Commission on Historic, Cultural, and Civic Contributions in Education - Establishment

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Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
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amendment.
*hb0627*

HOUSE BILL 627
F1 6lr0936
HB 875/25 – W&M
By: Delegates Acevero, Alston, Amprey, Fair, Fennell, Hornberger, Lewis,
Martinez, Mireku –North, Roberson, Ruff, Simmons, Taylor, Terrasa,
Turner, Woods, Woorman, and Young Young, Ebersole, and Wilkins
Introduced and read first time: January 30, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted with floor amendments
Read second time: March 15, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Commission on History, Culture, and Civics Historic, Cultural, and Civic 2
Contributions in Education – Establishment 3

FOR the purpose of establishing the Commission on History, Culture, and Civics Historic, 4
Cultural, and Civic Contributions in Education to study and make recommendations 5
to the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to further 6
the discovery, interpretation, and learning of the history, culture, and civics of the 7
United States and Maryland and to provide equitable learning outcomes consistent 8
with certain provisions of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Maryland Higher 9
Education Comm ission about certain lessons currently taught in public schools; 10
requiring the Commission to study school calendars and make recommendations to 11
the State Board and the General Assembly; requiring the State Board to identify 12
existing courses and materials to be updated into professional development courses 13
under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the Commission on History, 14
Culture, and Civics Historic, Cultural, and Civic Contributions in Education. 15

BY adding to 16
Article – Education 17
Section 7–137 24–1401 through 24–1405 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 14. 18
Commission on Historic, Cultural, and Civic Contributions in Education” 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2025 2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 21

2 HOUSE BILL 627

Preamble 1

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland was identified as the fourth most diverse state 2
in the union in the 2020 U.S. Census; and 3

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland is enriched by a diverse population whose 4
histories, cultures, and contributions have shaped our communities, institutions, and 5
shared identity; and 6

WHEREAS, An inclusive and comprehensive education is essential to preparing 7
students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected society; and 8

WHEREAS, A well–rounded curriculum that meaningfully reflects diverse histories, 9
perspectives, and contributions is essential to the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s 10
Future, which seeks to provide equitable learning outcomes regardless of a student’s 11
familial income, race, ethnicity, disability status, or other individual characteristics; and 12

WHEREAS, The study of history and social contributions should reflect the full 13
breadth of experiences and perspectives that have influenced our State and nation, 14
including those of communities that have been historically underreprese nted or 15
marginalized; and 16

WHEREAS, Providing students with access to diverse narratives fosters critical 17
thinking, cultural awareness, empathy, and a more accurate understanding of our 18
collective past; now, therefore, 19

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GE NERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21

Article – Education 22

7–137. 23

(A) IN THIS SECTION , “COMMISSION” MEANS THE COMMISSION ON 24
HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CIVICS IN EDUCATION. 25

(B) (1) THERE IS A COMMISSION ON HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CIVICS IN 26
EDUCATION. 27

(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO: 28

(I) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE BOARD AND THE 29
DEPARTMENT TO FURTHER THE DISCOVERY, INTERPRETATION, AND LEARNING OF 30
THE HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CIVICS OF THE UNITED STATES AND MARYLAND; AND 31

HOUSE BILL 627 3

(II) PROVIDE EQUITABLE LEA RNING OUTCOMES REGAR DLESS 1
OF A STUDENT ’S FAMILY INCOME , RACE, ETHNICITY, DISABILITY, OR OTHER 2
CHARACTERISTICS CONS ISTENT WITH THE PROV ISIONS OF THE BLUEPRINT FOR 3
MARYLAND’S FUTURE IN § 1–303 OF THIS ARTICLE. 4

(C) (1) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS O F THE FOLLOWING MEMB ERS 5
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM A LIST OF NOMINEES: 6

(I) TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING MARYLAND’S INDIGENOUS 7
AMERICAN TRIBES , WHICH INCLUDE THE LENAPE, NANTICOKE, PISCATAWAY, 8
CONOY, POWHATAN, ACCOHANNOCK, SHAWNEE, SUSQUEHANNOCK, TUTELO, AND 9
SAPONI TRIBES, NOMINATED BY THE MARYLAND COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS; 10

(II) TWO MEMBERS REPRESENT ING THE MARYLAND 11
LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY, ONE OF WHOM IDENTIFI ES AS TRANSGENDER , 12
NOMINATED BY THE MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE LGBTQIA+ CAUCUS; 13

