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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0254*
SENATE BILL 254
F1 6lr1999
CF 6lr0874
By: Senator Gallion
Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
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 awareness 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 THE 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
(1) Holds a certificate of approval from the State Board under § 2–206(e) of 20
this article; and 21
(2) Participates in the Nonpublic Schools Textbook and Technology Grants 22
Program. 23
2 SENATE BILL 254
(b) (1) The State Board and each nonpublic school in the State shall develop 1
and implement a program of age –appropriate education on the awareness and prevention 2
of sexual abuse and assault. 3
(2) The program required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall [be]: 4
(i) [Taught] BE TAUGHT by a teacher who is trained to provide 5
instruction on the awareness and prevention of sexual abuse and assault; [and] 6
(ii) [Incorporated] BE INCORPORATED into the health curriculum 7
of each county board and each nonpublic school; AND 8
(III) INCLUDE, FOR STUDENTS IN GRAD ES 6 THROUGH 8, 9
MATERIAL PROMOTING T HE AWARENESS AND PRE VENTION OF HUMAN AND SEX 10
TRAFFICKING. 11
(c) The State Board shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this 12
section. 13
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 14
1, 2026. 15