Local public school systems that choose to join the new program.
- The State Board of Education and the State Department of Education, which will make rules and run the program.
Limits and unknowns
- Local school systems are not required to join the program; they can choose whether or not to participate.
- The specific rules for joining and earning the seal will be written by regulations no later than the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Capstone project
- A final special task or assignment that a student must finish as part of an extracurricular activity focused on civic service.
- Civic service
- Work done for the benefit of state, county, or local government.
- Seal of Civic Excellence
- An official award given to a student who meets all program requirements and shows civic readiness and engagement.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Establishing the Maryland Civic Excellence Program for public high school students that exhibit civic readiness and engagement; requiring a certain capstone project be included in the Program; authorizing a local school system to participate in the Program to recognize students for their civic readiness and civic engagement; and requiring the State Board of Education, no later than the 2027-2028 school year, to adopt certain regulations to establish criteria for awarding a seal of civic excellence.
Official activity
Bill history
- Approved by the Governor - Chapter 676