Read the full stored bill text
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0355*
HOUSE BILL 355
F1 6lr0874
HB 763/25 – W&M CF SB 254
By: Delegate S. Johnson
Introduced and read first time: January 19, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 28, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Education – Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program – 2
Human and Sex Trafficking 3
FOR the purpose of requiring that a certain program on the awareness and prevention of 4
sexual abuse and assault include, for students in certain grades, material promoting 5
the awareness and prevention of human and sex trafficking; and generally relating 6
to human and sex trafficking aw areness and prevention programs in public and 7
nonpublic schools. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Education 10
Section 7–439 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 14
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 15
Article – Education 16
7–439. 17
(a) In this section, “nonpublic school” means a noncollegiate educational 18
institution that: 19
2 HOUSE BILL 355
(1) Holds a certificate of approval from the State Board under § 2–206(e) of 1
this article; and 2
(2) Participates in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants 3
Program. 4
(b) (1) The State Board and each nonpublic school in the State shall develop 5
and implement a program of age –appropriate education on the awareness and prevention 6
of sexual abuse and assault. 7
(2) The program required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall [be]: 8
(i) [Taught] BE TAUGHT by a teacher who is trained to provide 9
instruction on the awareness and prevention of sexual abuse and assault; [and] 10
(ii) [Incorporated] BE INCORPORATED into the health curriculum 11
of each county board and each nonpublic school; AND 12
(III) INCLUDE, FOR STUDENTS IN GRAD ES 6 THROUGH 8, 13
MATERIAL PROMOTING T HE AWARENESS AND PRE VENTION OF HUMAN AND SEX 14
TRAFFICKING. 15
(c) The State Board shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this 16
section. 17
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 18
1, 2026. 19
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.