(III) TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE MARYLAND DISABLED 14
COMMUNITY, NOMINATED BY THE SECRETARY OF DISABILITIES; 15

(IV) TWO MEMBERS WHO ARE TEACHERS OR HOLD A TEACHING 16
LICENSE IN THE STATE: 17

1. ONE OF WHOM IS NOMINA TED BY THE BALTIMORE 18
TEACHER’S UNION; AND 19

2. ONE OF WHOM IS NOMINA TED BY THE MARYLAND 20
STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION; 21

(V) TWO MEMBERS REPRESENT ING THE MARYLAND LATINO 22
COMMUNITY, NOMINATED BY THE MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE LATINO CAUCUS; 23

(VI) TWO MEMBERS REPRESENT ING THE MARYLAND AFRICAN 24
AMERICAN COMMUNITY , NOMINATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS OF 25
MARYLAND; 26

(VII) TWO MEMBERS REPRESENT ING THE MARYLAND ASIAN 27
AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY, NOMINATED BY THE MARYLAND 28
LEGISLATIVE ASIAN–AMERICAN AND PACIFIC–ISLANDER CAUCUS; 29

(VIII) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , TWO 30
MEMBERS REPRESENTING HIGHER EDUCATION: 31

4 HOUSE BILL 627

1. ONE OF WHOM IS NOMINA TED BY THE CHANCELLOR 1
OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND; AND 2

2. ONE OF WHOM IS NOMINATED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 3
THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES; AND 4

(IX) THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, OR THE STATE 5
SUPERINTENDENT’S DESIGNEE. 6

(2) THE INDIVIDUALS CONSI DERED FOR NOMINATION BY THE 7
CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND UNDER PARAGRAPH 8
(1)(VIII)1 OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL INCLUDE INDIVID UALS WHO REPRESENT 9
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE. 10

(D) (1) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE MEMBERSHIP OF TH E 11
COMMISSION SHALL REFL ECT THE GENDER , RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND G EOGRAPHIC 12
DIVERSITY OF THE STATE. 13

(2) A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE 14
CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE OR EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING EDUCATIONAL CONTENT 15
STANDARDS. 16

(E) (1) THE TERM OF A MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 17

(2) THE TERMS OF MEMBERS ARE STAGGERED AS REQUIRED BY THE 18
TERMS PROVIDED FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON JULY 1, 2026. 19

(F) THE COMMISSION MEMBERS SHALL ELECT A CHAIR FROM AMONG THE 20
MEMBERS. 21

(G) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE STAFF FOR THE COMMISSION. 22

(H) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION: 23

(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 24
COMMISSION; BUT 25

(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER THE 26
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 27

(I) THE COMMISSION SHALL: 28

HOUSE BILL 627 5

(1) EXAMINE THE HISTORY , CULTURE, AND CIVICS OF THE UNITED 1
STATES AND MARYLAND, INCLUDING: 2

(I) THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATIVE AMERICANS, LATINOS, 3
AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND ASIAN AMERICANS; 4

(II) THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, 5
TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE MINORITY GROUPS; 6

(III) THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF SIGNIFICANT SOCIA L AND 7
CULTURAL FEATURES WITHIN THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES; 8

(IV) THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERSECUTION OF RELIG IOUS 9
MINORITIES; 10

(V) THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MARYLAND DISABLED 11
COMMUNITY; AND 12

(VI) THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN; 13

(2) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE BOARD REGARDING 14
THE ADOPTION OF STAN DARDS AND PROGRAMS T HAT ACCURATELY REFLE CT THE 15
DISCOVERY, INTERPRETATION, AND LEARNING OF THE HISTORY, CULTURE, AND 16
CIVICS OF THE UNITED STATES AND MARYLAND; 17

(3) MAKE ALL ACTIVITIES A ND MATERIALS OF THE COMMISSION 18
AVAILABLE ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE, INCLUDING: 19

(I) LIVE AND ARCHIVED VID EO STREAMING OF EACH 20
COMMISSION MEETING; 21

(II) MEETING AGENDAS, MATERIALS, AND NOTES; AND 22

(III) COMMISSION REPORTS; AND 23

(4) USE MULTIPLE COMMUNIC ATIONS METHODS TO PR OVIDE 24
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS RELATED TO THE COMMISSION. 25

(J) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 30 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2026, THE 26
COMMISSION SHALL REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE 27
BOARD, THE GOVERNOR, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 28
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 29

6 HOUSE BILL 627

(K) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 EACH YEAR, THE STATE BOARD SHALL: 1

(1) REVIEW THE COMMISSION’S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS; 2
AND 3

(2) MAKE ANY APPROPRIATE CHANGES TO THE EDUCA TIONAL 4
STANDARDS FOR PREKINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12. 5

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 6
members of the Commission on History, Culture, and Civics in Education shall expire as 7
follows: 8

(1) the eight members representing the indigenous American tribes, 9
Maryland Latino community, African American community, and Asian American and 10
Pacific Islander community in 2028; and 11

(2) the eight members representing the LGBTQIA+ community, disabled 12
community, teachers, and higher education in 2030. 13

SUBTITLE 14. COMMISSION ON HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS 14
IN EDUCATION. 15

24–1401. 16

IN THIS SUBTITLE , “COMMISSION” MEANS THE COMMISSION ON HISTORIC, 17
CULTURAL, AND CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS IN EDUCATION. 18

24–1402. 19

THERE IS A COMMISSION ON HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND CIVIC 20
CONTRIBUTIONS IN EDUCATION. 21

24–1403. 22

THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO ASSI ST THE STATE’S PUBLIC 23
SCHOOLS WITH: 24

(1) PROVIDING STUDENTS AN ACCURATE EDUCATION ON THE 25
HISTORIC ROLES PLAYED BY DIVERSE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE’S AND THE 26
NATION’S PAST; AND 27

(2) REMAINING RESPONSIVE TO THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF STUDENTS 28
AND THEIR FAMILIES. 29

24–1404. 30
HOUSE BILL 627 7

(A) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS O F THE FOLLOWING MEMB ERS, JOINTLY 1
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: 2

(1) NINE MEMBERS , EACH OF WHOM IS AN E XPERT IN ACCURATE 3
INSTRUCTION, EDUCATION, AND CURRICULAR CONTENT IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING 4
SUBJECTS: 5

(I) AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE; 6

(II) ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HISTORY AND 7
CULTURE; 8

(III) HISPANIC AND LATINO AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE; 9

(IV) THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF MARYLAND’S INDIGENOUS 10
PEOPLE AND THEIR DESCENDANTS; 11

(V) THE HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANTS; 12

(VI) JEWISH AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE; 13

(VII) LGBTQ+ AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE; 14

(VIII) MUSLIM AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE; AND 15

(IX) THE HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN; 16

(2) SEVEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS, EACH RECOMMENDED BY ONE OF 17
THE FOLLOWING GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAUCUSES: 18

(I) THE MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE ASIAN–AMERICAN & 19
PACIFIC–ISLANDER CAUCUS; 20

(II) THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS OF MARYLAND; 21

(III) THE MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE JEWISH CAUCUS; 22

(IV) THE MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE LATINO CAUCUS; 23

(V) THE MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE LGBTQ+ CAUCUS; 24

(VI) THE MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE MUSLIM CAUCUS; AND 25

(VII) THE WOMEN LEGISLATORS OF MARYLAND; 26
8 HOUSE BILL 627

(3) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE’S DISABLED COMMUNITY , 1
RECOMMENDED BY THE SECRETARY OF DISABILITIES; 2

(4) TWO LICENSED TEACHERS , CURRENTLY TEACHING C OURSES 3
THAT INVOLVE SOCIAL STUDIES OR OTHER RELATED HISTORICAL CURRICULA; 4

(4) (5) TWO STUDENTS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A PUBL IC HIGH 5
SCHOOL IN THE STATE; 6

(5) (6) THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 7
EDUCATION, SELECTED AS FOLLOWS: 8

(I) ONE FROM AN INSTITUTI ON WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY 9
SYSTEM OF MARYLAND; 10

(II) ONE FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE STATE; AND 11

(III) ONE FROM A HISTORICAL LY BLACK COLLEGE OR 12
UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE THAT IS A SEPAR ATE ENTITY FROM THE ENTITY 13
REPRESENTED UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS ITEM; AND 14

(6) (7) ONE CURRENT MEMBER OF THE PROFESSIONAL 15
STANDARDS AND TEACHER EDUCATION BOARD, RECOMMENDED BY THE 16
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD. 17

(B) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION 18
SHALL REFLECT THE GE NDER, RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVER SITY OF 19
THE STATE. 20

(C) (1) EXCEPT FOR THE STUDENT MEMBER, THE TERM OF A MEMBER IS 21
4 YEARS. 22

(2) THE TERM OF A STUDENT MEMBER IS 1 YEAR. 23

(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ELECT A CHAIR FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS. 24

(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE STAFF FOR THE COMMISSION. 25

(F) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION: 26

(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 27
COMMISSION; BUT 28

HOUSE BILL 627 9

(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR EX PENSES UNDER THE 1
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. 2

24–1405. 3

(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL: 4

(1) THOROUGHLY STUDY THE COURSE TOPICS , CURRICULUM 5
STANDARDS, CURRICULUM RESOURCES, CURRICULUM UNITS, AND COURSE SYLLABI 6
CURRENTLY BEING USED TO TEACH STUDENTS IN THE STATE AND HOW THEY 7
REPRESENT THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF DIVERSE GROUPS, INCLUDING: 8

(I) HOW THEY INCORPORATE BOTH THE SHARED AND 9
DISTINCT HISTORIES AND CULTURES ABOUT WH ICH COMMISSION MEMBERS HAVE 10
EXPERTISE; 11

(II) WHETHER SOURCES PRODU CED BY MEMBERS OF A 12
COMMUNITY ARE USED IN LESSONS ABOUT THAT COMMUNITY; AND 13

(III) THE APPROXIMATE PROPO RTION OF OVERALL 14
INSTRUCTIONAL TIME THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND CIVIC 15
CONTRIBUTIONS OF SPECIFIC DIVERSE GROUPS COMPARED TO OTHER TOPICS; AND 16

(2) STUDY CURRENT SCHOOL CALENDARS AND REQUIRED HOURS OF 17
INSTRUCTION AND WHET HER THEY ARE DESIGNE D TO REFLECT THE TRA DITIONS 18
AND CUSTOMS OF ALL MEMBERS OF A COMMUNITY. 19

(B) (1) AFTER THOROUGHLY STU DYING THE MATERIALS DESCRIBED 20
UNDER SUBSECTION (A)(1) OF THIS SECTION, ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028, AND 21
EVERY 4 YEARS THEREAFTER, THE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS 22
TO: 23

(I) THE STATE BOARD TO UPDATE COURS E TOPICS , 24
CURRICULUM STANDARDS , CURRICULUM RESOURCES , CURRICULUM UNITS , AND 25
COURSE SYLLABI TO MO RE ACCURATELY REFLEC T, THROUGH EVIDENCE –BASED 26
FACTUAL HISTORY, THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DIVERSE GROUPS; AND 27

(II) THE MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION TO 28
UPDATE TEACHER PREPA RATION PROGRAMS TO I NCLUDE INSTRUCTION ON 29
TEACHING THE ACCURAT E HISTORY OF DIVERSE PEOPLE AND THEIR 30
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND CIVIC LIFE OF TH E STATE 31
AND NATION. 32

10 HOUSE BILL 627

(2) IF THE STATE BOARD UPDATES ANY COU RSE TOPICS , 1
CURRICULUM STANDARDS , CURRICULUM RESOURCES , CURRICULUM UNITS , OR 2
COURSE SYLLABI IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMISSION’S REPORT, THE STATE BOARD 3
SHALL IDENTIFY EXISTING COURSES AND MATERIALS THAT MAY BE ADAPTED INTO 4
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES TO ASSI ST EDUCATORS WITH TE ACHING 5
UPDATED LESSONS. 6

(C) AFTER THOROUGHLY STUD YING SCHOOL CALENDAR S AND REQUIRED 7
HOURS OF INSTRUCTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH S UBSECTION (A)(2) OF THIS 8
SECTION, ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2027, AND EVERY 4 YEARS THEREAFTER, THE 9
COMMISSION SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON P OTENTIAL ADJUSTMENTS 10
THAT WOULD BETTER REFLECT THE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF ALL COMMUNITY 11
MEMBERS TO THE STATE BOARD AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE 12
STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 13

(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL COMP LETE ANY OTHER TASKS JOINTLY 14
ASSIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. 15

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Commission on Historic, 16
Cultural, and Civic Contributions in Education, established under § 24 –1402 of the 17
Education Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall report on or before December 18
1, 2029, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State Government Article, on whether the 19
Commission has adequately accomplished its goals and whether the Commission should 20
continue. 21

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 22
1, 2026. 23

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.